“How to Train Your Dragon” (2025): The Best Live-Action Adaptation Yet?



In 2010, while on a trip to Atlantic City, I saw How to Train Your Dragon in IMAX with my husband. We were floored. The animation, the flight sequences, the story of Hiccup and Toothless—it was beautiful. DreamWorks had created something truly magical, and for me, it became an instant top-10 animated film.

Maybe it's because I grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s loving Disney, but this was one of the first DreamWorks films that made me feel something real. It became even more special when my daughter fell in love with dragons. We went all in—bedroom sets, multiple rewatches, spin-offs. This franchise became a staple in our house.

So when I got invited to an early IMAX screening—and got seats for my entire family (a rarity)—I was thrilled. But I was also nervous. Live-action adaptations of beloved animated films don’t always go well, and honestly, studios can sometimes treat them like easy money grabs. Still, I’ve always believed remakes can have value when done right—when they respect the original while offering something new.

That’s why I loved the 2023 Little Mermaid. Not just because Halle Bailey is brilliant, but because the film added depth to Ariel and Eric’s relationship in a way the original never did. When done right, adaptations can elevate the story and create meaningful emotional resonance for a new generation.

The 2025 Adaptation: First Impressions

I went into this new How to Train Your Dragon mostly spoiler-free—just one teaser of that iconic moment where Hiccup reaches out to Toothless. And I’ll admit, I liked how Toothless was animated in the live-action. Mason Thames channeled Hiccup beautifully. His costume, mannerisms—he was the character.

Then the film started.

The opening action sequence that drops you into the chaos of Berk? Stunning. Absolutely immersive. Hiccup’s narration about the dragons and rebuilding the village? It instantly pulled me in. Honestly, I turned to my husband and whispered, “The 4DX version of this is going to be incredible.”

And that’s the magic of live-action when it works: it makes you feel like you could live there. Animated films are gorgeous, but they feel like art you’re admiring from a distance. This adaptation made Berk feel real, like a place you could visit or belong to—just like Hogwarts did for so many of us.

That’s what people crave in adaptations: not just nostalgia, but immersion.

Smart Directing and Thoughtful Casting

DreamWorks did something smart here: they brought back Dean DeBlois, who directed the original. His love for this world shows in every frame. He didn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but he honored the original while grounding it in a more tangible world.

Now, let’s talk casting.

  • Gerard Butler returns as Stoick, and he brings the same gravitas he had in the original.

  • Mason Thames as Hiccup? Pitch perfect.

  • Nico Parker as Astrid? There was initial noise online because she doesn’t fit the “white blonde” mold. But listen—I rewatched the original, and Parker nailed Astrid’s essence. Fierce, smart, and compelling. She brought a dimension to Astrid I hadn’t appreciated before.

The other teens? Still cartoonish in spirit (as they should be), but human enough to work. My kids noticed Roughnut and Tuffnut didn’t look alike, which gave us a little real-world genetics lesson on fraternal twins. Shoutout to Julian Dennison as Fishlegs—he was adorable and bookish—and Snoutlout was just as aggravating as he needed to be.

What’s New, What’s Familiar

This adaptation runs about 20 minutes longer than the original, and that extra time is mostly spent on action: the opening, the training montage, and the final battle. It works. There are also subtle additions to the worldbuilding—nods to the diversity of Viking origins and global casting choices that enrich the landscape without overwhelming the story.

Some moments feel a touch slower, especially in the middle, but that’s the nature of live action. The characters need more room to breathe, and the weight of their emotions needs time to build.

Which brings me to one of the biggest surprises: the emotional depth.

The dynamic between Hiccup and Stoick felt heavier this time. The tension of trying to live up to your father’s expectations while staying true to yourself hit harder for me—especially as a parent. The final scenes were more poignant, and while I didn’t cry the way I did in 2010, I felt it. Deeply.

Final Verdict

If I had seen this version in 2010, I would have given it 5 stars. Today, I’m giving it a solid 4.5 stars. Yes, it’s an adaptation of a film that’s not that old. But it succeeds where others have failed.

It made Berk feel real.

And in a media landscape where families rarely get grounded fantasy that invites immersion (and imagination), this film is a gift. It reminded me of the feeling grown-ups had watching Game of Thrones every week, falling into Westeros. Kids and families will feel that way about Berk after this.

This is hands down the best live-action adaptation of an animated film I’ve seen. The CGI? Excellent. The special effects? Gorgeous. The performances? Exactly what they needed to be. It’s heartfelt, action-packed, and truly fun for the whole family.

I hope this film opens the door to more fantasy storytelling for kids—not just reboots, but original worldbuilding. And if that happens? Then this movie will have done more than entertain. It’ll have inspired.

Are you planning to see How to Train Your Dragon? Taking the whole family? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll see you in the next video!


Shaquanna Stevens is a film critic and cultural commentator focusing on Black cinema, community narratives, and stories that explore identity and legacy. Follow her at Her Reel Review

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