A Complete Guide to the Films – Animated and Live-Action
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise has become one of the most beloved animated series in movie history. With its mix of fantasy, flying dragons, emotional storytelling, and stunning visuals, it has captured the hearts of viewers, young and old.
But for anyone starting out with this series, one question often comes up: How many How to Train Your Dragon movies are there? The answer has changed over time — and continues to change — thanks to exciting new projects.
This article will walk you through the full list of How to Train Your Dragon movies in order, explain their release timeline, and explore what’s coming next for this magical world.
The Animated Trilogy
The original How to Train Your Dragon story is told through a trilogy of animated films, produced by DreamWorks Animation. These three movies follow the journey of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a young Viking who changes his world by befriending a dragon named Toothless. Each movie builds on the one before it, making them best enjoyed in the correct order.
Let’s take a look at the How to Train Your Dragon movies in order (animated trilogy):
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
This is the movie that started it all. Hiccup, a clever but awkward Viking teenager, lives in a village where dragons are feared and hunted. But everything changes when he meets a wounded Night Fury — a rare and powerful dragon — and names him Toothless. The movie shows how their friendship challenges old ideas and opens a path toward peace between dragons and humans.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
Set five years after the first film, this sequel shows Hiccup as a young adult, exploring new lands and discovering more dragons. He also meets his long-lost mother and faces a dangerous enemy who wants to control dragons for war. This movie deepens the themes of family, leadership, and responsibility, and includes emotional moments that stick with viewers.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
This film completes the trilogy with a powerful and emotional ending. Hiccup must protect his people and the dragons from a ruthless dragon hunter named Grimmel. Meanwhile, Toothless discovers a beautiful female dragon — a Light Fury — and must choose between love and loyalty. This movie explores themes of growing up, letting go, and finding one’s place in the world.
How Many How to Train Your Dragon Movies Are There?
So, how many How to Train Your Dragon movies are there? If we count just the animated theatrical releases, the answer is three — the completed trilogy listed above.
However, the story doesn’t stop there. Thanks to the continued popularity of the franchise, there are more films on the way, which brings us to an exciting new chapter.
Expanding the World: The Live-Action Remakes
In 2023, Universal Pictures announced that the How to Train Your Dragon series would be reimagined as live-action movies. These aren’t new stories but remakes of the original animated films. This means the same story will be told again — but with real actors, real sets, and a new visual style.
Let’s look at the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon movies in order (live-action remakes):
How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action 2025)
The live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon,” released in 2025, brings the beloved animated story to life with stunning visuals and a mostly new cast. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original animated trilogy, the film recreates the familiar tale of Hiccup (Mason Thames), an awkward Viking teenager who, despite his village’s dragon-hunting traditions, forms an unlikely bond with a fearsome yet injured Night Fury dragon he names Toothless.
As their friendship blossoms, it challenges generations of conflict between Vikings and dragons, ultimately leading Hiccup to show his people that peace is possible. Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, Hiccup’s formidable father, with Nico Parker as Astrid and Nick Frost as Gobber, among others, rounding out the cast, promising a faithful yet visually immersive retelling for a new generation.
The live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” has already achieved significant box office success, with a reported worldwide gross of over $250 million in its first week against a budget of $150 million.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Live-Action) – Coming in 2027
Release Date: June 11, 2027
Following the same storyline as the 2014 sequel, this live-action version will continue Hiccup’s journey as he faces new challenges and uncovers hidden truths about dragons and his family.
These remakes are being directed by Dean DeBlois, who also created the animated trilogy. That means fans can expect the same heart, humor, and epic feel, just in a different format.
Why Make Live-Action Remakes?
The choice to create live-action versions of animated movies is part of a bigger trend in Hollywood. Studios often remake popular films to:
- Reach new audiences
- Update visuals with modern technology
- Expand a franchise’s life
- Offer a new take on a familiar story
By remaking How to Train Your Dragon, Universal is investing in a story that still matters to people. These new films will likely bring in viewers who never saw the originals — while giving longtime fans a fresh reason to return to Berk.
So if you’re wondering again, how many How to Train Your Dragon movies are there?, The total grows to five when you count both released and upcoming films.
What About Short Films and TV Series?
Besides the main movies, the How to Train Your Dragon universe includes many TV shows and short films, such as:
- Dragons: Riders of Berk
- Dragons: Race to the Edge
- How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019 short)
- The Nine Realms (a sequel series set many years after the movies)
These stories add more depth to the world but are not part of the main movie list. For simplicity, this article focuses only on the feature-length films released in theaters or officially announced.
Final Count and Timeline Recap
Let’s answer the big question clearly one more time:
How many How to Train Your Dragon movies are there?
| Format | Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Animated | How to Train Your Dragon | 2010 |
| Animated | How to Train Your Dragon 2 | 2014 |
| Animated | How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World | 2019 |
| Live-Action | How to Train Your Dragon (Remake) | 2025 (planned) |
| Live-Action | How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Remake) | 2027 (planned) |
Total: 5 movies (3 animated + 2 upcoming live-action)
Conclusion
The How to Train Your Dragon movies continue to inspire audiences through powerful storytelling, lovable characters, and emotional growth. Whether you’re watching the original animated trilogy or waiting for the new live-action remakes, there’s something magical in every part of this franchise.
If you’re just starting, make sure to watch the How to Train Your Dragon movies to experience the story as it was meant to unfold. And if you’re already a fan, get ready for the next exciting chapter with the upcoming remakes.
From a shy Viking boy to the leader of a dragon-human future, Hiccup’s story continues to soar — and it’s far from over.