Logo What's After the Movie

How to Train Your Dragon 2025

On the rugged island of Berk, Vikings and dragons have been locked in a fierce conflict for generations. Hiccup, the inventive but often overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, struggles to fit in with his Viking peers. When Hiccup defies tradition by befriends Toothless, a powerful and feared Night Fury dragon, he begins to question everything he’s ever known. His unlikely bond with Toothless could potentially unite the warring factions, but challenging centuries of animosity won’t be easy.

On the rugged island of Berk, Vikings and dragons have been locked in a fierce conflict for generations. Hiccup, the inventive but often overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, struggles to fit in with his Viking peers. When Hiccup defies tradition by befriends Toothless, a powerful and feared Night Fury dragon, he begins to question everything he’s ever known. His unlikely bond with Toothless could potentially unite the warring factions, but challenging centuries of animosity won’t be easy.

Does How to Train Your Dragon have end credit scenes?

Yes!

How to Train Your Dragon does have end credit scenes. Stay until the very end!

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of How to Train Your Dragon

Explore the complete cast of How to Train Your Dragon, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for How to Train Your Dragon

See how How to Train Your Dragon is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where How to Train Your Dragon stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

63

How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action adaptation delivers a well-crafted retelling that retains emotional resonance but offers limited originality. The direction and technical execution are polished and occasionally engaging, though they seldom surpass the animated benchmark. Character moments preserve the central friendship’s warmth but rely heavily on familiarity. Plot and pacing remain serviceable yet predictable, and sensory elements provide a solid spectacle without breaking new ground. Overall, the film feels satisfying but overly safe.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for How to Train Your Dragon

70
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates polished production values with solid direction, editing, and design elements. Visual compositions are sleek and occasionally striking, and production design feels thoughtfully rendered. However, the live-action sequences often lack the dynamic flair and imagination that defined the animated original. Overall, the technical execution is competent but rarely ventures beyond safe, familiar territory.

65
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, the central relationship retains its warmth through measured performances and credible chemistry. Moments of genuine emotional resonance echo the original’s spirit, and the cast conveys basic depth in key scenes. Yet the dependence on familiar beats and predictable arcs limits deeper character exploration. Ultimately, while the friendship feels sincere, the emotional framework remains comfortably within expected boundaries.

60
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with clear structure and reliable pacing that deliver steady engagement. Plot coherence is maintained, and major story beats play out in a familiar yet satisfying progression. However, the remake’s strict adherence to the animated template curtails originality and suspense, resulting in predictable developments. As a result, the storyline feels serviceable but lacks the freshness to elevate it beyond routine retelling.

65
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When it comes to sensory experience, the film offers a polished audiovisual package anchored by a respectful score and cohesive visual style. Sound design supports key action sequences effectively, and the soundtrack retains familiar thematic motifs. Nevertheless, the experience rarely surprises, as the visual effects and audio cues generally mimic the original without innovative reinterpretation. Overall, the sensory presentation is solid but seldom ventures into new creative territory.

55
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

When it comes to rewatch value, the film provides a generally enjoyable experience on subsequent viewings, thanks to its dependable narrative and recognizable emotional highlights. Familiarity with the plot and reliance on well-trodden beats offer comfort but diminish the sense of discovery over time. While the core friendship remains engaging, the lack of fresh surprises can undercut lasting appeal. Therefore, the film’s replay value is moderate and best suited for existing fans.

Metacritic

61

Metascore

tbd

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

82%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

8.2 /10

IMDb Rating

Letterboxd

4.0

From 241 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate How to Train Your Dragon Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of How to Train Your Dragon with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


How to Train Your Dragon Quiz: Test your knowledge about the adventures of Hiccup and Toothless in 'How to Train Your Dragon'.

Who is the narrator at the beginning of the movie?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for How to Train Your Dragon

See more

Read the complete plot summary of How to Train Your Dragon, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


The film begins on the island of Berk, where the narrative is delivered by Hiccup. He describes the island as nearly inhospitable, with the main threat coming from dragons. The Vikings, led by Hiccup’s father, Chief Stoick The Vast, unite to defend their village from an onslaught of dragons stealing their livestock.

