Fifteen years after the original How to Train Your Dragon soared into theaters, the beloved story returns in a live-action adaptation that sticks closely to its roots—sometimes to a fault. While the remake may not fully justify its own existence, it offers a worthwhile and spectacular revisit of a timeless tale, with added nuance and impressive updated visuals.
Set in the Viking village of Berk, where dragons are pests, the film follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a physically slight and untraditional young boy struggling to live up to the expectations of his warrior father, Chief Stoick (Gerard Butler). When Hiccup injures a rare Night Fury dragon, his decision to befriend the creature—later named Toothless—sets off a chain of events that challenges long-held beliefs within Berk and how they interact with the dragons.
What works well in the live-action remake is its decision to stick to the original. The story remains largely unchanged, with many scenes lifted nearly frame-for-frame. This familiarity ensures that the same beats still land almost as effectively as before. The visual effects team deserves praise for the detailed dragon designs, which manage to bring a sense of awe and wonder in their designs. However, the remake occasionally struggles to justify its transition to live action. The animated format allowed for a broader range that appealed to even extremely young children. In contrast, the remake leans into a more mature aesthetic, which may scare younger viewers below 5 years old. Additionally, while new layers are added to certain scenes, they often feel cosmetic rather than transformative.
The cast delivers commendable performances especially with Mason Thames who is able to bring his own unique take to Hiccup that is well executed. In the end, How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a solid remake that will appeal to newcomers and nostalgic fans alike. It doesn't eclipse the original but it offers a lovingly crafted update that doesn't change what made the animated version so special.
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) Movie Review: A Faithful and Familiar Flight
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