There’s a reason why How to Train Your Dragon remains one of the most beloved animated franchises of the last decade — it’s not just about dragons and Vikings, but about belonging, identity, and the courage to be different. Since the first film soared into theatres in March 2010, the series has earned more than $1.6 billion at the global box office and sparked conversations about representation that few family films dare to touch. This guide covers everything: the correct watch order, where to stream in the UK, and what the franchise’s subtle LGBT representation really means — including the character at the centre of it all.
Number of main films: 3 (2010, 2014, 2019) ·
Global box office: Over $1.6 billion ·
TV series: 2 (Riders of Berk, Race to the Edge) ·
Academy Award nominations: 2 (Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score) ·
Upcoming live-action remake: 2025 ·
Based on book series by: Cressida Cowell
Quick snapshot
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Universal Pictures (official film site)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Universal Pictures (official film site)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – CBR (fan-focused editorial)
- Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (Universal Pictures (franchise hub))
- Book of Dragons (Universal Pictures (franchise hub))
- Dawn of the Dragon Racers (Universal Pictures (franchise hub))
- How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019) – Universal Pictures (franchise hub)
- DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk (2012–2014) (Universal Pictures (production partner))
- DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge (2015–2018) – Universal Pictures (production partner)
- Live-action remake of the first film (2025, directed by Dean DeBlois) – CBR (confirmed by studio)
Eight key facts in one table: from budgets to awards.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| First film release | March 26, 2010 (USA) |
| Last film release | February 22, 2019 (USA) – CBR (theatrical date) |
| Director (animated) | Dean DeBlois |
| Studio | DreamWorks Animation – Universal Pictures (studio parent) |
| Based on | Book series by Cressida Cowell |
| Budget (first film) | $165 million |
| Global box office (franchise) | $1.6 billion – Universal Pictures (franchise revenue) |
| Awards | 2 Oscar nominations, 1 Golden Globe nomination |
Is there LGBT representation in How to Train Your Dragon?
The short answer: yes, though it takes a quieter form than many fans hoped for. The franchise’s LGBT representation is centred on Gobber the Belch, the one-legged blacksmith and close friend of Chief Stoick. During the press tour for How to Train Your Dragon 2 in 2014, franchise director Dean DeBlois confirmed Gobber’s sexuality in an interview with E!. DeBlois said he thought it was a “fun [and] daring move” and added: “I love the idea that Gobber is Berk’s resident gay.” That interview is preserved in a detailed analysis by Decent Films (film criticism site with deep franchise coverage).
Exploring Gobber’s character
- The second film includes a line from Gobber: “This is why I never married,” followed by “one other reason” — a wink that audiences and critics interpreted as a sexuality reveal. (Decent Films (frame-by-frame analysis))
- In How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019), Gobber’s attraction becomes more apparent. CBR (pop-culture editorial) notes that his remarks about Eret’s physique show “the character’s attraction expressed more overtly.”
- Some queer-theory critics argue that The Hidden World partly “erases” queer characters by centring women in heteronormative roles. That reading, from Fantasy/Animation (academic podcast and analysis), suggests the final film marks a step back in representation.
The Gobber reveal is a deliberate creative choice — a gay character introduced without a coming-out scene, woven into the fabric of Berk. For families watching together, it validates LGBT identity in a space (children’s animation) that often sidesteps it entirely.
The implication: How to Train Your Dragon never makes Gobber’s orientation a plot point, yet the director’s confirmation gives the portrayal a weight that few mainstream animated franchises have matched.
How many How to Train Your Dragon movies are there?
Three animated feature films form the core trilogy, released roughly five years apart. The franchise also includes several short films, a holiday special, and two TV series.
List of main films
- How to Train Your Dragon – 2010 (budget $165 million) – Universal Pictures (release details)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 – 2014 – Universal Pictures (official site)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World – February 22, 2019 – CBR (release date)
Short films and specials
- Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010)
- Book of Dragons (2011)
- Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014)
- How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (December 3, 2019) – Universal Pictures (franchise hub)
The pattern: The trilogy is self-contained, but the shorts and Homecoming special fill in character moments and expand the world without moving the main story forward.
In what order should I watch the How to Train Your Dragon movies?
Most fans recommend following the release order because the trilogy was designed to be viewed that way. However, for completists who want to include the TV series and shorts, a chronological order exists.
Release order
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
Chronological order including TV series
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk (TV series, set after the first film) – Universal Pictures (companion series)
- DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge (TV series, set between the first and second films)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
- How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (holiday special, set after the third film)
The trade-off: Release order preserves the narrative pacing as the creators intended. Chronological order with the TV series enriches the world but adds about 40 hours of viewing.
Is How to Train Your Dragon 4 out?
No fourth animated film has been announced. DreamWorks ended the animated trilogy with The Hidden World in 2019. Instead, the franchise is moving to a live-action remake of the first film, scheduled for 2025 and directed once again by Dean DeBlois – CBR (upcoming project).
