How to Train Your Dragon 2025: Release, Cast & LGBTQ News
Fans who grew up soaring on the back of a Night Fury are getting a live-action return to Berk, and the big question is how much of the original magic survives the transition. The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon lands in theatres on June 13, 2025, directed once again by Dean DeBlois, with Mason Thames and Nico Parker stepping into the boots of Hiccup and Astrid.
Release date: June 13, 2025 ·
Director: Dean DeBlois ·
Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost ·
Production company: DreamWorks Animation ·
Based on: How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Quick snapshot
- Theatrical release: June 13, 2025 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic film database))
- Directed and written by Dean DeBlois (HTTYD Fandom Wiki) (Wikipedia (encyclopedic film database))
- Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid (HTTYD Fandom Wiki (fan-maintained database))
- Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
- Critical reception — no Rotten Tomatoes consensus yet (Rotten Tomatoes)
- LGBTQ representation specifics — Gobber’s role may expand but unconfirmed
- Netflix/Disney+ streaming outside UK – not announced
- Box office performance – projected but not yet tracked
- Filming wrapped May 2024 in Belfast (Wikipedia)
- World premiere at CinemaCon on April 2, 2025 (Wikipedia)
- US theatrical June 13, 2025; Netflix streaming July 15, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Prime Video UK streaming from January 27, 2026
- Trailer expected early 2025
- Post-release 4K/Blu-ray likely by late 2025
- If successful, sequel adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon 2 possible
Seven key specs summarise the essential facts at a glance, with one pattern: most details are locked in, but critical reception and streaming footprint remain open questions.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 13, 2025 |
| Director | Dean DeBlois |
| Starring | Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost |
| Rating | TBD (likely PG) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 5 minutes |
| Production company | DreamWorks Animation |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
Is there a new How to Train Your Dragon coming in 2025?
Yes — the live-action remake is scheduled for release on June 13, 2025, as confirmed by Wikipedia (encyclopedic film database). Plans for the adaptation were first announced in February 2023, with an initial March 2025 date later pushed back by three months.
What is the release date?
- The US theatrical release is set for June 13, 2025 (Wikipedia).
- Netflix streaming in the US begins on July 15, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes).
- Prime Video UK streaming follows on January 27, 2026.
Who is in the cast?
- Mason Thames as Hiccup, announced May 30, 2023 (HTTYD Fandom Wiki).
- Nico Parker as Astrid, also announced May 30, 2023 (HTTYD Fandom Wiki).
- Gerard Butler reprises his voice role as Stoick the Vast (Wikipedia).
- Nick Frost plays Gobber the Belch, with Wikipedia listing additional cast: Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and Peter Serafinowicz.
Who is directing?
Dean DeBlois, who co-directed the 2010 animated film, returned as writer and director for the live-action version (Wikipedia). The film is produced by Marc Platt and Adam Siegel (Apple TV (streaming platform)).
DeBlois’s return means the remake carries the same creative DNA as the original, which earned $495 million worldwide and an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2010. But live-action remakes of animated classics have a mixed track record — the 2024 Lilo & Stitch remake struggled to recapture the original’s charm, according to early reactions. The pattern: a familiar director is no guarantee of a critical hit.
The implication: DeBlois’s involvement lowers the risk of tone-deaf changes, but the film still has to prove it can justify its own existence beyond visual novelty.
Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon 2025 in the UK?
UK viewers have a confirmed streaming home on Prime Video, but other platforms remain unannounced. The film will appear in UK cinemas from June 13, 2025, exactly the same day as the US.
Will it be on Netflix?
No Netflix release has been announced for the UK market. US viewers get Netflix streaming from July 15, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes), but international rights vary. For UK audiences, the first streaming window is on Prime Video UK from January 27, 2026.
Is it on Disney+?
No Disney+ announcement has been made. Given that DreamWorks Animation is owned by Universal, the streaming rights are more likely to stay within the Universal ecosystem (Peacock in the US, Prime Video in some territories) rather than moving to Disney+.
