3 Reasons ‘How to Train Your Dragon' Soars as a Family Film
Hiccup is a teenage Viking boy living in a land, Berk, where strength is prized, tradition is sacred and battles are a way of life.
As Hiccup tells us, Berk is a rugged island so far off the map that it "might as well not exist." But that hasn't kept dragons from finding their location. As long as Hiccup can remember, he and his people have fought these fire-breathing beasts.
"We're Vikings. We don't run from fights -- we start them," Hiccup says.
Hiccup's father is Stoick the Vast, a giant of a man who is chief of the island. He hates dragons. As legend holds, Stoick killed a dragon when he was a baby -- tearing off its head.
And Hiccup -- this scrawny artistic misfit -- is next in line to lead Berk.
Unfortunately, though, Hiccup doesn't share his father's talents. For starters, he's clumsy. There's also the fact that he's not bloodthirsty like the rest of his villagers, preferring instead to invent and explore.
But Hiccup's fortune is about to change. It all begins when he wounds the most feared dragon of them all -- a Night Fury -- in battle.
"No one has ever killed a Night Fury," Hiccup reminds us.
This wounded dragon is later found miles away by Hiccup, who discovers it has an injured tail and can no longer fly. Hiccup knows his duty is to kill it, and yet he cannot bring himself to do it. Further, Hiccup realizes that this Night Fury dragon -- a young one he names Toothless -- is not the terrifying creature he was taught to fear. Instead, this dragon is not much different than a house pet -- friendly and loyal and playful.
Hiccup soon comes to a shocking conclusion: Dragons are misunderstood creatures who only fight when they're attacked.
But will anyone believe him?
It's all part of the new Universal live-action remake How to Train Your Dragon (PG), which stars Mason Thames as Hiccup, Gerard Butler as Stoick and Nico Parker as Hiccup's rival-turned-romantic interest.
Here are three reasons families will probably enjoy it. Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Photo Credit: ©Universal
1. It's a Remake Made by Someone Who Understands Your Doubts
1. It's a Remake Made by Someone Who Understands Your Doubts
If you're wary of live-action remakes, you're not alone. Filmmaker Dean DeBlois directed the first three How to Train Your Dragon animated movies and considered himself a skeptic, too, not understanding why Hollywood didn't direct its resources toward fresh, original content. But then Universal phoned, saying they were considering boarding the live-action train for the Dragon series.
"I came from having publicly said I don't like this trend. As an animator, I felt that it was a bit of an affront to the medium, but also just a missed opportunity. In most cases, you could be doing something original, creating new franchises, instead of revisiting ones that are already out there and beloved," DeBlois told Crosswalk.
"But my convictions were put to the test when Universal called and said, 'We're considering a live-action version of How To Train Your Dragon.' And immediately I thought, rather selfishly -- admittedly -- I thought, 'I don't want to see someone else's version of it, so if you're going to do it, let me do it.'"
The result is a movie that will be embraced by old fans and new fans alike -- including many who weren't around or were too young to see the original when it hit theaters back in 2010.
"I can pledge and guarantee you that the wonder and the heart of the story is going to find its way into this live-action version," DeBlois said.
The 2025 version -- if you're curious -- is a faithful remake of only the 2010 film. Live-action adaptations of the sequels could follow.
Photo Credit: ©Universal
2. It's Still a Story of Friendship, Family and Seeing Beyond Appearances
2. It's Still a Story of Friendship, Family and Seeing Beyond Appearances
The film's plot largely follows that of the original movie. After Hiccup befriends Toothless, he takes part in dragon training -- a combat-oriented course designed to teach young Vikings how to fight and kill dragons. (Picture Ninja Warrior with creatures.) But because Hiccup has bonded with a dragon, he soon learns unexpected weaknesses that benefit him in the course. They're allergic to dandelions, for example. They're easily distracted (such as by a reflected light). He wins the competition over other teenage contestants, including Astrid, a tough-nosed teen girl who excels at battle but does not possess his dragon knowledge.
Eventually, Astrid stumbles upon Toothless and, though initially fearful, joins Hiccup on a ride that leads them to the dragons' hidden home -- a long-standing mystery to the Vikings -- and a massive nest guarded by a towering queen. Stoick learns of the nest and prepares a dangerous full-scale attack on it, not realizing the true threat. Hiccup and Astrid then join their peers to save the elder Vikings, riding aboard Toothless and other dragons that had been stored away in the training arena.
The film maintains the heart of the original as it reinforces powerful lessons about friendship (Hiccup and Toothless) and courage (Hiccup and dozens of others). It reminds us of the power of redemption, as Stoick initially rejects his son but eventually recognizes his gifts and, in the film's final moments, expresses his pride and love for Hiccup. It subtly urges us to pursue peace over conflict.
Finally, it encourages us not to judge by appearance -- a timeless lesson that applies across neighborhoods, cities and even nations. It prompts us to forgive. Stoick and his people had long hated dragons because of past fears and conflicts -- and because, well, they're menacing.
The film's many messages still resonate today.
Photo Credit: ©Universal
3. It's Live-Action at Its Best
3. It's Live-Action at Its Best
The 2025 version of How to Train Your Dragon is the right balance of faithfulness and fresh perspective. It still has the emotion, the thrilling battles and the characters that tug at your heart. DeBlois dug into the history of Vikings and added a layer of background about Hiccup's people. We also learn more about Astrid and what drove her determination.
The movie works because it sticks to the movie's core plot while offering us what kids want: real-looking mythical creatures soaring through the sky. It's a fantastical ride for the whole family with a dragon-sized dose of fun.
The battle scenes remain firmly within the PG realm, and the coarse language is non-existent (unless you count an instance or two of the word "gods" used as exclamations.) Hiccup and Astrid share a brief kiss at the end.
Would I have rather Universal spent its money elsewhere -- perhaps on a brand-new original animated film with fresh characters and new adventures? Yes. But that doesn't change this fact: The 2025 version of How to Train Your Dragon is every bit as enjoyable as the original, with plenty of lessons to teach us all.
Rated PG for sequences of intense action and peril.
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Family-friendly rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Discussion Questions for Families:
- What does Hiccup and Toothless' friendship teach us about looking past fear and appearances?
- What does the film teach us about prejudice, violence and peace? Are the lessons in the film grounded in Scripture -- and if so, how?
- What can parents and children alike learn from the relationship between Stoick and Hiccup?
Photo Credit: ©Universal
Originally published June 13, 2025.
