Universal Pictures has officially confirmed a sequel to its forthcoming live-action How To Train Your Dragon remake, aptly titled How To Train Your Dragon 2. This announcement came on the heels of an overwhelmingly positive response to early footage shown during CinemaCon. Amid the studio’s afternoon presentation, the main cast took the stage to share the news, further stoking excitement for the new franchise’s future on the big screen.
Slated to soar into theaters on June 11, 2027, the sequel will see the return of director and writer Dean DeBlois, as well as lead actors Mason Thames and Nice Parker—reprising their roles as Hiccup and Astrid, respectively. The creative team aims to adapt the animated follow-up of the same name, which originally premiered in 2014 to both critical and commercial success, eventually grossing more than $621.5 million worldwide. Considering the original sequel’s warm reception, expectations for this live-action version are already sky-high.
This news arrives just weeks before the first live-action How To Train Your Dragon film hits theaters on June 13. Critics who were treated to a worldwide premiere at CinemaCon have been nearly unanimous in their praise, calling the adaptation a faithful reimagining of the beloved animated classic—while also emphasizing the film’s visual splendor and heartfelt storytelling. Anticipation continues to build among longtime fans and newcomers alike, who hope the live-action approach will do justice to the enchanting bond between Hiccup and Toothless, as well as the broader mythology of the Dragon universe.
Director Dean DeBlois, celebrated for his work on the original animated trilogy, has emphasized his commitment to maintaining the core elements that made the How To Train Your Dragon franchise so special: compelling characters, meaningful relationships, and breathtaking visuals. With the sequel already on the horizon, it’s clear that Universal Pictures sees a future brimming with dragon-fueled adventures.
Mason Thames and Nice Parker, who have the weighty task of bringing Hiccup and Astrid to life in a non-animated format, expressed their excitement for the sequel on stage at the CinemaCon presentation. Both actors have hinted that audiences will see deeper character arcs and even grander set pieces in the second chapter—an evolution mirroring the shift seen in the animated franchise.
As the countdown begins for the first film’s release this June, fans can look forward not only to a fresh take on the story of Vikings and dragons but also to the promise of more adventures to come. If early buzz is any indication, How To Train Your Dragon could become one of the standout cinematic experiences of the year, paving the way for a sequel that aims to soar even higher.
The film stars the aforementioned Mason Thames (The Black Phone; Walker; For All Mankind) and Nico Parker (The Last of Us; Dumbo; The Third Day), with a supporting cast consisting of Gerard Butler (300; Olympus Has Fallen; Plane), Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead; Hot Fuzz; Paul), Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople; Deadpool 2; Godzilla vs. Kong), Gabriel Howell (Bodies; The Outlaws; The Lazarus Project), Bronwyn James (Harlots; Outlaws; The Dig), Harry Trevaldwyn (Ten Percent; The Bubble; Billi) Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club; The Fall of the House of Usher; Sceneries), Peter Serafinowicz (The Tick; Shaun of the Dead; Guardians of the Galaxy), and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones; Outlander; The Northman).
Check out the logo for the sequel below:
From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.
As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
The film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).
How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by three-time Oscar® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.