Barking Debut at the Domestic Box Office
“Dog Man” soared into the domestic box office spotlight, amassing a lively $36 million from 3,885 North American theaters during its first weekend on screens. This animated canine-crime-fighting adventure, embedded in the “Captain Underpants” world, exceeded already optimistic forecasts, thanks to dedicated fans eagerly anticipating new family-oriented content. Audiences awarded the film an “A” rating on CinemaScore, highlighting its broad appeal and suggesting a robust theatrical run in the weeks ahead. Analysts emphasize that strong word-of-mouth typically drives these family stories, and “Dog Man” seems well-positioned for ongoing success and repeat viewings.
In delivering “Dog Man,” Universal and DreamWorks Animation have skillfully tapped into a comedic universe that resonates with viewers of all ages, fusing playful humor with adventurous plotlines. The film’s dynamic marketing campaign further fueled ticket sales, capitalizing on the property’s built-in fan base from the popular children’s books. Social media buzz heightened anticipation, and the comedic canine antics effectively expanded beyond the core demographic. By preserving the spirit of “Captain Underpants” yet introducing inventive elements, the studios maintained a winning formula that enticed families seeking a shared, entertaining outing at the movies.

While “Dog Man” wagged its way to the top, Warner Bros. and New Line’s “Companion” arrived with a distinct R-rated premise, drawing an alternative audience for its satirical sci-fi spin. It took second place, collecting $9.5 million from 3,285 theaters, and attained an extra $5.5 million overseas, raising its global tally to $15 million on a modest $10 million production budget. Led by Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, this twisty thriller follows a weekend trip gone awry after one guest is revealed to be a companion robot. Critics awarded “Companion” a glowing 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences gave it a “B+” CinemaScore, fueling potential for sustained interest.
Prospects for a Sleeper Hit
Observers note that “Companion” may become a late-January or early-February success,
as the period traditionally offers room for offbeat and smaller-budget features to thrive.
Its unique plot, pairing robotic intrigue with comedic tension, sets it apart
from more typical genre films and entices viewers seeking something beyond the usual fare.
Early reviews point to strong direction and performances, which may sustain
steady box office returns even as bigger titles dominate multiplexes.
Meanwhile, “Dog Man” continues to delight younger audiences, offering an upbeat
counterpoint to “Companion’s” more mature sci-fi themes at the box office.
“‘Dog Man’ [is] enjoying an impressive debut,” observes Paul Dergarabedian, who serves as a senior analyst for Comscore. He points out that “the PG animation family film wave that was prevalent in 2024 is continuing in 2025.” His statement underscores the way these lighter, all-ages features seem to be thriving in a marketplace that recently welcomed various animated hits. Concurrently, Dergarabedian also highlights the very different draw of “Companion,” explaining that the film’s “very R-rated” content sets it apart in tone and target audience. In his estimation, “Companion” holds the potential to become a coveted choice for those seeking an “offbeat Valentine’s Day date night at the cinema.” This contrast emphasizes how the dual releases of a family-friendly title and a more mature one can broaden the weekend’s overall appeal at theaters.
Domestic Triumph, Overseas Challenges
Despite “Dog Man” comfortably claiming the top box office spot in North America, the whimsical crime-fighting adventure encountered less enthusiastic results overseas. Reports indicate that it took in $4.2 million across 29 international markets, bringing its global total to $40.6 million. While some might view these numbers as underwhelming internationally, the film’s domestic success remains a crucial factor in its overall performance. Moreover, the smaller foreign revenues may simply reflect varying international tastes, differences in local competition, or the timing of releases abroad. Given the film’s ongoing theatrical run, there is still time for “Dog Man” to capture additional audiences internationally.
Crucially, a $40 million production budget backs the PG-rated film, which sets the stage for a potentially profitable outcome despite those modest foreign grosses. Because many high-profile animations consider such an amount reasonable, “Dog Man” positions itself well to recoup costs through continuing domestic ticket sales, possible overseas gains, and subsequent revenue streams. Market analysts point to audience enthusiasm and a relatively uncluttered family-film landscape as factors that could boost the picture’s longevity in theaters. Although the film lacks the kind of international punch some previous animated releases have enjoyed, it still has room to grow and sustain its run thanks to robust domestic interest.
Family-Friendly Origins
“Dog Man,” (Not to be confused with Universal’s January horror film “Wolf Man,” which was premieredin January) is a film that dwelled upon the children’s comic book series of the same name by Dav Pilkey, the creator of “Captain Underpants.” By linking it to the universe of literary characters who are very popular, it becomes familiar automatically, attracted the young and their parents. In addition to the source material, the film has been getting good news mainly because of its voice cast, which includes Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, and Isla Fisher. The story is about a devoted police officer and his canine partner, who are fused together following injuries sustained in the line of duty. This quirky storyline gives “Dog Man” a distinct hook, blending outlandish humor with recognizable themes of loyalty and bravery.
Such an inventive premise resonates strongly with families in search of a charming, comedic experience at the multiplex.

