DreamWorks’ live-action re-imagining for HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON just torched the competition. With a colossal $197.6 million debut worldwide, the film landed as the #1 movie across the globe this weekend. In North America, the film smashed records with a colossal $84.6 million debut, the franchise’s mightiest domestic opening ever. Across the pond and beyond, it was a similar story of conquest, as the film pillaged the box office in 81 markets to the tune of $113 million, with triumphant debuts in Mexico, the U.K., Ireland, China, Brazil and Korea.
This past weekend, fans flocked back to the mythical realm of Berk, first conjured by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders nearly 15 years ago. That 2010 animated classic introduced the world to underdog Hiccup, the enigmatic Night Fury Toothless, and a Viking society set in its dragon-hating ways. That spark ignited a global phenomenon—one that spawned sequels, spinoffs, and a slew of TV series. Now, that cherished saga has metamorphosed, taking glorious flight in spectacular live-action.
How To Train Your Dragon Plot
The new film remains anchored in Berk, the wild, wind-battered Viking island where humans and dragons have long been at odds. At the center of the tale is the wonderfully brainy but perpetually underestimated Hiccup (played by Mason Thames of The Black Phone fame), who just so happens to be the son of the chieftain, the formidable Stoick the Vast (with Gerard Butler making a thunderous return to the role). When Hiccup crosses paths with Toothless, a fearsome Night Fury, he does the unthinkable: befriends him. This singular, clandestine camaraderie unravels everything the Vikings thought they knew, challenging their entire worldview.
Joining their journey is the brave and fiercely independent Astrid, portrayed by Nico Parker (The Last of Us, Dumbo), along with blacksmith and comic relief Gobber, brought to life by Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead). Together, this unlikely crew faces a world ruled by superstition, warfare—and something darker on the horizon.
When a truly ancient peril surfaces, threatening to obliterate both Vikings and dragons, the extraordinary friendship between boy and beast becomes the fulcrum for a new world. What begins as a forbidden friendship becomes the beating heart of a revolution— Hiccup and Toothless must rally both humans and dragons to stand united. In doing so they both challenge authority, rewrite destiny, and redefines what it means to lead.
How To Train Your Dragon Cast & Crew
The cast includes Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones). Dean DeBlois returns not just as the creative mind but as writer, director, and producer. He’s backed by Marc Platt, a three-time Oscar nominee (La La Land, Wicked), and Adam Siegel, Emmy-winner (Drive). The film is part of the Filmed for IMAX program, crafted to deliver a spectacle that pulls audiences deep into Berk’s windswept skies and fire-lit battles. Originally inspired from Cressida Cowell’s beloved bestselling books, the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON franchise has long been a global sensation, amassing four Oscar nominations and over $1.6 billion. Now, DeBlois wields cutting-edge VFX to transmute his animated masterpiece into a live-action marvel, animating the epic tale of Hiccup and Toothless with such jaw-dropping authenticity that you’ll believe a dragon can fly as they uncover the profound depths of friendship, valor, and destiny.
Where To Watch
With a sterling ‘A’ CinemaScore and a practically unheard-of 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, this is the one cinematic quest you simply cannot afford to miss. You can catch this high-flying adventure on standard screens or go for the full, magnificent shebang in Premium Large Formats like IMAX, RealD 3D, 4DX, ScreenX, and Dolby Cinema. However you watch, prepare for an unforgettable journey!
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