Top Animated Film of the Last 15 Years Returns as Live-Action: Watch the New “Dragons” Trailer!

Fifteen years following the acclaimed animated movie “How to Train Your Dragon” by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, Toothless and Hiccup return in a version blending live-action and CGI. Mason Thames, who rose to fame with the thriller “The Black Phone,” stars as the young Viking in this adaptation.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, who also wrote and directed all three animated features by DreamWorks, this live-action rendition stars Gerard Butler, reprising his role as the voice of the hero’s father from the animated version, while Nico Parker – recently seen in “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” – plays the young Astrid. The cast also includes Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur.

The trailer released today promises an epic film consistent with the animated saga that grossed over $1.64 billion worldwide, making it one of the most profitable franchises from DreamWorks Animation.

The new version retells the story from the first film, set on the harsh island of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been mortal enemies for generations. Hiccup, a clever but overlooked son of the chief Stoick the Vast, challenges centuries of tradition by befriending Toothless, a Night Fury dragon. This friendship transforms the lives of the island’s inhabitants.

Toothless’ design remains very faithful, if not identical, to the iconic dragon from the animated version, which should delight fans of the original animation series.

The live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” is set to hit theaters on June 11, 2025.