Exhibitors often voice concerns about a lack of family titles, and this weekend’s box office showcases their value in keeping theaters bustling. Currently in its seventh week, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” brought in $6.1 million at 3,180 locations, demonstrating how an all-ages film can stay relevant even after a modest December debut. Its domestic total stands at $230 million, with $653 million worldwide, emphasizing the long-term potential of well-crafted family fare. Parents and children alike favor entertainment that connects generations, so movies like “Mufasa,” which blend nostalgia with fresh story arcs, hold strong appeal. This success drives studios to regularly produce G- or PG-rated offerings that reliably draw crowds. Furthermore, “Mufasa’s” robust cumulative earnings prove that a familiar storyline and wide audience reach can help a family-oriented movie clear initial hurdles amid stiff competition.
Mufasa’s Resilience and Pride Lands Legacy
Capitalizing on the iconic “Lion King” brand, “Mufasa: The Lion King” has benefited from positive word-of-mouth and repeat business since its holiday launch. Despite early critiques labeling its start as lackluster, the movie’s lofty totals now point to a turnaround. Many fans are intrigued by Mufasa’s backstory and appreciate the Pride Lands’ classic setting, which ties seamlessly into Disney’s broader animated tradition. By pairing well-known visuals and themes with new narrative elements, the prequel entices both nostalgic followers and fresh audiences. Week after week, “Mufasa” remains among the top earners, confirming a strong demand for high-quality family animation—even when it’s not positioned as a record-shattering blockbuster. The film’s blending of fan-favorite lore and novel content has carved out a persistent niche, sustaining its box office momentum.
Just beyond the top five, two major sequels highlight the ongoing strength of family-friendly releases. Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” secured sixth place with $3.2 million, taking its domestic haul to $230.5 million and worldwide total to $462.5 million since its Christmas debut. By mixing fast-paced adventure with comedic elements, the franchise appeals to both longtime fans of the Sega classic and newcomers. Meanwhile, Disney’s “Moana 2” earned $2.9 million for seventh place, advancing its U.S. total to $453 million and its global figure to $1.037 billion since premiering before Thanksgiving. Audiences have embraced this sequel’s memorable music, heartfelt storytelling, and the original’s goodwill. Alongside “Mufasa,” these strong showings confirm that recognized animated properties, enriched by both familiar touchpoints and engaging new plotlines, maintain a firm hold on viewers of all ages.
Comedy Slides to Fourth Place
Sony’s R-rated buddy comedy “One of Them Days”, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, dropped to fourth position on the weekend charts, securing approximately $6 million from 2,306 locations between Friday and Sunday. The box office decline stood at a modest 21% from the prior weekend, illustrating solid staying power for this comedic offering. Including its latest round of earnings, the film’s overall domestic gross reached $34.5 million after three weekends. Given that production costs were kept at $14 million, the financial outlook seems favorable, especially with encouraging audience reactions helping sustain its run. The comedic interplay between Palmer and SZA has garnered a steady stream of praise on social media, leading many observers to predict continued resilience, particularly with limited direct competition in the R-rated comedy sphere.

Meanwhile, last weekend’s top performer, “Flight Risk,” a high-octane thriller directed by Mel Gibson and led by Mark Wahlberg in the role of a reckless, balding pilot, plunged to fifth place. The film earned $5.6 million from 3,161 theaters, reflecting a substantial 53% dip in ticket sales compared to its $12 million opening. This drop pushed the movie’s overall domestic total to $20.9 million. Industry insiders note that, despite an initial wave of interest tied to Gibson’s directorial style and Wahlberg’s star power, word-of-mouth may not be sufficient to counter stiff competition from other action features. Some analysts suspect that negative reviews from certain critics dampened momentum, although others believe “Flight Risk” could still perform moderately well if it manages to hold onto a key demographic segment looking for gritty airborne suspense.
Industry-Wide Performance
As for broader trends, Comscore reports that overall box office revenues are up 14.4% compared to the same period last year, marking a welcome rebound from the challenges that previously weighed on theatrical attendance. In addition, the numbers show a 3.5% increase over the 2023 box office pace, which bodes well for studios hoping to rebuild the habit of moviegoing. Although the year remains in its early stages, many in Hollywood remain optimistic that 2025 could herald a full-scale recovery. The industry faced considerable headwinds in recent times, primarily caused by pandemic disruptions and two significant labor strikes, both of which stalled film production and impacted release schedules. Now, with some sense of normality returning, major studios and independent producers are looking forward to seeing whether improved ticket sales will hold steady as the release calendar unfolds, ensuring a robust rebound for the box office.
