SearchNewslettersWatchlistLatest in SubscribeDigital accessDigital + home deliveryDog Man bites off $36-million to take top box office spotDog Man bites off $36-million to take top box office spotJake CoyleNew yorkThe Associated PressPublished February 2, 2025Open this photo in gallery:Petey, voiced by Pete Davidson, left, and Dog Man, voiced by Peter Hastings in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's Dog Man.Photo Credit: Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Animation/The Associated PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountDreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man fetched US$36-million in ticket sales at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday, making it the biggest debut yet in 2025.It was a big opening for the Universal Pictures release adapted from the popular graphic novel series by author Dav Pilkey. The big-screen launch for the cartoon canine was produced for a modest US$40-million, meaning it will easily coast through a profitable run. Audiences gave it an “A” CinemaScore.Only one animated film before has had a better January launch: 2016’s Kung Fu Panda 3. Dog Man, though, was soft overseas, collecting US$4.2-million from 29 international markets. The voice cast of the Peter Hastings-directed movie is led by Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery and Isla Fisher.Family movies last year buoyed the box office, with PG-rated films accounting for US$2.9-billion, or 33 per cent of all ticket revenue, according to data firm Comscore. So far, they’re lifting 2025, too. The Walt Disney Co.’s December release Mufasa: The Lion King topped the weekend box office three times in January. In its seventh week of release, Mufasa held in third place with another US$6.1-million, bringing its global tally to US$653-million.“The PG animation family film wave that was so prevalent in ’24 continues in ’25,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore.The horror comedy Companion, from Warner Bros. and New Line, also opened well, with US$9.5-million in 3,285 locations. Drew Hancock’s sci-fi tinged film set in the near future is about a group of friends on a weekend lakeside getaway.Companion, starring Sophie Thatcher (Heretic), was lightly marketed and made for just US$10-million. It will depend on glowing reviews (94 per cent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and strong word of mouth (a “B+” CinemaScore) to keep drawing moviegoers in the coming weeks.Last week’s top film, Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk, dropped steeply in its second weekend. The action thriller starring Mark Wahlberg fell to fifth place with US$5.6-million. Domestically, it has collected US$20.9-million for Lionsgate.One of the early year’s standout successes has been Sony Pictures’ One of Them Days, the R-rated comedy starring Keke Palmer and SZA. Though comedies have had a hard time in theatres in recent years, “One of Them Days” has proven an exception. The well-reviewed movie earned US$5.6-million over the weekend, bringing its three-week total to US$34.5-million – a stellar result for a movie that cost US$14-million to make.Final domestic figures will be released Monday. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Comscore:Dog Man, US$36-million.Companion, US$9.5-million.Mufasa, US$6.1-million.One of Them Days, US$6-million.Flight Risk, US$5.6-million.Sonic the Hedgehog 3, US$3.2-million.Moana 2, US$2.8-million.A Complete Unknown, US$2.2-million.The Brutalist, US$1.9-million.Den of Thieves: Pantera, US$1.6-million.Please enable JavaScript to view this content.Related storiesTake a BreakFollow related authors and topicsAuthors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.Interact with The GlobeTerms & ConditionsCommunity GuidelinesPrivacy PolicyDisclaimerSkip footer navigationSubscribeDigital + Home DeliveryDigital AccessGlobe2GoThe New York TimesGlobe Email NewslettersGift SubscriptionBusiness servicesAdvertise with UsGroup SubscriptionsGlobe CampusDataStoreGlobe Event CentreLeadership InstituteContact usAddress and Phone NumberStandards EditorStaffSecureDropSubmit an articleReader servicesAccount SettingsTechnical Support & FAQsSubscriptionsMember BenefitsPrivacy SettingsAbout usCompany InformationWork at The GlobeAccessibilityEditorial Code of ConductSustainabilityLicensing & PermissionsElection Advertising RegistryModern Slavery ReportSubscribeBusiness servicesContact usReader servicesAbout usReturn to start of footer navigation© Copyright 2025 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved.351 King Street East, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON Canada, M5A 0N1Andrew Saunders, President and CEO, Universal and DreamWorks’ family hit Dog Man dominated Super Bowl weekend in its second frame, taking in an estimated $13.7M on 3,887 screens for a Per Screen Average of $3,525., Though two of its first three days were in February, Dog Man still counts as a January release, and it made an impression. Its $36 million debut is enough to get it into the top 10 openings.