8 Things That Make How to Train Your Dragon (2025) an Epic Return to Berk It’s been years since we last soared through the skies with Toothless and Hiccup, and honestly, most of us figured How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was the perfect, tear-jerking farewell. So when DreamWorks announced a new installment for 2025, the fandom collectively raised an eyebrow. Would it ruin the legacy? Would it be one of those sequels we pretend never happened? Turns out — it’s awesome. Not only does How to Train Your Dragon (2025) honor the original trilogy, but it also introduces new characters, ideas, and dragons in ways that feel fresh without abandoning what made the franchise special in the first place. Here’s a breakdown of eight reasons this movie deserves a place in your watchlist. 1️⃣ Freya Is the Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed Meet Freya — the fearless, headstrong daughter of Hiccup and Astrid. She’s not trying to be Hiccup 2.0, and that’s what makes her so great. Freya’s bold, a little reckless, and carries the weight of Berk’s future on her shoulders. She makes mistakes, she fights for what she believes in, and she has her own unique bond with a dragon that sets her apart. It’s the kind of character arc that keeps you invested from start to finish. 2️⃣ Toothless Is Back, and He’s Still Got It Let’s be honest: a How to Train Your Dragon movie without Toothless wouldn’t be worth watching. Thankfully, our favorite Night Fury returns, older and wiser but no less charming. His interactions with Freya and Hiccup deliver just the right mix of nostalgia and growth. There’s a quiet wisdom to him now, and watching him take to the skies again is a feeling no true fan can resist. 3️⃣ Meet Lumen, the New Scene-Stealing Dragon Lumen is an absolute showstopper. This bioluminescent dragon feels like something pulled straight out of a dream — glowing patterns, swift aerial moves, and an instant, electric connection with Freya. The animators clearly had a blast designing this dragon, and it shows in every scene he’s in. Expect fan art, merch, and maybe even spin-offs featuring this beauty. 4️⃣ The Animation Has Leveled Up (Again) DreamWorks has always delivered solid animation with this franchise, but 2025’s entry takes it to a new level. From misty cliffside vistas to wild ocean storms and glimmering night skies, every frame is bursting with detail and atmosphere. Flight sequences are smoother, faster, and more immersive than ever before. It’s a visual treat whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a hardcore animation nerd. 5️⃣ It’s Got Heart (and Then Some) What separates How to Train Your Dragon from other animated adventures isn’t just the dragons — it’s the emotion. The movie hits those sweet, heartstring-tugging notes in all the right places. Freya’s journey, her bond with Lumen, and those quiet, meaningful moments with Hiccup all add up to a story that feels deeply personal and universally relatable. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, and yeah — you might get a lump in your throat. 6️⃣ The Score Is Absolute Magic Composer John Powell returns to remind us why this franchise’s soundtrack belongs in the all-time greats. The music in How to Train Your Dragon (2025) brings back classic themes while introducing bold new ones that perfectly suit Freya’s adventure. There’s a storm sequence accompanied by a soaring orchestral piece that had the entire theater holding its breath. You’ll probably be humming the new theme by the time you leave. 7️⃣ It Knows When to Let Go of the Past One of the smartest moves this movie makes is not overloading itself with nostalgia. Sure, there are callbacks and familiar faces, but they serve the story rather than distract from it. Hiccup and Astrid appear in supporting roles, offering wisdom without stealing the spotlight. This is Freya’s story — and the film respects that. 8️⃣ It Leaves You Wanting More (in a Good Way) By the time the credits roll, you’ll find yourself hoping this isn’t the last visit to Berk’s dragon-filled skies. The world feels wide open again, with hints at new territories, new dragons, and fresh challenges for Freya and her crew. It’s not a cliffhanger, but it plants seeds for future adventures without feeling like a cash grab. Final Thoughts How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is the sequel fans were scared to hope for. It understands what made the original trilogy special while carving out a bold new path for its characters and world. Whether you’re a diehard dragon rider or a casual movie fan, this film offers heart, spectacle, and plenty of reasons to fall in love with dragons all over again. Verdict: ⭐ 4.5/5 — A dazzling, heartfelt return to a beloved world with just the right mix of new faces and familiar friends.
