The live-action remake ofHow to Train Your Dragonis doing exceptionally well, powering through the box office charts and receiving high praise from both fans and critics. Disney could surely learn a thing from two from Universal regarding how to do a proper live-action remake. However, the latest installment could also be doing well because audiences simply adore this franchise. Fans have gladly consumed the dragon tales ever since British author Cressida Cowell started writing the book series.
The franchise primarily follows the adventures of a young Viking named Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the son of Stoick the Vast, the leader of the Viking island of Berk. Initially dismissed as weak, the protagonist soon becomes a renowned dragon expert, working alongside Toothless, a member of the rare Night Fury breed. There have been 7 movies and TV shows in the franchise so far, with an eighth on the way in 2027. But which is the best of them? Critics have their own answers.
Here’s every movie and TV show in theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchise so far, ranked according toRotten Tomatoes.
7’Dragons: The Nine Realms' (2021 – 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 41%
Dragons: The Nine Realms
Set in the modern world,Dragons: The Nine Realmsfollowsa group of teenagers (one a descendant of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III), who uncover an amazing world of dragons beneath the ground after a comet hits Earth. The youngsters take the responsibility of protecting the secret dragons against anyone who might exploit them. And the more the dangers increase, the more their lives become increasingly entangled.
Diving Into the Modern World
The events, which take place about 1300 years from the last installment,constantly emphasize the importance of animal rights and remind us how kindness and compassion go a long way. Additionally, the stylish, offbeat animated film pays homage to the films in several ways, including having some of the characters behave the same way as their ancestors.
Unfortunately, the series has numerous flaws.The animation isn’t as good as it was previously. On top of that,the new dragons are a bit wooden compared to their past counterparts, making it harder to like them. Still, all children are likely to enjoy this fast-paced offering.
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6’Dragons: Rescue Riders' (2019 – 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
Dragons: Rescue Riders
Dragons: Rescue Ridersis about the adventures oftwin siblings Dak and Leyla, who were rescued and raised by dragons. Living in the Viking village of Huttsgalor, they can now communicate with the creatures. Dubbed the “Rescue Riders,”they spend their days rescuing dragons from trouble and assisting villagers in various tasks. They also have to deal with a recurring threat from the inventor Magnus and mischievous dragons.
Adults Dare Not Watch
Admittedly,Rescue Ridersisn’t perfect, but it ticks all the boxes for its target audiences. Aimed at preschoolers, itchampions teamwork, responsibility, and compassion, while sprinkling in plenty of comedic moments.
Still,there’s potential for a greater story, yet it’s never fully realized. The animated films showed us that it’s possible to create something that appeals to both adults and kids. Unfortunately, no attempt is made to do so inDreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders.The plots are all infantile, and the comedic situations are likely to leave any grownup smirking rather than smiling.
5’How to Train Your Dragon' (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
How to Train Your Dragon
InHow to Train Your Dragon,villagers in the Viking isle of Berk, led by Chief Stoick, have a centuries-old tradition of slaying dragons. Stoick’s son, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, is considered weak, but he soon becomes the architect of a new societal norm.After bringing down a Night Fury, he spares the wounded dragon and befriends it, naming it Toothless. This sets the stage for a new human-dragon alliance.
Just Like Old Times
Fifteen years after the live-action movie, director Dean DeBlois and Gerard Butler team up again for a marvelous reworking. Butler portrays Stoick with a combination of gentle charm and cold ruthlessness; he’s moody and complex, yet also wise and understanding. Mason Thames is also brilliant as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, and thanks to everyone’s combined efforts,How to Train Your Dragonstands out as one ofthe best live-action remakes of all time.
However, some of the original film’s charm is lost by making the transition to live-action. Even so, this isn’t so big of a deal, something critics on Rotten Tomatoes agree with. The site’s consensus reads:“Crafted with loving fidelity to the animated classic by original co-director Dean DeBlois,How to Train Your Dragondoesn’t best the first iteration but still reaches enchanting heights on its own.”
