Is How To Train Your Dragon based on a book? Details explored
How To Train Your Dragon is a well-known animated film series, and it has now returned as a live-action adaptation. Universal Pictures is released the new version on June 13, 2025. The film is directed by Dean DeBlois, who also directed the original animated trilogy. This new version introduces a fresh cast and reimagines the story with updated visuals. Filming was done in Northern Ireland and post-production ended in 2024. Framestore handled the visual effects, and John Powell composed the score.
The story focuses on Hiccup, a Viking boy, and his unexpected friendship with a Night Fury dragon named Toothless. This story has appeared in several formats like animated films, television shows, and now a live-action film. Many are now wondering where the story came from and whether the original idea was based on an existing work.
Yes, How To Train Your Dragon is based on a book. The live-action remake and earlier animated films were adapted from a children’s book series of the same name by British author Cressida Cowell. The first book came out in 2003. The new film continues to use the original material while incorporating parts of the animated trilogy.
How To Train Your Dragon is based on Cressida Cowell’s novel series
The How To Train Your Dragon films are based on Cressida Cowell’s book series of the same name. The first book, How to Train Your Dragon, was released in 2003 and published by Hodder Children’s Books. The series includes a total of twelve books, with the final installment titled How to Fight a Dragon's Fury published in 2015. These books follow the journey of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a young Viking who is expected to capture and train a dragon as part of his tribe’s coming-of-age ritual.
In the original books, Hiccup is portrayed as an unlikely hero. He is not physically strong but relies on intelligence and empathy. Toothless, his dragon, is much smaller and less fierce than in the films. The books are written with a humorous and light tone, and they include hand-drawn illustrations and Hiccup’s personal notes, adding to the diary-like feel of the narrative. These elements create a version of the story that is more reflective and introspective than its cinematic counterpart.
While the animated and live-action films differ significantly in tone and visual design, Cowell has been vocal about her support for the adaptations. According to statements documented on the How To Train Your Dragon fandom page, Cowell appreciated that the films preserved core themes from the books, especially those of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
Dean DeBlois, the director of both the animated trilogy and the 2025 live-action film, has also addressed the differences. In an interview with TheWrap published on February 12, 2025, DeBlois said,
“I myself am not a huge fan of the animation-to-live-action trend. Universal wanted to revisit this story. It’s like, ‘We’re going to do it. Let’s try to do it right. And if you’re going to get into this story, which is full of characters I love, in a world I feel attached to, then I want to be part of it.’”
He added, “When it comes to something so personal, it’s like, why don’t we fulfill the ambition we had? That first movie was made in a rush, and I’m super proud of it, but there are things that we could have done even better.”
DeBlois also explained his choice to stay close to the original,
“There are people who have embraced the film and feel quite protective of it,” and that this direction was the one that “felt most comfortable to me, because I am really proud of that animated movie.”
How To Train Your Dragon viewing details, cast, plot, and developments
The live-action version of How To Train Your Dragon is scheduled to release in theaters on June 13, 2025. Dean DeBlois returns as director. According to IMDb, Mason Thames will play Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, while Nico Parker plays Astrid Hofferson. Gerard Butler will reprise his role as Stoick the Vast.
The story follows Hiccup as he attempts to become a dragon hunter like the rest of his Viking tribe. However, his journey changes when he secretly befriends a Night Fury. Their relationship becomes a turning point in how the Vikings understand dragons. The film is set in the village of Berk, a place where humans and dragons are in constant conflict until this bond begins to shift that view.
Filming took place in 2023 and ended by late 2024. The film’s visual effects were managed by Framestore. John Powell, who worked on the earlier animated trilogy, has returned to compose the music. Production was led by Marc Platt and Adam Siegel. According to Deadline's June 8, 2025 review, the live-action film uses real sets along with CGI to bring the story to life. It stays close to the structure of the animated version but introduces details from the original books.
How To Train Your Dragon began as a book series by Cressida Cowell. The story evolved through animated films and is now being retold in a live-action format. The film combines the earlier visual approach with new material from the books.
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