How to Train your Dragon: First image from the live-action film adaptation

Hiccup and Toothless return. 6 years after "How to Train your Dragon 3: The Hidden World", the live-action adaptation of the extremely popular animated series awaits us in 2025. Now we have the first picture!

The young Viking Hiccup can be seen standing in an arena – equipped with a dagger and shield. As director Dean Deblois revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the live-action film adaptation will be much more emotional and intense, especially when it comes to the action.

Mason Thames, who made a name for himself with "The Black Phone", will take on the role of Hiccup. Alongside Thames, Nico Parker will embody the Viking girl Astrid. Also on board: Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch, "Deadpool 2" actor Julian Dennison as Fishlegs and Gabriel Howell in the role of Snoutlout. Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn play the siblings Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Hollywood star Gerard Butler – who already lent his voice to Hiccup's father Stoick in the animated films – will also play him in the real-life adaptation. However, we are particularly excited about the look of Toothless.

Dean DeBlois – who was also responsible for the animated films – will once againdirect and write the screenplay. Cinematography will be handled by none other than Hollywood legend Roger Deakins. "How to Train Your Dragon" has been completed and will be released in cinemas on June 13, 2025.

The magic of How to Train your Dragon: a journey through the trilogy

The "How to Train your Dragon" film series is one of the most modern classics of animated film. Since its debut in 2010, the trilogy produced by DreamWorks Animation has captivated millions of viewers worldwide. With its heartwarming story of friendship, acceptance and growing up, it has not only captured the hearts of children, but has also triggered a deeper emotional resonance in adults.

"How to Train your Dragon" (2010) : The beginning of an unusual friendship

The first film, based on Cressida Cowell's children's book of the same name, takes us to the harsh island of Berk, a world where Vikings and dragons live in bitter enmity. At the center of the story is Hiccup, an insecure teenager and son of the strong Viking chieftain Stoick. Hiccup does not fit in with the warlike culture of his people – he is too slight, too thoughtful and not interested enough in fighting. But when one day he injures a nightshade, the most dangerous of all dragon species, the story takes an unexpected turn.

Hiccup decides not to kill the dragon, but to heal it. This decision leads to the formation of a unique friendship between him and Toothless, a dragon who is as much an outsider as Hiccup himself. Together they break down the age-old prejudices between humans and dragons.

Part 1 not only impresses with its visually stunning animation – especially the breathtaking flying scenes – but also with its profound message. It is about courage, compassion and the power to question tradition. With John Powell's epic soundtrack and the dynamic relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, the film set new standards for animated films.

How to Train your Dragon 2 (2014) : A bigger world

Set five years after the events of the first film, "How to Train your Dragon 2" expands the world of Berk considerably. Hiccup has now matured into a more self-confident young man who explores and maps the surroundings together with Toothless. But the idyll is threatened when a new antagonist, Drago Bloodfist, appears – a cruel dragon hunter who enslaves dragons to build an army.

As the tension escalates, Hiccup not only discovers new dragon species, but also meets his long-lost mother, Valka. She lives in a hidden dragon sanctuary and dedicates her life to protecting these creatures. Their reunion causes Hiccup to reflect on his identity and his responsibilities as a leader.

The second installment is more mature and darker than its predecessor, with themes of responsibility, sacrifice and loss taking center stage. The shocking death of Hiccup's father Stoick is an emotional turning point that finally forces Hiccup into his role as Chief of Berk. Visually, the film once again impresses with complex animation and spectacular dragon battles, while Powell's music further enhances the emotional depth.

How to Train your Dragon 3 (2019) : A worthy conclusion

The third and final part of the trilogy brings the story to a moving conclusion. Hiccup and Toothless face their greatest challenge yet: the fearsome dragon hunter Grimmel threatens the safety of Berk and hunts down Nightshade. At the same time, Toothless discovers a female Nightshade dragoness, the "Dayshade", and falls in love.

"How to Train your Dragon 3" deals with the theme of letting go, both between Hiccup and Toothless and in relation to the dragons and the humans. Hiccup realizes that the dragons can only be safe in freedom, and makes the heartbreaking decision to let Toothless and the other dragons go to the "Secret World" – a hidden paradise that only dragons can inhabit.

Part 3 concludes the trilogy in an emotionally mature way. It is a story about friendship, growing up and the courage to face change. With a bittersweet ending, the movie shows that true love and friendship endure beyond physical distance.

What makes the trilogy so special?

The "How to Train your Dragon" films are characterized by their emotional depth, impressive animation and universal messages. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless forms the emotional heart of the story. It is a symbol of friendship, trust and overcoming prejudices. The series also impresses with its visual creativity. The designs of the dragons, the landscapes of Berk and the flying scenes create a vivid, immersive world. The music by John Powell masterfully accompanies the action and emphasizes the emotional impact of the story.