How to Train Your Dragon
The animated film "How to Train Your Dragon" is a captivating fantasy adventure set in a mythical Viking world. It centers on Hiccup, a socially awkward teenage inventor who, contrary to his community's dragon-hunting traditions, forms an unlikely bond with a fearsome Night Fury dragon named Toothless. This groundbreaking friendship forces Hiccup and the audience to challenge deeply ingrained prejudices and ultimately strive for understanding between humans and dragons. The narrative is rich with themes of courage, individuality, and the importance of challenging societal norms.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe first 'How to Train Your Dragon' film does not contain explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes. However, in the sequel, 'How to Train Your Dragon 2', the character Gobber makes an ad-libbed line indicating he is gay, which the director, Dean DeBlois (who is openly gay), confirmed and kept in the film. This representation evolves further in 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World', where Gobber expresses attraction to a male character. Additionally, some academic and fan discussions interpret Hiccup's journey as an allegory for the queer experience due to his outcast status and defiance of traditional masculinity, though Hiccup is explicitly heterosexual in the films.
1. In 'How to Train Your Dragon 2', the character Gobber quips, 'This is why I never married. This and one other reason.' Director Dean DeBlois later confirmed this line was an intentional, subtle acknowledgement of Gobber's homosexuality. 2. In 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World', Gobber is shown admiring the character Eret, remarking that Eret has 'the body of a Norse god' and later observing his posterior, explicitly depicting his attraction to men.
Violence
MediumThe film features frequent, stylized combat scenes between Vikings and dragons. This includes battles with various weapons, dragon attacks that cause destruction to buildings, and characters being in peril. While there is no explicit gore, injuries and the consequences of violence, such as amputations, are depicted. The overall intensity of these scenes can be frightening for younger viewers, especially in the context of the 2025 live-action remake, which features more realistic visuals.
1. The movie opens with dragons attacking the Viking village of Berk, burning down structures and engaging in fierce battles with the villagers using swords, axes, and other weapons. 2. Hiccup loses a leg during the climatic battle, and Toothless loses part of his tail fin, both resulting in the use of prosthetics throughout the rest of the film and sequels, indicating significant physical trauma.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film includes numerous scary and intense sequences that may frighten younger viewers. These scenes feature large, aggressive dragons, widespread destruction of the village, and characters facing immediate danger and peril. The realism of the animated dragons, and especially the forthcoming live-action remake, contributes to the intensity of these confrontations. Themes of loss and death are also present.
1. Early in the film, the fearsome Red Death dragon is revealed as the alpha dragon, creating a genuinely terrifying presence as it commands other dragons and ultimately becomes the focus of a climactic, high-stakes battle. 2. Hiccup's initial encounter with the captured Toothless is very tense, with Toothless pinning Hiccup to the ground and roaring aggressively, causing Hiccup to faint from fear, before the dragon ultimately spares him.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumHiccup frequently exhibits disrespect towards traditional Viking culture and his father, Stoick the Vast, who is the village chief. His rebellious nature is central to the plot, as he defies the established norms of dragon slaying and secretly befriends a dragon, challenging the deeply held beliefs of his community. While ultimately leading to positive change, his initial actions are acts of significant defiance.
1. Hiccup consistently questions and expresses disdain for the brutal Viking tradition of indiscriminately killing dragons, often to his father's frustration and the mockery of his peers. 2. Hiccup actively disobeys his father's command to remain safe during dragon raids, instead attempting to prove himself through his unconventional inventions, culminating in his secret training and bonding with Toothless.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe romantic content in the film is mild and age-appropriate. It primarily focuses on Hiccup's developing crush on Astrid, which evolves into a reciprocal, innocent relationship by the film's conclusion. This includes moments of flirting and a chaste kiss. There is no explicit sexual content or suggestive dialogue.
1. Hiccup harbors a crush on Astrid, frequently attempting to impress her with his dragon knowledge and inventions. Their interactions evolve from rivalry to mutual admiration. 2. Towards the end of the film, after a shared dragon flight and a moment of understanding, Astrid plants a brief, innocent kiss on Hiccup's cheek, signifying the start of their romantic relationship.
Profanity
LowThe film contains minimal and mild profanity. Review sources indicate very infrequent use of common mild expletives. The language used is generally clean and suitable for its target audience.
1. Reviews for content, including those noting similarities across the animated and live-action versions, mention 'one use of hell.' 2. Some sources note a 'few uses of oh g-d' as mild exclamations in dialogue, consistent with a PG rating.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowBeyond the fantastical element of dragons, the film does not feature witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, or demonic elements. The Viking culture depicted includes traditional, nonscriptural religious practices focused on their heritage and warrior lifestyle, but these do not involve magic rituals or supernatural forces outside of the dragons' inherent abilities.
1. The primary focus of the supernatural is the existence and behavior of various dragon species, whose fire-breathing and other abilities are presented as natural characteristics of their fantastical biology rather than magical spells or occult powers. 2. The Viking characters' belief system revolves around honor, lineage, and battling dragons, with no scenes depicting casting spells, summoning spirits, or engaging in any form of occult ritual.
Substance Use
LowThere is no significant depiction of substance use in the movie. Characters are not shown consuming alcohol, using drugs, or smoking. The narrative does not include themes of addiction or substance abuse.
1. No characters are seen drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, or engaging in any form of drug use throughout the film. 2. The plot and character development do not involve any instances or consequences related to substance consumption.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film is set in a fictional pre-Christian Viking society and focuses on its unique cultural practices and mythical creatures. It does not present any themes, characters, or dialogue that are critical of or antagonistic towards Christian beliefs or symbols. While it depicts a pagan society, it does so within a fantasy context without promoting anti-religious sentiments. The film's core messages are universal, advocating for understanding and challenging prejudice.
1. The narrative is entirely contained within a fictionalized Viking world that predates the advent of Christianity, focusing on their specific cultural values, traditions, and conflicts with dragons, without any reference to Christian figures or doctrines. 2. There are no scenes, characters, or dialogue that mock, insult, or critique Christian beliefs, practices, or symbols; the film's thematic conflict centers on overcoming inter-species prejudice and societal expectations.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Parental guidance is suggested for ages 8 and up. While the film offers positive messages of compassion and challenging prejudice, it contains numerous intense action sequences, peril, and frightening dragon imagery which may be too overwhelming for children younger than 8 years old. Later installments introduce subtle LGBTQ+ representation, which parents may wish to discuss.
Additional Notes
The content analysis specifically focused on the first 'How to Train Your Dragon' film (2010 animated), but the evolution of LGBTQ+ themes in its sequels ('How to Train Your Dragon 2' and 'The Hidden World') has been noted as per objective #5. Parents should be aware that the live-action remake (2025) is expected to have similar content but potentially more intense visuals due to its realistic appearance, according to several review sources.
Related Reviews
Is How to Train Your Dragon right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required