The crowds at CinemaCon in Las Vegas were treated to an early screening of Universal Pictures’ How to Train Your Dragon, and the resounding reaction from those in attendance is excitedly positive.
The feature from writer-director Dean DeBlois is a live-action adaptation of the DreamWorks animated films that DeBlois also oversaw. Mason Thames (The Black Phone) and Nico Parker (The Last of Us) star as Hiccup and Astrid alongside Gerard Butler, who reprises the role of Hiccup’s father, Stoick the Vast, from the original films.
The CinemaCon screening previewed the film before its June theatrical debut for film industry professionals, invited media, and content creators. io9’s Germain Lussier was in attendance and we’ll kick things off with his thoughts:
The live-action #HowToTrainYourDragon captures the magic of the original in almost every way. All the big moments are there, all the heart and excitement too. Wonderful performances all around. My only gripe is the new stuff, while good and subtle, never elevates things enough. pic.twitter.com/4ReJ9WQYE2
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 2, 2025
And more:
#HowToTrainYourDragon is excellent!! It is by far one of the best live-action adaptations, but I still prefer the animated film. The casting is perfect, and the emotion is palpable. Thanks to its acting and character dynamics, I was emotionally engrossed, and I did fall in love… pic.twitter.com/wGvFPjhMj7
— Rosa Parra (@rosasreviews) April 2, 2025
#HowToTrainYourDragon was, simply, incredible. The flight scenes were awe-inspiring, that action was dynamic/riveting, and it retains all the heart and humor along the way. Wasn’t exactly sold on this live-action remake before, but I’m blown away. #CinemaCon https://t.co/78sN7t6FFT pic.twitter.com/85r1mW4rA0
— Jordan Maison @CinemaCon (@JordanMaison) April 2, 2025
#HowToTrainYourDragon is the best live-action adaptation film I’ve seen. Big fan of the original, and it was everything that I wanted to see- the score, the acting, and the VFX were PERFECT.
Cried a few times. I’ve never loved a CGI creature more than Toothless. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/X8IgYvfoEu
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) April 2, 2025
How to Train Your Dragon does live action remakes of animated classics right. Dean DeBlois nigh perfectly adapted the original. It’s like watching a classic in a whole new experience. It exceeded all my expectations! #HowToTrainYourDragon #CinemaCon #CinemaCon2025 pic.twitter.com/XFIvowCyux
— Jeffrey Harris (@Wheeljack83) April 2, 2025
Took the family to see a screening of the live action #HowToTrainYourDragon movie, coming out this June, they LOVED it, here with director @DeanDeBlois and Christian and Glen from Framestore #❤️🐉 #ToothlessForever #dragonsareREAL pic.twitter.com/tNiUQVMMGX
— Cressida Cowell (@CressidaCowell) March 28, 2025
I was in a fight with #HowToTrainYourDragon in its first act. By the time Hiccup touches Toothless’ nose, I lost that fight. I couldn’t help but give myself completely to a story I love deeply, even while accepting its tendency to be safe. pic.twitter.com/sP2DLuIdPH
— Ju Ju! (@Straw_Hat_Goofy) April 2, 2025
How To Train Your Dragon was INCREDIBLE. There are jaw dropping sequences that truly took my breath away. 2 scenes in particular had me in tears. Mason Thames truly embodies who Hiccup is and it was a sight to behold. This is the family film of the summer. #HowToTrainYourDragon pic.twitter.com/PGlmGBsZSe
— Junior Felix (@JuniorFett) April 2, 2025
How to Train Your Dragon won’t overcome those who are staunchly against remaking animation as live-action, but ultimately, it’s a great story once more very well told. It didn’t reinvent anything yet unlike, say, Lion King 2019, it still has heart and I still cried. https://t.co/9ceL3wGSlz
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) April 2, 2025
Just saw the live-action How to Train Your Dragon and—wow.
An incredible experience that wears its heart on its sleeve. The care and love poured into adapting this beloved franchise is undeniable, and it shows in every frame. pic.twitter.com/j8leQ5QSRF— Benjamin Watts (@BennyWatts) April 2, 2025
@imdylanstark Ask any questions and i’ll try my best to answer them 🫡🫡 #httyd #howtotrainyourdragon
#HowToTrainYourDragon is one of the best live-action adaptations of an animated film ever! The characters and dragons were brought to life and there are so many magical, fantastic and emotional moments. I'm ready for another test drive! pic.twitter.com/BKbFbGrngX
— John Nguyen (@JohnSpartan300) April 2, 2025
How To Train Your Dragon bucks the trend of live-action remakes being subpar. It beautifully takes on the original animated film but adds just enough to stand out from it. #CinemaCon #HowToTrainYourDragon pic.twitter.com/84pQXuPzJh
— That Hashtag Show (Official) (@ThatHashtagShow) April 2, 2025
@heychalice It’s official: be ready to cry your eyes out in #HowToTrainYourDragon @universalpics #UniversalPics #gerardbutler #CinemaCon
Pretty blown away by #HowToTrainYourDragon tbh. There’s this depth and heart and intensity that the live action brings, and some small perfect story tweaks that really make it soar. The score is incredible, the tears were flowing – it’s SO good. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/FW1gTRlulg
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 2, 2025
@bigscreenberkan HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON WAS EVERYTHING WE HOPED IT WOULD BE!! #howtotrainyourdragon #httyd #movies #cinemacon #dreamworks #movietok #filmtok
I have only sort of interacted with the animated #HowToTrainYourDragon so seeing the live-action was a beautiful adventure. Toothless is a cat and I would die for him pic.twitter.com/JZ9EAuooWI
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) April 2, 2025
@coyjandreau They did it. #howtotrainyourdragon #httyd #masonthames #dragon #deandubois
While, I do feel the live action #HowToTrainYourDragon is not needed, I am overjoyed it was made pic.twitter.com/w1LBardTj7
— K.E.V.I.N. Fenix (@FenixNests) April 2, 2025
#HowToTrainYourDragon was everything I wanted as someone utterly obsessed with original. Once you settle in, you're back in Berk. The dragons look fantastic and that first flight is the thing of dreams. I'm thrilled this worked so well. #CinemaCon #CinemaCon2025 #HTTYD pic.twitter.com/frNTJ2QUvn
— Kaitlyn Booth ✈️ #CinemaCon2025 (@katiesmovies) April 2, 2025
@notxelvaz twtch: xelvaz #greenscreen #xyzbca #reaction #review #cinemacon #howtotrainyourdragon #httyd #toothless #hiccup #xelvaz
♬ Romantic Flight – From How To Train Your Dragon Music From The Motion Picture – John Powell
Get ready to fall in love with Toothless all over again.#HowToTrainYourDragon is an exceedingly faithful adaptation that brings the classic story and world to life.
All of the dragons look absolutely incredible, and the movie cleverly does more to flesh out the characters. pic.twitter.com/QvIA9cJYEZ
— Russ Milheim – The Direct (@RussMilheim) April 2, 2025
@evan.solo THEY COOKED😭🔥 #fyp #foryou #howtotrainyourdragon #httyd #cinemacon
What I love so much about How To Train Your Dragon live action is that it is not a shot for shot remake. This world is enhanced and enriched. The bond between Hiccup & Toothless is perfectly brought to screen. Its phenomenal. See it on the biggest screen possible. https://t.co/FEldTMDcij
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) April 2, 2025
How to Train Your Dragon opens June 13.
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