🐉 Let’s start with showing y’all the trailers shall we:

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Plot Rundown (Non-Spoiler):

The 2025 live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon tells the same heart-filled story we know and love from the 2010 animated original — but this time in glorious live-action form. Set in the Viking village of Berk, we follow the story of Hiccup (Mason Thames), a scrawny but clever teen who knocks a Night Fury out of the sky — and instead of killing it like tradition demands, he lets it live.

Toothless ends up stuck in a deep ravine, unable to fly with only one tail wing, so Hiccup secretly builds him a new one, forming a bond with the creature in the process. Meanwhile, he’s forced to attend dragon-slaying class by his father Stoick (Gerard Butler), who’s proud his son finally wants to be a dragon hunter… except Hiccup doesn’t.

Eventually, Astrid (Nico Parker), a fierce and independent classmate, discovers Hiccup’s secret. But instead of snitching, he wins her trust by taking her on a beautiful dragon ride. This version still captures that moment perfectly.

The town of Berk is home to battle-hardened Vikings, all trained in the art of dragon slaying. Hiccup’s classmates all get time to shine — and each bonds with their own dragon later in the story thanks to Hiccup teaching them what he learned.

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Characters & Cast:

• Hiccup (Mason Thames): More expressive than ever. They found the perfect live-action match.
• Astrid (Nico Parker): She’s portrayed with black hair and light brown skin here — and she OWNS the role. Fierce and driven.
• Stoick (Gerard Butler): Back and booming. He brings the same gravitas as in the original.
• Gobber (Nick Frost): Still hilarious and lovable, Nick Frost slips into this role perfectly.
• Snotlout (Gabriel Howell): Loud and cocky, with a new ginger-haired swagger.
• Fishlegs (Julian Dennison): Redesigned with black hair and light brown skin — a welcome and inclusive refresh. He’s still the loveable gentle giant.
• Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn): Ginger-haired, chaotic energy fully intact.
• Ruffnut (Bronwyn James): Ginger-haired too, still off-the-wall and absurdly fun.

Each of these redesigns works because it keeps the spirit of the characters intact while adding new layers of diversity and uniqueness. They feel like real people in a real place, not just cosplay versions of the animated ones. That’s the key.

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What Worked (Pros):

• This film shocked me — in a good way. I expected to roll my eyes the whole time, but instead, I found myself smiling throughout. It stays loyal to the source while feeling fresh in live-action.
• The cast all brought their A-game, especially Mason Thames and Nico Parker.
• Butler and Frost returning gave it an emotional anchor.
• The dragon CGI was stellar.
• The cinematography and flying sequences were just beautiful.
• The friendship between Hiccup and Toothless was as heartfelt as ever.
• The camaraderie between the teen squad felt real. Their banter and teamwork hit all the right notes.

Honestly, I had no cons. Not one.

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Final Rating: 10/10

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⚠️ Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

The film doesn’t stray far from the original, but it hits every beat right. Hiccup is awarded the title of Dragon Slayer and is expected to kill a Monstrous Nightmare in front of the whole town — including his father. Instead, he tries to tame it.

Stoick is enraged and disowns him. While locked inside his home, Hiccup reveals that the dragons are stealing food to feed a queen dragon — the real threat. Stoick leads an expedition with Toothless chained to a boat. When they arrive, they’re overwhelmed.

The teen squad, now with their own dragons thanks to Hiccup’s training, rush in to help.

• Snotlout rides a Monstrous Nightmare.
• Astrid rides a Deadly Nadder.
• Fishlegs rides a Gronckle.
• Tuffnut and Ruffnut ride a Hideous Zippleback (the twin-headed dragon).

Hiccup dives into battle and rescues Toothless while the others distract the queen. But during the fight, the ship flips and Stoick sacrifices himself to save Hiccup and Toothless. Hiccup and Toothless face off against the queen, lure her into the sky, shoot holes into her wings, and when she prepares to fire gas — Toothless turns and blasts fire into her mouth, sending her crashing into her nest where she explodes.

Hiccup gets knocked off during the explosion, and Toothless shields him from the blast. Everyone believes Hiccup is dead, but Toothless opens his wings to reveal he protected him.

Hiccup wakes up with a new prosthetic leg. Gobber jokes that Toothless didn’t quite rescue all of him. Outside, the town is rebuilding in peace — now united with dragons.

Astrid slaps Hiccup, then kisses him.

Gobber gifts Toothless a newly built tail fin using Hiccup’s old designs.

The film ends with Hiccup narrating: “Some towns have puppies or ponies. We have dragons.”

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This remake works because it sticks to the soul of the original. Not all remakes have to be different to be good — some are good because they remember what made the original special. DreamWorks understood that. Disney, take notes. This is how you remake something with heart.