Netflix to Stream Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon in 2026

After a stint as a Peacock exclusive, the live-action reimagining of How to Train Your Dragon is preparing for its next flight—this time, straight onto Netflix. The fantasy adventure, which first soared onto screens as an animated series, has been given a new lease of life by director Dean DeBlois, who has transformed the original into a visually striking live-action spectacle. Audiences in the United States can expect to see the film land on Netflix on 10 February 2026, though viewers elsewhere will have to bide their time for wider availability.

Dean DeBlois, the creative force behind the original trilogy, returned to both write and direct this adaptation. Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, lending his voice once more, while a fresh ensemble joins the cast. Nick Frost, Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, and Peter Serafinowicz round out the line-up, bringing a mix of familiar and new faces to the world of Berk.

New Faces, Familiar World

The story unfolds on the windswept island of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have long been at odds. Hiccup, played by Mason Thames, is the inventive yet overlooked son of the village chief, Stoick. Rather than following the well-trodden path of dragon-slaying, Hiccup forges an unlikely friendship with Toothless, a Night Fury dragon feared by all. This bond, as the synopsis puts it, "reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society."

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.

Alongside Hiccup, Astrid (Nico Parker) and Gobber (Nick Frost) provide support, each bringing their own quirks and ambitions to the tale. As tensions rise and an old menace threatens both Vikings and dragons, the unlikely alliance between Hiccup and Toothless becomes central to the fate of their world.

Reception and What’s Next

While the live-action version didn’t quite match the critical acclaim of its animated predecessor—scoring 77% on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the original’s 99%—audiences were far more enthusiastic. The film achieved a “Verified Hot” 97% on the Popcornmeter, suggesting that, for many, the magic of Berk remains undimmed. A sequel is already in development, promising more adventures on the horizon.

For now, fans in the US can look forward to revisiting Berk in a whole new light when the film arrives on Netflix in early 2026. The rest of the world, as ever, will have to wait their turn.