This guide explores the enduring appeal of how to train your dragon, from the original book series to the upcoming live-action film adaptation, examining its themes, characters, and cultural impact. We will cover the story’s origins, the animated trilogy, the expanded universe, and what fans can expect next.
Table of Contents
- Origins of the Story
- The Animated Film Trilogy
- Expanding the World of Dragons
- The Live-Action Reimagining
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Comparing the Storytelling Mediums
- Practical Tips for New Fans
- Key Takeaways
- Useful Resources
How to train your dragon is a multi-platform franchise that began with Cressida Cowell’s book series and was propelled to global fame by DreamWorks Animation. This article covers its origins, the acclaimed animated trilogy, the expanded television universe, and the upcoming live-action film, explaining why the story of Hiccup and Toothless continues to resonate worldwide.
- The original 2010 animated film grossed over $494.9 million at the worldwide box office (Box Office Mojo, 2024)[1]
- The franchise has sold more than 15 million copies of Cressida Cowell’s books worldwide (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024)[2]
- The DreamWorks Dragons franchise accounts for more than 200 episodes of television content (DreamWorks Animation Television, 2024)[3]
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) holds a 99% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes, 2025)[4]
Origins of the Story
The journey of how to train your dragon began not on a movie screen, but in the imagination of British author Cressida Cowell. The first book in her series was published in 2003, introducing readers to a young Viking named Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his unlikely friendship with a dragon he named Toothless. The original book series has since been translated into over 40 languages worldwide (Hachette Children’s Group, 2024)[2], demonstrating its universal appeal.
Cowell’s books are a blend of humorous adventure and deeper themes about overcoming prejudice and challenging tradition. The story is set on the fictional island of Berk, where Vikings have a long-standing tradition of hunting dragons. Hiccup, a small and unassuming boy who doesn’t fit the typical warrior mold, discovers that his people’s beliefs about dragons are based on fear and misunderstanding. His choice to befriend a wounded dragon instead of killing it sets off a chain of events that changes his entire society.
Author Cressida Cowell has shared her hopes for the story’s impact on young readers. As she stated, “What I hoped children would take from How to Train Your Dragon is that the smallest, most unlikely person can change the world if they dare to use kindness and imagination instead of cruelty and fear” (BBC, 2024)[5]. This core message of empathy and courage is the foundation upon which the entire franchise was built.
The Animated Film Trilogy
DreamWorks Animation adapted the first book into a feature film released in 2010, directed by Dean DeBlois. The film took significant creative liberties with the source material, crafting a more epic and emotionally resonant narrative that focused on the bond between Hiccup and Toothless. The result was a critical and commercial triumph, with the film receiving two Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score (AMPAS, 2024)[6].
The original 2010 animated film grossed over $494.9 million at the worldwide box office (Box Office Mojo, 2024)[1] and contributed to a 10% uplift in DreamWorks Animation’s total worldwide box office in the year of its release compared with the previous year (Statista, 2024)[7]. The film’s success led to two sequels: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). The entire animated trilogy has generated an estimated $1.64 billion in combined worldwide box office revenue (The Numbers, 2024)[8].
Director Dean DeBlois has spoken about the central theme that carried through all three films. He explained, “At its heart, How to Train Your Dragon has always been a story about empathy – about choosing understanding over fear when you’re confronted with something you were taught to see as an enemy” (The Hollywood Reporter, 2025)[9]. This thematic consistency, combined with stunning animation and a memorable score by John Powell, elevated the trilogy into a landmark of modern animated cinema.
Expanding the World of Dragons
Beyond the three feature films, the world of how to train your dragon has been extensively explored through a variety of media. The DreamWorks Dragons franchise, including TV series based on the films, accounts for more than 200 episodes of television content (DreamWorks Animation Television, 2024)[3]. These shows, such as Dragons: Riders of Berk and Dragons: Race to the Edge, filled the narrative gaps between the movies, introducing new dragon species and deepening the lore of the Viking world.
The franchise has also expanded into video games, theme park attractions, and stage shows, creating a comprehensive universe that fans can explore. A key aspect of this expansion is the continued relevance of the original books, which have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024)[2]. The books offer a different, more comedic take on the story, with a larger cast of characters and a different narrative arc, providing a rich companion experience to the films.
Margaret Doherty, Head of Education at the British Film Institute, has noted the educational value of the franchise. She stated that “How to Train Your Dragon is one of the most effective contemporary films we use to talk with young audiences about prejudice, conflict resolution and the courage to challenge inherited narratives” (BFI, 2025)[10]. This recognition underscores the franchise’s ability to entertain while also prompting meaningful conversations about important social themes, making it a valuable tool for parents and educators alike.
The Live-Action Reimagining
In 2025, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are bringing the story back to the big screen with a live-action adaptation of the first film, once again directed by Dean DeBlois. This new version aims to capture the emotional core of the original while leveraging modern filmmaking techniques to create a more photorealistic depiction of the world of Berk and its dragons. The project is a major undertaking, reflecting the enduring popularity of the franchise.
Jeff Shell, CEO of NBCUniversal, commented on the significance of the project, saying, “With How to Train Your Dragon, we’re taking one of DreamWorks Animation’s most beloved properties and reimagining it for a new generation of moviegoers while staying true to the emotional core that made the original so enduring” (NBCUniversal, 2025)[11]. The film is expected to introduce the story to a new audience while also offering a fresh experience for long-time fans.