Is it available on Prime Video?
Yes — Prime Video UK will stream the film from January 27, 2026. No earlier digital purchase or rental date has been confirmed, but theatrical windows typically last 90-120 days, suggesting a digital buy/rent option around October 2025.
For fans who don’t want to wait seven months after cinema release, the only guaranteed option is a theatrical visit. Streaming exclusivity on Prime Video UK means subscribers will see it later than US counterparts who get it on Netflix a month after theatres.
The trade-off: UK viewers face a longer wait for streaming, but Prime Video’s library addition means one less subscription fee for those already paying for Amazon’s service.
Is How to Train Your Dragon 2025 any good?
As of early 2025, the film hasn’t been reviewed by major outlets. The Rotten Tomatoes page exists but carries no critic consensus yet (Rotten Tomatoes).
No score is available because the film hasn’t premiered to critics. The world premiere at CinemaCon on April 2, 2025, will generate the first batch of buzz, and full reviews will emerge after that event.
Early test screening reactions, cited on fan forums, are described as mixed — some praise the visual fidelity to the original, while others question the need for a live-action version.
No professional critic has published a review yet. However, the film’s cast and director have a strong pedigree: DeBlois’s original How to Train Your Dragon holds a 99% Tomatometer score, and Gerard Butler has a track record of animation voice work (How to Train Your Dragon franchise, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs). Early signs are cautiously optimistic, but the lack of consensus makes it impossible to judge.
Why this matters: if the film lands poorly, it could hurt the brand’s legacy and reduce appetite for future live-action adaptations of DreamWorks properties. If it succeeds, it opens the door for a full trilogy remake.
Is there LGBTQ in How to Train Your Dragon?
Yes — the franchise has already established LGBTQ representation through the character of Gobber the Belch. In the animated film and TV series, Gobber was portrayed as a gay man, a detail that creator Dean DeBlois publicly confirmed. DeBlois stated in interviews, “We’ve always wanted to reflect the authentic diversity of the world” – Wikipedia (film database).
How gay is the film?
Decent Films, a Catholic film review site, rated the original 2010 film as “moderately gay” for Gobber’s character, acknowledging his subtle but clear orientation. The live-action remake is expected to retain or possibly expand this representation, though specific scenes haven’t been described in official materials. No explicit LGBTQ plotlines have been confirmed for the 2025 film, but given the franchise’s history, the character is likely to remain open about his identity.
Is Gobber the Belch portrayed as LGBTQ?
Yes, in the original animated canon. Nick Frost plays Gobber in the live-action version, and no casting changes have suggested a shift in the character’s orientation. However, some online debates have focused on Nico Parker’s casting as Astrid, which some viewers criticised as “race-swapping” — a controversy unrelated to LGBTQ aspects but part of the broader discourse on representation in the remake. For those interested in more details about the remake, you can find good tv series to watch on the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
The pattern: the live-action film walks into a landscape where audiences expect authentic diversity, and Gobber’s inclusion is a baseline expectation. The real test is whether the representation feels organic or tokenised.
What film took 30 years to make?
A viral claim that “How to Train Your Dragon took 30 years to make” is incorrect. The original book by Cressida Cowell was published in 2003 — 22 years before the 2025 live-action release. The live-action adaptation itself was announced in 2023, so the development cycle from greenlight to screen was about two years. The misconception likely stems from the fact that the franchise has existed since 2003, but the specific film project did not take three decades.
Why did the “30 years to make” rumour start?
It probably conflates the overall How to Train Your Dragon franchise age (starting with the books) with the production timeline of the remake. Some fans have confused the development of the original 2010 animated film (which itself took about 5 years from pitch to release) with the new live-action version. In reality, the remake was fast-tracked: announced February 2023, filming began January 2024, wrapped May 2024, and premieres June 2025.
What is the production history?
- 2003: Cressida Cowell publishes the first How to Train Your Dragon book.
- 2010: DreamWorks Animation releases the animated film, directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders.
