The live-action How to Train Your Dragon is finally here and let’s be honest, everyone’s asking the same question:
Is it better than the original?
The 2010 animated film is a modern classic. It’s beautiful, emotional, and deeply meaningful to fans. So turning that into a live-action experience is no small task.
Instead of doing a beat-by-beat review, I want to focus on what really matters: how this version feels. What worked, what didn’t, and whether this remake brings something truly new to the table.
Let’s dive in.
The Flying Sequences Are on a Whole New Level
The moment Hiccup hops on Toothless and soars through the sky? Pure magic — again.
But this time, it’s different.
The live-action version of these flying scenes taps into something animation never quite could. There’s a weight, a speed, a danger that feels almost Top Gun: Maverick-level intense. You feel the wind, the turbulence, the thrill of every sharp turn. It’s fast. It’s grounded. And it’s visually breathtaking.
The original’s flight scenes were already iconic. But these feel like the natural evolution and they completely deliver.
Toothless Still Steals the Show
Let’s talk about what had everyone worried: a fully CGI Toothless in a live-action Viking world.
Somehow… it works.
Toothless is still expressive, still playful, and still instantly lovable. His design stays true to the original, and yet somehow he fits seamlessly into this grittier, more realistic world. It’s rare for CGI characters to maintain their charm when translated from animation but this might be one of the best examples yet.
The Cast Brings Real Emotion
One of the biggest surprises? How much more emotional weight the live-action version carries.
The story is mostly the same. The characters, their arcs, their relationships are all intact. But seeing real actors perform these moments adds another layer. Facial expressions, subtle glances, genuine chemistry it just hits harder when it’s coming from a real person.
The standout? Gerard Butler as Stoick.
He voiced him in the original, and now he embodies him. His performance brings a raw intensity, especially in father-son moments with Hiccup. It’s Stoick, but with even more depth and gravitas.
The Humor Actually Lands Better
You wouldn’t expect it, but the group dynamics especially the teenage dragon trainees are even funnier in live-action.
The banter is chaotic, awkward, and relatable. There’s this high school energy to the humor that feels very grounded. And because they’re real people, it hits in a different way than it ever could in animation. The crushes on Astrid, the sarcastic jabs, the chaotic energy, it all works.
Where It Stumbles: The Pacing
For all its wins, the remake isn’t perfect.
The first half is strong. It takes its time building relationships and setting up the world. But the second half? It rushes. Plot points fly by. Emotional beats don’t land as well. The story feels like it’s in a hurry to get to the big finale.
Ironically, this is exactly how the animated version paces things, but animation gets away with it. In live-action, the transitions feel more jarring.
Same Story, New Impact
Here’s the thing: the movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It sticks very closely to the original plot and that’s a smart move.
You can debate all day whether live-action remakes should offer something new, but in this case, not changing too much was the right call. What they do change is the emotional impact, and that’s where this version shines.
The story remains timeless. What changes is the connection you feel. The cast brings something deeper. The visuals feel more immediate. And somehow Toothless still feels like your favorite character, even in a more realistic setting.
Final Verdict: Did It Beat the Original?
For me… yes.
Is the animated How to Train Your Dragon still tighter, more stylized, and more timeless? Absolutely. But this new version manages to be emotional, immersive, and just as magical in its own way.
The flying sequences are next-level. The characters feel more grounded. The emotion hits harder. And most importantly, it respects the original. It doesn’t try to outdo it, it complements it.
If you’ve loved this franchise from the start, this remake is a rewarding experience. And if this is your first time visiting Berk you’re in for something special.
Rather Watch?
