Original 'How to Train Your Dragon' screenwriter Dean DeBlois solo-directs this take on the popular franchise, which follows the adventures of a young Viking and the creature he befriends.

The movie had stronger-than-expected ticket sales over the weekend, becoming the third PG-rated, live-action hit in three months.

Mason Thames and Nico Parker are the miscast stars of writer-director Dean DeBlois’s good-looking but deadly dull live-action remake of the 2010 film.

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

On the set of the live-action movie, Toothless and the other dragons existed as large puppets with simple functions, operated by a team of master puppeteers led by Tom Wilton, a performer who had worked on the “War Horse” stage play.

In an era of skepticism around live-action remakes, Universal believes audiences will take flight with Hiccup and Toothless again.

Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” spread its wings across Friday and preview screenings with $35.6 million from 4,356 North American locations. That’s the fourth-biggest opening day figure of 2025,