The live-action update of the popular animated film grossed $8.6 million in regular Thursday shows, and another $2.5 million from early access Wednesday screenings.

The release of the live action How To Train Your Dragon is hitting theaters, and there’s every possible reason for optimism. Reviews are over the top positive. Box office expectations are really high, and most importantly, we just got word we’re getting a collaboration between the beloved franchise and Loungefly.

Universal's 'How to Train Your Dragon' is opening to $82.5M, the best in the franchise, while A24's 'Materialists' is looking at $11M+.

Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s live-action “ How to Train Your Dragon ” picked up $8.6 million from Thursday previews as it soars towards a projected $70 million to $80 million debut. The preview number climbed even higher to $11.1M, because Universal hosted “early access screenings” on Wednesday.

For the most part, the cast of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is different from the animated movies. However, there’s one actor who returned to reprise the role he originated in the animated movie,