How To Train Your Dragon Live Action Early Reviews Celebrate a Heartfelt Remake

The live-action adaptation of How To Train Your Dragon has landed with a roar, and the How To Train Your Dragon Live Action Early Reviews are praising its emotional depth and visual splendor.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, this reimagining of the 2010 animated classic has earned a Certified Fresh 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 61/100 on Metacritic, and an A CinemaScore.

With Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler reprising Stoick, the film strikes a balance between nostalgia and fresh thrills, though some critics note its close adherence to the original limits innovation.

Below, we break down the critical reception, analyze key strengths and critiques, and explore the film’s place in the live-action remake landscape.

Highlights

• Critical Scores: 77% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (182 reviews), 61/100 on Metacritic, with a 94% PostTrak score and 99% Popcornmeter rating.

• Audience Love: A CinemaScore, with 68% of viewers under 35, driven by Gen Z and family audiences.

• Key Performances: Mason Thames and Nico Parker shine as Hiccup and Astrid; Gerard Butler’s Stoick adds gravitas.

• Visual Triumphs: Bill Pope’s IMAX cinematography and Framestore’s VFX create stunning dragon designs and flight sequences.

• Critiques: Some call it a faithful but unoriginal retread, with pacing issues in its 125-minute runtime.

  
  

What Are Critics Highlighting in Their Reviews?

Critics are charmed by the film’s ability to recapture the original’s magic while delivering a big-screen spectacle.

ScreenRant’s Sarah Moran (8/10) hailed it as “a fantastic movie,” elevating the animated classic with “gorgeous visuals and wonderful performances.” IndieWire’s Kate Erbland (B-) called it “faithful and sweet,” a safe but likable remake.

Early reactions from CinemaCon were glowing, with Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky labeling it “phenomenal” for enhancing the original’s emotional core without mimicking every frame.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye found it “likable, if unnecessary,” praising its charm but noting a conservative approach compared to Disney’s bolder Lilo & Stitch.

Variety’s Peter Debruge lauded the “rock-solid” screenplay, crediting DeBlois for a respectful adaptation that eases the animation-to-live-action transition. The film’s 77% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects broad approval, though some critics desire more risk-taking.

How Do the Performances Anchor the Film?

The cast is a cornerstone of the film’s success. Mason Thames’ Hiccup is widely praised, with Collider’s Maggie Lovitt highlighting his “fantastic chemistry” with Nico Parker’s Astrid, who gains slightly expanded depth.

An IMDb reviewer called Thames “perfectly cast,” balancing vulnerability and heroism. Parker’s Astrid earns kudos for her strength, though IGN’s Eric Goldman noted her role leans heavily into the love interest arc after a promising start.

Gerard Butler’s Stoick is a critical favorite, with MovieWeb’s Julian Roman praising his “grizzled, nuanced” performance. Butler himself described the film as “incredible” even in its unfinished state, per interviews, citing the practical sets’ immersive quality.

Supporting actors like Nick Frost (Gobber) and young Vikings (Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn) deliver humor and uncanny likeness to their animated counterparts, per Variety.

Why Are the Visuals and Music So Acclaimed?

The film’s technical prowess is a standout. Cinematographer Bill Pope, endorsed by Roger Deakins, crafts a breathtaking Berk with IMAX-friendly vistas, per ScreenRant. Framestore’s VFX bring Toothless and other dragons to life with photorealistic detail, earning raves from Geeks of Color for their expressive, tactile designs.

The IMAX flight sequences are “exhilarating,” making audiences feel airborne, per The Movie Podcast.

John Powell’s returning score, featuring the iconic “Test Drive” theme, is universally celebrated for amplifying emotional highs, per Common Sense Media. However, some critiques arise: The Guardian noted “muddy” green-screen visuals in parts, and the LA Times flagged minor CGI flaws under live-action’s realism demands.

Still, the practical sets and dragon puppets, noted on Wikipedia, ground the fantasy, enhancing immersion.

What Are the Key Criticisms?

Not all reviews are glowing. Roger Ebert’s critic argued the film “doesn’t improve on the original,” calling it a “mechanical” retread stretched by 27 minutes. Empire compared it to “Gus Van Sant’s Psycho” for its near-identical script, limiting originality.

The New York Times found it “exhilarating but mechanical,” citing artificial lighting in some scenes. Pacing issues, particularly in the slapstick-heavy first act, drew flak from IGN.

Some, like NextBestPicture, deemed it a “pointless exercise” for fans of the original, despite DeBlois’ heartfelt direction. The ABC noted Thames’ struggle to match the animated Hiccup’s physicality with unchanged dialogue. Yet, even skeptics admit its emotional pull, with IGN’s Goldman confessing it still brought tears.

How Does It Stack Up Against Other Remakes?

The film holds its own among live-action remakes. Scott Menzel of We Live Entertainment called it a triumph that “Disney hasn’t matched” outside Pete’s Dragon, surpassing The Lion King (2019).

IGN noted it’s less daring than Lilo & Stitch but warmer than Disney’s weaker entries. The San Francisco Chronicle suggested it “might outshine the original” for its sincerity.

Unlike Disney’s mixed results with hand-drawn adaptations, DeBlois’ oversight ensures a smoother transition from CGI animation, per Variety.

Practical sets and puppets set it apart from CGI-heavy flops, and its $197.8M global box office debut signals stronger commercial appeal than The Little Mermaid. The film’s balance of fidelity and spectacle makes it a benchmark for Universal’s remake strategy.

What’s Next for the Franchise?

The strong critical and audience reception—94% PostTrak, 99% Popcornmeter—sets the stage for a robust run. Universal has greenlit a sequel for June 2027, adapting How To Train Your Dragon 2, with DeBlois planning a trilogy, per Variety.

Gen Z’s enthusiasm and family appeal ensure longevity, bolstered by a 4DX experience earning buzz, per Rotten Tomatoes.

X posts reflect fan fervor, with sentiment scores of 7.2-8.2/10 and users like

@JoeySpielberg praising the cast and subtle tweaks. While some X users questioned the remake’s necessity, CinemaCon’s rapturous response and broad praise counter doubts. The film’s big-screen impact makes it a must-see, per critics.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The live-action How To Train Your Dragon has won hearts with its faithful yet thrilling take on a beloved tale. Critics and fans celebrate its visuals, performances, and emotional core, even if some wish for bolder innovation.

As Hiccup and Toothless fly into a new chapter, this remake proves Berk’s magic endures. Have you seen it? Drop your thoughts below!