---
title: "How to Train Your Dragon"
year: 2025
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon"
fi1m_id: "how-to-train-your-dragon"
imdb_id: "tt26743210"
tmdb_id: 1087192
wikidata_id: "Q118904382"
fi1m_score: 60
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 14
published: "2026-09-09"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:51.360396+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 (2025)

Directed by Dean DeBlois · 2h 05m · MPA PG · Fantasy, Family, Action, Adventure

## Identity

How to Train Your Dragon

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** how-to-train-your-dragon
- **IMDb ID:** tt26743210
- **TMDB ID:** 1087192
- **Wikidata ID:** Q118904382
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26743210/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1087192, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118904382

**Fi1m score: 60** · Critics 62 from 14 reviews

*In a sentence:* Every shot you remember, now with real mud and a dragon that looks like it might bite

> Dean DeBlois remakes his own animated film almost shot for shot, with real rock, real weather and a Toothless you could touch. The flying still works and Mason Thames is a fine Hiccup, but it is longer, slower and adds almost nothing the first one lacked.

## Synopsis

On the island of Berk, Vikings have fought dragons for as long as anyone can remember. Hiccup (Mason Thames), the thin, inventive son of the chief, Stoick (Gerard Butler), is no use in a raid and knows it. One night his catapult brings down a Night Fury, the one dragon nobody has seen up close. Sent to finish it, he cannot make himself do it. He names the creature Toothless, builds it a new tail fin, and starts to learn what dragons actually are, while training under the blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) to kill them alongside Astrid (Nico Parker) and the other village teenagers. Dean DeBlois directs a live-action remake of his own 2010 animated film.

## Review

Dean DeBlois co-directed the animated [*How to Train Your Dragon*](https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010) in 2010. Fifteen years on he has directed, written and produced it again, this time with actors, and he has kept the story, the scenes and most of the lines. Berk is a Viking island that dragons raid at night. Hiccup (Mason Thames) is the chief’s son and no good at fighting them, and one night he brings down the one dragon nobody has ever seen up close. That is the first act, and it is the first act of the other film to the beat. What follows is handsome, careful, about half an hour longer than it needs to be, and never quite sure why it exists.

Start with what it does well, which is more than the harsher reviews allow. Bill Pope shoots Berk in flat grey daylight and the night raids by fire, so the dragons arrive as shapes against burning thatch before you can tell what they are. The island is real rock and real weather, with wind in the actors’ hair and mud on their boots, and it gives the village a weight the cartoon never wanted. Dominic Watkins builds it from heavy black timber and carved beams, everything a size too big for the people in it. Lindsay Pugh dresses the Vikings in fur and hide that look slept in and puts Hiccup in a thin green tunic, so he is underdressed among his own kind.

Toothless is the whole film, and here we side with the admirers. He is an animal rather than a cartoon, with black hide that takes the light, ears that turn to sound, and eyes that narrow before they trust. The scene in the cove where Hiccup holds out his hand, looks away and waits moved us more than we expected, and we know that scene by heart. It works because it takes its time: the camera stays low, nobody speaks, and the dragon’s decision plays across a face that is not human and is entirely readable. We had come to be unimpressed and were not.

Thames is a good Hiccup, quick and dry and visibly frightened of his father, and he carries the long middle stretch without much help from the script. Gerard Butler voiced Stoick in 2010 and plays him in the flesh here, and he is better for the body: a big man who fills a doorway and cannot talk to a boy who fills nothing. Nick Frost’s Gobber has a set of detachable hands, a stock of stories about losing the original, and the film’s best timing. Nico Parker gives Astrid a wariness that reads as ambition rather than spite. The other trainees, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn, get the jokes they had before and not much else.

John Powell scored the original and returns, and the moment his flying theme comes in over a dragon leaving the ground is still the best thing this series owns. The flights are what live action was for. Pope shoots them from behind the rider’s shoulder, over sea and through cloud, and the sound of wind does the rest; we were grinning. Wyatt Smith’s cutting of the ground action is less sure. The raids are busy and dark and more than once we lost track of which dragon was where.

Now the trouble. The film runs 125 minutes and the story has not grown to fill them. Scenes the animation snapped through now breathe, and some of them sag: the training-ring lessons, the councils in the great hall, a good deal of standing about. Around the hour mark we noticed we were mouthing lines before the actors said them, and from then on we were watching an expensive tribute act. Some critics have called it dead. It is not dead; it is second-hand.

Cressida Cowell’s books gave DeBlois a boy, a dragon and an island, and in 2010 he made something of his own from them. This time he has copied himself, and the copy is exact: not a scene reordered, not a character rethought. The case for it is that a child who has not seen the first film will see this one, and could do far worse. The case against is sitting on a shelf in most of their houses.

