How to Train Your Dragon

It seems like the “it” thing to do these days is to take a cherished animated movie and make a live-action version. Disney has been doing it for years, with the latest being Snow White. Even though some of these remakes nearly capture the magic of the originals, others miss the mark completely. Now joining the party is DreamWorks—or at least a DreamWorks property—with the barely a classic How to Train Your Dragon. The question on everyone’s mind is, of course: Will they tarnish the original’s legacy, or have they created something that will be just as beloved?

I can only assume most have seen the fifteen-year-old film, but for those who haven’t (or need a refresher), here’s a rundown. On a remote island lives a village of Vikings, who—when they’re not being Vikings—are fending off frequent dragon attacks. Led by Stoick (Gerard Butler), the village’s chief, they always seem to survive. Everyone has a place, except Hiccup (Mason Thames), Stoick’s son, who doesn’t quite fit in.

That all changes one night when Hiccup manages to take down one of the mythical dragons—a Night Fury. After locating it, Hiccup goes in for the kill but can’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he frees the dragon from its trap. In that moment, something shifts. Hiccup realizes they’ve been wrong about dragons. He names the creature Toothless and begins to repair its damaged tail, allowing it to fly again. As the bond between boy and dragon deepens, Hiccup soars—both emotionally and literally. Their friendship is threatened when Astrid (Nico Parker) discovers Toothless, but Hiccup manages to show her that dragons aren’t the enemy. Now, he just has to convince the rest of the village—while saving his father and the people he loves in the process.

Written by Dean DeBlois, based on the book by Cressida Cowell, How to Train Your Dragon (2025) simply retells the original story, with minimal changes that feel more polished thanks to modern technology. DeBlois—one of the original film’s directors—is the perfect choice to helm this version, and he approaches it with clear affection. It’s not a shot-for-shot remake, and the expanded runtime allows the story to breathe. Even side characters, like the village elder, get a bit more depth. But at its heart, this is still the timeless story of friendship between a boy and his dragon, and it works just as beautifully as it did the first time.

How to Train Your Dragon is a faithful recreation that delivers smiles through its impressive visuals. For casual fans, there’s little to complain about. For those who wore out their original DVDs, there may be a slight lack of freshness—but staying true to the original is no flaw in my eyes. Thames is pitch-perfect as Hiccup, capturing his look, voice, and awkward charm. His chemistry with Parker’s Astrid—who brings spirit and energy to her role—feels effortless and genuine.

Visually, the film is stunning, and John Powell’s iconic score still gives you chills, especially during the flight scenes. This is, simply put, one of the best animated-to-live-action remakes yet. They always say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And here, they didn’t—they just polished it up a bit and gave us a little more story. That’s how you do it.