Movie review: 'How to Train Your Dragon' remake sullies animated film

10 articles, oldest first.

1. Variety

   ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Review: DreamWorks Swoops Into the Remake Game With Respectful Cover From Co-Director of 2010 Toon ↗ (opens Variety)

   Published Jun 8, 2025

   Variety's feed description

   The leap from computer animation to 'live action' is safer than the trial-and-error update strategy Disney’s been trying with its hand-drawn classics.

2. Gizmodo

   'How to Train Your Dragon' Is a Dazzling Fantasy Epic ↗ (opens Gizmodo)

   Published Jun 8, 2025

   Gizmodo's feed description

   Dean DeBlois' live-action adaptation of his animated hit arrives in theaters June 13.

3. Deadline

   ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Review: Live-Action Take Subtly Stretches The Original’s Wingspan ↗ (opens Deadline)

   Published Jun 8, 2025

   Deadline's feed description

   There is comfort in Universal Pictures' and Dreamworks' live-action film following the original story almost beat for beat.

4. The Hollywood Reporter

   ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Review: DreamWorks Live-Action Remake Retains Charm but Plays It Safe ↗ (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

   Published Jun 8, 2025

   The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

   Dean DeBlois solo directs this version of 'How to Train Your Dragon,' which follows the adventures of a young Viking and the creature he befriends.

5. New York Post

   ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ review: Live-action remake is nice, but doesn’t always soar ↗ (opens New York Post)

   Published Jun 8, 2025

   New York Post's feed description

   At least the decent “How to Train Your Dragon” update is better than “Snow White.”

6. UPI

   Movie review: 'How to Train Your Dragon' remake sullies animated film ↗ (opens UPI)

   Published Jun 8, 2025

   UPI's feed description

   "How to Train Your Dragon," in theaters Friday, lowers the landmark animated film to the mediocrity of standard, dim live-action visual effects movies.

7. Insider

   The 'How to Train Your Dragon' live-action remake is almost identical to the original. The director told BI it's what Universal wanted. ↗ (opens Insider)

   Published Jun 11, 2025

   Insider's feed description

   Critics are debating whether the new "How to Train Your Dragon" is too similar to the animated movies. The director Dean DeBlois said Universal asked him to make small changes.

8. The Hollywood Reporter

   ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Filmmaker Dean DeBlois Details the Live-Action Remake’s Half Hour of New Material ↗ (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

   Published Jun 11, 2025

   The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

   How to Train Your Dragon filmmaker Dean DeBlois has a list of regrets about his movies, so found the live-action project a way to right some wrongs.

9. Newsweek

   'How To Train Your Dragon' Director Defends Live-Action Remake Changes ↗ (opens Newsweek)

   Published Jun 11, 2025

10. Insider

    'How to Train Your Dragon' director says most live-action remakes seem unnecessary — except his ↗ (opens Insider)

    Published Jun 11, 2025

    Insider's feed description

    Dean DeBlois, the director of the "How to Train Your Dragon" remake, told Business Insider that live-action remakes deserve praise when done by the original filmmaker.