The 5 Biggest ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Live-Action Differences

Get excited, dragon trainers! The How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake has finally arrived.

Hiccup and Toothless made their debut on the big screen in the animated version (which was inspired by author Cressida Cowell’s best-selling book series) in 2010. How to Train Your Dragon was followed by two more films, which were released in 2014 and 2019.

But for the live-action film — which hit theaters on June 13 — director Dean DeBlois (who also directed the animated trilogy) told Empire that he was increasing the intensity.

“It’s so dialed up in terms of stakes — having a fully credible, photo-real dragon stomping around trying to kill him,” he said.

Still, the How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake honors the original story, telling the tale of Hiccup’s friendship with “feared Night Fury dragon” Toothless, according to the film’s synopsis.

“Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society,” it continues.

But what did DeBlois change about How to Train Your Dragon’s iconic story for the 2025 remake? Here’s everything to know about the biggest differences between the original How to Train Your Dragon and the live-action films.

Warning: Spoilers for both versions of How to Train Your Dragon ahead!

Stoic and the Vikings are attacked by dragons

In both films, Stoic and the Vikings set sail to find the Dragon’s Nest while Hiccup is in dragon-fighting training. This time, however, as the ships sail into the fog, the Vikings are attacked by dragons — which was only suggested in the animated film.

“We get to venture in there and remind the audience that there is cause to be intimidated and fearful of dragons just as Hiccup is befriending one in the secret cove,” DeBlois told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2025.

Astrid and Hiccup have a moment before he has to kill a dragon

In both the animated and live-action remake, Hiccup faces a difficult task: Because he was chosen as top of his class, he has to kill a Monstrous Nightmare in front of the entire village.

In the live-action, Astrid and Hiccup have an extended heart-to-heart before he goes out into the arena. Hiccup asks her not to help if things go south so as not to ruin her image.

Meanwhile, in the animated version, Astrid simply wishes him good luck. Still, when Hiccup is in trouble, Astrid jumps to the rescue in both films.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, DeBlois said, “a lot of individual scenes just grew because we allowed for the relationships to run a little deeper.”

Toothless has a longer fight scene

DeBlois previously teased that the remake would be action-packed — and he certainly delivered.

In the animated version, when a Monstrous Nightmare attacks Hiccup in the arena, Toothless hears what’s happening and comes to the rescue. When he makes it in, he tumbles with the Monstrous Nightmare a few times, but eventually scares it away.

In the live-action film, the fight scene lasts far longer before the Vikings intervene to help Hiccup.

Ultimately, the next part of the story stays the same, with the Vikings capturing Toothless to help find the Dragon’s Nest.

Astrid gives Hiccup a piece of her mind

In both the live-action and the animated versions, the dragon-fighting trainees have dinner with Gobber after their first session. At that meal, he instructs them to read the Dragon Manual and everybody takes off — except for Astrid and Hiccup.

This is Hiccup’s chance to connect with the captivating Astrid. While he’s equally awkward and afraid in both films, Astrid’s response is prolonged in the remake.

This time, Astrid goes off on Hiccup for suggesting that perhaps dragons aren’t so bad and tells him to decide which side he’s on: the Vikings or the dragons.

Astrid also expresses interest in being chief one day — and accuses Hiccup of receiving “handouts” in life because he’s the chief’s son.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup in the live-action film, praised his costar Nico Parker’s performance as Astrid. “Nobody understood [the character], but she did,” he said.

Thames added, “Seeing that in the movie and seeing her portrayal, it’s truly incredible. She’s one of the highlights of the film.”

Stoic doesn’t have to hurt alone anymore

The ending of How to Train Your Dragon is a real tear-jerker — but DeBlois added an intimate detail to the live-action film.

While Stoic looks for Hiccup after the final fight scene, he finds Toothless unable to move. Stoic then drops to his knees, thinking that his son is dead. The Vikings — including Astrid and some dragons — all gather behind him at a distance.

In the remake, this scene is equally emotional, but there’s a heartfelt moment added to it: Astrid walks up to Stoic and comforts him by putting her hand on his shoulder.

Then, just like in the animated film, Toothless reveals that Hiccup was under his wing all along.