Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
The bet on live-action remakes has paid off for Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon, as the film soared to the top of the box office over the weekend. And while the original didn’t come out all that long ago — it was released in 2010 — the live-action film still managed to bring the story to a new generation of fans.
get peacock
The story, based on the 2010 film (itself adapted from a 2003 book of the same name), follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a teenage Viking who befriends a dragon he affectionately names Toothless. The only problem is that he’s supposed to be learning to slay the dragons, and he instead uses his newfound friendship to tame them. The live-action remake stars Mason Thames and Nico Parker, with Gerard Butler reprising his role from the animated series.
Dean DeBois, who codirected the 2010 film and its animated sequels, returned to direct the 2025 live-action version. How to Train Your Dragon‘s success after just one weekend led Universal to announce a live-action sequel, with the next installment hitting theaters in 2027.
The only way to watch the latest installment is in theaters, but it will likely hit digital platforms on demand in July before eventually streaming on Peacock. If you’re looking to catch the rest of the series before watching the new one, or you want to revisit to see how they compare, all of the films in the series are streaming on Peacock.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
The 2010 film, directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, marked the beginning of the franchise. The voice cast consists of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, and Kristen Wiig. Get Peacock.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
The 2014 sequel’s official synopsis reads, “When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.” The sequel introduces Djimon Hounsou as the villainous Drago Bludvist, while Cate Blanchett plays Valka Haddock, Hiccup’s long lost mother. Get Peacock.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
The third installment’s synopsis reads, “When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury, he must seek the Hidden World, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.” F. Murray Abraham joins the cast as the villainous Grimmel. The film introduces the Light Fury, a female dragon of a similar species to Toothless. Get Peacock.
There are also numerous series, spin-offs, and specials based on the franchise. Dragons, typically referred to as DreamWorks Dragons, ran from 2012 to 2018. It was followed by Dragons: Rescue Riders (2019-2022) and Dragons: The Nine Realms (2021-2023)
DreamWorks Dragons (2012-2018) Streaming: Peacock
Dragons: Rescue Riders (2019-2020) Streaming: Netflix
Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky (2021-2022) Streaming: Peacock
DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms (2021-2023) Streaming: Peacock | Hulu
How to Train Your Dragon: 3-Movie Collection – Blu-ray + Digital
$12.08
$29.98
60% off
Buy Now On Amazon
Buy Now at barnes&noble
Rather not spring for another streaming service? The 3-film collection is available as a Blu-ray or DVD instead. The Ultimate Collection features two TV specials.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Complete Series: Paperback Gift Set
$74.85
$108.00
31% off
Buy Now On Amazon
Buy Now at barnes&Noble
