So, you want to experience the breathtaking world of How to Train Your Dragon (HTTYD)? Fear not! This definitive guide unveils the optimal viewing order to maximize your emotional investment and fully appreciate the saga of Hiccup and Toothless.
The Best Way to Watch How to Train Your Dragon
The undisputed best watch order for the How to Train Your Dragon franchise is by release date. This approach ensures that the narrative unfolds as the creators intended, preserving the pacing, character development, and emotional impact of each installment. In short, watch it as it was released.
The Correct Chronological Watch Order:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Movie
- Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010) – Short Film
- Book of Dragons (2011) – Short Film
- Gift of the Night Fury (2011) – Short Film
- Dragons: Riders of Berk (2012-2013) – TV Series (Season 1 & 2)
- Dragons: Defenders of Berk (2013-2014) – TV Series (Season 3 & 4) – Note: ‘Defenders of Berk’ is a continuation of ‘Riders of Berk’ – often considered Seasons 3 and 4 of the same show.
- Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014) – Short Film
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Movie
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (2015-2018) – TV Series (Season 5-12)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Movie
- How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019) – Short Film
- Dragons: The Nine Realms (2021-Present) – TV Series – Note: Set 1300 years after the original trilogy, this is more of a spin-off and can be watched independently after completing the main saga.
This order allows you to witness Hiccup’s evolution from awkward teenager to brave chieftain, and Toothless’s journey from untamed dragon to loyal companion, in a way that feels natural and rewarding. Skipping around can lead to spoilers and a diminished understanding of the overarching story.
Deeper Dive into the HTTYD Universe
Understanding the interconnectedness of the movies, shorts, and TV series is crucial for fully appreciating the How to Train Your Dragon universe. This section provides further context and insights.
The Importance of the Short Films
Don’t underestimate the short films! While they might seem like minor additions, they often provide crucial character development and bridge the gaps between the main movies and TV series. For instance, Gift of the Night Fury expands on the bond between Vikings and dragons and adds emotional depth to the first movie’s ending. Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon introduces a humorous side adventure and showcases Gobber’s eccentric personality.
Navigating the TV Series
The Dragons TV series, including Riders of Berk, Defenders of Berk, and Race to the Edge, significantly expand on the world-building and character arcs. These series introduce new dragons, villains, and challenges that enrich the overall narrative. Race to the Edge, in particular, is essential viewing, as it directly leads into How to Train Your Dragon 2 and explains key character relationships and events.
Considering Dragons: The Nine Realms
While technically part of the HTTYD franchise, Dragons: The Nine Realms is set centuries later and features a new cast of characters and dragons. It’s less directly connected to the original story and can be enjoyed independently after finishing the main trilogy and other content. However, recognizing its place in the overall continuity can add another layer of appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the ideal viewing order and address common concerns:
FAQ 1: Can I skip the TV series?
While you could skip the TV series, you’d be missing out on a significant portion of the story and character development, particularly for characters like Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut. Race to the Edge is almost essential for understanding the setup for How to Train Your Dragon 2. Consider at least watching key episodes based on plot summaries if you’re short on time.
FAQ 2: What if I only want to watch the movies?
If you’re only interested in the main narrative arc, watching the movies in release order (How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World) will give you the core story. However, your understanding of the characters’ motivations and the world’s evolution will be less complete.
FAQ 3: Where can I watch all these movies, shorts, and TV series?
Availability varies by region and streaming service. Typically, the movies are available on major platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock. The TV series can often be found on those same platforms or through services like Hulu Live TV or YouTube TV. Short films are sometimes included as bonus features on movie releases or available for purchase/rental online.
FAQ 4: Is there a chronological order that ignores release dates?
While a strictly chronological order based on in-universe time exists, it’s not recommended. Release order is preferred because the filmmakers deliberately unveiled plot points and character relationships in a specific sequence for maximum emotional impact.
FAQ 5: Are there any differences between the versions of the TV series on different platforms?
Sometimes, there might be minor differences in episode ordering or availability between different streaming platforms. It’s always best to double-check the episode titles and air dates to ensure you’re watching in the intended order.
FAQ 6: Which of the TV series is the best to watch?
Race to the Edge is widely considered the best of the Dragons TV series because it has a more mature tone, higher stakes, and directly contributes to the plot of How to Train Your Dragon 2.
FAQ 7: What age is appropriate for How to Train Your Dragon?
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is generally suitable for children aged 7 and up. While the movies and TV series contain moments of action and peril, they also promote positive themes of friendship, acceptance, and overcoming adversity.
FAQ 8: Is Dragons: The Nine Realms canon?
DreamWorks Animation has confirmed that Dragons: The Nine Realms is part of the How to Train Your Dragon universe, albeit set far in the future. However, its connection to the original story is minimal.
FAQ 9: Should I watch the shorts before or after the first movie?
The optimal viewing experience is to watch the shorts in release order after the first movie. This allows you to appreciate the expansion of the world and character development without being distracted from the main plot of the initial film. Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon, Book of Dragons, and Gift of the Night Fury are all designed to enhance the experience after being familiar with the original movie’s characters and setting.
FAQ 10: What about the books? Should I read them before watching?
The How to Train Your Dragon books by Cressida Cowell are a separate, distinct series from the movies and TV shows. While they share the same characters and basic premise, the stories and characterizations differ significantly. Reading the books beforehand won’t necessarily enhance your movie-watching experience, but they can provide a different perspective on the world and characters.
FAQ 11: Is there a movie adaptation of the TV show Race to the Edge?
No, there isn’t a direct movie adaptation of Race to the Edge. However, the events of the TV series directly lead into and inform the plot of How to Train Your Dragon 2.
FAQ 12: Will there be more How to Train Your Dragon movies?
While there are no current plans for further sequels to the original trilogy, the franchise’s popularity suggests that new stories in the How to Train Your Dragon universe are always a possibility. Keep an eye on DreamWorks Animation’s announcements for potential future projects.