After over a decade since the beloved 2010 animated film How to Train Your Dragon first captured audiences’ hearts, DreamWorks returns with a bold move — a live-action remake. Directed once again by Dean DeBlois, and featuring returning talents like composer John Powell and actor Gerard Butler, the 2025 version soars high on visuals and emotion. However, its near-identical storyline may leave some fans wishing it had spread its wings a bit further.
A Faithful Recreation of a Modern Classic
The new How to Train Your Dragon doesn’t veer far from its source — and that’s both its strength and its weakness. Much like the animated film, the story follows Hiccup (played by The Black Phone’s Mason Thames), a misfit Viking boy on the island of Berk, where humans and dragons are long-time enemies. When Hiccup injures a Night Fury — the rarest and most feared dragon of all — he forms a bond instead of finishing it off. Naming him Toothless, Hiccup begins a secret friendship that changes the fate of both species.
This narrative beat-for-beat mirrors the 2010 original, often replicating scenes with striking fidelity. While it stays loyal to the heartwarming plot and its emotional arcs, it rarely adds anything new or surprising to the story.
Human Cast Brings Depth — But Can’t Outshine Animation
Mason Thames delivers a grounded and sincere performance as Hiccup. His awkwardness and quiet courage reflect the character’s core beautifully. Nico Parker brings more substance to Astrid, the fearless dragon-slayer-in-training, with a stronger backstory and added screen time. Gerard Butler, now physically portraying Stoick the Vast instead of just voicing him, brings both gravitas and warmth to the role of a gruff father trying to connect with his oddball son.
Other supporting cast members — Nick Frost as the eccentric blacksmith Gobber, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Gabriel Howell as the cocky Snotlout, and Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn as the chaotic twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut — infuse the movie with charm and liveliness. However, despite their strong performances, the actors often find themselves competing with the expressive power of the original animated characters, and not always to better effect.
Stunning Visuals Anchor the Experience
Cinematographer Bill Pope (The Matrix, Spider-Man 2) paints the island of Berk with breathtaking detail. Mist-covered cliffs, stormy seas, and lush landscapes give the setting a more tangible reality than before. The dragon designs stay true to the original, and Toothless remains as captivating as ever. His facial expressions and movements, aided by top-tier CGI, retain the charm and subtlety that made audiences fall in love the first time around.
The action sequences are equally thrilling. The opening battle between Vikings and dragons kicks things off with an adrenaline rush. And the iconic flight scene through narrow gorges is as awe-inspiring in live-action as it was in animation. The climactic showdown with the colossal Queen Dragon remains intact, delivering spectacle with a cinematic punch.
Familiarity Breeds Comfort — But Also Restraint
Despite its technical achievements and heartfelt performances, the live-action film suffers from playing it too safe. It shows a reverence for the original that borders on reluctance to innovate. Some additions — such as Astrid’s expanded role and the reimagining of Berk as an international dragon task force — offer promise, but don’t dramatically alter the story’s trajectory.
Moments that sparkled with humor and surprise in the original occasionally fall flat here. For instance, Toothless revealing he isn’t actually toothless—a charming gag from the animated film—feels less impactful this time around. Likewise, some emotional scenes, like Stoick’s struggle to connect with Hiccup, feel more forced than organic.
A Remake Made with Love, But Lacking Bold Choices
There’s no doubt that Dean DeBlois and his team poured passion into this remake. The result is a respectful, beautifully rendered tribute that preserves the heart of its predecessor. But unlike other remakes that reinterpret or recontextualize their source material—like Scarface or His Girl Friday—this How to Train Your Dragon opts for replication rather than reinvention.
For newcomers, this may serve as an excellent gateway into the world of Berk. But longtime fans might find themselves wondering why this reimagining didn’t dare to take bigger creative leaps. The animated film was already close to perfect. The live-action version, while visually impressive and emotionally satisfying, ultimately feels like a shadow of something we’ve already seen.
Final Verdict
The 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon is a heartfelt, visually spectacular film that honors its roots. It boasts strong performances, breathtaking visuals, and a story that still tugs at the heart. But it lacks the boldness to reimagine or deepen the narrative in meaningful ways. It’s a loyal echo of a modern classic—just not a louder one.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Also Read: Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia Reboot: Everything We Know So Far