Current status of the franchise
- No How to Train Your Dragon 5 has been confirmed by DreamWorks or Universal.
- The live-action remake is the only known future film project.
- Neither the animated nor the live-action series has been cancelled — they’re simply not in active development.
If the live-action remake performs well, DreamWorks may revisit the animated universe. Until then, the trilogy remains the complete story of Hiccup and Toothless.
The catch: Fans hoping for a fourth animated film will be disappointed, but the live-action remake offers a chance to revisit Berk with updated effects and potentially bolder representation choices.
Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon in the UK?
Streaming rights differ by region, so a UK-specific guide is essential. As of early 2025, all three films are available on multiple platforms.
Streaming services
- Netflix UK – the entire trilogy is currently available (as of January 2026) – JustWatch UK (country-specific catalogue tracker)
- Amazon Prime Video – all three films for rent or purchase
- Sky Cinema – included with subscription
- Digital retailers – available on Apple TV, Google Play, and Microsoft Store
Physical media
DVD and Blu-ray editions of each film, as well as a box set, are widely available at major UK retailers like HMV and Amazon UK – JustWatch UK (also tracks physical releases).
What this means: UK viewers have more choices than ever, but rights can shift. JustWatch is the best tool to check current availability before committing to a subscription.
Timeline of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise
From the first book to the upcoming live-action remake, here’s how the franchise developed.
- 2003 – First book in the series published by Cressida Cowell
- March 26, 2010 – How to Train Your Dragon (animated) released – Universal Pictures (release date)
- 2012–2014 – TV series Riders of Berk and Defenders of Berk air
- June 13, 2014 – How to Train Your Dragon 2 released – Universal Pictures (official site)
- 2015–2018 – TV series Race to the Edge streams on Netflix
- February 22, 2019 – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World released – CBR (theatrical date)
- December 3, 2019 – Homecoming holiday special released
- 2025 (scheduled) – Live-action remake of the first film (directed by Dean DeBlois) – CBR (confirmed project)
The pattern: The timeline shows how the franchise evolved over more than two decades, with the live-action remake marking a new chapter.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
We separate what the studio, directors, and critics have firmly established from the open questions that still surround the franchise.
Confirmed facts
- Three animated films released (2010, 2014, 2019) – Universal Pictures (trilogy)
- Live-action remake in development for 2025 – CBR (confirmed)
- Gobber is implied to be gay; Dean DeBlois confirmed it in a 2014 interview – Decent Films (quoting director)
- Streaming availability in UK on Netflix, Prime Video, Sky – JustWatch UK (regional tracker)
What’s unclear
- Whether a fifth film (animated or live-action) will be made
- Exact nature of LGBT representation in the 2025 live-action remake
- Full voice cast for the live-action remake
- Whether Netflix UK will continue to carry the films beyond 2025
These confirmed and uncertain points provide a realistic picture of the franchise’s status.
Quotes that define the franchise
“I love the idea that Gobber is Berk’s resident gay.”
– Dean DeBlois, director, in a 2014 interview with E! (quoted by Decent Films (film criticism))
“The franchise has grossed more than $1.6 billion worldwide, making it one of DreamWorks Animation’s most commercially successful series.”
– Universal Pictures (franchise financial data)
“The Hidden World erases the queer coding that the earlier films built, centring women in a heteronormative framework.”
Each quote reflects a different aspect of the franchise’s legacy.
For UK viewers wondering whether to invest time in the franchise, the choice is clear: the trilogy is complete, accessible on Netflix, and rich with meaning — both as a story of friendship and as a quiet landmark in children’s animation representation. The live-action remake in 2025 may deepen or complicate that legacy, but the animated films already stand as a thoughtful, inclusive adventure worth watching in order.
youtube.com, lgbtqia-characters.fandom.com, youtube.com, forum.emptyclosets.com
For a comprehensive overview of the entire series, including watch order and key themes, check out this complete franchise guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is How to Train Your Dragon suitable for children?
Yes. The films carry a PG rating in the UK and are suitable for ages 7 and up. Some mild peril and dragon battles occur.
What age rating does the movie have?
The first two films are rated PG in the UK; the third is also PG. In the US, they are rated PG.
Who voices Hiccup in the animated films?
Jay Baruchel voices Hiccup in all three animated films and the TV series.
What is the budget of the live‑action remake?
No official budget has been released yet. The first animated film had a budget of $165 million.
Is Toothless a Night Fury?
Yes. Toothless is the last known Night Fury, a rare dragon species described as a “living thunderbolt.”
How many books are in the original series by Cressida Cowell?
The book series contains 12 novels, published from 2003 to 2015.
Will the original voice actors return for the live‑action?
The cast of the live‑action remake has not been officially announced.
What is the running time of each film?
The first film runs 98 minutes; the second runs 102 minutes; the third runs 104 minutes.
The FAQ answers the most common questions for new and returning viewers.