A live-action reimagining of a beloved fantasy adventure is now available for streaming. How to Train Your Dragon, starring Gerard Butler, began streaming on Netflix today, .
The film, released in June 2025, is a remake of the 2010 animated feature and follows the unlikely friendship between a Viking teen and a dragon. It grossed over $636 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, quickly establishing itself as a box office success. Universal Pictures has already greenlit a sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2, slated for release on , with filming currently underway.
The live-action adaptation stars Mason Thames as Hiccup, the inventive and often overlooked son of the Viking chief. Nico Parker portrays Astrid, while Nick Frost takes on the role of Gobber the Belch. The cast also includes Gabriel Howell as Snotlout, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, Bronwyn James as Ruffnut, and Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut. Peter Serafinowicz plays Spitelout, Ruth Codd is Phlegma the Fierce, and Naomi Wirthner embodies Gothi.
Notably, Gerard Butler reprises his role as Chief Stoick the Vast, a character he originally voiced in the animated How to Train Your Dragon franchise. His presence lends a familiar weight to the live-action version, connecting it to the established world and fanbase.
The story unfolds on the rugged isle of Berk, a land steeped in generations of conflict between Vikings and dragons. Hiccup’s defiance of tradition – choosing friendship with a Night Fury dragon named Toothless instead of adhering to the Viking practice of dragon slaying – sets in motion a chain of events that challenges the very foundations of Viking society. Their bond reveals a deeper truth about dragons, paving the way for a potential peace.
As the official synopsis details, the narrative expands to include an ancient threat that endangers both Vikings and dragons. Hiccup and Toothless’s friendship becomes crucial in navigating a path toward coexistence, forcing them to redefine heroism and leadership. The film explores themes of acceptance, understanding, and the courage to challenge deeply ingrained beliefs.
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon is written and directed by Dean DeBlois, who also helmed all three of the animated How to Train Your Dragon films. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel served as producers on the project. DeBlois’s continued involvement ensures a level of creative consistency and respect for the source material.
The film’s arrival on Netflix follows a brief exclusive window on Peacock. According to reports, this staggered release strategy is part of a larger agreement between Universal Pictures and Netflix, announced in 2024 and set to fully take effect in 2027. Under the current arrangement, Netflix receives animated films after their initial run on Peacock, followed by a 10-month exclusive window before returning to Peacock. The live-action How to Train Your Dragon’s release schedule appears to align with this framework, with Peacock beginning its streaming run in October 2025.
While the current agreement primarily covers animated films, the arrival of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon on Netflix, along with other Universal titles like Megan 2.0 and Honey Don’t, suggests a potential expansion of the partnership. Netflix has not yet issued an official comment regarding this possibility, but the timing and pattern of releases raise questions about a possible acceleration of the agreement.
The streaming release on Netflix is currently limited to the US, with other regions expected to gain access in the coming months and years. For audiences eager to revisit the world of Berk, or experience it for the first time in live-action, How to Train Your Dragon is now readily available on the platform, offering a family-friendly adventure with a compelling message of understanding and acceptance.
