How to Train Your Dragon is being called the most accurate live-action remake ever after early previews were shown to audiences at CinemaCon in April 2025, but it’s still undecided whether this is good or bad news for the upcoming remake. The live-action How to Train Your Dragon will hit theaters in June 2025, reintroducing many to the Isle of Berk, while acting as the first step into this fantastical world for others. Garnering considerable acclaim in advance of its release, How to Train Your Dragon is projected to be yet another successful box office venture for DreamWorks.

After the extremely popular How to Train Your Dragon animated saga, it was only a matter of time before the franchise was adapted into the live-action medium. Although the upcoming project faces some additional challenges after the success of its sequels and spinoffs, as well as other unfavorable live-action remakes from opposing studios, How to Train Your Dragon is defying all expectations ahead of its release. While the remake will honor the original movie, replicating the story too closely could detract from the live-action version and raise doubts about its necessity in an oversaturated live-action market.

What’s Being Said About How To Train Your Dragon’s Live-Action Remake

The Early Screening Of How To Train Your Dragon (2025) Received Lots Of Praise

CinemaCon 2025 held an early screening for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon in April 2025, and the response was resoundingly positive. Select members of the press and theatergoers were cautioned that the preview was an unfinished version of the film, yet How to Train Your Dragon is still being branded “one of the best live-action adaptations thus far.“ Compared to other recent remakes, DreamWorks’ next venture isn’t just meeting expectations, it’s shattering them on a monumental scale as “How to Train Your Dragon is everything that Disney hasn’t been able to capture with their live-action remakes…” (Scott Menzel via X).

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Needless to say, the stakes were incredibly high after the original animation came to be viewed as one of the best movies of the 21st century. With that in mind, the live-action adaptation is being celebrated for “[capturing] the heart and soul of the original while elevating it with fantastic performances, thrilling sequences, and epic thrills.” (Anthony Gagliardi via X). It’s particularly noteworthy that Toothless garners the greatest praise, revealing much about his dynamic and relationship with Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon — which is crucial when their bond is the heart of the franchise.

How to Train Your Dragon’s Praise Is Good For Fans Of The Original Movie & New Viewers

How to Train Your Dragon’s Live-Action Remake Accomplishes Everything It Needs To

How to Train Your Dragon has accumulated a loyal following ever since the first film in 2010, resulting in an extraordinary trilogy and multiple TV series. The new live-action movie needed to ground itself in elements familiar to original fans, to allow us to rediscover the world of Berk. This remake is said to perfectly capture the essence of the animated movie, staying true to the original story while using the live-action format to take the breathtaking universe to the next level. This feat will satisfy fans of 2010’s cherished movie, who will likely appreciate that How to Train Your Dragon truly honors its roots.

It goes without saying that How to Train Your Dragon‘s praise is ideal for those engaging with the story for the first time. The live-action is an excellent introduction to Berk, as well as its beloved characters — particularly Toothless, who will undoubtedly win over audiences, no matter if you’re previously acquainted with him or not. Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue (via X) indicates the importance of this adaption for new audiences, stating she has “only sort of interacted with the animated How to Train Your Dragon, so seeing the live-action was a beautiful adventure.”

Why There’s Still Risk With The Live-Action Remake Approach To How To Train Your Dragon

How To Train Your Dragon Didn’t Necessarily Justify A Remake

Even though early reviews of 2025’s How to Train Your Dragon have spoken highly of the project, there are still numerous risks with any approach to live-action adaptations. One of the biggest points of contention for the feature is how similar it is to the animated movie. This level of likeness does not always justify a remake, which has been proven previously with Disney’s live-action Lion King. Reports are also revealing DreamWorks’ upcoming remake is very close to a sH๏τ-for-sH๏τ remake of the original, with Eric Goldman stating, “[How to Train Your Dragon] didn’t reinvent anything” (via X).

How to Train Your Dragon‘s live-action remake does present some minor changes, and there are a very small selection of additional scenes that “while good and subtle, never elevates things enough” (via X). It feels like the studio could have pushed the boundaries of the source material slightly further, as more experimentation could have proven intriguing. The wider narrative offers ample opportunity for exploration, especially regarding its world and, potentially, the dragons themselves. Nevertheless, How to Train Your Dragon is set to be a truly enchanting adventure that will transport us to the Isle of Berk, whether it’s the first time or one of many trips.

Source: X