Turns out, dragons fly just as well in live-action. DreamWorks’ new How to Train Your Dragon remake hasn’t just made a strong first impression, it’s already beating both of its sequels. The 2025 film currently has a higher IMDb score than both the HTTYD sequels, How to Train Your Dragon 2, which is at 7.8, and The Hidden World, which holds a 7.4. That’s a big win for any remake, let alone a studio’s first attempt at one.
While both the sequels gave fans one heck of an animated trilogy, the live-action version feels like a fresh start, and audiences are here for it. It’s rare for a remake to top a fan-favorite sequel, but this one’s already flying past expectations.
Fans have spoken! The live-action dragon soars past The Hidden World on IMDb!!
Critics might get the first word, but fans usually have the final say, and on IMDb, their voices are loud and clear. As it stands, the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon is rated at a whopping 8.1, higher than any of the sequels in the animated franchise!
With The Hidden World holding a solid 7.4 (via IMDb) and How to Train Your Dragon 2 at 7.8, the fact that this remake has already topped it is impressive. Those sequels were far from a disappointment. So, how is the remake flying even higher?
It all comes down to finding the right balance. The new film leans into nostalgia, keeping the heart of the original while expanding just enough to feel fresh.
Characters like Astrid get more depth, and the bond between Hiccup and Toothless hits just as hard, maybe even harder, thanks to impressive visual effects that blur the line between fantasy and the real world. The dragons look better than ever, and the world feels more alive without losing its animated soul.
It’s pretty rare for a remake to fly this high; most live-action updates ( for example, Aladdin or Mulan) barely make it past a 7. And with so much drama and eye-rolling around live-action remakes lately, this one’s a breath of fresh air.
Critics agree, too! Rotten Tomatoes score puts the remake way ahead of the pack
If IMDb reflects how fans feel, Rotten Tomatoes shows what the critics think, and they’re pretty impressed too. How to Train Your Dragon‘s live-action debut currently holds a strong 77% critic score, which puts it ahead of 21 out of Disney’s 24 live-action remakes.
That’s no small feat. It’s trails only Cinderella and both the Jungle Book.
What really surprises many is that this new version is almost a shot-for-shot remake of the 2010 animated classic, something that often earns eye-rolls from critics.
But instead of criticism, the film is earning praise for how well it translates to live-action. Reviewers are loving the detailed sets, the cinematography, and the CGI that brings Toothless and the dragons to life in ways that feel fresh rather than recycled.
The cast is also getting strong reviews. Mason Thames gives Hiccup a grounded, relatable energy. Nico Parker’s expanded take on Astrid adds some much-needed depth. Even with familiar plot points, the performances and visuals give the story new wings.
In contrast, many of Disney’s recent remakes, such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, all struggled to break into people’s hearts. But DreamWorks seems to have learned from those mistakes. And it shows!
How To Train Your Dragon is now playing in theaters!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
