5 Surprising Differences Between the Animated and Live-Action “How to Train Your Dragon” Movies
- - 5 Surprising Differences Between the Animated and Live-Action “How to Train Your Dragon” Movies
Daniela AvilaFebruary 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM
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Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III in the live action 'How to Train Your Dragon" ; Hiccup in the animated movie 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2005).
Universal Pictures ; Alamy
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise includes a trilogy of animated films and one live-action movie
The movies follow a Viking teenager and his unlikely dragon friend, Toothless
The animated movies are available to stream on Netflix, and the live-action movie hit the streamer on Feb. 10
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise has both animated films and a live-action movie!
The beloved animated trilogy and the live-action remake, which came to theaters in June 2025, follows Viking teenager Hiccup as he befriends a dangerous dragon named Toothless. The films are based on Cressida Cowell’s best-selling book series by the same name and includes three total movies.
The live-action version, which hit Netflix on Feb. 10, stars new cast members Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid Hofferson, Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast and Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch. Ahead of the live-action movie's release, director Dean DeBlois (who also directed the animated trilogy) told Empire that he was ramping up the intensity.
“It’s so dialed up in terms of stakes — having a fully credible, photo-real dragon stomping around trying to kill him,” he said.
But what did DeBlois change about How to Train Your Dragon's iconic story for the 2025 remake? Here's everything to know about the biggest differences between the original How to Train Your Dragon and the live-action film.
Stoic and the Vikings are attacked by dragons
Mason Thames and Gerard Butler
Universal Pictures
In both films, Stoic and the Vikings set sail to find the Dragon's Nest while Hiccup is in dragon-fighting training. This time, however, as the ships sail into the fog, the Vikings are attacked by dragons — which was only suggested in the animated film.
"We get to venture in there and remind the audience that there is cause to be intimidated and fearful of dragons just as Hiccup is befriending one in the secret cove," DeBlois told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2025.
Astrid and Hiccup have a moment before he has to kill a dragon
'How to Train Your Dragon' Live Action vs Animated
Dreamworks, Universal Pictures
In both the animated and live-action remake, Hiccup faces a difficult task: Because he was chosen as top of his class, he has to kill a Monstrous Nightmare in front of the entire village.
In the live-action, Astrid and Hiccup have an extended heart-to-heart before he goes out into the arena. Hiccup asks her not to help if things go south so as not to ruin her image.
Meanwhile, in the animated version, Astrid simply wishes him good luck. Still, when Hiccup is in trouble, Astrid jumps to the rescue in both films.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, DeBlois said, "a lot of individual scenes just grew because we allowed for the relationships to run a little deeper."
Toothless has a longer fight scene
Mason Thames in 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Universal Pictures
DeBlois previously teased that the remake would be action-packed — and he certainly delivered.
In the animated version, when a Monstrous Nightmare attacks Hiccup in the arena, Toothless hears what's happening and comes to the rescue. When he makes it in, he tumbles with the Monstrous Nightmare a few times, but eventually scares it away.
In the live-action film, the fight scene lasts far longer before the Vikings intervene to help Hiccup.
Ultimately, the next part of the story stays the same, with the Vikings capturing Toothless to help find the Dragon's Nest.
Astrid gives Hiccup a piece of her mind
Nico Parker
Helen Sloan/Universal Pictures
In both the live-action and the animated versions, the dragon-fighting trainees have dinner with Gobber after their first session. At that meal, he instructs them to read the Dragon Manual and everybody takes off — except for Astrid and Hiccup.
This is Hiccup's chance to connect with the captivating Astrid. While he's equally awkward and afraid in both films, Astrid's response is prolonged in the remake.
This time, Astrid goes off on Hiccup for suggesting that perhaps dragons aren't so bad and tells him to decide which side he's on: the Vikings or the dragons.
Astrid also expresses interest in being chief one day — and accuses Hiccup of receiving "handouts" in life because he's the chief's son.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Thames, who plays Hiccup in the live-action film, praised his costar Parker's performance as Astrid. "Nobody understood [the character], but she did," he said.
Thames added, "Seeing that in the movie and seeing her portrayal, it's truly incredible. She's one of the highlights of the film."
Stoic doesn't have to hurt alone anymore
Nico Parker and Gerard Butler
Universal Pictures (2)
The ending of How to Train Your Dragon is a real tear-jerker — but DeBlois added an intimate detail to the live-action film.
While Stoic looks for Hiccup after the final fight scene, he finds Toothless unable to move. Stoic then drops to his knees, thinking that his son is dead. The Vikings — including Astrid and some dragons — all gather behind him at a distance.
In the remake, this scene is equally emotional, but there's a heartfelt moment added to it: Astrid walks up to Stoic and comforts him by putting her hand on his shoulder.
Then, just like in the animated film, Toothless reveals that Hiccup was under his wing all along.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
