Sony's "28 Days Later" had a strong Thursday preview, earning $5.8 million, while Pixar's "Elio" debuted with $3 million. "28 Days Later" is projected to open at $28-30 million, potentially the best debut in the series, while "Elio" is expected to gross $25-30 million. However, Universal's "How to Train Your Dragon" is predicted to remain the box office champion with $40-43 million in its second weekend, having already grossed over $200 million. "Elio", a $150 million production, faces uncertainty, while "28 Days Later", a critical darling, aims to launch a new trilogy.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.