DreamWorks Animation's latest release, Dog Man, has taken the box office by storm, raking in an impressive $36 million in its opening weekend. This makes it the largest debut of 2025 so far, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. The film, distributed by Universal Pictures and adapted from Dav Pilkey's beloved graphic novel series, had a production budget of just $40 million, setting it on course for a highly profitable run.
This commanding opening for Dog Man is second only to 2016's Kung Fu Panda 3 among animated films released in January. While domestic audiences have warmly embraced the film, shown by its 'A' CinemaScore rating, its performance overseas was modest, fetching $4.2 million across 29 international markets.
The voice cast, featuring stars like Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, and Isla Fisher, adds charm to the movie directed by Peter Hastings. Dog Man echoes a consistent trend in the box office where family films play a significant role. Last year, PG-rated movies contributed to 33% of all ticket sales, amounting to $2.9 billion in revenue, underscoring the enduring appeal of family-friendly content at cinemas.
The Walt Disney Company's December hit, Mufasa: The Lion King, has also had a strong showing in early 2025, spending three weekends as the box office leader. It currently holds the third position, adding $6.1 million to its global tally of $653 million this weekend.
Comscore's senior media analyst, Paul Dergarabedian, highlighted that the momentum of PG animation films from 2024 continues unabated into 2025, illustrating a robust market for family-oriented films.
Meanwhile, the horror comedy Companion, from Warner Bros. and New Line, made a noteworthy debut with $9.5 million across 3,285 theaters. Directed by Drew Hancock, the film features a unique sci-fi edge and an engaging storyline about friends on a weekend getaway. With a modest budget of $10 million and a 94% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, coupled with a 'B+' from CinemaScore, Companion seems well-positioned for success as it relies on positive reviews and word-of-mouth promotion.
The action-packed Flight Risk, starring Mark Wahlberg, saw a sharp decline from its previous standing. After leading the box office, it slipped to fifth place, earning $5.6 million over the weekend, bringing its total to $20.9 million in domestic sales.
Notably, the comedy genre made a strong comeback with Sony Pictures' One of Them Days, featuring Keke Palmer and SZA. Despite the recent challenges faced by comedies in attracting audiences to theaters, this R-rated film has been an exception. It secured $5.6 million over the weekend, amassing $34.5 million in its three-week run, a remarkable feat for a film produced for just $14 million.
Looking ahead, as we await the final domestic figures due to be released Monday, it’s clear that the presence of engaging family and animated films will be a major factor in the 2025 box office narrative.
The weekend's estimated ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada, according to Comscore, were as follows: 1. Dog Man, $36 million. 2. Companion, $9.5 million. 3. Mufasa, $6.1 million. 4. One of Them Days, $6 million. 5. Flight Risk, $5.6 million. 6. Sonic the Hedgehog 3, $3.2 million. 7. Moana 2, $2.8 million. 8. A Complete Unknown, $2.2 million. 9. The Brutalist, $1.9 million. 10. Den of Thieves: Pantera, $1.6 million.
