---
title: "How to Train Your Dragon"
year: 2010
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010"
fi1m_id: "how-to-train-your-dragon-2010"
imdb_id: "tt0892769"
tmdb_id: 10191
wikidata_id: "Q373096"
fi1m_score: 82
critics_score: 76
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:50.944705+00:00"
region: "US"
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 (2010)

Directed by Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders · 1h 38m · MPA PG · Fantasy, Adventure, Animation, Family

## Identity

How to Train Your Dragon

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** how-to-train-your-dragon-2010
- **IMDb ID:** tt0892769
- **TMDB ID:** 10191
- **Wikidata ID:** Q373096
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10191, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q373096

**Fi1m score: 82** · Critics 76 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* A Viking boy makes a friend, and suddenly all that dragon-fighting looks rather poorly thought through

> The boy and his dragon make the familiar lessons worth hearing again. Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders deliver a warm, exciting adventure, though the human supporting characters are less carefully drawn than the central friendship.

## Synopsis

Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) is a Viking boy growing up among people who regard dragons as enemies. His encounter with a wounded Night Fury, Toothless, gives him reason to question what he has been taught. As a friendship develops, he begins to see the creatures differently, putting him at odds with the expectations around him. This animated fantasy adventure follows a boy learning when to trust his own judgement, with dragon flight and battles alongside its story of tolerance. The voice cast also includes Gerard Butler as Stoick, Craig Ferguson as Gobber and America Ferrera as Astrid.

## Review

[*How to Train Your Dragon*](https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon) asks a straightforward question: what if the creature everyone fears deserves a closer look? Directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders make a warmly persuasive family adventure from it, even when the plot follows a route we can see coming. Hiccup, the Viking boy voiced by Jay Baruchel, encounters the wounded dragon Toothless and starts questioning the accepted business of fighting dragons. The film gives that change of mind enough attention for its lesson about tolerance to feel earned.

The friendship is the reason to watch, and Baruchel is important to its success. His voice has a hesitant, slightly awkward quality that suits a boy beginning to doubt the people around him; there is no need to make Hiccup sound heroic before we care about him. We were moved by his growing tenderness towards the wounded Toothless. Their trust takes time to develop, and the film gives it that time.

Gil Zimmerman’s cinematography makes the flying sequences exciting because height and speed remain things to be reckoned with. There is pleasure in the movement, but also a sense that these bodies could be hurt, which matters in an animated adventure. Editors Maryann Brandon and Darren T. Holmes keep that movement readable without making it feel sedate. The action works because we can follow it and because the friendship has given us something to worry about.

John Powell’s score gives those flights an expansiveness that the more earthbound comedy does not always manage. The music is emphatic, yet the excitement on screen can support it. Kathy Altieri’s production design helps make the fantasy setting convincing enough for the danger to register. We are less persuaded by the human character animation: the smooth, manufactured look of some faces limits what the voice performances can achieve.

The writing is less consistent. Sanders, DeBlois and William Davies have found a good centre in Hiccup’s changing attitude, but the surrounding family-adventure conventions remain easy to recognise. The opening is unsettled, and the humour sometimes interrupts when it ought to help; the film needs time to establish which part of its story deserves our attention. Once it concentrates on boy and dragon, the jokes no longer have to do quite so much work.

The supporting humans also feel less individual than they should, despite a voice cast that includes Gerard Butler as Stoick and America Ferrera as Astrid. They are functional company, and the film does not give them the same patient attention it gives the central pair. This is where the familiar plotting costs it most: we recognise the sort of character before we become interested in the person. The occasional stiffness of the animation does not help them.

Family animation often asks for applause simply because it has told children to be kind or believe in themselves. Here, questioning received wisdom is made part of an absorbing relationship, and the adventure is better for taking that relationship seriously. At 98 minutes, there is room for tenderness without losing the pleasure of dragons in flight. Watch it for Hiccup and Toothless, and forgive the more ordinary people waiting on the ground.

