How to Train Your Dragon
2010 · Directed by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
Original language: English
- fantasy
- adventure
- animation
- family
The story
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.
What it’s like
Warm, sun-washed animation with a sweeping, wind-in-the-face feel: the island of Berk is all craggy green cliffs, misty fjords and rough timber longhouses, and the flying sequences rush through open sky and cloud with a sense of real speed and vertigo. The palette leans on blue-grey dawns and golden evenings, and the dragon designs have a soft, expressive, cat-like charm that makes their close-up moments feel intimate. The score is full and orchestral, swelling during flight and dropping to quiet, tender strings for the quieter scenes between a boy and his unlikely companion. Vibe: adventurous but tender, a warm family comfort watch with a gentle sense of wonder. It suits a lazy weekend afternoon, a rainy evening with kids, or anyone wanting a comfort rewatch. Pacing is brisk and playful, with plenty of comic beats, and the emotional arc follows an awkward, underestimated teenager slowly earning his father's respect and building trust with a creature everyone else fears. Intensity is moderate: there is some peril, battle action with fiery dragon attacks and a few tense arena moments, but no gore and little real cruelty, and it lands as thrilling rather than frightening. Made for families and anyone who loves animated adventure with heart, especially viewers who enjoy a found-friendship story.
More films like How to Train Your Dragon
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved How to Train Your Dragonand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
