Some audiences may be just discovering DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon franchise, thanks to a media blitz for the new big-budget, live-action version of the first landmark film, which opens in theaters on Friday, June 13 (come back then to see our review).
The Value of the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise
For other families, these characters have become dear friends over the past 15 years. In a popular film trilogy and three TV series, we’ve watched protagonist Hiccup, his love interest Astrid, and their friends grow from unsure preteens to parents with children.
The fictional drama, also played out in five additional short films, comprises over 52 hours total -- all keeping the same tone, consistent character development, visual splendor, dramatic depth, and even most of the voice cast.
A series of grade-school novels by Cressida Cowell provided inspiration, but original film directors/co-writers Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, along with producer Bonnie Arnold, crafted something original and larger-scale. They kept several character and place names, but reengineered the story entirely (for instance, no one rides dragons in the books.)
Overall, this franchise –- which goes by DreamWorks Dragons or HTTYD –- is a winner for families with kids ages 4 and up. (Caveats: the films and TV series have some scary villains, sometimes intense action, and an occasional joke parents would not want kids to repeat.)
Some culture observers might point to Despicable Me, The Lego Movie, Frozen, or Spider-Verse as contenders, but I believe that DreamWorks Dragons is the most compelling and morally dimensional franchise for families since 2010. Here are seven reasons why.
It’s a mythic fairytale told with kid-friendly wonder.
Dragons usually show up in one of two categories: young kiddie fare, with cuddly fantastical creatures (i.e. PBS’ DragonTales). Or adult swords-and-sandals epics, like The Lord of the Rings, with explicit violence -– or, in the case of Game of Thrones, worse content.
Thankfully, DreamWorks charts a middle ground, as dragons resemble pets but exist in a life-like world with towering and scary threats. Similar to Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, the world gradually gets bigger but the story smooths over rough edges of Viking culture.
The focus on wondrous creatures and their abilities is akin to how Jurassic Park often treats its dinosaurs. Kids learn to have awe for the natural world, but also a healthy respect for it.
At its heart, the story is about family relationships.
The first movie especially is the story of a boy who doesn’t fit in with his warring tribe of Vikings, led by his strong father, Chief Stoick (Gerard Butler, in both animated and live-action versions). But Hiccup’s curiosity and empathy emerge as an asset to himself and his people.
HTTYD underlines the give-and-take of relationships, how father and son have to see the world through the other’s eyes and appreciate the pressures each are facing.
The visuals and music are out-of-this-world good.
You’ll see it in all the trailers, and in the context of the films it’s all the more thrilling and resonant. Hiccup soaring on his dragon, Toothless, over the rock outcroppings of the Island of Berk, dipping down to feel the ocean surf, only to jet up over vistas and into the clouds ... it's an iconic moment of the series.
Add to that composer John Powell’s unforgettable score, which weaves Celtic-influenced bagpipes and other folk instruments into its orchestral motifs. The visuals and music are paired so well, it’s no wonder the memorable themes show up in every TV and film entry in the series.
Characters are likable, populating a world that’s fun to explore.
If all you’ve seen is one HTTYD film, you barely caught the names of the characters around Hiccup and Astrid. But their personalities and quirks -– combined with uniquely powered dragons each of them rides -– foster moments of humor and life lessons in story after story.
Hiccup’s best bud Fishlegs, who rides a rock-eating Gronckle, has book knowledge about dragons but has to learn to connect. Cocky and self-assured Snotlout is a frequent foil. And the franchise’s comic relief, twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut, keep the laughs coming.
For those wanting to start the serialized TV shows, try to watch them in order. Some viewers make the mistake of starting with Netflix’s Dragons: Race to the Edge, but many characters in that show are introduced in Dragons: Riders of Berk and Defenders of Berk.
More in this thread on X.
Valuable themes of teamwork and sacrifice, with a few mentions of Nordic “gods.”
Over seven TV seasons, the agrarian society of Berk comes alive. While each season starts and ends with story arcs usually involving dragon hunters, characters also deal with threats of storms, active volcanoes, mysterious dragons, or other threats to food and shelter.
Varied personalities must set aside selfish motives and surface-level analysis of problems to find real solutions. As in the films, characters occasionally say “Thank Thor” or “The gods are angry,” reflecting Norse cultural views of the divine.
Christian families may consider it a teaching moment with kids, or may want to wait to introduce it to very young ones. A Dragons spin-off series called Rescue Riders is a lot like Paw Patrol, with talking dragons for preschoolers. Though steer clear of Dragons: The Nine Realms, which is not from the same showrunners or writers as the rest of the franchise.
Disability issues are addressed in life-affirming ways
In the finale of the original HTTYD film, Hiccup and Toothless confront the mighty Alpha dragon known as Red Death. We see Stoick find his boy breathing, but he’s clearly injured in the battle. Days later, Hiccup wakes up, learning that he now has a prosthetic leg.
Toothless, who was injured in the opening scenes by Hiccup’s stray shot, mirrors his partner-in-flight, needing a new tail fin to fly properly. And the two actually have more agility in flight because of Hiccup’s prosthetic controlling the dragon’s artificial tail fin –- a picture of the heroism in pain and scars.
It’s a healthy picture of marriage and family formation
Animated films have some exemplary couples, whether Bob and Helen in The Incredibles juggling “super” kids; Up’s Ellie and Carl Fredricksen infusing life with dreams and love' or Pacha and his wife in The Emperor’s New Groove showing relationships matter more than stuff.
In terms of the number of hours on-screen and its development from preteen infatuation to a sacrificial romantic love, the story of Hiccup and Astrid is a standout among other series. She’s strong in her own right-- and gives Hiccup the perspective or encouragement he needs to lead.
It’s a healthy, funny relationship with ups and downs, confirmed with a marriage ceremony in the third film. A flash-forward scene shows they’ve had three kids together –- what a gift. Bonus: Stoick and Valka’s reunion in the second film is a sublime window into marital love.
From battling fierce foes to a boy’s journey of becoming a chief and protector, DreamWorks’ Dragons series is worth a hearty hurrah for its storytelling and thematic depth. With a live-action sequel already in the works, and a theme park land just opened in Orlando, count on Hiccup and his friends being with us for years to come.
Most DreamWorks Dragons films and TV series are available on Peacock, with Dragons: Race to The Edge (five seasons) currently on Netflix. Look for our review of the new live-action How to Train Your Dragon film later this week.
Here's a peek:
Image: DreamWorks Animation
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith and culture for several media outlets. He and his family live in central Florida.
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