Is the 2025 Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon Worth Watching? Find Out!

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When it comes to remakes, I try not to be overly skeptical and assume that their main purpose is profit from a well-known franchise. However, this perspective sets a certain standard for viewing and analyzing them. The audience is likely aware of the original work, so comparisons are inevitable. Therefore, the new film must offer a compelling reason for its existence. This is particularly important for movies like “How To Train Your Dragon,” which is being released in theaters only 15 years after the first one (and six years since the end of the trilogy it spawned).

How To Train Your Dragon (2025)

The film is set to debut on June 13, 2025. It’s directed by Dean DeBlois, who also wrote the screenplay. The main cast includes Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, and Harry Trevaldwyn. The movie is rated PG due to some intense action scenes and potential danger, and it runs for 125 minutes.

Before heading to the premiere of the latest live-action film, I deliberately avoided rewatching the 2010 movie – a movie I last saw when How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was released. By not recalling the original too vividly, I wanted to assess how unique and distinct the new blockbuster would feel. I gave it ample room to stand out as a separate cinematic experience.

After viewing director Dean DeBlois’ second attempt at How To Train Your Dragon, I found myself with a mixed opinion. On one side, the narrative remains delightful, engaging, and thematically powerful, making it an ideal choice for new viewers, particularly considering its young audience. They will undoubtedly be captivated by the spectacle and moved emotionally. However, despite my efforts to identify aspects that set this live-action interpretation apart from the original animated series, I couldn’t find anything truly unique or essential to justify its existence.

In case you’ve seen the animated film, you’ll recognize the storyline I’m referring to since it remains unchanged, as it originates from Cressida Cowell’s book series. The tale unfolds in the Viking village of Berk, where Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (played by Mason Thames) resides – he’s the bumbling-yet-intelligent son of chief Stoick The Vast (Gerard Butler). Despite his dreams to be a dragon slayer, his clumsiness and absence of a lethal instinct hinder him. However, everything transforms one fateful night when Berk is assaulted, and Hiccup manages to utilize one of his inventions to subdue an enigmatic dragon, the Night Fury – though nobody witnesses his feat.

In preparation for his son’s upcoming dragon-hunting expedition, Stoic arranges for him to learn dragon combat skills, which takes place in a class alongside his love interest, Astrid (Nico Parker), the clever Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), the aspiring tough guy Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), and the mischievous twin sisters Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn). Meanwhile, Hiccup receives training from blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) on how to fight dragons. During this time, he also develops a bond with the injured Night Fury dragon that he initially hurt, whom he eventually names Toothless. As Hiccup befriends Toothless, he discovers that dragons are not inherently hostile towards humans; however, it is difficult for him to persuade others of this truth due to past conflicts and deeply ingrained fear and animosity towards these creatures.

Everything you love about How To Train Your Dragon’s story is definitely still here.

There’s plenty to admire in the movie “How To Train Your Dragon”. If I had written the TopMob review for the 2015 film, I could have simply repeated my praise (jokingly speaking). The tale of growth and self-discovery embodied by Hiccup is as impactful as ever. Its message about challenging deeply rooted misconceptions between generations is perhaps even more pertinent today than it was 15 years ago, which is sadly ironic. The relationships among the main characters continue to be captivating and relatable. Although most of the supporting characters are one-dimensional, parents and children alike can identify with the contrasting personalities of Hiccup and Stoic, while pet-lovers will resonate with the unique bond between Hiccup and Toothless.

There is a surprising and well-done translation of the animated design – with the great highlight being the dragons.

In the movie, the same consistent style from the original live-action version is maintained, even though the medium has changed. This consistency isn’t surprising because certain elements, like Stoic’s massive beardy physique, which can only be played by Gerard Butler, and Gobber’s interchangeable left hand, remain true to the original vision. One might assume that designing creatures would add complexity, but surprisingly, a similar approach is used in this aspect as well.

In “How To Train Your Dragon”, the visual effects artists have done an outstanding job in bringing the dragons fans know and love to life, making them appear more authentic with improved textures and weight. The integration of live-action human characters and computer-generated beasts is seamless, a testament to the skills of the VFX team, thoughtful direction, and strong performances. Essentially, the film relies on the connection between Hiccup and Toothless, and the remake manages to create this bond successfully.

Being told in live-action doesn’t add anything to the How To Train Your Dragon experience.

Is there anything new or significant in the 2025 version of “How To Train Your Dragon” that wasn’t already present in the 2015 version? I guess one could argue that the action scenes where viewers feel like they’re right along with Hiccup on his perilous dragon ride, soaring through canyons and diving alongside cliffs and towering peaks, offer an added excitement. The use of realistic-looking rocks and water certainly adds to this immersive experience. However, even if the film is enjoyable and well-made, it fails to justify the need for a remake. Despite its fun elements, this shortcoming remains a persistent and undeniable flaw.

I often picture a near future when these two shows will be side by side on a streaming service, leaving potential viewers in a tough decision. They both provide equally enjoyable content, making the choice feel arbitrary, almost like flipping a coin. This situation raises questions about the necessity of having two similar options at all. Despite their appealing aspects, there is an undeniable feeling of emptiness associated with them.

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2025-06-11 10:08