The Core Trilogy: Three Blockbuster Animated Films
The heart of the franchise lies in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful animated film trilogy, which tells the epic story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his incredible bond with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless. The main animated trilogy provides a complete narrative arc, charting Hiccup's journey from an awkward teenage inventor to the wise chief of Berk, concluding with a powerful and emotional farewell to the age of dragons.- 1. How to Train Your Dragon (2010): The origin story, introducing the world, the rivalry between Vikings and dragons, and the formation of Hiccup and Toothless's legendary friendship.
- 2. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014): A more mature sequel that expands the world, introduces Hiccup's mother, Valka, and deals with the threat of the tyrannical Drago Bludvist.
- 3. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019): The concluding chapter, which sees Hiccup and Astrid leading Berk to find the mythical Hidden World, a safe haven for all dragons, and facing off against the ruthless dragon hunter Grimmel the Grisly.
These three films cemented the franchise as a modern animated classic, exploring themes of friendship, leadership, and the inevitable passage of time.
The Television Universe: 18 Seasons and Counting
The television series is where the *How to Train Your Dragon* world truly expanded, providing hundreds of hours of content that bridges the gaps between the feature films and introduces dozens of new dragon species, characters, and villains. The TV universe is split into two main continuities: the "Original Continuity" and the "New Continuity."Original Continuity (Hiccup and the Dragon Riders of Berk)
These series directly follow the events of the first film and lead up to the second and third, providing essential backstory for characters like the Dragon Riders and their dragons (Stormfly, Hookfang, Meatlug, and Barf and Belch).
- DreamWorks Dragons (2012–2014): 4 Seasons Total.
- Riders of Berk (Seasons 1 & 2): Follows the immediate aftermath of the first film as the Vikings of Berk learn to coexist with their new dragon companions.
- Defenders of Berk (Seasons 3 & 4): Continues the story, focusing on the Riders protecting their home and discovering new threats.
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (2015–2018): 6 Seasons Total.
- This Netflix-exclusive series is the longest in the franchise, totaling 6 seasons. It details the events leading up to *How to Train Your Dragon 2*, including the discovery of the Dragon Eye and the exploration of new lands, preparing Hiccup for his future role as Chief.
- TOTAL SEASONS IN ORIGINAL CONTINUITY: 10 SEASONS.
New Continuity (The Modern Dragon World)
Set 1,300 years after the events of *The Hidden World*, these series introduce a new generation of dragon riders who discover that dragons still exist in the modern world.
- Dragons: The Nine Realms (2021–2023): 8 Seasons Total.
- This series, which concluded in December 2023, follows a group of modern-day teenagers who discover a massive fissure leading to the Hidden World. It ran for an impressive 8 seasons, totaling 52 episodes, and is the most recent major animated entry in the franchise.
- DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders (2019–2022): Multiple Seasons.
- A spin-off aimed at younger audiences, featuring twins Dak and Leyla who can communicate with dragons. The original series and its sequel, *Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky*, have multiple seasons, further expanding the non-Viking dragon lore.
- TOTAL SEASONS ACROSS ALL SERIES: 18+ SEASONS.
The Short Films and Specials: Six Essential Stories
In addition to the main movies and series, the franchise includes a collection of short films and holiday specials that provide fun, often emotional, side-stories and fill in minor chronological gaps. There are at least six official shorts and specials:- Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010): A hilarious tale focusing on Gobber the Belch and his obsession with a mythical dragon.
- Gift of the Night Fury (2011): A beloved holiday special that takes place after the first film, focusing on the Snoggletog celebration on Berk and Toothless's disappearance.
- Book of Dragons (2011): An educational short where Hiccup, Astrid, and the gang share the history and details of various dragon species.
- Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014): Set before *How to Train Your Dragon 2*, this short details the origin of the Dragon Racing sport.
- How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019): A heartwarming special set after *The Hidden World*, focusing on Hiccup and Astrid’s children, Zephyr and Nuffink, and the importance of remembering the dragons.
- Gobber's Guide to Battling Dragons (2021): An additional short that provides a humorous, in-universe perspective on dragon fighting.
These shorts are often considered essential viewing for fans, especially *Gift of the Night Fury* and *Homecoming*, which provide key emotional beats for the main characters.
The Future: A Live-Action Remake is Underway for 2025
The *How to Train Your Dragon* universe is not finished. The most significant and newest update to the franchise is the development of a live-action remake of the original 2010 film, scheduled for release in 2025. This project is highly anticipated as it will bring the beloved characters and dragons to a new medium. The film is being helmed by the original trilogy's director, Dean DeBlois, ensuring a consistent creative vision.Confirmed Live-Action Cast (The New Generation of Berk)
The latest casting announcements confirm that the film will feature a blend of established and up-and-coming talent, including:
- Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III: Played by Mason Thames (known for *The Black Phone*).
- Astrid Hofferson: Played by Nico Parker (known for *The Last of Us*).
- Stoick the Vast: Played by Gerard Butler, who will reprise his role from the animated trilogy, a rare and exciting return for a voice actor in a live-action remake.
- Snotlout Jorgenson: Played by Gabriel Howell.
- Fishlegs Ingerman: Played by Julian Dennison.
- Ruffnut Thorston and Tuffnut Thorston: Played by Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn, respectively.
The new live-action film promises to reintroduce the magic of the original story—the unlikely friendship between Hiccup and his Night Fury, Toothless—to a global audience in a fresh, visually stunning way. Production is currently underway, making this a major focus for the franchise in the coming years.
The Grand Total: A Sprawling Viking Saga
So, how many *How to Train Your Dragon* projects are there? The total count of major entries in the DreamWorks Dragons franchise is substantial and continues to grow.The definitive count as of late 2025 is:
| Category | Total Count | Key Entities |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Films (Animated) | 3 | HTTYD, HTTYD 2, The Hidden World |
| Main Continuity TV Seasons | 10 | Riders of Berk (4), Race to the Edge (6) |
| New Continuity TV Seasons | 8+ | The Nine Realms (8), Rescue Riders |
| Short Films / Specials | 6 | Gift of the Night Fury, Homecoming, Boneknapper |
| Upcoming Live-Action Film | 1 | Scheduled for 2025 Release |
The saga’s total count of major cinematic and television installments (films, short films, and TV series seasons) stands at a minimum of 27 unique projects. This impressive number ensures that the world of Berk, the Night Fury, the Light Fury, and the entire Dragon Riders crew remains a rich, expansive universe with a legacy that will continue for years to come.
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