Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with the characters from How to Train Your Dragon. My children have grown up watching the trilogy with me, so the franchise holds a special place in our hearts.
Recently, my 16-year-old and I curled up on the couch to watch the brand-new live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon from the comfort of our home. This release offers more than 75 minutes of bonus content — from a gag reel to deleted scenes — making it a must-have for fans. The movie is available now in digital format and will arrive on 4K UHD and Blu-ray August 12, 2025 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Our Take on the Film
My daughter declared it “the best live-action film she’s ever seen.” She loved how closely it followed the original story, though she wished the soundtrack matched the animated version a bit more. The dragons were beautifully rendered, and she thought Chief Stoick was almost exactly like his animated counterpart. Toothless was as endearing as ever, though in the animated version he had slightly more cat-like features. One fun difference: the “dragon nip” from the original seems to have been swapped for what looked like dandelions in this film.
Her verdict? 8 out of 10 stars. With a PG rating for sequences of intense action and peril and a runtime of two hours and five minutes, this adventure is perfect for family movie night.
About the Story
Oscar® nominee Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind the original trilogy, brings Berk to life in a visually stunning live-action spectacle. On the Isle of Berk, Vikings and dragons have been enemies for generations — until Hiccup (Mason Thames), the son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), befriends a feared dragon named Toothless. With Astrid (Nico Parker) by their side, they must unite their worlds to confront an ancient evil, proving that friendship and courage can triumph over any obstacle.
The cast includes Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick, alongside Nick Frost, Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and Peter Serafinowicz.
Exclusive Bonus Features
When you purchase from participating retailers, you’ll unlock exclusive behind-the-scenes extras:
- Building Berk – Step onto the set to see the incredible detail that went into creating Berk.
- Dreaming Up the Dragons – Discover the artistry and technology that brought these dragons to life.
- Fit for a Viking – Go behind the scenes to see the elaborate Viking transformations of the cast.
- Forbidden Friendship – Watch Mason Thames perform the iconic sequence with a puppeteer during early production.
- Test Drive – Learn how Hiccup’s thrilling first flight with Toothless came together.
- Exploring the Isle of Berk at Epic Universe – Take a virtual tour of a theme park where Vikings and dragons live side-by-side.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to Berk, this live action How to Train Your Dragon is a high-flying, heartwarming adventure for all ages. For us, it was a nostalgic yet fresh way to revisit a story we love — and it’s one we’ll be watching again.
