'How to Train Your Dragon' soars again in fiery live-action debut

The live-action adaptation of "How to Train Your Dragon" is set to hit Chinese cinemas on June 13, following its premiere at Universal Beijing Resort on June 5.

A still from "How to Train Your Dragon." [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

The film, directed by Dean DeBlois — who also directed the original animated trilogy — retells the story of Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young Viking who befriends a dragon and defies his community's traditions. Gerard Butler stars as Chief Stoick the Vast, Hiccup's father, reprising the role he voiced in the original animated films. Hiccup is joined by allies Astrid (Nico Parker) and Gobber (Nick Frost) as they work to unite Vikings and dragons against an ancient threat, demonstrating that their bond can change both worlds.

Inspired by Cressida Cowell's New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise has grossed more than $1.6 billion worldwide, including over 859 million yuan ($119 million) in China.

Now, DeBlois brings his animated saga to life as a live-action spectacle, using cutting-edge visual effects to create a realistic and epic adventure as Hiccup and Toothless discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny. Notably, "How to Train Your Dragon" is part of the Filmed for IMAX program, which provides filmmakers with IMAX technology to deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences worldwide.

"I decided to revisit 'How to Train Your Dragon' because it presented a remarkable opportunity — not only to direct a live-action film, but to return to a world I've genuinely missed," DeBlois said. "These characters and this universe have stayed with me, and now we can bring them back with such authenticity and conviction that, when audiences enter this world, they'll never want to leave."

Dean DeBlois on the set of "How to Train Your Dragon." [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

DeBlois said his approach combines visual spectacle with emotional depth. "I've always been drawn to stories that weave meaning into moments of wonder," he said. "'How to Train Your Dragon' is about finding the courage to see beyond fear and convention. Hiccup's journey shows us the power of questioning what we're taught and embracing the possibility of something greater. He's mocked, ridiculed and misunderstood, but he stays true to his convictions — and that's what makes his story so universal."

The filmmakers sought to expand Berk's world by incorporating diverse Viking and dragon lore. Producer Adam Siegel said research into global dragon myths enabled the team to draw on multiple cultural influences, resulting in a more interconnected setting.

For DeBlois, this global perspective enhanced the narrative. "We imagined the Vikings of Berk traveling far and wide, encountering warriors and mythologies from other lands," DeBlois said. "By bringing these traditions together, we created a world where the threat of dragons unites people from vastly different backgrounds. It's a story of finding common ground in the face of fear."

Moviegoers line up for the China premiere of "How to Train Your Dragon" at a cinema in Universal Beijing Resort, Beijing, June 5, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

Making dragons feel real drove every aspect of the production. "The key is grounding the dragons in familiar animal behaviors," the director said. "By drawing inspiration from cats, dogs, horses and other animals, we've created creatures that feel authentic even though they're fantasy creatures. Each dragon has a unique personality, and they live within a real, grounded world. Our goal was to make audiences believe in dragons as completely as they believed in the dinosaurs of 'Jurassic Park.'"

DeBlois found reimagining his beloved creation in live-action to be a delicate balancing act between reverence and reinvention. "My hope is that audiences who loved these characters in animation will rediscover them, both with familiar warmth and unexpected new depth," he said. "We approached this adaptation with profound respect for what came before, while daring to imagine what could become. It's a story that captures the magic of flying, the courage to question what we're taught and the wonder of discovering something extraordinary within yourself. That's what 'How to Train Your Dragon' has always been about — and what this film delivers in a way audiences have never seen before."

This year marks a milestone for DeBlois, with both "Lilo & Stitch" and "How to Train Your Dragon" — his animated collaborations with Chris Sanders — adapted into live-action films. DeBlois wrote the screenplay for Disney's live-action "Lilo & Stitch," which has grossed more than $772 million worldwide as of June 8. The live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" is set for global release later this month.

Guests pose with performers portraying Hiccup and Astrid, along with a Toothless statue, at Universal Studios Beijing, June 5, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

"How to Train Your Dragon" premiered at the IMAX theater in Universal Beijing Resort last Thursday, drawing strong audience reactions. The resort launched a themed month for the film, featuring themed food, merchandise and photo opportunities with performers playing Hiccup and Astrid. A Toothless statue was placed near the Universal Majestic Theatre, home to the Thea Award-winning "How to Train Your Dragon" spin-off show "Untrainable," in the Hollywood section of the park.