I Saw the New HTTYD Movie and Now I Want a Dragon Again
- Gabby
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 13
Cue the Wings, Cue the Feelings
There I was. Popcorn in hand and pretending I wasn’t going to cry over a dragon… again. Opening weekend for the new How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie just happened, and my family and I had to see it on opening day. I remember seeing the original in theaters with my Mema back in 2010, and I’ve been obsessed ever since.
With Epic Universe opening here in Orlando and this remake hitting theaters, I’ve seen my siblings, and even my mom, become fans too. They actually got to visit the Isle of Berk twice where they were able to meet Hiccup and Toothless! Watching their excitement made me even more hyped for the live-action and reminded me just how much I love the original.
The Live Action HTTYD Lowdown
No spoilers here, I promise! But I was completely surprised by how much I loved the HTTYD remake. I haven’t been the biggest fan of live-action adaptations lately, but this one? It showed that when it’s done right, it works. (Disney, take notes.)
It took me a few scenes to warm up to the new cast, but Mason Thames (Hiccup) and Nico Parker (Astrid) absolutely nailed it. I even think Gabriel Howell brought more personality to Snotlout than we’ve ever seen before. The entire cast did an amazing job capturing the heart of the original characters while adding their own spin.
Visually, the film blew me away. The Isle of Berk looked incredible, and the dragons struck a balance between being fierce and familiar. And the music? That score has always been an emotional anchor in this franchise and it still is. It adds nostalgia and depth, especially during Hiccup and Toothless’s iconic flying scenes.
I left the theater with the same full heart I had back in 2010 and I cannot wait for the second movie.
Still Soft for Toothless
Could I really write this blog without gushing about Toothless? Absolutely not.
Somehow, I fell even more in love with the live-action version. They kept his adorable, cat-like energy while also making sure he looked like a dragon you wouldn’t want to mess with. The Test Drive scene? Still one of the most emotional sequences and the live version captured it beautifully.
Toothless remains the emotional center of this story, and the live-action team did him justice.
Hits, Misses, and Fireballs
What Worked:
Casting- Every actor felt true to the character they played. They brought heart, humor, and depth.
Visuals- Berk was breathtaking. The dragons were a perfect mix of familiar and fresh.
Pacing- Even though some small scenes didn’t make it into the live-action, it didn’t feel like anything essential was missing.
Story loyalty- The movie stayed close to the original storyline and I loved it even more because of that.
What Didn't Quite Land:
Ruffnut and Tuffnut- I wanted more chaotic twin energy! Their banter felt a little dialed down.
A few dragon designs- Some lost a little of their animated charm or menace, but nothing that ruined the magic.
Animated vs. Live Action: A Tale of Two Toothless-es
I can’t remember every detail of seeing the original for the first time, but I do remember wanting my own dragon.
That movie made my imagination soar. Watching it again, this time as an adult, made me feel like I’d grown up alongside it. There's something that is more "grown up," about a live-action compared to an animated movie and that's how I felt with this movie. There’s something more grounded and mature about live-action, but the heart and wonder? Still 100% there.
It was extra special seeing it with my family. I brought my little Stormfly plush, and my siblings had their Toothless and Hiccup plushies in hand. Watching their reactions made the whole experience even better.
The live-action truly honors the legacy of the series!
Final Verdict: Do I Want a Dragon? Absolutely.
I’d give this movie 4.5 out of 5 dragons. The nostalgia, the visuals, the emotional beats, they all hit. I’m already counting down until the second film.
If you’ve been on the fence about seeing it, consider this your sign. It’s the right way to do a live-action remake. Now I just need to make my way to Epic Universe so I can meet some dragons and live out my Berk dreams!
Let me know if you’d like more blogs like this as I love writing about movies, music, shows, and books that leave a mark. Remember to scroll down for your Side Quest, it's a highly interactive one!
Your Side Quest:
If you could design your own dragon, what would it look like and what would you name it? Here's a fun generator!
Here's mine:
She’s lying, she made fun of me