For a first watch, see the animated films in release order: How to Train Your Dragon (2010), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), then How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). The 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon is a reimagining of the original film, not the next chapter in that animated trilogy. The TV series and specials are optional additions for viewers who want more of the franchise.
How to watch the animated movies in order
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
This release-order route follows the animated feature trilogy and gives a new viewer the central story without requiring any television episodes or shorts. NBCUniversal’s franchise overview identifies the trilogy, while DreamWorks’ official franchise page lists the screen properties and formats.
![How to Train Your Dragon: 3-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+XV4Ohp7L._SL160_.jpg)
Where the 2025 live-action movie fits
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a separate retelling branch. DreamWorks describes it as a “live-action reimagining” of the film that launched the franchise; it is not a fourth installment after The Hidden World. You can watch it after the animated original to compare the two versions, or treat it as an alternative starting point. Keep it separate from the animated trilogy’s sequel order.
Optional TV series and specials
The series and specials expand the animated world, but the official franchise pages do not supply a complete episode-by-episode chronology. For a straightforward expanded watch, add the shows and specials after the first film and before How to Train Your Dragon 2 where appropriate, then continue with the later films. This is a practical viewing route, not a studio-confirmed episode order.
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DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk and Defenders of Berk
These series continue the animated story between the first film and How to Train Your Dragon 2. They are optional; viewers following only the movies can skip them.
Gift of the Night Fury and How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming
These are short-form specials connected to the animated films. Universal’s Ultimate Collection listing includes both, along with the three animated features and bonus features.
Dragons: Race to the Edge
This is another animated series in the franchise. DreamWorks lists it as streaming on Netflix on its franchise page, but streaming catalogs vary by country and change over time, so check local availability.
Dragons: The Nine Realms
This is a far-future branch rather than a bridge between the original films. DreamWorks says it is set 1,300 years after the events of How to Train Your Dragon, when dragons have become legend to the modern world. Its official page names Hulu and Peacock as destinations; availability depends on location and current catalog.
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- Movie dvd
Choose a watch route
| Route | What to watch | Best for | Where the 2025 film fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film-only | The three animated films in release order | First-time viewers who want the main story with the fewest detours | Watch separately as a reimagining |
| Expanded animated franchise | The films, relevant series, and specials; treat episode placement as a flexible viewing choice | Viewers who want more of the animated world | Keep separate from the animated continuity |
Where the books fit
Cressida Cowell’s novels are the source books that inspired the film trilogy, but they are a separate reading path—not entries in the screen watch order. Hachette’s publisher page presents the book series and also points readers to The Complete Book of Dragons.
Owning the animated films and specials
Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Ultimate Collection listing says the set contains the three animated films, Gift of the Night Fury, Homecoming, and bonus features. Check the exact edition, retailer inventory, and regional compatibility before buying. DreamWorks also lists films in digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats on its franchise page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Streaming availability depends on your location
DreamWorks names Netflix for Race to the Edge and Hulu and Peacock for The Nine Realms, but those page-level destinations do not guarantee that a title is currently available in every country or included with every subscription. Peacock’s streaming guide is another place to check for its catalog; confirm availability in your local app before settling on a route.
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- The disk has English audio and subtitles.
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