How to Train Your Dragon (2025) review

How to Train Your Dragon (2025): The Return to Berk — Dragons, Feels, and the Purest Joy

Well, well, well. Look who’s back in the world of dragons, friendship, and heart-stopping flight sequences. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) just dropped, and let me tell you, it’s like getting a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold day — except that blanket is made of flying, fire-breathing dragons and an emotional rollercoaster that will gently crush your heart.

Imagine being me, sitting there in the theater, holding my breath, waiting for Toothless to fly on screen like he’s about to change the entire world, and BAM — there he is, swooping in like a majestic dream come true. Ah, memories of the first movie flooding back. You know the drill.

So, What’s the Deal This Time?

Okay, we’re not dealing with just another “save the world from an evil villain” type of story (though there is a villain, and they do their best). No, no. This time, it’s more about legacy, growing up, and passing on the torch — all wrapped up in a shiny package of flying dragons, new characters, and beautiful animation.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) picks up with Hiccup, now older and wiser, trying to keep Berk in one piece and prove he’s the leader the island needs. Oh, and of course, there’s a new, terrifying villain (isn’t there always?) who wants to throw a wrench into the peaceful dragon-filled lives of everyone on Berk. But that’s not what this movie is all about, at least not really. It's more about family, loyalty, and the magic of that one unforgettable dragon bond.

Dragon Magic: It’s Real, Folks

Do you ever just watch a movie and think, “I am so here for this”? Because that’s me, every time a dragon flaps its wings. The flying sequences are mind-blowing. Like, I actually felt wind in my hair (not really, but I like to pretend). The way the dragons soar through the sky — it’s like the animators captured the purest essence of freedom and wrapped it in a scaly, adorable package.

And let’s talk about the baby dragons. If you thought The Hidden World was cute, get ready to meet these little fluffballs that will have you literally whispering “I need one of those” into the screen. It’s as if the movie decided to just throw in the maximum amount of adorableness possible.

Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was this emotionally invested in a group of animated creatures, but here we are.

Soundtrack: Spoiler Alert — It’s Beautiful

John Powell is back with the score, and if you’re expecting anything less than pure magic, you’ll be sorely disappointed. The soundtrack is like a warm hug to your soul. The big sweeping orchestral pieces? They’ll have you staring at the screen like you’re about to take flight yourself. The quiet moments? You’ll be trying to hold it together, wiping away rogue tears (don’t lie, you know you will).

It’s so good, you’ll find yourself humming the music on your way out of the theater. Trust me. I already have.

The Characters: Like Old Friends Who Never Left

Now, we’ve got our old crew back — Hiccup, Astrid, and Toothless (the perfect dragon, let’s be real), but there are some new faces around too. The character growth is real here, especially for Hiccup. Sure, he’s still kind of awkward, but that’s part of the charm, right? He’s a little older, maybe a little more responsible, but still carrying that spark of adventure we all fell in love with.

Toothless? He’s still a ray of sunshine in dragon form. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say he’s even more adorable and heroic than ever. I didn’t think that was possible, but DreamWorks found a way to make it happen.

And the new characters? Some of them are fun, others? Eh, they’re nice, but honestly, I’m here for the dragons. And they’re still stealing the show every time they appear.

The Feels: Big Feels, Small Moments

I’ve got to be real with you. This movie knows exactly how to hit you right in the heart. There are these little quiet moments — like when Hiccup looks at Toothless and you just know they’re family — that made me tear up. It's those small, perfectly executed scenes that remind you of the magic of friendship, loyalty, and trust. And then, just when you think it’s all going to be okay, something happens and bam! You’re crying in your seat, trying to figure out when you started caring about animated dragons so much. (Spoiler: It’s because you always cared.)