The live-action update of the popular animated film grossed $8.6 million in Thursday shows and another $2.5 million in early access Wednesday screenings.

The release of the live action How To Train Your Dragon is hitting theaters, and there’s every possible reason for optimism. Reviews are over the top positive. Box office expectations are really high, and most importantly, we just got word we’re getting a collaboration between the beloved franchise and Loungefly.

Chains such as AMC, Harkins and Cinemark will be selling popcorn buckets, some with Toothless plushies, at prices ranging from $15 to $40-plus, based on spot checks of Southern California theaters and merchandise posted on their websites. Merch includes T-shirts, tumblers and standees.

"How to Train Your Dragon" star Nico Parker talks about playing Astrid in the new live-action adaptation of the animated movie.

Going into my screening of the new live-action feature, I made a specific point of not revisiting the 2010 movie – which I probably last watched around the time that How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was released.