DreamWorks’ beloved tale gets a grounded, visually rich live-action reimagining

Fifteen years after DreamWorks Animation first introduced audiences to the unlikely friendship between a timid Viking and a wounded dragon, How to Train Your Dragon returns — this time as a live-action feature. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who also helmed the original trilogy, the 2025 adaptation walks a delicate tightrope: honouring the emotional depth of its animated predecessor while reintroducing the story through a more grounded and cinematic lens.

The film follows the familiar narrative arc of Hiccup, a misfit boy in a dragon-fighting society, whose life changes when he encounters a mysterious dragon known as a Night Fury. While the beats remain largely faithful to the original, the execution is noticeably more mature, with heavier emotional tones, grittier visuals, and a more tactile sense of worldbuilding.

Visually, the film is striking. The village of Berk is rendered with a rugged realism that complements the darker tone of the live-action format. The CGI dragons, particularly Toothless, are detailed and expressive without losing the charm that made them iconic in the animated version. Practical effects and real landscapes blend seamlessly with digital work, making the world feel immersive and alive.

Casting was, understandably, a point of contention among long-time fans. However, the film’s young leads deliver thoughtful, nuanced performances. The actor portraying Hiccup captures both the awkwardness and quiet determination of the character, while Astrid is reimagined with a fiercer, more grounded presence. The chemistry between the two is understated but believable — a slow burn rather than a central romance.

While the film doesn’t deviate far from the source material, it benefits from subtle recontextualisation. The themes of empathy, bravery, and generational conflict are explored with more emotional complexity, and the film seems aware of its older audience — those who grew up with the original and are now returning as adults.

That said, the remake doesn’t quite eclipse the magic of the original. The animated film’s sense of wonder, aided by John Powell’s sweeping score, is difficult to replicate. This version is more restrained — emotionally resonant, yes, but occasionally lacking the soaring spirit that defined the original trilogy.

Still, How to Train Your Dragon (2025) stands as a respectful and moving adaptation. It may not surpass the original, but it doesn’t need to. It expands on what came before without diminishing its legacy — and in doing so, offers a heartfelt return to one of modern animation’s most cherished stories.

Rating: ★★★★☆

A visually rich and emotionally sincere reimagining that balances nostalgia with grounded storytelling.