“How to Train Your Dragon” live action: flight or flop?

The long-awaited live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" hit the theaters on June 13th, 2025, sparking both excitement and anticipation among fans who grew up with the animated trilogy. The returning director, Dean de Bois, who also directed the original animations, kept this remake closely resembling its animated predecessor.

For a recap, the story follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a sarcastic and inventive Viking teenager who struggles to fill the shoes of his father, the village chief, Stoick (Gerald Butler). In this village, traditional warrior culture is the norm. His life changes dramatically once he encounters and secretly befriends an injured Night Fury dragon, whom he names Toothless. With this new relationship, he challenges the deeply ingrained beliefs of his tribe about dragons. 

The story hasn’t changed; in fact, almost every scene is a near duplicate of the original. The cast portrayed their animated counterparts exceptionally. Nonetheless, a notable standout is the main character, Hiccup. Thames does a phenomenal job showing Hiccup’s awkwardness during his interactions at the dragon training sessions and his first few meetings with Toothless.

Not every character was translated well into the adaptation, though. Astrid (Nico Parker), a gifted and competitive warrior-in-training, feels noticeably stiffer than her animated counterpart, particularly during the additional scenes that emphasize village life. During these extended scenes, it becomes clear that Astrid is dismissive and competitive with Hiccup for the spot of future chief, including an additional scene explicitly highlighting their rivalry. Unfortunately, due to this additional character buildup, there isn’t a smooth transition into the warmth she shows later, making the romantic gesture of the abrupt kiss on Hiccup’s cheek feel rushed and less believable. The live-action film places more focus on Astrid compared to the original, which was nearly entirely centered around Hiccup’s journey. As a result, when the narrative shifts back to Hiccup, Astrid’s role feels watered down and inconsistent. In contrast, the animated movie never placed her as a major focus, so her later smaller role felt more natural. 

How To Train Your Dragon

Photo: Hiccup and Toothless fly through the skies in the live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon"

Hiccup and Toothless fly through the skies in the live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" Photo courtesy of Universal Studios.

Still, this film has its upsides. It’s a visual stunner. Using Northern Ireland's breathtaking landscapes, it brings the world of Berk to life. The dragons were particularly impressive, closely resembling their original designs. The advanced CGI kept Toothless’ playful character and expressive facial features. 

Music fans are sure to be pleased, too. A standout element from the original trilogy was its intense and vivid music. Composer John Powell’s return maintains this continuity through his action-packed musical themes. In the original film, compositions like “Test Drive” and “Romantic Flight” added to the emotional stakes of the flying scenes and battle sequences. “Test Driving Toothless” reimagines the original track with richer instrumentation than before. The first half of the song, which seems notably more powerful, halts for a brief vocal interlude that alters the pacing, then finishes with the finale we all know and love. Similarly, “A Romantic Flight” returns with a blend of graceful strings and vocals that further add to the romantic atmosphere. Powell ensures that the same flair and even more was carried into the live-action.

The remake of “How to Train Your Dragon” appears to have met the fans’ nostalgic expectations. By sticking exactly to the script, it doesn’t significantly improve upon the original, although it still definitely stands out as a visually impressive and satisfying adaptation. Ultimately, it serves as a visually enhanced version of the beloved original movie. Earning a solid rating of ⅘ stars, this live-action remake is a must-watch if you’re a fan of the original animation. 

How to Train Your Dragon is now playing in theaters, including Regal Majestic Stadium 20 & IMAX, AMC Wheaton Mall 9, and AMC Montgomery 16.