How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Dear Dragons, Thanks for Coming Back — My Thoughts on How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

I’ll try to gather my thoughts here without rambling too much because if you’ve loved this series like I have, you’re going to want to know if it does justice to the world of Berk. Spoiler-free, I promise.

That Familiar Feeling

From the first notes of John Powell’s score, something hit me right in the gut. You know when you hear a tune and it pulls you straight back to a memory? That’s what happened when those soaring strings and percussion kicked in. I instantly felt like a kid again watching the first movie for the tenth time.

The world of Berk is older now, and so are its people. Hiccup and Astrid have become parents, and their daughter, Freya, takes center stage this time. She’s brave, stubborn, reckless in that way you’d expect from someone carrying both her parents' DNA. I wasn’t sure if I’d connect with a new lead, but Freya won me over fast.

Dragons Are Still the Stars

Toothless is still here. A little older, maybe a touch wiser, but every scene he’s in reminds you why he became one of animation’s most beloved creatures. There’s a bond between him and Hiccup that feels deeper now, even when they’re apart.

And then there’s Lumen — Freya’s dragon. Absolutely stunning design. Think deep-sea bioluminescence meets airborne predator. He glows, literally, and it’s not just a gimmick. The animators gave him this expressive, almost soulful look that says everything his voice can’t. Honestly, if DreamWorks launched a whole new line of dragon merch tomorrow, I’d probably order a Lumen plush before this review’s even posted.

What I Loved Most

It wasn’t the big battle at the end, though it was awesome. It wasn’t even the flight sequences, which were among the best I’ve seen in animation — and that’s saying something in a series built on sky-soaring scenes.

It was the quieter moments. Freya sitting by the cliffs where her parents once dreamed about uniting dragons and humans. Hiccup offering a few words of wisdom, knowing he can’t fight his daughter’s battles for her. Toothless appearing out of the mist like a guardian spirit. Those little touches that show this story still has heart.

A Couple of Small Gripes

Not everything was perfect. The new supporting characters, a group of young dragon riders introduced alongside Freya, felt a bit thinly written. They had potential, but with so much focus on Freya and the main conflict, they didn’t get enough room to breathe.

And while the movie mostly avoided overplaying nostalgia, there were a couple of callbacks that felt a little forced. Nothing deal-breaking, just moments where I thought, “Alright, we get it, we remember the first film too.”

My Favorite Scene (Without Spoiling It)

There’s a moment about two-thirds in when Freya and Lumen are caught in a storm, and they have to navigate this labyrinth of jagged rocks and narrow canyons. The animation is unreal — water spraying, lightning flashing, and the music swelling in the background. It’s one of those scenes where you forget you’re watching a movie and just feel like you’re there, clinging to a dragon’s back.

Is It Worth Watching?

If you were ever moved by the bond between a boy and a dragon, this film will find a way to get to you. It respects its origins while opening the door to new stories. It doesn’t try to outdo the original trilogy — it complements it.

I left the theater feeling like I’d caught up with old friends, and that’s a rare thing for a sequel this far removed from its predecessors.

Final Thoughts

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) wasn’t the movie I thought I needed, but it’s one I’m so glad I got to see. It’s a love letter to fans who grew up with these characters, a bridge for a new generation, and proof that with the right care, some stories truly can keep soaring.

I don’t know if there’ll be another one after this. Part of me hopes they let it rest again for a while. But if there is, you can bet I’ll be there on opening night — popcorn, soda, and maybe a Toothless hoodie this time.

Rating: 9/10
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.