Producer Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination, has also weighed in on the story’s lasting appeal. He noted, “The appeal of How to Train Your Dragon has always been that it transcends its fantasy setting – audiences connect to Hiccup and Toothless as two outsiders who discover their strength in friendship” (Variety, 2025)[12]. This focus on the universal themes of friendship and belonging suggests that the live-action film will remain faithful to the spirit of the original, even as it brings a new visual style to the beloved characters. For those interested in how film production teams build such complex worlds, a look at modern filmmaking and storyboarding techniques can be insightful.
Important Questions About How to Train Your Dragon
What is the correct order to watch the How to Train Your Dragon movies?
The correct viewing order for the main animated trilogy is: How to Train Your Dragon (2010), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). For a more complete experience, you can also watch the TV series Dragons: Riders of Berk and Dragons: Race to the Edge between the first and second films, as they expand on the characters and world. The upcoming live-action film is a standalone adaptation of the first movie’s story.
How does the book series differ from the movies?
The book series by Cressida Cowell and the DreamWorks film trilogy are quite different. The books have a more comedic and episodic tone, with a much larger cast of characters and a different overarching plot. For example, Toothless is a small, common dragon in the books, not the majestic Night Fury from the films. The movies take the core concept and characters and create a more streamlined, epic narrative focused on the bond between Hiccup and Toothless, while the books are a longer, more sprawling adventure.
What are the main themes explored in the franchise?
The central theme of how to train your dragon is empathy and the courage to challenge inherited prejudices. The story consistently shows that understanding and communication are more powerful than violence and fear. Other key themes include the value of friendship, the importance of being true to oneself, and the need to break cycles of conflict. The franchise is notable for its mature handling of these topics, making it a compelling story for both children and adults.
Will the live-action film be a direct copy of the 2010 animated movie?
While the live-action film will retell the same basic story as the 2010 animated film, it is not expected to be a shot-for-shot copy. Director Dean DeBlois has indicated that the new film will take advantage of the live-action format to bring a new level of realism and emotional depth to the story. It will likely incorporate elements from the later films and the expanded universe to create a more cohesive narrative. The core characters and themes will remain the same, but the execution will be tailored to the live-action medium.
Comparing the Storytelling Mediums
The how to train your dragon franchise is unique in that its story has been told successfully across several different mediums. Each medium offers a distinct experience, and understanding these differences can help fans decide where to start. The following table compares the three primary iterations of the story.
| Aspect | Book Series (2003-2015) | Animated Film Trilogy (2010-2019) | Live-Action Film (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Tone | Humorous, episodic, with dark moments | Epic, emotional, and character-driven | Realistic, grounded, and awe-inspiring |
| Character Focus | Larger cast of Viking children and dragons | Primarily Hiccup and Toothless | Hiccup and Toothless, with enhanced realism |
| Story Arc | Long, multi-book narrative with a complex villain | Three-act structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end | Single-film adaptation of the first story |
| Visual Style | Illustrated, hand-drawn style | Stunning, stylized computer animation | Photorealistic, live-action cinematography |
Practical Tips for New Fans
If you are new to the world of how to train your dragon, diving into such a large franchise can feel overwhelming. Here are some practical tips to help you get started and make the most of your experience. First, decide which medium appeals to you most. If you enjoy epic, visually stunning stories with emotional depth, start with the animated film trilogy. If you prefer a more humorous, detailed adventure with a larger cast, the books are a great place to begin.
Second, do not skip the TV series. The shows like Race to the Edge significantly enrich the world and character development between the films. They introduce new dragons and villains that make the movies’ events even more impactful. Finally, keep an open mind when moving between mediums. The books and movies are different stories set in the same universe, so appreciating them as separate but related works will enhance your overall enjoyment. For a more academic exploration of the franchise’s themes, the British Film Institute’s educational resources on empathy in film offer a valuable perspective.
Key Takeaways
The story of how to train your dragon has grown from a single children’s book into a global multimedia phenomenon, captivating audiences with its timeless message of empathy and friendship. From the beloved animated trilogy to the original books and the highly anticipated live-action adaptation, the franchise continues to prove that the bond between a boy and his dragon is a story worth telling again and again. Its success is a testament to the power of challenging fear with understanding. To discover more about the creative processes behind such beloved franchises, explore other insightful articles here on connectivityproducts.
Useful Resources
- Box Office Mojo. How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Box Office.
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr2747216389/ - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. How to Train Your Dragon Book Series.
https://www.lbyr.com/titles/cressida-cowell/how-to-train-your-dragon/9780316737371/ - DreamWorks Animation Television. Dragons Franchise Information.
https://www.dreamworks.com/how-to-train-your-dragon - Rotten Tomatoes. How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Reviews.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/how_to_train_your_dragon - BBC. Cressida Cowell on the lasting legacy of How to Train Your Dragon.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/how-to-train-your-dragon-legacy-cressida-cowell - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2011 Oscars Ceremony.
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2011 - Statista. DreamWorks Animation Global Box Office Revenue.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/326502/dreamworks-animation-global-box-office-revenue/ - The Numbers. How to Train Your Dragon Franchise Box Office.
https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/How-to-Train-Your-Dragon#tab=summary - The Hollywood Reporter. Director Dean DeBlois on returning to How to Train Your Dragon in live action.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dean-deblois-how-to-train-your-dragon-live-action-interview-123588 - British Film Institute. BFI Education: Using contemporary family films to teach empathy.
https://www.bfi.org.uk/education-research/teaching-resources/how-to-train-your-dragon-empathy-classroom - NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal CinemaCon 2025 Presentation Highlights.
https://www.nbcuniversal.com/press-release/nbcuniversal-highlights-upcoming-film-slate-cinemacon-2025 - Variety. Universal’s Chris Meledandri talks producing the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/chris-meledandri-how-to-train-your-dragon-live-action-123591
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