If you see it, see it in a cinema, for the flights and for Toothless, who deserves the size. At home it will feel like what it is, a longer, slower, well-made copy. It carries a PG and reached UK cinemas on 9 June 2025.

*Fi1m score 60, published 9 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews split almost down the middle, and the split is about the same thing: this is a near shot-for-shot restaging of the 2010 animated film, and critics differ on whether that is a virtue. Those in favour argue that if a live-action remake must exist, this is how to do one, and they credit returning director Dean DeBlois, the casting of Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler as Stoick, the effects work on Toothless and the flying sequences, which several detractors also enjoy. Most agree the bond between boy and dragon survives intact.

Those against find the film longer, colder and less spontaneous than the original, with little added beyond a real-world sheen, and a few call the visuals murky or the dragon flights phoney. The Times and The Telegraph are harshest, treating it as simply redundant; Collider is the outlier at the top, calling it a remake that succeeds where others fail.

## Straight answers

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

*How to Train Your Dragon* (2025) is worth watching only for children who have not seen the animated original, and for the flying scenes, and we scored it 60. Dean DeBlois remakes his own film almost shot for shot, with a Toothless who looks like a real animal and a fine Hiccup in Mason Thames, but at 125 minutes it is longer, slower and adds almost nothing.

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

*How to Train Your Dragon* runs 2h 05m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is a fantasy and family film.

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

*How to Train Your Dragon* is streaming on Netflix in the US, and it is also 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 How to Train Your Dragon?**

*How to Train Your Dragon* (2025) is an exact live-action copy of the 2010 animated film, and the earlier film is the better of the two. The remake has real rock, real weather and flights that gain from the size of a cinema screen, but the original is half an hour quicker and never sags. Anyone who has seen the first will spend this one mouthing the lines.

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

After *How to Train Your Dragon*, try [*How to Train Your Dragon*](https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010) (2010, Fi1m 82): The original: shorter, quicker, and the dragon was never in question. Then [*Kes*](https://film.one/film/kes) (1969, Fi1m 88): A Yorkshire boy and a kestrel; the same bond, with no budget and more bruises; and [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) (1999, Fi1m 88): A boy hides a weapon that would rather not be one; hand-drawn and heartfelt.

