How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action): Release, Cast, Filming Spots & What’s New

-

 TL;DR: The live-action How to Train Your Dragon opened in U.S. theaters on June 13, 2025, with Dean DeBlois returning to write/direct, Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler reprising Stoick. It’s a strong box-office hit and has a sequel dated for 2027. Rotten Tomatoes EditorialPeople.comIMDbThe NumbersVulture

Quick facts

Why a live-action Dragon now?

Universal and DreamWorks tapped DeBlois to re-imagine the 2010 classic with a photo-real look while keeping the heart of Hiccup & Toothless’s friendship. DeBlois has spoken about translating the story respectfully rather than simply “remaking” it beat-for-beat. Rotten Tomatoes EditorialYouTube

Release dates & where to watch

The film premiered at CinemaCon in April and opened wide in the U.S. on June 13, 2025. For current theatrical listings, check the official site (“In Theaters Now”). Regional release dates may vary slightly (e.g., early international festival screenings). Rotten Tomatoes Editorialwelcometoberk.com

Cast & characters (who plays whom)

  • Hiccup: Mason Thames

  • Astrid: Nico Parker

  • Stoick the Vast: Gerard Butler (reprising)

  • Gobber: Nick Frost

  • Fishlegs / Snotlout / Ruffnut / Tuffnut: Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn
    …and more village faces you’ll recognize from Berk. People.com

What’s new in the live-action version?

  • Tone & visuals: The first trailers and early coverage emphasized a faithful, tactile feel with Toothless looking naturalistic but still adorable—one of the most-praised elements. Polygon

  • Director’s approach: DeBlois has discussed avoiding common remake pitfalls—aiming for a bigger sense of scale and grounded performances that still capture the original’s warmth. Screen Rant

  • Music: Composer John Powell returns, helping bridge the feel between animation and live-action. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

If you missed the trailer, start here. YouTube

Filming locations you can actually visit

Berk comes to life via a mix of Northern Ireland (Tollymore Forest Park, Giant’s Causeway and more), Iceland, and stunning skylines of the Faroe Islands (notably Tindhólmur). Travelers are already plotting dragon-themed road trips to these spots. ContikiIMDbGuide to Faroe Islands

Reception & box office

The movie opened strong and has continued to play well globally, crossing $628M worldwide—making it one of 2025’s bigger hits. Critical chatter highlights Toothless’s design and the film’s faithfulness; others argue the animated original still has the edge. The NumbersPolygonTom's Guide

Will there be a sequel?

Yes. Universal has already staked June 11, 2027 for a follow-up adapting How to Train Your Dragon 2. Vulture

FAQ

Is Toothless CGI in live-action?
Yes—Toothless is primarily CGI, carefully stylized to retain the character’s charm while fitting the real-world aesthetic showcased in the trailers and coverage. Polygon

Do I need to watch the animated trilogy first?
Not strictly, but it deepens the experience. The live-action version stands alone and was designed to welcome newcomers while rewarding returning fans. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

Where can I get tickets?
The official site lists showtimes and regional booking options. welcometoberk.com

Editor’s take (should you see it?)

If you loved the original’s heart, you’ll likely appreciate how this adaptation keeps the friendship-first core intact while delivering sweeping vistas and a more grounded Viking world. If you’re remake-skeptical, Toothless may still win you over—he’s that good. 

SEO bits you can paste

Suggested title tag:
How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action): Release Date, Cast, Filming Locations & Sequel Plans

Meta description (≤160 chars):
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon soars with a June 13, 2025 release, new cast, epic locations—and a sequel set for 2027.

Target keywords: how to train your dragon live action, httyd live action cast, dean deblois live action, toothless live action, httyd filming locations, httyd box office 


Sources & further reading

Official site & tickets; release/cast/crew background; trailer; filming locations; box-office data; coverage & commentary. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unfaithful 2002

-
Image
My dear, the pace of the film is perfect. We found out about Connie and Edward's life before meeting Paul. The two have a beloved son, Charlie, who adds a lot of humor to the film, but in the wrong way. After the case begins, we see that Connie's feelings go from excitement to complete disgust. And of course Edward inevitably discovers. His reaction is the least interesting and perhaps very sincere. The acting is great, especially Diane Lane. The sex scenes are quite awake and I found myself uncomfortable at specific times, but it's interesting to see how different sex was with the therapist and sex with my wife. And in that sense, the "unbeliever" is wonderful! Watch the world slowly turn its head down and split into pieces around these two people based ONLY ONLY (the first scene in front of his apartment: Should he come in? Should he come? One? choice, a moment in time. a world of difference). Based on the choices, the drama begins to build, until at the ...
Read more

Skin 2018

-
Image
Jamie Bell plays the scene of ex-Brian Vidner. The British actor met him several times in preparation for his role, at the time in a sort of witness protection program: “We sat in his garage for hours and talked about his life. His difficult childhood, his parents abusing him, his schoolmates abusing him. He was the only white man in the class. "Some stories helped him, some not, Bell said, but it was important to him that they always be honest with each other and that the front lines were clear from the beginning. Vera Farmiga plays Vidner's" Mom "Shareen, matriarch of the racist skinhead family. Danielle Macdonaldglum single mother Julie Price, her eldest daughter Desiree is played by Zoe Colletti, Sierra middle daughter Kylie Rogers and her youngest daughter is Iggy Colbi Gannett. Bell's makeup artist Stevie Bettles made a kind of denture for each tattoo, making it easy to apply. They are modeled after the tattoos of real Brown and tailored to Bell'...
Read more

5 new Netflix series for which the audience gave the green light

-
Image
  Critics may find them too cliché, predictable, and a bit boring. But the audience has the upper hand, and it seems that these 5 new series make Netflix a chill place to rest your brain: Ginny and Georgia Georgia gave birth to Ginny when she was just 15 years old. Now her daughter is a teenager, she has a half-brother from another father, and on top of that, she moves to another city with her family. Ginny faces all the typical teenage problems as well as racial discrimination because her biological father is dark-skinned. Ginny, on the other hand, hides terrible secrets from the past. Behind Her Eyes A single mother suddenly becomes entangled in a network of mental games when she has an affair with her psychiatrist boss. She also secretly befriends his unusual, mysterious wife. There seems to be no way out of the maze. Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan The kingdoms of feudal Japan are at war. Several powerful people are fighting to the death to sit on the throne. Firefly Lane Tall...
Read more