DreamWorks Animation’s 2010 animated film How to Train Your Dragon was a film that received immense love from the audience. It went on to spawn a trilogy of animated films, spearheaded by director Dean DeBlois. DreamWorks Animation joins forces with Universal Pictures for a live-action remake of the first film. The live-action film How to Train Your Dragon premiered at CinemaCon on April 2nd.
The film has received an overwhelmingly positive response from critics, some of whom called the film one of the best live-action remakes ever. Praises have been showered upon the film for its characters, story, visuals, and CGI. The film will arrive in theaters only in June.
It is interesting to note that DeBlois is the director of the live-action version as well. Actor Gerard Butler, who voiced Stoick the Vast in the animated films, returns to play the character on the screen. The verdict from critics would prove crucial for the film, which already has a sequel in development.
How to Train Your Dragon — Critics call it the best live-action film ever
The members of the press and theater owners were lucky enough to experience the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon at CinemaCon, and they’re more than happy. Critics gave the film raving reviews on social media, which increased the excitement in fans to catch the film in theaters. Here’s what different critics had to say about the film.
Pop culture journalist Jeremy Kazieva shared that the film was “the best live-action film I’ve seen.” Fans are excited at his statement and hope that the film tops other live-action adaptations like The Jungle Book and Alice in Wonderland. Kazieva further added that the film gave him “chills and tears” while leaving the CinemaCon screen. He shared:
#HowToTrainYourDragon is THE BEST LIVE-ACTION FILM I’VE SEEN. This was literally just like the animated movie, so if you enjoyed that, you’ll REALLY love this too! The MUSIC, acting and CGI was PERFECT! I got chills and tears leaving the room. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/D6e2BFv9ug
— Jeremy Kazieva @ CinemaCon (@jeremy_kazieva) April 2, 2025
Russ Milheim of The Direct shared that the new live-action film was an “exceedingly faithful” adaptation of the animated films, which makes us fall in love with Toothless all over again. He shared that the film had some amazingly fleshed-out characters and added that the CGI dragons looked great.
Get ready to fall in love with Toothless all over again.#HowToTrainYourDragon is an exceedingly faithful adaptation that brings the classic story and world to life.
All of the dragons look absolutely incredible, and the movie cleverly does more to flesh out the characters. pic.twitter.com/QvIA9cJYEZ
— Russ Milheim – The Direct (@RussMilheim) April 2, 2025
Big Gold Belt Media shared that the film marveled at depicting the aerial visuals. They raved about the amazing cinematography of the film and suggested their followers catch the film on the biggest and best screen.
The best live-action adaptation yet! #HowtoTrainYourDragon redefines aerial visuals with breathtaking cinematography that will have you ready to soar through the skies with your own pet dragon.
A must-see film needing the biggest and best screen available!#CinemCon… pic.twitter.com/wOIdhfvn6h
— Big Gold Belt Media @CinemaCon (@BigGoldBelt) April 2, 2025
Geeks Of Colors’ Dorian Parks shared that the score, acting, and VFX in the new How to Train Your Dragon film were just perfect. He further shared that he absolutely loved the CGI version of Toothless.
#HowToTrainYourDragon is the best live-action adaptation film I’ve seen. Big fan of the original, and it was everything that I wanted to see- the score, the acting, and the VFX were PERFECT.
Cried a few times. I’ve never loved a CGI creature more than Toothless. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/X8IgYvfoEu
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) April 2, 2025
Journalist Scott Menzel shared that director Dean DeBlois was successful in recreating the magic of the original. He shared that the film had lots of “action, humor and heart”. Menzel shared that the casting of Mason Thames as Hiccup was perfect. He also suggested that the audience catch the film on the big screen.
How to Train Your Dragon is spectacular. A visually stunning and emotionally engaging retelling of the animated classic.
Director Dean DeBlois recreates the magic of the original with lots of action, humor and heart. Mason Thames as Hiccup is the definition of perfect casting… pic.twitter.com/Hp6SBkYRiE
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) April 2, 2025
Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky shared that she never expected the film to accomplish the charm of the original. She also praised the amazing cast and the adorable CGI dragons.
How To Train Your Dragon (2025) has all the charm of the original enhanced into something I never thought it could accomplish. The cast is incredible & the dragons adorable. I lost count of how many times I cried. This is something truly fantastic. #HTTYD #HowToTrainYourDragon pic.twitter.com/lAs331wT6Q
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) April 2, 2025
Interestingly, CinemaCon attendees were informed that they were about to watch an unfinished version of the film. However, the critical acclaim directed at this version has only got all of us excited for the perfect little film that DeBlois has created for us.
How to Train Your Dragon: Cast, plot, and other details
As mentioned, Mason Thames plays the main lead role of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the son of Berk’s tribal chief, Stoick the Vast. The role of Stoick is played by Gerard Butler, who voiced the role in the animated films. The Last of Us actress Nico Parker plays Astrid, Hiccup’s love interest in the film.
Other cast members include Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, Bronwyn James & Harry Trevaldwyn as twins Ruffnut & Tuffnut, and Ruth Codd as Phlegma. Universal Pictures released the plot of the film, which read:
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, defies centuries of traditional dragon-fighting practice when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
The animated films have earned a fortune for DreamWorks, grossing over $1.6 billion at the global box office. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is expected to bring audiences back into the theaters in large numbers for a Universal-backed film.
The film will be released in U.S. theaters on June 13, 2025.
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