4’How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Now the chieftain of Berk, Hiccup is still striving to maintain the union between the Vikings and the dragons to create the perfect man-animal utopia. However, amajor threat emerges in the form of Grimmel, a ruthless dragon hunter who doesn’t want to see anything flying around. Hiccup also has to learn how to cope with new circumstances after Toothless falls in love with a female Light Fury. How will he juggle all these things inThe Hidden World?
A Perfect Conclusion to a Gripping Trilogy
Essentially a tale of love and triumph in a world of constant threats, degrading resources, and species-related bias,How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Worldisa first-rate animated action thriller brimming with hope, joy, pathos, vim, and fury, right from the opening sequence to the last. The one major difference is thatfar more effort has gone into the characterization, so the characters, who appeared ludicrous the first and second time around, appear highly relatable in the third incarnation.
The film also deserves to be tucked somewhere among themust-see animated romance movies. Critics loved everything about it, especially how it wraps up the story. Their summary reads:“The rare trilogy capper that really works,How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Worldbrings its saga to a visually dazzling and emotionally affecting conclusion.”
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3’How to Train Your Dragon 2’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
How To Train Your Dragon 2
Set five years after Hiccup united Vikings and dragons,How to Train Your Dragon 2sees the protagonistreunite with his long-lost mother, Valka, but before even banter can happen,Drago Bludvist and his evil dragon army attack Berk. During the attack, the mind-controlling dragon, Bewilderbeast, turns Toothless against Hiccup. How will the chaos end?
Misfortunes and a New Beginning
One of the few animated films to deal squarely with the issue of parental separation and grief,How to Train Your Dragon 2isa profoundly moving flick that digs into the ethics of inter-clan battles and peace. Strong performances and an untimely death will not leave a full tear duct in your eye. America Ferrera is also effective in her voice role as Hiccup’s fiancée.
Critics loved what they say here, saying,“Exciting, emotionally resonant, and beautifully animated, the movie builds on its predecessor’s successes just the way a sequel should.“Indeed, those who’ve been there since the first film will have nothing to complain about. The sequel simply delivers on all fronts.
2’DreamWorks Dragons' (2012 – 2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
DreamWorks Dragons
With events taking place betweenHow to Train Your DragonandHow to Train Your Dragon 2,DreamWorks Dragonscontinues to trace Hiccup’s journey as a peacemaker. He alsoaims to keep the Dragon Training Academy running, but is soon confronted with new challenges, including dragons that can’t be trained.
Going Big on the Small Screen
Viewers looking forgreat TV spinoffs of moviesneed not look further thanDreamWorks Dragons.The animation quality comes off as even better than that of the first film; no wonder the Emmy and the Annie awards came calling numerous times. Jay Baruchel also received plenty of praise for voicing Hiccup, receiving a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.
1’How to Train Your Dragon' (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
How to Train Your Dragontakes us to the mythical Viking village of Berk, where everyone has to train to be a dragon player. Hiccup, the undersized teen son of the village chieftain, wishes to follow the same path, butafter injuring a rare Night Fury dragon, his conscience prevents him from killing him. Instead, he befriends him and learns that dragons aren’t as bad as implied.
A Strong Start
This is DreamWorks Animation’s highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s consensus reads:“Boasting dazzling animation, a script with surprising dramatic depth, and thrilling 3-D sequences,How to Train Your Dragonsoars.”Most critics appreciated how it reminds us of the importance of peaceful coexistence between man and animal. In the modern age, this is something that’s often forgotten.
The acclaimed flick clearly owes something to the Golden Age animated gems, and its self-effacing protagonist has a very Disney-esque quality about him, his spirited attempts to lead a normal life endlessly frustrated by proceedings that prompt him to take to his heels and partake in one death-defying stunt after another.The dialogue is glorious, too. Consequently, award recognition came in plenty. The film received the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score award nominations at the Oscars and 14 nominations at the Annie Awards
