The 2025 version of How to Train Your Dragon was a refreshing take on the beloved series, shifting the animated format for a live-action hybrid that still captured the spirit of the 2010 original film. After the box office numbers proved that the franchise still had life in the new format, Universal Pictures quickly approved a sequel. Most details about How to Train Your Dragon 2 remain under wraps, but star Mason Thames has recently shared news that the follow-up to his 2025 hit will soon start production. We’ll begin our journey back to Berk in no time.
“I go out to start November 1,” the actor said to The Direct when sharing the production details of How to Train Your Dragon 2. Thames is currently promoting his return in the horror sequel Black Phone 2, which is currently playing in theaters. In HTTYD 2, the actor will reprise his role as Hiccup, the young aspiring dragonslayer who befriends the creature Toothless, and eventually becomes a central figure in his village’s battle against a much more powerful monster. Thames said:
“I’m very, very excited. That character means the world to me. So the fact I get to go back and do it again and get back on the saddle is really cool. And I’ve seen a lot of concepts, and there’s a lot of cool people joining the team, and I’m super happy.”
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake is still one of the most successful movies of the year. Grossing over $635 million, it became the highest-grossing entry of the franchise, which had stayed on the animated format for years. However, as great as the audience reception was, the live-action HTTYD is also the lowest-rated entry in the franchise, with a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The first, second, and third movies in the fantasy universe registered scores of 99%, 92%, and 90% on the critics’ score on the reviews-focused website.
‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ Will Try to Surpass the 2014 Sequel’s Success
The How to Train Your Dragon 2 sequel is set to be released in June 2027, with most of the cast and creative team returning. The 2025 live-action release was extremely successful for Universal Pictures, and this gave execs enough of a clear vision to greenlight a sequel.
Dean DeBlois, creator of the series and the director of every single entry, is confirmed to return. Although plot details are yet to emerge, Universal will probably try to capture the success of the 2014 animated sequel, the second highest-grossing film of the series, and there’s no one better than DeBlois. Thames was asked about the plot for the sequel, and while he didn’t share much, he did express his excitement for the upcoming installment:
“I can’t say too much, but the second one has a very special place in my heart, and is personally my favorite of the trilogy. And I really love what we’re doing with it. So yeah.”
- Release Date
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June 11, 2027
- Director
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Dean DeBlois
- Writers
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Dean DeBlois