Box Office: 'Dog Man' Barks Loudly with $36 Million Debut, Thanks to DreamWorks Animation
The animated film Dog Man made a strong debut at the North American box office, raking in an impressive $36 million from 3,885 theatres over the weekend. The family-friendly movie, produced by Universal and DreamWorks Animation, is set in the Captain Underpants universe and quickly became a favourite among moviegoers. With an “A” CinemaScore rating, the film is expected to maintain a steady run in theatres.
Warner Bros. and New Line's sci-fi thriller Companion also hit theatres, landing at No. 2 with a respectable $9.5 million from 3,285 locations. Internationally, it added another $5.5 million across 60 markets, bringing its total earnings to $15 million. Given its modest $10 million production cost, Companion could turn into a sleeper hit, especially with its glowing 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating and positive “B+” CinemaScore. Starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, the thriller follows a group of friends whose weekend retreat turns eerie when they discover one of them is actually a robotic companion.
According to industry expert Paul Dergarabedian, Dog Man’s strong opening proves that animated family films remain a dominant force in 2025, while Companion caters to a different audience, making it an intriguing choice for an unconventional Valentine’s Day date.
Despite its stellar domestic performance, Dog Man struggled overseas, earning just $4.2 million from 29 international markets. However, with a production budget of $40 million, it still stands on solid ground. Featuring voice talents like Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, and Isla Fisher, the film tells the story of a police officer who fuses with his dog after a work-related accident.
The box office rankings further highlight the demand for family-friendly content. Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, now in its seventh weekend, secured third place with $6.1 million from 3,180 locations. Though its December opening was lukewarm, the prequel has gained momentum, reaching $230 million in North America and $653 million globally.
Outside the top three, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Disney’s Moana 2 ranked sixth and seventh, earning $3.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Sonic 3, released in late December, has amassed $230.5 million domestically and $462.5 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Moana 2, which launched before Thanksgiving, has surged past $1 billion globally, with $453 million from North America alone.
In fourth place, Sony’s comedy One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, pulled in $6 million from 2,306 theatres—a modest 21% drop from the previous weekend. With a $14 million budget, the film has grossed $34.5 million in three weeks.
On the other hand, last weekend’s leader, Flight Risk, directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg, slipped to fifth place. The action-packed thriller earned $5.6 million from 3,161 theatres—a sharp 53% drop from its $12 million debut. Its domestic earnings now stand at $20.9 million.
As 2025 progresses, Hollywood is optimistic about a box office rebound following years of pandemic struggles and labour strikes. So far, ticket sales have risen 14.4% compared to last year and 3.5% above 2023 figures, signalling a promising start for the film industry.
