‘Dragon’ Soars In Opening Weekend

Dreamworks’ 3D CG factory has rolled out another winner, as “How To Train Your Dragon” won the box office race on its opening weekend with an estimated $43.3 million.

While the film has scored high with both audiences and critics, “Dragon” also benefited from the weekend’s rise in ticket prices, both in 2D and 3D exhibition. Movie tickets rose 5-7 percent nationwide at each of the major theater chains.

“Dragon” unseated the previous top flick, Tim Burton’s “Alice In Wonderland,” which fell off over half from the previous week. Its weekend gross of $17.3 million brings “Alice’s” total to $293.1 million domestically over a four-week period.

“Hot Tub Time Machine” opened in third place, with an estimated $13.6 million. The R-rated comedy performed lower than analysts had predicted, earning an estimated $4,956 per screen. As the film reportedly cost more than $50 million to make, the opening has MGM brass more than a little anxious.

Here’s the top five from the weekend, courtesy of BoxOfficeMojo.com:

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, MARCH 26-28, 2010

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. How to Train Your Dragon (Paramount (DreamWorks))
$43.3 million | 4,055 | $43.3 million | 1

2. Alice in Wonderland (2010) (Buena Vista)
$17.3 million | 3,384 | $293.1 million | 4

3. Hot Tub Time Machine (MGM)
$13.7 million | 2,754 | $13.7 million | 1

4. The Bounty Hunter (Sony / Columbia)
$12.4 million | 3,074 | $38.8 million | 2

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Fox)
$10.0 million | 3,083 | $35.8 million | 2