*Fi1m score 82, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to How to Train Your Dragon, with praise clustering around the dragon-flight sequences and the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. The reviews repeatedly single out the animation’s sense of speed and danger, while finding tenderness in the central relationship. Several also welcome the emphasis on sincerity rather than satire, and the message of questioning inherited prejudices gives the adventure substance beyond its action.

Reservations centre on familiar plotting, uneven humour and less convincing human characters. The spread is largely positive, though Time Out finds the voices jarring and the characterisation old-fashioned despite admiring the script and action. The Hollywood Reporter is more doubtful, praising the flying scenes but finding the film disjointed and emotionally distant. That puts it at odds with the many reviews that regard the boy-and-dragon bond as the film’s chief strength.

## Straight answers

**Is How to Train Your Dragon worth watching?**

*How to Train Your Dragon* is worth watching for families and for anyone who enjoys a well-made animated adventure, and we scored it 82. The friendship between Hiccup and the wounded dragon Toothless is the reason to see it, and the flying sequences carry real excitement. The human supporting characters are more ordinary than the central pair, and the plot follows a route you will see coming.

**How long is How to Train Your Dragon, and what is it rated?**

*How to Train Your Dragon* runs 1h 38m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is a fantasy and adventure film.

**Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon in the US?**

*How to Train Your Dragon* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does How to Train Your Dragon compare to The Iron Giant?**

*How to Train Your Dragon* and [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) both make a child's kindness to a feared creature matter more than the adults' certainty, and both are worth a family's evening. Dragon has the better spectacle, with flying sequences in which height and speed feel dangerous; Giant is the more tender and funnier of the two. Each draws its grown-ups less carefully than its central friendship.

**What should I watch after How to Train Your Dragon?**

After *How to Train Your Dragon*, try [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) (1999, Fi1m 88): Another misunderstood giant makes a child’s kindness matter more than the grown-ups’ certainty. Then [*Kiki's Delivery Service*](https://film.one/film/kikis-delivery-service) (1989, Fi1m 86): For flight, adolescent uncertainty and the difficult business of learning to trust yourself; and [*The Black Stallion*](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion) (1979, Fi1m 87): A boy and an animal become friends, with patience and pictures doing the work.

