Weekend - Dragons rule

This weekend, UK cinemas were ablaze with the triumphant return of a fan-favourite franchise. DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon soared to the top with a mighty £8,145,189 debut, including a robust £2,441,301 from previews. Its launch marks the fifth highest-grossing opening weekend of 2025 and stands as the 102nd widest UK release in history, spanning 661 screens. With its potent mix of heart, spectacle, and nostalgia, Dragon reasserts its position as a cinematic heavyweight.

Franchise Fortunes and Falling Feathers

In second place, Lilo & Stitch brought in £1,469,785 despite a 58% drop, pushing its cumulative total to a commanding £33,236,415 over four weeks. As one of Disney’s most emotionally resonant live-action remakes, it continues to resonate with cross-generational audiences.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning took £1,190,616, down 49% from last week, but its total now stands at £23,560,883—overtaking Rogue Nation to become the second highest-grossing entry in the franchise after Dead Reckoning’s benchmark £26,579,966. At four weeks in, Ethan Hunt still refuses to be counted out.

Artful Climbers and Modest Newcomers

Biographical drama The Salt Path (No. 4) continued its steady stride with £592,578, bringing its total to £6,002,299. It’s a sleeper hit with depth, boosted by word-of-mouth and strong adult audiences. Close behind, Ballerina (No. 5), with its stylized choreography and neo-noir aesthetics, tallied £580,834, though its overall total of £2,633,002 signals a steeper second-week decline of 59%.

The legacy reboot Karate Kid: Legends (No. 6) delivered £472,038, reaching £4,919,265 after three weeks—a solid showing that suggests the Crane Kick still packs cultural punch.

Deeper Cuts and Genre Staples

Final Destination: Bloodlines (No. 7) claimed £304,740, holding its nerve in its fifth week, with a chilling £11,117,652 to date. Meanwhile, The Ballad of Wallis Island (No. 8) dipped just 3%—a standout for its resilience—grossing £240,232 this frame to notch £906,175 overall.

At the tail of the top ten, Peppa Meets The Baby Cinema Experience took a sharp 69% tumble, earning £153,900 but reaching a charming £1,971,199 total. Horror newcomer Clown In A Cornfield scared up £129,742 in its sophomore weekend (No. 10), now sitting at £657,326.

Beyond the Top Ten

Further down the list, spy thriller The Phoenician Scheme (No. 11) added £129,706 for a solid £2,856,755 over four weeks. Long-running crime drama Sinners (No. 12) earned £80,257, closing in on £16,023,405 across nine weeks—an under-the-radar powerhouse.

Romantic misfire Love Guru (No. 13) drew just £75,039, landing at £266,686 after two weeks, while debutant eco-thriller Tornado (No. 14) stirred £70,185 across 164 screens—not enough to shake the charts, but worth watching if storms build.

Rounding out the list is Bollywood ensemble comedy Housefull 5 A with £56,054, bringing its modest two-week total to £354,180.