The Franchise's Biggest Earner: Netflix Just Snagged 2025's Beloved Live-Action Hit
When the news first came out that one of Dreamworks' animated classic franchises was set to receive a live-action remake, there was no shortage of skepticism. After all, the concept of flying dragons and one person's realization that they aren't necessarily the monsters they're made out to be is essentially perfect for an animated movie. But a live-action play on How to Train Your Dragon? It seemed like a bold move. However, when the film was released in 2025, it received overwhelming praise and became the franchise's highest-grossing film. Audiences gave the 2025 version of How to Train Your Dragon rave reviews, and now, Netflix users can rejoice, as it's set to make the jump to the popular platform.
A Box Office Juggernaut: How Live-Action 'How to Train Your Dragon' Beat the Originals
Not only did the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon become the franchise's box-office juggernaut, but it also did so while topping some impressive numbers. Taking it even one step further, the Dreamworks hit also became the second-highest-grossing live-action/animated hybrid of all-time.
Here's a look at how 2025's How to Train Your Dragon performed at the box office compared to the animated movies, per Box Office Mojo:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) lifetime gross - $494,878,759
Opening - $43,732,319 - How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) - $621,537,519
Opening - $49,451,322 - How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) - $521,799,505
Opening - $55,022,245 - How to Train Your Dragon (live-action remake 2025) - $636,351,148
Opening - $84,633,315
The stellar opening box office performance of the How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake was eye-opening, and kicked off the movie's run to top How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Along with its success at the box office, the 2025 film earned high praise, particularly from audiences. While How to Train Your Dragon's live-action film has earned a "Certified Fresh" label from Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 77 percent, its audience number is superb. Based on over 10,000 verified reviews, the movie has a 97 percent rating with audiences and a "Verified Hot" label.
Why 'How to Train Your Dragon' Moving to Netflix Matters
After a strong run at rival streaming company Peacock, the beloved 2025 release of How to Train Your Dragon is set to move to Netflix. As What's on Netflix first confirmed, the latest addition to the franchise will be available for streaming on Netflix US beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.
So, whether you didn't catch Hiccup and his bond with the (now) iconic Night Fury dragon Toothless, or you just want to see the live-action remake again, Netflix users have less than one month to wait before its debut.
Even factoring in How to Train Your Dragon's streaming success on Peacock, the move to the streaming juggernaut Netflix is bound to only help keep the movie's upward popularity trajectory in another stratosphere. The 2025 film features Mason Thames in the role of Hiccup, with Gerard Butler returning as Stoick, Nico Parker as Astrid, Nick Frost as Gobber and Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, among several other well-known names.
Related: The Streak Is Over: Netflix Lands Margot Robbie's First Box Office Flop in 3 Years