### Reviews we read (16)

- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (85/100, inferred): Betsy Sharkey calls the film heartwarming and heartfelt with a modern spin on familiar themes, crediting the directors for its distinctive visual style and nuance while noting it mostly soars despite some rough spots. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-mar-26-la-et-dragon26-2010mar26-story.html)
- **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (80/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's central bond between the geeky Viking boy Hiccup and the wounded Night Fury dragon Toothless as beautifully established and the heart of the story. After a shaky start, it becomes a thrilling animated adventure with strong aerial sequences and real stakes, marking it as probably the best DreamWorks film yet. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/train-dragon-review/)
- **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (4/5): The adaptation is exciting and highly appealing with strong characters, a cute clever touching script and poignant moments. It excels particularly in its awesome visuals, stunning flying sequences and spectacular battles. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-szzbtn/how-to-train-your-dragon/)
- **Slant Magazine** (80/100, inferred): The review calls the film smart and packed with imagination and surprise, highlighting its allegory for embracing fears and the strong performance of the lead voice actor. It notes that the tolerant heart revitalizes DreamWorks animation despite not matching Pixar's technical heights with human characters. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/how-to-train-your-dragon/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (80/100, inferred): The critic calls it an entertaining and great-looking family movie from the DreamWorks stable. They single out the great flight sequences and the interestingly realistic sense of the dangers involved in risking your neck for others. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/apr/01/how-to-train-your-dragon-review)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (80/100, inferred): A.O. Scott finds the story fairly standard but praises the film's visual beauty, tenderness, and exhilarating dragon flight sequences as its great strengths. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/movies/26howto.html)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (75/100, inferred): Peter Debruge describes it as a thrilling drama with amusing comedic elements, highlighting the shift to sincerity over satire and the appealing core idea of rethinking humans' relationship with dragons. [Read](https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon-1117942384/)
- **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): It is a fun if lightweight adventure comedy that appeals most to younger boys and flies highest in its striking 3D action sequences and visceral flying scenes. The story relies on familiar family movie tropes with generic character animation. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/-how-to-train-your-dragon/5011704.article)
- **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (3/5): The critic finds it a smart, muscular animated adventure with a robust narrative and political subtext urging viewers to question received wisdom. Visuals and script are praised as striking and sharp, while voices and characterization are noted as jarring and old-fashioned. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon-1)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt (55/100, inferred): The critic describes the film as a lively but disjointed 3D cartoon that fails to fully engage audiences emotionally in its fantasy world. Action sequences and flying scenes receive praise for their thrills, while the remote setting and plastic human characters are noted as drawbacks. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/how-train-your-dragon-film-29387/)
- **Collider**, Andre Dellamorte (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it one of DreamWorks' best animated films and gives it the edge over Toy Story 3 as the top mainstream animated release of the year. The flying sequences are singled out for their magic and visual impact. [Read](https://collider.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-blu-ray-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, Simon Brew (4/5): The critic praises DreamWorks for delivering a confident, bold animated feature with impressive 3D, strong action sequences, and a well-developed central relationship between boy and dragon. Minor complaints include some clichéd plotting and uneven humour, but overall it is seen as a thrilling, engaging blockbuster. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-2/)
- **NME**, Owen Nicholls (8/10): The critic calls it DreamWorks' best film by a country mile, celebrating its heartfelt and moving story, genuine humour, and spectacular flight scenes that rival Avatar. It contrasts the film's sincerity favourably with the studio's usual cynicism. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-movie-11192-311920)
- **Paste**, Josh Jackson (80/100, inferred): The review praises the film as fun and thrilling for all ages, highlighting its story of standing up for what is right. The aerial sequences involving flying dragons are singled out as a key highlight. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/how-to/how-to-train-your-dragon-review)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (75/100, inferred): The review highlights the film's visual spectacle, particularly the flight sequences, and its heartfelt central friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, while noting that the familiar plot does not run as smoothly as the animation. It commends the use of 3D and the message of tolerance. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a210206/how-to-train-your-dragon/)
- **Eye for Film**, Anton Bitel: The critic finds the film fast and funny enough to overcome its familiar family-film tropes and derivativeness from other movies like Avatar. They single out the beautiful animation, joyful humor, and relatable adolescent adventure for praise. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/how-to-train-your-dragon-film-review-by-anton-bitel)

## Details

- **Director:** Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
- **Director:** Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
- **Screenplay:** Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, William Davies
- **Cinematography:** Gil Zimmerman
- **Editor:** Maryann Brandon, Darren T. Holmes
- **Music:** John Powell
- **Production design:** Kathy Altieri
- **Producer:** Bonnie Arnold
- **Cast:** Jay Baruchel as Hiccup (voice); Gerard Butler as Stoick (voice); Craig Ferguson as Gobber (voice); America Ferrera as Astrid (voice); Jonah Hill as Snotlout (voice); Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fishlegs (voice); T.J. Miller as Tuffnut (voice); Kristen Wiig as Ruffnut (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 38m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 26 March 2010
- **Genres:** Fantasy, Adventure, Animation, Family
- **Budget:** $165 million
- **Box office:** $495 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZtbJ_I9IFM

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $7.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IN, IS, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2011: Best Animated Feature (nominated); Best Original Score (nominated)
- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2011: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2010: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (won)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2010: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: Another misunderstood giant makes a child’s kindness matter more than the grown-ups’ certainty. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *Kiki's Delivery Service* (1989), Fi1m 86: For flight, adolescent uncertainty and the difficult business of learning to trust yourself. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/kikis-delivery-service.md)
- *The Black Stallion* (1979), Fi1m 87: A boy and an animal become friends, with patience and pictures doing the work. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion.md)
- *Wolfwalkers* (2020), Fi1m 84: A friendship across a feared divide, with drawings that make the forest feel alive. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/wolfwalkers.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A bear and a mouse question rules their neighbours would rather leave alone. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010