How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Release Date: June 13, 2025
Director: Dean DeBlois
Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost
Runtime: 123 minutes
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure / Family

I finally went to check out the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake. Now, this isn’t normally the kind of movie I rush to see—I’m not big on fantasy or dragons—but with all the buzz around it (and a few friends saying it was going to be massive), I figured I’d step outside my usual taste.

Truth is, I hadn’t watched the animated trilogy, which might sound wild to fans, but for me, it meant I was going in fresh—no nostalgia, no expectations. And weirdly, that kind of worked. I got to judge the story on its own, not in comparison.

Plot Recap: Vikings, Dragon Fights, and a Boy Who Changes Everything

Set in the Viking village of Berk, where dragons are seen as dangerous enemies, the story follows Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), a scrawny blacksmith’s apprentice trying to live up to the legacy of his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), who’s the village’s legendary dragon slayer.

When Hiccup accidentally wounds the most feared dragon of all—the mysterious Night Fury—he finds himself unable to kill it. Instead, he secretly nurses the dragon back to health, names it Toothless, and forms a surprising bond. Through that friendship, Hiccup starts to see dragons not as monsters, but misunderstood creatures.

Of course, keeping a dragon hidden in a village built on dragon-slaying doesn’t exactly go smoothly. As Hiccup trains in the village’s dragon-fighting trials (and uses what he’s learned to quietly outsmart his opponents), tensions rise. Eventually, secrets are exposed, and Hiccup must choose between loyalty to his people or the creature who changed everything.

The third act ramps up with a major battle, where Hiccup and Toothless fight not just to survive, but to show the village that dragons and humans don’t have to be enemies. It's a familiar underdog-meets-monster arc, but with solid pacing and emotional moments that keep it from feeling stale.

Cast & Characters: Mason Shines, Butler Roars, and Toothless Steals It All

Mason Thames surprised me here. I hadn’t seen him in much before, but he does a solid job portraying a kid trying to prove himself in a world where he doesn’t quite fit. He brings a quiet vulnerability to Hiccup that makes you root for him—even when he’s screwing things up.

Gerard Butler as Stoick? That’s almost too easy. If you’ve seen him in 300, Greenland, or Olympus Has Fallen, you know what to expect—commanding, intense, and basically built for yelling over firelight with a sword in hand. He nails the role, even if it feels a little too familiar at times. Like, he could probably play this guy in his sleep.

Nico Parker plays Astrid, one of the top dragon trainees in the village and Hiccup’s eventual ally. She brings a cool edge to the role—tough, focused, but not one-note. There was some noise online when she was cast, with a bit of pushback around her look not matching the animated version. She even addressed the controversy herself. If you missed that, I broke it all down in this article:
📎 Nico Parker Responds to 'Dragon' Casting Backlash – The Tipsy Critic

Regardless of the noise, I thought she held her own. Between this and her recent role in Bridget Jones: The College Years, it feels like she’s on a roll.

And we can’t forget Toothless. The CGI team clearly poured love into this one. He’s sleek, expressive, and weirdly adorable. I get the hype now. Every scene with Toothless just hits—whether he’s playfully dodging Hiccup or launching into the skies in full beast mode.
Easily the best part of the film.

Public Feedback: Respectful, But Split Down the Middle

From what From what I’ve seen online and heard in post-screening chatter, fans are mostly respectful about this remake—even if opinions are divided.

Diehard fans of the animated version are a bit mixed. Some feel it didn’t need a remake and that it lacked the original's emotional spark and humor. Others appreciate the darker, more grounded take and think the casting brought something fresh.

New viewers (like me) who didn’t grow up with the animated films seem to enjoy it more. I saw a lot of comments calling it “surprisingly deep,” “visually amazing,” and “great for families.”
So, while it’s not universally loved, it hasn’t sparked major backlash either—which is rare these days.

Controversy: Why Remake a Modern Classic?

Let’s face it—the biggest drama is why this film exists at all. The original 2010 movie wasn’t a forgotten relic—it’s timeless. So fans are rightly skeptical.

Director Dean DeBlois defended the choice, saying he wanted to retell the story for a new generation with a more grounded lens. But detractors call it a safe studio rewrite, a retread of familiar ground rather than a bold reimagining.

Purists miss the whimsy and wonder. The beats feel too familiar—maybe that’s why no one will be surprised. There’s also the casting talk: Mason and Nico are strong, but some fans asked for bigger names to carry iconic roles.
This film answers with sincerity—but not star power.

Final Verdict: A Decent Ride, but Lacks the Firepower to Be Great

Overall, How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a respectable remake that plays it safe. It doesn’t crash and burn, but it doesn’t exactly soar, either. If you’re walking in fresh (like I did), it’s a fun enough watch—especially with the incredible CGI and that heartwarming bond between Hiccup and Toothless.

Their dynamic is what gives the movie its emotional core, and in those scenes, the magic of the franchise peeks through.

But if you’re a longtime fan of the original animated trilogy, you might feel like something’s missing. This version trades whimsy and vibrant emotion for gritty realism and grounded visuals. And while that may appeal to older audiences, it also softens some of the movie’s most powerful moments.

Performance-wise, Mason Thames holds his own in a demanding lead role, and Gerard Butler fits comfortably into the Viking warrior mold. Nico Parker delivers a solid performance despite the controversy, and Toothless—animated with love and precision—remains the film’s true star.

Would I rewatch this? Probably not. It felt a little too predictable by the end, and even though I didn’t know the original plot, I could see the beats coming from a mile away.
But I’m not mad I watched it. It had enough laughs, action, and heart to make it an easy, popcorn-style movie night.

If you’ve got kids? They’ll absolutely love it.
If you’re an adult looking for something deep or emotionally layered? This might feel like a missed opportunity.
Either way, How to Train Your Dragon proves that not all remakes are disasters—but not all of them are necessary either.

Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6/10)

Cool visuals, solid acting, and a lovable dragon—but it’s missing that spark to make it soar.

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