---
title: "How to Train Your Dragon 2: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2"
critics_score: 69
critics_reviews: 25
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014): what the critics said

Critics' score 69 from 25 reviews: 16 positive, 6 mixed, 3 negative.

Most critics like this sequel. The praise gathers around the animation: the flying sequences, the dragon sanctuary, and the way the dragons move like real animals rather than cartoon pets. Toothless draws affection again, and several reviews find the film more mature and emotionally deeper than the first, with the reunion between Hiccup’s parents singled out as its tenderest passage.

The reservations cluster around the story. Several critics call it overstuffed, with too many characters and too little time for the supporting ones, and more than one misses the simpler, lighter touch of the original. A few note that Toothless is pushed to the edges late on, leaving Hiccup without his best foil. The spread is wide: Empire, Total Film and Variety are close to raves, while The Wrap, The AV Club and Eye for Film find it muddled and less soulful than its predecessor, blaming the villain and the war plot.

## Empire — Helen O'Hara

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2013. 

O’Hara calls it a triumphant, thrilling sequel that deepens the story and sets up an ambitious trilogy. She especially praises Toothless’s expressive character and the film’s visually rich flying sequences.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/train-dragon-2-review/)

## IndieWire — Charles Solomon

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2014. 

Solomon gives the film an emphatic rave, calling it a new standard of excellence for DreamWorks and a contender for major awards. He especially praises its vivid animation and the emotionally compelling bond between Hiccup and Toothless.

[Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-124177/)

## Total Film — Matt Risley

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2014. Festival review. 

Risley finds the sequel emotionally richer and more mature, calling it DreamWorks’ most accomplished film yet. He especially praises its exhilarating flying scenes and the wonder they bring to Hiccup and Toothless’s bond.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/cannes-2014-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-reaction-review/)

## Variety — Peter Debruge

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2014. Festival review. 

Debruge calls it DreamWorks Animation’s strongest sequel yet, finding it emotionally satisfying and creatively bold. He especially praises the visually stunning dragon sanctuary and the expressive character animation.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/cannes-film-review-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-1201181707/)

## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2014. 

Sharkey finds the sequel a rip-roaring, emotionally affecting continuation that deepens the first film’s emotional core. She particularly praises the animation and the understated performance that makes Hiccup’s growth into a leader convincing.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-review-20140613-column.html)

## Radio Times — Leslie Felperin

Rating 4/5. 

Felperin finds it a sturdy, inventive sequel, with the quieter character-led moments especially effective. She praises the imaginative use of 3D for its aerial set pieces, while noting there may be too many characters.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-moixnn/how-to-train-your-dragon-2/)

## The New Yorker

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 

The New Yorker finds the sequel deeper and more satisfying than the original. It particularly praises the vivid 3-D cinematography and the emotional resonance brought by Valka.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon-2)

## The Guardian — Mark Kermode

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2014. 

Kermode finds the sequel intriguing and visually impressive. He singles out its swoopy animation and the spectacular, unsettling appearance of a giant dragon-like creature.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/13/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-review-dreamworks)

## Screen Daily — Mark Adams

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2014. 

The review presents the film as an engaging adventure with a tender heart. It singles out the sweeping action sequences and emotional warmth for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-2/5071935.article)

## The New York Times — A.O. Scott

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2014. 

The review is positive about the film. It singles out the animated adventure and its imaginative world as strengths.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/13/movies/in-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-war-and-peace-and-beasties.html)

## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 29 July 2014. 

O'Sullivan finds the sequel uneven but ultimately enjoyable, despite its lack of originality and some tedious dialogue. She praises Toothless's charm and the gorgeously choreographed dragon action.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-film-review-9599348.html)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2014. Festival review. 

Felperin finds the sequel visually spectacular but overstuffed, emotionally uneven, and potentially too intense for younger viewers. She especially praises the expressive, animal-like dragon animation and the nuanced bond between Hiccup and Toothless.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-train-your-dragon-2-704887/)

## Time Out — Dave Calhoun

Rating 3/5. 1 July 2014. 

Calhoun gives the film three out of five, a moderate rather than unequivocal endorsement. The available page text notes its reliance on goodwill toward Hiccup and his dragons, but provides no fuller criticism.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon-2)

## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson

Rating 2/4. 10 June 2014. 

Henderson finds the sequel disappointing despite its crowd-pleasing core, as its ambitions overwhelm the original’s simpler appeal. He particularly faults Toothless being sidelined, which leaves Hiccup without an effective foil.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2/)

## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2014. 

Ebiri finds the sequel visually impressive but dramatically underwhelming and somewhat dated. He praises the intimate family scenes, especially the tender reunion between Valka and Stoick.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2014/06/movie-review-how-to-train-your-dragon-2.html)

## The AV Club — A.A. Dowd

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2014. 

Dowd’s headline frames the sequel as a weaker, less soulful follow-up. It singles out the loss of the original’s emotional depth as its main shortcoming.

[Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/latest?page=1192&startTime=1616785200374)

## Den of Geek — Mark Harrison

Rating 4/5. 16 June 2014. 

Harrison considers it a marvellous, adept sequel that largely succeeds, though it falls short of the original’s carefree simplicity. He praises its empathy and open-mindedness, alongside its visuals, score, and emotionally powerful moments.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-review-2/)

## HeyUGuys — Steven Neish

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2014. 

Neish finds the sequel a resounding success, though less sharp and streamlined than the original. He especially praises its poignant family reunion and the continuing delight of Hiccup and Toothless’s friendship.

[Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-review/)

## Paste — Mark Rozeman

Rating 8.3. 13 June 2014. 

Rozeman calls the sequel a worthy successor, despite occasional problems with pacing and its crowded story. He especially praises the vivid animation and spectacular flying sequences.

[Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/how-to/how-to-train-your-dragon-2)

## The Playlist

Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2014. 

The headline presents the film as satisfying, though slightly inferior to its predecessor. The available page text does not reveal what the critic specifically praises or criticizes.

[Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-is-a-satisfying-if-slightly-inferior-sequel-20140611/)

## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 July 2014. 

The critic finds it polished, entertaining summer fare, though it falls short of the best recent animated films. He praises the exhilarating flight sequences and emotional impact, but faults the thin treatment of supporting characters.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a581689/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-review-flying-high-or-wings-clipped/)

## /Film — David Chen

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2014. 

The headline presents the film as a worthy sequel, suggesting a positive verdict. The visible text praises the original’s flight sequences and Toothless, but gives no specific praise for the sequel itself.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/532293/train-dragon-2-video-review-worthy-sequel-beautiful-film/)

## The Skinny — Becky Bartlett

Rating ★★★. 14 July 2014. 

Bartlett finds the sequel adequate light entertainment but says it lacks the focus and excitement of its predecessor. She praises the visuals and the playful dragon interactions, while noting that Toothless is sidelined near the end.

[Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/how-to-train-your-dragon-2)

## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2014. 

The critic finds the sequel visually impressive but less charming and emotionally effective than its predecessor. The visuals and Hiccup’s bond with his mother stand out, while the villain and war plot disappoint.

[Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-review-cate-blanchett-jay-baruchel-america-ferrera/)

## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray

Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 25 June 2014. 

The critic finds the sequel muddled and far less effective than its predecessor. The visuals are singled out for praise, while the story’s competing spectacle and family-drama threads leave Toothless lost in the mist.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-2014-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2.md