Movie · 2025 · Fantasy, Family, Action, Adventure · 2h 5m · PG · English
Curator score: 6.5/10 (1.2M ratings)
The legend is real.
Overview
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart, defying centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
Ratings
Curator score: 6.5/10
IMDb: 7.7/10
Letterboxd: 3.82/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Metacritic: 61
TMDB: 7.9/10
Director
Dean DeBlois
Production
DreamWorks Animation, Marc Platt Productions
Cast
Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Murray McArthur, Peter Serafinowicz, Naomi Wirthner, Ruth Codd, Andrea Ware, Anna Leong Brophy, Marcus Onilude, Pete Selwood, Daniel-John Williams, Kate Kennedy, Selina Jones, Nick Cornwall
Where to watch
Netflix
Curator Review
Verdict
A polished, crowd-pleasing fantasy adventure with strong emotional hooks and big spectacle, but also a familiar remake that many viewers will find too close to the animated original to justify itself. If you want a family-friendly dragon movie with soaring music and sincere heart, it delivers; if you want something fresher, it may feel redundant.
Best for
families looking for a safe theatrical adventure
fans of dragon fantasy and coming-of-age stories
viewers who want big-screen spectacle and an emotional score
audiences open to live-action remakes of animated favorites
Skip if
you already know and love the animated film
you dislike shot-for-shot or near-shot-for-shot remakes
you want inventive worldbuilding over familiarity
you are tired of legacy IP revisits
Overview
This is the kind of movie that knows exactly how to work an audience: earnest underdog storytelling, a lovable dragon, and a score that does a lot of the emotional heavy lifting. The central bond still lands, and the action is staged for maximum family-matinee exhilaration rather than grit or cynicism.
Worth noting
At the same time, the film’s biggest strength is also its biggest limitation. It leans so hard on the blueprint of the earlier version that the experience can feel more like a premium-format replay than a reinvention. For viewers who wanted a new angle on Berk, that sameness will be hard to ignore.
Bottom line
Still, as a theatrical fantasy for kids, parents, and anyone who wants a sincere crowd-pleaser, it works better than most live-action remakes. It’s emotionally accessible, visually polished, and powered by a story that remains durable even when the novelty is gone.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Joe A (3★) · 41108 likes
This movie would be crazy good if it was animated.
timtamtitus (3★) · 19460 likes
they really hit that Ctrl+C Ctrl+V
jonathan fujii (3.5★) · 13817 likes
What do you want me to do when the music still gives me full body chills sorry
JoshuaCaine (4★) · 11834 likes
Bro, I don’t even care. I was kicking my feet in the cinema like I was 10 years old again 😭😭