Mason Thames (right) as Hiccup with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2025) receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters on June 13th is ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ which looks to re-imagine the 2010 DreamWorks Animation title as a blend of live-action and CG creatures.
With Gerard Butler (‘Den of Thieves’) reprising his role as Viking chief Stoick, the new movie also features Mason Thames (‘The Black Phone’), Nick Frost (‘Shaun of the Dead’), Nico Parker (‘Dumbo’), Gabriel Howell (‘Bodies’) and Julian Dennison (‘Deadpool 2’).
Related Article: Gerard Butler to Appear in Live-Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’
Initial Thoughts
(from left) Astrid (Nico Parker) and Hiccup (Mason Thames) in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Disney has turned the conversion of its animated back catalogue into something of a cottage industry, one that has proved profitable for the most part –– a few misses aside, but with a recent mega-hit in ‘Lilo & Stitch.’
So, somewhat naturally, DreamWorks is going the same route, dusting off a classic from its animation arm’s shelf and giving it a coat of live-action (with the usual CG enhancements) paint.
But even with original co-writer and co-director Dean DeBlois aboard to shepherd it, can this re-envisioned trip to the island of Berk succeed to the same degree as the original, 2010 ‘How to Train Your Dragon’?
Script and Direction
(from left) Writer-Director Dean DeBlois (left), Gabriel Howell (center) and Nico Parker (right) on the set of Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
DeBlois, who launched the original franchise alongside Chris Sanders and then effectively took it over for two other movies, is back here in full charge. And, at least for the most part, he’s going the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” route.
Which in itself is both blessing and curse. This is, once again, the story of inventive young Viking Hiccup (voiced in the original by Jay Baruchel and here played in live form by Mason Thames), who is the son of powerful chief Stoick (Gerard Butler, reprising the role he brought to vocal life). An awkward dreamer, Hiccup wants nothing else but to impress his dad by slaying a dragon, and proving himself in the eyes of the village, which faces endless issues with the marauding reptiles.
Hiccup, largely considered a joke by the other local teams finally manages to down a dragon –– a legendary, mysterious Night Fury, only to discover that things are not exactly what they seem, as the dragons have their reasons for hostility, and the creature he’s encountered soon becomes a friend, one he names Toothless.
Hiccup (Mason Thames) in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
This new movie really is, for the most part, a copy and paste of that 2010 offering, which is not really a bad thing per se, since the first ‘Dragon’ was an emotional and stylish thrill ride with a fine line in comedy.
Keeping to the template, the 2025 example makes tiny tweaks to the narrative, including a little more for Astrid (here played by Nico Parker, inheriting a role played vocally by America Ferrera) to do and some positive nods towards diversity by re-positioning the Viking society as part of a global effort to combat the perceived dragon threat.
And that could well be a winning formula, though the changes that ‘Lilo & Stitch’ made to its own story, while seemingly controversial to some, haven’t hurt its box office results. There was scope to do something a little fresher with Hiccup and Toothless’ adventure, but for the most part, that option wasn’t taken.
As director, DeBlois does a solid joke, helped by a good cast and the cinematography skills of Bill Pope, who helps the island locales (film in Ireland) and the rocky Dragon’s Nest come to vibrant life.
The effects team is also to be congratulated for bottling what makes Toothless work in animated form in his live-action doppelganger –– though once more by sticking closer to the original.
Cast and Performances
(from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Stoick (Gerard Butler) in Universal Pictures’ live- action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Butler throws himself into the role of Stoick, and finds more than simple bluster and bravado as he did last time. In his and DeBlois’ hands, he’s a more complicated character, a father dealing with the loss of his wife and hoping against hope that his son will grow into something more like himself.
Thames ably fills the role of that son, and his Hiccup channels plenty of the energy of the cartoon version.
Parker, boosted by the minor changes to her character, is a winning Astrid, finding her own nuance.
Nick Frost is swapped in to replace Craig Ferguson as blacksmith Gobber, and while his role is different than the crankier Ferguson version, it’s perhaps a little less memorable. But still, perfectly watchable.
Everyone else is either an archetype or a tiny supporting role, but there are some good moments from Julian Dennison as dragon fact aficionado Fishlegs, while Gabriel Howell is a solidly arrogant Snotlout.
Final Thoughts
(from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Astrid (Nico Parker) in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Was there a compelling reason to remake ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ other than to squeeze more value out of the franchise? Honestly, not really –– this is a true “grab the audience that grew up with the original, and have them bring their own children” play.
But when the result is a solidly enjoyable as this one, we’re quite happy to give it a pass. And try to keep a dry eye when Toothless is in danger!
“The legend is real.”
Showtimes & Tickets
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart, defying centuries of tradition when he befriends… Read the Plot
What’s the story of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2025)?
As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together.
Who is in the cast of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2025)?
Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
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