How to Train Your Dragon
PG

2h 5m

•

mild threat, scary scenes, violence, language

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) 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.

Cast: Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz

Director(s): Dean DeBlois

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What you need to know...

The beloved saga that captured hearts and soared across the skies returns, this time, in live action. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) reimagines the DreamWorks animated classic for a new generation, blending iconic music with stunning real-world visuals and practical effects.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, the creative mind behind the original trilogy, this adaptation stays faithful to the core of the source material while offering a fresh take on the world of Vikings and dragons. The story follows Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a scrawny and thoughtful Viking teen who lives on the island of Berk, where fighting dragons is considered a rite of passage. But when Hiccup encounters an injured Night Fury, the rarest and most feared of all dragons, he chooses compassion over combat, forging a bond that will change both their worlds forever.

Relative newcomer Mason Thames steps into the role of Hiccup, bringing a grounded vulnerability and quiet strength to the role. Opposite him, Nico Parker plays Astrid, a fierce young warrior and eventual ally. Of course, the breakout star remains Toothless, brought to life through an impressive blend of animatronics and cutting-edge VFX by Industrial Light & Magic.

While the core narrative mirrors that of the 2010 animated film, the live-action version leans into the grittier, more grounded aspects of Berk’s harsh environment. The filmmakers consulted historians and Icelandic cultural experts to create a more tactile Viking world, rugged costumes, windswept landscapes, and practical sets combine to give the film a lived-in authenticity.

Composer John Powell returns to reimagine his soaring, Oscar-nominated score, blending new orchestrations with iconic themes that longtime fans will instantly recognise. The result is a sweeping musical backdrop that elevates both the intimate character moments and the epic dragon flight sequences.

Set to be a cornerstone of Universal Pictures’ 2025 summer slate, How to Train Your Dragon is more than just a remake, it’s a tribute to a generation-defining story, retold with reverence, care, and cinematic ambition.

Did you know?

Director Dean DeBlois insisted that Toothless's facial expressions be modeled on real animals, including cats, dogs, and horses, just like in the original animated trilogy.

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