Despite wanting to be accepted among the other Vikings, Hiccup is perceived more as a liability than an asset. His peers, including Snotlout, twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut, Fishlegs, and the ambitious Astrid, all train under the guidance of Gobber.

In an attempt to prove himself, Hiccup creates a bolas shooter, but during the ensuing chaos when a Night Fury attacks, he inadvertently attracts the attention of a pursuing dragon. Stoick rescues him and expresses his frustration over Hiccup’s reckless behavior. Hiccup, yearning for validation, shares his frustrations with Gobber about wanting to be just like the other Vikings.

The community gathers for a council meeting led by Stoick, who is concerned about their inability to locate the dragons’ nest. His conversation with Elder Gothi leads him to consider having Hiccup undergo dragon training to harness his potential. Driven by the desire to fit in, Hiccup ventures into the forest in hopes of finding the Night Fury.

To his surprise, he discovers the dragon ensnared in a trap. When faced with the decision to kill him, Hiccup finds compassion in the dragon’s eyes and chooses to free him instead. The dragon, named “Toothless” by Hiccup, shares a bond with him that begins as a friendship, but soon deepens into something more meaningful when Hiccup constructs a prosthetic tail fin to help Toothless fly.

As Hiccup trains with the other teens under Gobber’s supervision, his innovative ideas about dragons begin to shine through, while Astrid grows increasingly skeptical of his methods. During a showdown with various dragons, Hiccup impresses his peers with his unique approach to taming dragons, thus gaining their respect but inciting Astrid’s suspicions further.

Meanwhile, Stoick is dedicated to training Vikings for a final test involving dragon hunting. In his quest for understanding, Hiccup reveals the existence of the dragons’ nest to Astrid. After some initial tension, she joins Hiccup as they uncover the truth about the dragons and the dangers that lurk within their nest, which they later discover to be home to the immense and powerful Red Death.

In a battle against the Monstrous Nightmare, Hiccup attempts to show the Vikings that dragons aren’t enemies. However, tensions rise when Stoick takes action against Toothless, leading to a rift between father and son. Realizing the impending danger, Hiccup takes matters into his own hands, enlisting his peers to rescue Toothless and lead the Vikings to the dragons’ nest.

The confrontation culminates in a fierce battle against the Red Death, where Hiccup and Toothless showcase a daring plan to defeat the dragon. In a remarkable display of teamwork, they maneuver through the skies, leading to a victorious yet perilous moment as they manage to subdue the Red Death.

With the dust settling after the battle, the Vikings find hope in the dragons, realizing they may coexist peacefully. Hiccup awakens days later to discover he has lost his foot in the fight and now sports a prosthetic. Yet, the bond with Toothless strengthens, symbolizing a new beginning for Berk where dragons are allies rather than adversaries.

As the film concludes, the youth of Berk soar through the skies on their dragons, while Hiccup’s voiceover reflects on the island’s transformation and the newfound friendship between Vikings and dragons, marking a significant shift in their way of life. It’s a journey of growth, acceptance, and the realization that the love for dragons has made Berk a better place to be.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


dragonvikingwarriorteen fantasydreamworksaxeinterspecies friendshipsword and sorcery fantasyteenage boyteenage girllive action and animationhigh fantasylive action adaptationlive action remakevillageweaponislandcombathow to train your dragonyoungtoothless characterhiccup horrendous haddock iii characterfictional islandeuropefather son relationshipteen adventurebearded manshieldfireremaketeenagerdramedy dramasword3d3 dimensionalbased on cartoonisland adventurefive word titlelive action cgi hybridpsychotronic filmpart computer animationbased on novelbased on book

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About How to Train Your Dragon

Stay updated on How to Train Your Dragon with in-depth articles, critical reviews, and ending explainers. Explore hidden meanings, major themes, and expert insights into the film’s story and impact.


Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.