### Reviews we read (19)

- **Vulture** (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it a rare live-action remake that makes sense and feels purposeful rather than pointless. He singles out the use of real locations and shooting on location for giving the story real shape, weight, and awe. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-behold-this-new-how-to-train-your-dragon-is-good.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Yasmine Kandil (3/4/3): The film is a safe near carbon-copy of the original that loses some whimsical charm but offers visual richness through stunning landscapes and impressive CGI. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless remains the undeniable heart, though the remake is fairly unremarkable overall. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon)
- **Radio Times**, Dave Golder (4/5): The live-action remake is one of the most loyal in Hollywood history and reproduces the witty, heartwarming story with fervid loyalty. The action sequences thrill, the dragons look amazing and the flying scenes are breathtaking, though it lacks some of the original’s consistent charm. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-vkh7qv/how-to-train-your-dragon/)
- **The Observer**, Wendy Ide (80/100, inferred): If a live-action remake of a classic animation must be made, this is the way to do it: a rich, rewarding piece of world-building that stays true to the spirit of the 2010 film while adding kaiju-scale visual impact. It loyally follows the original storyline and character design, with excellent casting (especially Mason Thames as Hiccup) and superb CGI for Toothless that reveals new hyperreal details. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/wendy-ides-pick-of-other-films-how-to-train-your-dragon-lollipop-echo-valley-and-more)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (80/100, inferred): DeBlois delivers a faithful yet enhanced live-action version that strengthens the foundation for sequels, with strong casting and visuals that make the story more real. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-live-action-1236422053/)
- **The AV Club**, James Grebey (C+): The critic sees the remake as a faithful but mediocre live-action version that trades the original's animated magic for mediocrity and feels more fake. He praises the supporting cast's added depth and internality but complains it lacks wonder and coasts on goodwill. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-review)
- **Empire**, Helen O’Hara (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the live-action remake a near-identical copy of the animated original, lacking originality despite being visually gorgeous. She praises the performances and the emotional bond between Hiccup and Toothless but notes the actors don't surpass the animated versions. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the remake faithful but unnecessary, longer and less dynamic than the original animated film, with solid effects but weaker performances overall. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon-movie-review-2025)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Amy Nicholson (30/100, inferred): The live-action remake repeats the plot without improvement, feeling cold and inessential compared to the animated original, though the message remains valid. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-06-11/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-gerard-butler-mason-thames-nick-frost-nico-parker)
- **The Telegraph** (30/100, inferred): This scene-for-scene, often word-for-word restaging of the 2010 original is a mind-numbingly redundant dud that elongates the running time without adding fresh material. Gerard Butler and Nick Frost try their best, but the result is more likely to produce nodding recognition than delight in its target audience. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/how-to-train-your-dragon-review1/)
- **Screen Daily**: Returning director Dean DeBlois retains the energetic spirit of the original with fantastic CGI and a game cast that lean into the fantastical charm. The blending of CGI and live action is genuinely seamless, resulting in thrilling, immersive action sequences. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-live-action-remake-harnesses-the-magic-of-the-animated-original/5205786.article)
- **Sight and Sound**: The critic finds the faithful live-action remake works well, with characters and adventures showing vitality beyond most remakes and a rousing spectacle in splendid locations. It is less a standalone achievement than a special edition of an old favourite, though some action sequences are messily edited and dragon flights occasionally look phoney. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/how-train-your-dragon-like-special-edition-old-favourite)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Lovia Gyarkye: The critic finds it a likable but unnecessary remake that retains charm but plays it safe. She praises the performances, especially the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, while noting the live-action version lacks visual distinction and feels geared more toward children. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-dreamworks-remake-1236258510/)
- **The Times** (★★☆☆☆): The live-action remake is a slavish, shot-for-shot copy of the 2010 animated original that neuters its spontaneity and proves the superiority of animation. It is loud and diverting for very young children but utterly dead at its hollow, cash-grabbing core. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/how-to-train-your-dragon-remake-film-review-gtlslwbj9)
- **Collider**, Maggie Lovitt (9/10): The critic calls it a faithful, well-executed live-action remake that succeeds where others fail by returning the original director and sticking closely to the source. She singles out the strong casting (especially Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler reprising Stoick) and impressive visual effects for praise. [Read](https://collider.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-2025/)
- **Deadline**, Dessi Gomez (75/100, inferred): The critic finds comfort in the familiar story retold with real actors, appreciating subtle changes and emotional reinterpretations that keep it feeling fresh rather than formulaic. They praise the flying scenes, the bond between Hiccup and Toothless, and the music for adding joy and heart. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/06/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-live-action-remake-1236426469/)
- **/Film**, Ethan Anderton (6/10): The critic finds the live-action remake faithful to the original but largely unnecessary, praising the emotional depth from live-action performances and the score/flying sequences while criticizing the photorealistic Toothless and lack of innovation. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1881070/how-to-train-your-dragon-2025-remake-review/)
- **The Wrap** (35/100, inferred): The review sees the live-action remake as largely a shot-for-shot copy that fails to recapture the original's magic, with less atmospheric visuals and squandered opportunities for deeper emotional exploration in the characters. It singles out the thrilling flying scenes as a positive but overall deems it a missed chance, recommending the animated version instead. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-live-action-review/)
- **Paste**, Jesse Hassenger (5.2): The critic finds the remake a straightforward, low-risk re-rendering of the 2010 original with few meaningful changes, resulting in a functional but uninspired family adventure. He singles out the flat, murky visuals and lack of directorial vision for criticism, noting it feels more like a theme-park recreation than a fresh take. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/dreamworks/how-to-train-your-dragon-2025-live-action-remake-dreamworks)

## Details

- **Director:** Dean DeBlois
- **Director:** Dean DeBlois
- **Writer:** Dean DeBlois
- **Cinematography:** Bill Pope
- **Editor:** Wyatt Smith
- **Music:** John Powell
- **Production design:** Dominic Watkins
- **Costume design:** Lindsay Pugh
- **Producer:** Dean DeBlois, Marc Platt, Adam Siegel
- **Cast:** Mason Thames as Hiccup; Nico Parker as Astrid; Gerard Butler as Stoick; Nick Frost as Gobber; Gabriel Howell as Snotlout; Julian Dennison as Fishlegs; Bronwyn James as Ruffnut; Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut
- **Runtime:** 2h 05m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 13 June 2025
- **Genres:** Fantasy, Family, Action, Adventure
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $636 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWEq2Pf8qpk

## Where to watch in the US

- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: 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, UA, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *How to Train Your Dragon* (2010), Fi1m 82: The original: shorter, quicker, and the dragon was never in question. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010.md)
- *Pete's Dragon* (2016): A live-action remake that dared to change things, and is the better for it.
- *Kes* (1969), Fi1m 88: A Yorkshire boy and a kestrel; the same bond, with no budget and more bruises. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/kes.md)
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: A boy hides a weapon that would rather not be one; hand-drawn and heartfelt. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *Whale Rider* (2002): A child, a stubborn elder and an old tradition, on a New Zealand coast.

---
© 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