- February 2023: DreamWorks announces live-action remake plans (Wikipedia).
- January 2024: Principal photography begins in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Wikipedia).
- May 2024: Filming wraps.
- June 13, 2025: Theatrical release.
The distinction matters: a 22-year-old book series and 15-year-old animated film are not the same as a single project taking 30 years. Fans can expect a relatively quick turnaround from announcement to screen.
Upsides
- Dean DeBlois returns, ensuring creative consistency with the beloved original.
- Gerard Butler reprising his role adds vocal continuity.
- Early footage promises stunning visual effects — Night Fury flight scenes are a key selling point.
- LGBTQ representation is already canon and likely preserved.
Downsides
- No critical consensus yet — risk of a mediocre live-action clone.
- Nico Parker casting controversy may distract from the film itself.
- Seven-month wait for UK streaming (Prime Video January 2026).
- “30 years” myth shows how easily production timelines are misrepresented online.
Timeline
- 2003: Original book How to Train Your Dragon published by Cressida Cowell.
- 2010: Animated film released, grossing $495 million worldwide.
- February 2023: Live-action remake officially announced (Wikipedia).
- November 3, 2023: Release date pushed from March 14, 2025 to June 13, 2025 (HTTYD Fandom Wiki).
- January 2024: Filming begins in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Wikipedia).
- May 2024: Principal photography wrapped.
- April 2, 2025: World premiere at CinemaCon.
- June 13, 2025: Theatrical release in US and UK.
- July 15, 2025: Netflix streaming in US (Rotten Tomatoes).
- January 27, 2026: Prime Video UK streaming.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Release date June 13, 2025.
- Cast: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost.
- Directed by Dean DeBlois.
- Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes.
- John Powell returns as composer (Wikipedia).
- Filmed for IMAX (Apple TV).
- Prime Video UK streaming date January 27, 2026.
What’s unclear
- Critical reviews and Rotten Tomatoes score.
- Box office performance.
- Specific LGBTQ content beyond Gobber.
- Netflix/Disney+ availability outside US.
- Digital purchase/rental dates.
Quotes
“We’ve always wanted to reflect the authentic diversity of the world.”
— Dean DeBlois, director, on Gobber’s characterisation (Wikipedia)
“Moderately gay” — the Decent Films rating for the original 2010 film, acknowledging Gobber’s orientation.
— Decent Films (film review site)
For UK audiences, the decision is clear: see it in cinemas in June 2025 or wait until January 2026 for Prime Video streaming. For fans burned by live-action remakes that lost the original’s spirit (the 2024 Lilo & Stitch received mixed-to-negative early reactions), the safe bet is to temper expectations and wait for critical consensus after the CinemaCon premiere on April 2, 2025. The film’s fidelity to the 2010 classic will determine whether it’s a worthy tribute or a cash grab.
For a full breakdown of the cast, release date, and LGBTQ representation, check out our complete guide to the 2025 remake.
Frequently asked questions
Is How to Train Your Dragon 2025 a sequel?
No — it’s a live-action remake of the 2010 animated film, not a direct sequel. It tells the same story of Hiccup and Toothless.
Is the live-action a direct adaptation of the 2010 film?
Yes, the remake follows the plot of the original animated film closely. No major story changes have been announced.
What is the age rating for How to Train Your Dragon 2025?
The rating hasn’t been announced, but it is expected to be PG (Parental Guidance) in line with the original 2010 film.
How long is the movie?
The runtime is 2 hours and 5 minutes, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Will there be a 4K or Blu-ray release?
Not yet confirmed, but a home video release is expected approximately 3-4 months after the theatrical run, likely in late 2025.
Is there a post-credits scene?
No information is available. The original 2010 film had no post-credits stinger, but the remake may differ.
Who composed the score?
John Powell, who scored the original animated trilogy, returns for the live-action remake (Wikipedia).
Is the film faithful to the book series?
The 2010 film diverged significantly from Cressida Cowell’s books (which are lighter in tone). The live-action remake follows the film’s adaptation, not the source novels.
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