"How to Train Your Dragon" is a 2010 American animated fantasy film directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois. It is based on the 2003 novel by Cressida Cowell and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The story is set in a mythical Viking village called Berk and follows a young, undersized Viking named Hiccup, who aspires to become a dragon slayer. After injuring a rare Night Fury dragon, Hiccup befriends it instead of killing it, discovering a new perspective on the Viking-dragon conflict. The film features voice performances by Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, and others. It was praised for its animation, voice acting, writing, and musical score, and it achieved significant commercial success with nearly $500 million in earnings worldwide. The success of the film led to two sequels and a broader multimedia franchise, including a live-action remake released in 2025.
The animation style combines detailed character and dragon designs with visually stunning flight sequences. Cinematographer Roger Deakins was hired as a visual consultant to give the film a live-action feel. The filmmakers aimed to leverage improvisation by the voice cast through frequent group recording sessions.
If further details about the animation process or style are needed, feel free to ask!
