How to Train Your Dragon is a live-action remake of the classic animated movie, and while it captures much of what made the 2010 version so special, the whole exercise also feels a little pointless.
Based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Cressida Cowell, that first How to Train Your Dragon was a hit with critics and audiences alike, spawning two similarly acclaimed sequels, as well as short films, video games, and multiple TV spinoffs.
As we now live in a world where seemingly any animated success spawns versions in live-action, a remake was probably inevitable. But this new iteration is very similar.
Which makes reviewing it tricky, as while there are subtle changes throughout – resulting in a film that’s nearly 20 minutes longer – the story itself remains very much the same, hitting identical beats in matching moments so the viewing experience is underscored by a constant sense of deja vu.
What is How to Train Your Dragon about?
The story once again starts with hero Hiccup setting the scene via voiceover, and we’re in the land of Berk, where Viking settlers are having a problem with pests. Trouble is, they are big, flying, fire-breathing pests, who are stealing their sheep, and burning their homes.
That’s the issue facing the people at large, but Hiccup has problems of his own, as he hasn’t killed a dragon yet, and won’t be considered a real Viking until he does. His father – and local chief – Stoick the Vast feels the same, so Hiccup needs to prove to himself, his dad, and his village that he’s a dragon slayer.
But complications arise when he stumbles across a Night Fury, the most feared dragon in all the land. As rather than fight each other, the two enemies become friends, with Hiccup naming him Toothless, repairing the creature’s broken wings, and flying his new dragon around the island.
Hiccup’s secret can’t stay that way for long however, which puts him on a collision course with Stoick, while at the same time potentially putting his entire village in danger.
What’s different in the live-action remake?
Universal PicturesWhich if you’ve seen the original, is exactly the same setup, while the payoff is also nearly identical. Aside from a few minor changes dropped into the narrative.
Some are barely noticeable, such as the lack of dragon-vision, trolls failing to get a mention, and the absence of Hiccup’s mother being handled in a slightly different way.
But other changes enrich the narrative. The mythology has been expanded and extended, especially when it comes to the Viking tribe’s history. While Astrid gets a more detailed back-story, so we better understand where she is coming from, and why Hiccup’s early decisions so anger her.
There’s also more action in this version, with a spectacular set-piece featuring Stoick and Toothless a welcome addition, and part of a climax that’s both bigger and better than what came before.
Mason Thames is a worthy Hiccup
Universal PicturesThe original How to Train Your Dragon had an amazing voice cast, that featured the likes of Jonah Hill, TJ Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Kristen Wiig.
The actors assuming many of their roles here aren’t as funny, meaning there are less laughs in the remake, while the hilarious Peter Serafinowiscz is wasted in a serious role. But there are also some great casting decisions.
Where Jay Baruchel originally voiced Hiccup, Mason Thames plays him here, and does a fantastic job of capturing the character’s sincerity, insecurity, and ultimate bravery. He spends much of the movie acting opposite a computer-generated dragon, yet leaves you in little doubt that Toothless is real, and the friendship genuine, with their best scenes reminiscent of ET’s most memorable moments.
Original voice actor Gerard Butler playing flesh-and-gone Stoick is also an inspired choice, as it’s impossible to imagine anyone else as the larger-than-life chief. He shouts and yells and bellows and his way through proceedings, as Stoick should. But his character also shares some truly touching scenes with Hiccup, as he tries to mend their broken bond, while learning that violence might not always be the answer.
Is How to Train Your Dragon good?
Universal PicturesYou can see the wisdom in making what’s essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the animated movie, as it has the potential to make piles of money. And we’re talking Smaug piles here. But there are times when it’s hard to see the point.
That said, when taken on its own terms, this How to Train Your Dragon is a beautiful movie, both in terms of how it looks, and what it has to say.
The visuals are jaw-dropping, most notably during the flying and battle sequences, when How to Train truly soars. While Toothless is quite simply a wonder to behold, and his friendship with Hiccup is as compelling now as it was then.
There are also multiple positive messages peppered throughout the movie, about the importance of community and teamwork, about the dangers of toxic masculinity, and about staying true to who you are and what you believe.
How to Train Your Dragon score: 4/5
How to Train Your Dragon is a needless remake, but like the original, it’s also a fantastic family movie that’s filled with engaging characters and exciting action, wrapped up in a heartwarming story.
How to Train Your Dragon hits screens UK screens on June 9, 2025, and elsewhere on June 13, while you can keep tabs on the rest of the year’s major releases with our 2025 movie calendar.
While for more information on how we score TV shows and movies, check out our scoring guidelines here.
