Release: 2010-03-18
Runtime: 1h 38m (98 minutes)
As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.
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Provided by JustWatch
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Animation, Family
Cast: Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, David Tennant, more
Gerard Butler
as Stoick (voice)
Jonah Hill
as Snotlout (voice)
David Tennant
as Spitelout (voice)
Kristen Wiig
as Ruffnut (voice)
Jay Baruchel
as Hiccup (voice)
America Ferrera
as Astrid (voice)
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
as Fishlegs (voice)
T.J. Miller
as Tuffnut (voice)
Ashley Jensen
as Phlegma the Fierce (Voice)
Craig Ferguson
as Gobber (voice)
Robin Atkin Downes
as Ack (voice)
Kieron Elliott
as Hoark the Haggard (voice)
As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.
One adventure will change two worlds
How to Train Your Dragon is a beloved animated fantasy film that was released on 26 March 2010 in the United States. Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, this movie is based on the book of the same name by Cressida Cowell. The film showcases stunning animation and features a talented voice cast, including Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, and America Ferrera.
The story is set in the mythical Viking village of Berk, where dragons frequently attack and threaten the villagers. The main character, Hiccup, voiced by Jay Baruchel, is the son of the village chief, Stoick the Vast, who is voiced by Gerard Butler. Hiccup feels out of place as he lacks the strength of a typical Viking. He dreams of becoming a dragon slayer like his peers but unexpectedly befriends a rare dragon known as Toothless instead.
When Hiccup shoots down Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, he discovers that he cannot kill him. Instead, he frees Toothless, and their friendship blossoms. Hiccup learns about dragon behavior from his new companion and begins to figure out how to train other dragons, earning respect from his classmates but also stirring jealousy and suspicion, particularly from a girl named Astrid, voiced by America Ferrera.
As tensions rise, Hiccup faces challenges that test his loyalty to Toothless and his village. He finds himself in a critical situation during a final exam that could change everything. Hiccup must prove that dragons can be peaceful creatures, and he realizes that he has to fight for both his friend and his home.
The film premiered on 21 March 2010 at the Gibson Amphitheater and was a commercial success, bringing in approximately $494.9 million worldwide, making it the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2010. Viewers praised its animation quality, engaging storytelling, and impressive voice performances.
In addition to its box office success, How to Train Your Dragon was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score, showcasing its artistic achievements. The film's score, composed by John Powell, adds emotional depth and excitement to the adventure.
The popularity of the film has led to the creation of a franchise that includes two sequels: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). There are also several short films and a television series that expands on the universe initially crafted in the first movie. A live-action remake has been announced, set to be released on 13 June 2025.
Overall, How to Train Your Dragon is a heartwarming tale of friendship, bravery, and understanding, making it a timeless classic for audiences of all ages.