An outstanding remake with heart and humour

With Disney producing a seemingly endless string of below-par live-action remakes of beloved animated classics, it is a joy to behold 2025's How to Train Your Dragon, which puts the House of Mouse to shame by showing that such projects can be genuinely excellent in the right hands. DreamWorks Animation's first live-action remake, How to Train Your Dragon has an ace up its sleeve in writer-director Dean DeBlois, who co-wrote and co-directed the 2010 picture before masterminding the second and third animated flicks. Although the feature is loosely based on Cressida Cowell's 2003 novel of the same name, DeBlois does not return to the source to create a more accurate adaptation; instead, the filmmaker uses the original picture as a template. This remake does not significantly deviate from the 2010 movie, but the magic lies in the execution: instead of a lazy copy-and-paste, 2025's How to Train Your Dragon is an exhilarating and poignant ride, with DeBlois recognising the importance of characters and story over mindless spectacle. It's a respectful update that neither mocks the source material nor subverts expectations, resulting in a highly entertaining, crowd-pleasing blockbuster for everyone.

The Viking village of Berk is under constant threat of dragons, as dozens of flying creatures frequently stage night-time attacks to steal the villagers' precious livestock. 16-year-old Hiccup (Mason Thames) aspires to fight dragons alongside his warrior father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), and he makes mechanical weapons to compensate for his slim build. After incapacitating a Night Fury dragon with a bolas launcher during one raid, Hiccup sets out to find the creature to prove to the village that he is a capable dragon fighter, but he cannot bring himself to finish the job. Instead, upon finding that the dragon cannot fly properly after losing half of its tail fin, Hiccup befriends the sleek black beast, naming him "Toothless" and equipping him with a prosthetic fin. Hiccup learns to fly on the dragon's back and tries to keep the situation a secret from his fellow villagers. Meanwhile, Stoick enrols Hiccup in a dragon-slaying class alongside other local teenagers, including Astrid (Nico Parker), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), and twins Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn). Under the tutelage of local blacksmith Gobber the Belch (Nick Frost), the teenagers begin learning about how to fight dragons, and Hiccup starts applying what he learns from Toothless to give him an edge in class, which draws Astrid's ire.

Like the 2010 flick, How to Train Your Dragon carries a playful but sincere tone, with a touch of humour that does not feel forced or farcical. Although the movie slavishly adheres to the plot structure of its predecessor, and some scenes are virtually identical (DeBlois recreates Hiccup's first encounter with Toothless shot by shot), the enhanced character beats and added spontaneity of live-action performers give the movie a fresh identity and personality. This iteration runs a beefy two hours compared to its predecessor's lean 90-minute duration, but it does not feel long in the tooth, as DeBlois consistently keeps the narrative moving at an involving pace. There is a big beating heart at the centre of How to Train Your Dragon, as the relationships Hiccup develops between Toothless and his father contribute to the movie's overwhelming emotional core. The story's message also remains effective, as the script explores themes relating to self-discovery and forging one's own path while underscoring that everyone has a place in the world, regardless of perceived shortcomings. After all, Hiccup could not become a burly Viking warrior, but his ingenious inventions and his ability to befriend Toothless saves Berk.

Although How to Train Your Dragon was understandably pricey with a $150 million budget, the movie thankfully does not carry the bland, plastic look of several high-profile blockbusters that reportedly cost twice as much. With cinematographer Bill Pope (The Matrix, Alita: Battle Angel) designing the feature for IMAX screens, it boasts immense visual majesty, from the sweeping camera movements during the flying sequences to the meticulous lighting that allows Berk to feel like an authentic Viking village. The elaborate production design vividly recreates iconic locations from the animated film, including the recognisable dragon-fighting arena, while the natural beauty of the Irish filming locations adds further visual appeal. How to Train Your Dragon looks especially stunning in IMAX, with the expanded aspect ratio creating a greater sense of immersion, and the movie is fun to watch in 3D. Enthusiasm for 3D understandably waned after rampant overexposure, but for those with an appetite for the additional dimension, the format works well here.

DeBlois considered creating realistic dragons that radically differ from their animated counterparts (a la 2019's The Lion King), but the filmmaker smartly opted to retain a slightly cartoonish look. Therefore, Toothless still looks like Toothless, and the dragon has genuine personality with its wide, expressive eyes and cat-like behaviour. The various digital dragons are not photorealistic, but they are convincing enough, and it is easy to accept the on-screen illusion because they look and act like living, breathing creatures. Additionally, the quality of the CGI is consistent throughout the picture, with no special effects shots looking rushed or slipshod. Another asset is the exceptional soundtrack, which perfectly complements the breathtaking imagery. How to Train Your Dragon wisely retains composer John Powell, who preserves his familiar soundtrack motifs from the animated feature while updating the score to make the movie feel even more epic. The exquisite music carries astonishing flavour and emotion, amplifying the impact of standout scenes. Most notable is the sequence involving Hiccup taking Toothless on a test flight, which gave this reviewer chills. The smaller dramatic moments are equally effective, as Powell's orchestral brilliance augments the drama without overwhelming the terrific performances.

Understandably, DeBlois could not bring back the likes of Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera or Christopher Mintz-Plasse to reprise their roles in live-action, as DeBlois required a younger cast to portray teenagers convincingly. However, the new cast is outstanding from top to bottom, with Mason Thames embodying the character of Hiccup without trying to mimic Baruchel, and the lovely Nico Parker (Thandiwe Newton's daughter) making for a spirited and likeable Astrid. Another standout is Kiwi actor Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) as Fishlegs, while Gabriel Howell scores several laughs as Hiccup's rival, Snotlout. Additionally, Nick Frost is superb as Gobber the Belch, capably handling the story's humorous elements and dramatic scenes. However, bringing back Gerard Butler to play Stoick the Vast in live-action is a creative masterstroke. His thick Scottish brogue and robust frame give him an immense on-screen presence, and the actor treats the material with utmost sincerity. Indeed, How to Train Your Dragon might be a movie for children, but Butler does not hold back on the dramatic gravitas; he gives it his all, adding an incredible amount of passion and emotion to crucial scenes.

The sole shortcoming of 2025's How to Train Your Dragon is that it came out after the original animated movie. This live-action remake is virtually note-perfect, and most of its magic derives from the way it lovingly and sincerely executes recognisable shots and scenes in live-action rather than making unnecessary or bone-headed changes. However, it lacks the novelty factor of the 2010 feature, which seemingly emerged from nowhere to achieve immense critical success and win the hearts of film-goers. Nevertheless, it is easy to accept and enjoy both versions. Emotionally resonant, thematically rich, technically proficient and highly enjoyable, 2025's How to Train Your Dragon is a grandiose blockbuster that exceeds expectations, making for a joyous return to Berk. Kids who are unfamiliar with the original movie will have a great time, while adults who grew up watching the animated features will find this update equally enjoyable.