How to Train Your Dragon: 4 Things I Loved (and 1 I Didn’t)

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I’ll admit, it’s been years since we watched the original How to Train Your Dragon movies—but something about this 2025 live-action remake pulled me in. I wasn’t watching it with a head full of nostalgia. I came in fresh, and honestly? I was surprised by how much it got to me.

At its core, this story isn’t just about dragons and Viking battles (though yes, there are plenty of those). It’s about kids trying to earn the approval of their parents, believing they need to be brave or strong or “the best” to be seen and loved. It’s about friendships forged in fire, and the unexpected moments when your greatest rival becomes the very thing that points you to your purpose.

So no, this isn’t just a remake. It’s a story about identity, connection, and courage—and it just might hit you harder than you expect.

Here are 4 things I truly loved (and 1 that didn’t quite land for me).

How to Train Your Dragon Live Action Remake

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury (a.k.a., dragon). Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.

IMAX

The first time I saw How To Train Your Dragon, it was in a regular movie theater. I left thinking it would be amazing in IMAX. The second showing was IMAX, and it did not disappoint.

How To Train Your Dragon was shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras and features over 50 minutes of IMAX’s exclusive 1.90:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio (EAR). Exclusively in IMAX theatres, the large-scale, immersive spectacle of “How To Train Your Dragon” will visually expand to fill the screen, allowing fans to experience more picture than non-IMAX theatres.

“How To Train Your Dragon” was enhanced frame by frame with IMAX’s proprietary Digital Media Remastering (DMR) technology to provide unprecedented detail and clarity, and features a dedicated sound mix optimized specifically for IMAX theatres.

Live Action How to Train Your Dragon Cast

Let’s talk about this cast—because every single one of them showed up and made this world feel real in the best way.

Mason Thames as Hiccup? Spot-on. He captured all the awkward, brave, deeply-feels-everything energy that makes Hiccup so lovable. You watch him grow into himself, and it feels natural, not forced. I was rooting for him the whole way through.

Nico Parker as Astrid? She owned it. Confident, fierce, but also layered and sincere. She and Mason had such sweet chemistry—I believed every scene they had together. And let’s be honest, we all kind of want to be Astrid when we grow up.

Gerard Butler returning as Stoick was the chef’s kiss of casting choices. That voice? That presence? Still commanding. Still emotional. His scenes with Hiccup had me tearing up in a theater full of strangers and pretending I was totally fine.

Nick Frost as Gobber brought so much heart and comic relief—just like we hoped. He’s the loyal, slightly chaotic uncle energy every Viking village needs. It was such a fun performance.

Julian Dennison as Fishlegs? Adorable and earnest and just the right amount of nerdy. He brought so much warmth to the role—you could tell he loved being part of this world.

Gabriel Howell as Snotlout absolutely leaned into the cocky, over-the-top energy we expect. He made me roll my eyes in the most affectionate way, which is exactly what Snotlout should do.

And Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut and Bronwyn James as Ruffnut? The twins were completely unhinged, and I loved every chaotic second. Their timing, their banter, the ridiculous one-liners—they understood the assignment and then some.

Even Toothless—who is, of course, animated—felt real. The way they captured his personality and quirks in live action somehow worked just as well as the original. I still gasped, laughed, and yes… cried. Again. Over a dragon.

This cast didn’t just play the characters—we believed them. They honored what made the original so special while giving us something fresh and grounded. I walked out feeling like I'd just visited Berk for real—and honestly? I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Because they have dragons!

4 Things I Loved (and 1 that didn’t quite land for me) In How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action Remake

1. Faithful Adaptation

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of live-action remakes. I went into How to Train Your Dragon hoping for the best but expecting to leave disappointed.

Surprisingly enough, I thought it was the best movie of the summer!

They stayed true to the original animated film's story and characters, bordering on a “shot-for-shot remake,” which provides a sense of comfort and familiarity but also provides those new to the franchise a great movie that pulls on your heartstrings and draws you into the story.

Film studios should take notes from How to Train Your Dragon. This is how you create a live-action remake. They added subtle nuances and built upon the existing material without detracting from the original. It was brilliant!

2. Stunning Visuals and CGI

WOW. From the opening scene to the end credits, the visuals were breathtaking and incredibly detailed. The dragons were impressive, especially Toothless. Now, I want to travel to Berk and ride a dragon.

3. Strong Cast Performance

This cast understood the assignment. I can't imagine the pressure they must have felt to bring these beloved characters to life.

I was a little nervous about how they'd bring Toothless to life without losing his charm—but somehow, the magic is still there. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless had me fully invested (and yes, I got teary more than once—no shame).

Overall, the casting was spot-on. They honored the heart of the story while making it feel real and grounded in a whole new way.

4. Emotional Impact

Note to self: bring tissues.

While a few characters fell a little flat during the movie, overall, the performances were incredible.

While we don't live surrounded by dragons, I saw so many themes in the movie that mirror real life.

The next generation is looking for approval from their parents. Like all of us, they just want to be seen and accepted for who they are.

In How to Train Your Dragon, they think they will get the approval of their parents if they become the next great dragon slayer. They will do anything, including risking their life, to be seen and loved by their dads.

Friendships forged in fire – literally. There's nothing quite like a common enemy to bring together unlikely characters that become fast friends.

Your greatest enemy might lead you down the path to finding your purpose. The Vikings and dragons were caught in a cycle of reacting instead of getting to the heart of the matter. It took the bravery of one to see the other side so they could both see they weren't so different after all.

5. The One That Didn't Land For Me

Honestly, as someone who was watching the movie with a fresh perspective who doesn't care for live-action remakes, How to Train Your Dragon was incredible from start to finish. While my kids weren't drawn into the cartoons, especially the last one, not a day has gone by since we watched the movie that a reference hasn't been made.

I thought it was a money grab and a way to promote Epic Universe, but I left seeing the world through a new lens. One where we shouldn't be so quick to join in the battle, because there is usually more to the story.

Iffy Content in How to Train Your Dragon Live-Action Remake

Thankfully, there wasn't much iffy content in this movie!

If you are planning on seeing the movie with children under 9, make a note of these points.

1. Increased scare factor due to realistic dragons

While similar in tone to the animated film, the live-action format makes the dragons, especially the larger, more menacing ones, appear more realistic. This could be more frightening for some children, even if they love the animated version.

2. Intense action and peril

The film features sequences of intense action and peril, including dragon attacks on the village and a climactic battle, which could be intense for young viewers.

There is also a scene where Hiccup eats raw fish, which two of my children covered their eyes for.

3. Mild violence

While violence is described as mild with no blood, there are scenes of Vikings fighting dragons, and dragons breathing fire and attacking people.

4. Mild language

The use of words like “hell” in a battle cry, when characters are angry, they use phrases calling the other person names.

5. Sex, romance, and nudity

Aside from a couple of kisses and references to crushes, there is very little in this category. There is a scene where Hiccup is given a hat made from his Mom's breastplate and he says, “Thanks for the breast hat.”

6. Products and purchases

No in-movie marketing is present, although tie-in merchandise exists.

7. Drinking, drugs, and smoking

Characters are seen drinking from mugs in a bar setting, but no signs of drunkenness are indicated. 

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