How to Train Your Dragon (2025) review

A Myth Reimagined for a Grown-Up Generation

In 2025, DreamWorks Animation delivers more than just a sequel — it offers a rich, emotionally resonant evolution of a franchise that once defined modern animation. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) isn’t merely about flight or friendship; it’s about time, memory, legacy, and the universal longing to reconnect with a part of ourselves that we’ve left behind. Unlike typical franchise follow-ups, this film doesn’t rely on nostalgia to carry it. Instead, it matures along with its audience, presenting a layered and cinematic journey that reflects how the world — and its heroes — have changed.

The Return of Dragons — But Not the Way You Expect

The story unfolds years after the dragons disappeared into the Hidden World. Hiccup, now older and quietly burdened by his past decisions, leads a reformed Berk that thrives on technological ingenuity rather than magic. The age of dragons is seen as folklore, and a new generation of Berkians, including Hiccup’s own children, question whether dragons ever really existed at all.

But the myths are far from dead. When an ancient force awakens beneath the sea — one tied deeply to the dragons’ origins — Hiccup is drawn back into a world he thought he had left behind. Alongside Astrid, now his equal in both leadership and spirit, and a cast of younger adventurers, he must choose whether to reopen a door that was closed to protect both humans and dragons.

A Story That Speaks to the Present

This is a story about change — not only in the world but within ourselves. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) draws heavily from real-world concerns: environmental degradation, cultural amnesia, and the complexities of stewardship versus control. These themes elevate the narrative from a fantasy tale into something allegorical. And yet, the film never becomes preachy or heavy-handed. It trusts the intelligence of its audience, particularly those who grew up with the original trilogy and are now confronting change in their own lives.

Animation That Stuns with Subtlety

DreamWorks has reached a new level of visual finesse. The animation blends photorealistic detail with a painterly aesthetic, especially in scenes set within the newly reimagined Hidden World — a biome glowing with bio-luminescence and ancient mystery. The dragons move with weight and personality, and sky sequences are rendered with breathtaking elegance.

Even when you stream online or download the film in HD, the textures remain crisp and vibrant. It’s one of those rare animated films where every frame could be paused and framed as artwork — a genuine testament to the animators’ care.

Performances: Familiar Voices, New Emotions

Jay Baruchel’s return as Hiccup feels like a homecoming. His voice is deeper, wiser, marked by the weariness of someone who’s seen both wonder and sorrow. America Ferrera as Astrid is grounded and sharp, bringing nuance to a role that could’ve easily been overshadowed. Their chemistry has aged beautifully, feeling more authentic than ever.

Newcomers round out the ensemble without disrupting its balance. Florence Pugh lends quiet strength to a mysterious seafaring character who helps unlock secrets of the dragons’ origins. The younger voices — especially those playing Hiccup’s children — offer vibrancy without comic relief cliché. These aren’t sidekicks; they’re fully realized participants in the story.

A Score That Soars

Composer John Powell returns once again to score the saga, and the result is nothing short of masterful. While familiar motifs are woven throughout, they’re reshaped and matured, just like the characters. His use of silence is as powerful as his crescendos. Whether streamed with surround sound or listened to via headphones, Powell’s music remains the film’s emotional heartbeat.

More Than a Children’s Film

Though it carries a PG age rating, How to Train Your Dragon (2025) targets viewers of all ages. Children will marvel at the dragons and vibrant action, but the film’s deeper themes — loss, hope, reconciliation — resonate most with older audiences. This is a story about moving forward without forgetting the past, making it a poignant mirror for those who first watched the original as kids and are now watching as parents, teachers, or leaders.

How to watch How to Train Your Dragon (2025) online

The movie is currently available to watch and stream online across various platforms. Netflix includes it in its subscription catalog, offering both HD streaming and download for offline viewing. Amazon Prime Video lists it for digital rental and purchase, with streaming and download available depending on membership tier. On Apple TV, it’s offered in up to 4K resolution with purchase and rental options, including full download support.

Peacock carries the film in its Premium tier, where it can be streamed and downloaded if you’re a subscriber. Hulu includes the film in some subscription plans, though downloading may be restricted to mobile devices. YouTube (Movies) allows you to rent or buy the film with full download access via the app.

The age rating for How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is PG — parental guidance is suggested due to thematic elements and some peril. It remains appropriate for most children while offering a thoughtful experience for older viewers as well.