How to Train Your Dragon
The animated classic, reimagined in live-action
As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between an unlikely duo will change their fates forever, in this live-action reimagining.
Directed by Dean DeBlois · Action · Adventure · Family · 125 min · 2025
Trailer
Director
Dean DeBlois
Studio
Universal Pictures / DreamWorks
Release
June 13, 2025
Runtime
125 min
Genres
Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Box office
$636.4 million worldwide
Full Plot
On the remote island of Berk, Vikings live under constant threat from dragons that raid their livestock and destroy their homes. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III-an inventive but awkward teen and the son of Chief Stoick the Vast-struggles to fit into a culture that values brute strength. During a dragon attack, he secretly injures a rare Night Fury but, instead of killing it, forms a bond with the creature he names Toothless. Their friendship reveals that dragons are not the monsters the Vikings believe them to be.
Cast & Characters
Astrid
Nico Parker
↔ Hiccup
Stoick
Gerard Butler
↔ Hiccup
Gobber
Nick Frost
Snotlout Jorgenson, dragon-fighting student who sees himself as Hiccup's rival
Gabriel Howell
Fishlegs Ingerman, dragon-fighting student and Hiccup's best friend who is obsessed with memorizing dragon statistics
Julian Dennison
Ruffnut Thorston, dragon-fighting student and Tuffnut's twin sister
Bronwyn James
Tuffnut Thorston, dragon-fighting student and Ruffnut's twin brother
Harry Trevaldwyn
Spitelout Jorgenson, Snotlout's father and Stoick's second-in-command
Peter Serafinowicz
Phlegma the Fierce, a member of the Viking village who lost half her right leg during one of the dragon fights.
Ruth Codd
Gothi, the village elder
Naomi Wirthner
Hoark, a member of the Viking village
Murray McArthur
Did You Know?
Dean DeBlois, who directed the original 2010 animated trilogy, returns to direct this live-action remake.
Source: DreamWorks announcement · verified 2026-07-29
Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick, having voiced the character in all three animated films.
Source: Cast announcement · verified 2026-07-29
How to Train Your Dragon has grossed $263 million in the United States and Canada, and $373.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
How to Train Your Dragon holds a 7.7/10 on IMDb (131,570 votes), a 61/100 on Metacritic, and a 78% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes — one of the stronger-reviewed live-action animated remakes of recent years.
“A rare live-action remake that justifies its own existence.” — IGN “Thames makes for a compelling, vulnerable Hiccup.” — Collider
This adaptation bucks the usual live-action-remake critical skepticism, with a 78% RT score well above genre peers like Lilo & Stitch — likely helped by DeBlois' direct creative continuity from the original trilogy.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedHow to Train Your Dragon's 78% RT score sets it apart from 2025's other live-action remakes — having the original director return clearly mattered to critics and audiences alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is How to Train Your Dragon's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
How to Train Your Dragon holds a 78% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is How to Train Your Dragon's IMDb rating?+
How to Train Your Dragon has a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb from 131,570 votes.
What is How to Train Your Dragon's Metacritic score?+
How to Train Your Dragon has a Metascore of 61/100 on Metacritic.
Is How to Train Your Dragon good? What are critics saying?+
How to Train Your Dragon holds a 7.7/10 on IMDb (131,570 votes), a 61/100 on Metacritic, and a 78% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes — one of the stronger-reviewed live-action animated remakes of recent years.
How long is How to Train Your Dragon?+
How to Train Your Dragon has a runtime of 125 min.
Who directed How to Train Your Dragon?+
How to Train Your Dragon was directed by Dean DeBlois.
Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon?+
How to Train Your Dragon is available to stream, rent, or buy on Netflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Sky Go, Now TV Cinema, Rakuten TV, Sky Store.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "How to Train Your Dragon" is generally positive, with many praising the film's emotional storytelling and memorable characters. The movie stands out for its ability to balance action and fantasy elements, and fans are excited about the potential sequel. However, some viewers feel that a live-action remake does not live up to the original animated version, which they hold in high regard.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Whatever happened to Brenton Thwaites? For some reason that crossed my mind as this thoroughly entertaining fantasy adventure gets off to a rollicking start and keeps going. Now if you are the “Hagar”-esque Viking chief (Gerard Butler) expecting your son to take over as fearless…
CinemaSerf · 7/10The How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake is a shot-for-shot remake of the original 2010 animated film. It is DreamWorks Animation's first foray into live-action and original screenwriter and director Dean DeBlois returns. The few highlights of the live-action version of th…
Chris Sawin · 1/10Maybe some of the stellar reviews are based on some sort of nostalgia for the 2010 animated movie but I don't hold the same regard to that movie, although I did enjoy those movies. However, this live action version, like the ones Disney has been churning out, feels a bit pointles…
JPV852 · 6/10How to Train Your Dragon is widely praised as one of the best animated trilogies ever made. It stands out for its emotional storytelling, especially the bond between Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Toothless, which evolves from fear and misunderstanding into deep friendship and…
From the trailer's comments
An animated version of this would be sick!
@BMoneyrulz · 148144 likesI'm glad they made Toothless look basically the same. I hope he is just as expressive as in the animated as well.
@Redwood_ · 64732 likesPerfect casting for Toothless!
@connection7405 · 65587 likes1:03 The music ! The music! If they just play 5min of this in cinema, this movie is perfect!!!
@dessperado82 · 226 likesAnyone else just glad they kept the original theme? That theme song still gives me chills to this day!!!
@konajohnson6182 · 10033 likesReally hope that Toothless has the same amount of expressions as he did in the original.
@dspace4514 · 15258 likesGerard Butler being back as Stoick feels just right and authentic, like having James Earl Jones back as Mufasa.
@Depth217 · 5886 likesIf they don't bring back the opening scene with "This is Berk" playing, I give up on humanity.
@epcotdisneyworld · 876 likes
