When a sequel manages to be both thrilling and heartbreaking, it earns a special place in movie history. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is exactly that film: a story that deepens the world while taking emotional risks most family movies avoid.
Release date: June 13, 2014 ·
Director: Dean DeBlois ·
Runtime: 102 minutes ·
IMDb rating: 7.8/10 ·
Box office: $621 million
Quick snapshot
- Release date: June 13, 2014 (Netflix Switzerland)
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10 (IMDb)
- Box office: $621.5 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo)
- Director: Dean DeBlois (Wikipedia)
- Exact streaming status on Disney+ in the US (Disney+)
- Official release date for the live-action adaptation (SYFY Wire)
- Whether the live-action will be a direct remake (What’s On Disney Plus)
- 2014: Theatrical release (Netflix)
- 2019: DreamWorks announces live-action adaptation (What’s On Disney Plus)
- 2025: Live-action How to Train Your Dragon released June 13, 2025 (What’s On Disney Plus)
- 2027: Live-action sequel slated for June 11, 2027 (SYFY Wire)
The specs below confirm the film’s polish and commercial reach.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 13, 2014 |
| Director | Dean DeBlois |
| Writers | Dean DeBlois, Cressida Cowell (based on book series) |
| Running time | 102 minutes |
| MPAA rating | PG (for adventure action and some mild rude humor) |
| IMDb rating | 7.8/10 (400k+ votes) |
| Box office gross | $621.5 million |
| Production company | DreamWorks Animation |
Is How to Train Your Dragon 2 on Netflix?
Yes, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is available to stream on Netflix in many regions, including the United States and Switzerland. The title page on Netflix Switzerland confirms it can also be downloaded for offline viewing.
Is How to Train Your Dragon 2 on Disney+?
Currently, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is not available on Disney+ in the United States. A Disney+ page exists only for How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming, a short film. The live-action adaptation is a Universal production, so it will not appear on Disney+ or Hulu, according to What’s On Disney Plus.
Where else can I stream How to Train Your Dragon 2?
Beyond Netflix, the film is available for digital purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Physical DVD and Blu-ray editions are widely sold. Note that streaming rights vary by country.
The implication: if you’re in the US and hoping to stream the sequel on Disney+, you’re out of luck — at least for now. The streaming landscape splits by studio ownership.
Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon 1, 2 and 3?
The entire trilogy is available on Netflix in many regions. All three films can also be purchased as a bundle on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Physical box sets include the trilogy plus the short Homecoming.
Is the trilogy available on any single platform?
- Netflix: All three films in selected countries.
- Digital purchase: Amazon, Apple, Vudu offer complete collections.
- DVD/Blu-ray: Multi-film collections widely available.
The catch: no single subscription service currently holds rights in every territory. Netflix comes closest for many viewers, but a check of your local library is wise.
How to watch all three films
The most reliable path is to buy the trilogy digitally — you get permanent access regardless of streaming rotations. For a subscription-only approach, Netflix is your best bet outside of country-specific exceptions.
Streaming availability shifts frequently. Double-check your local Netflix library before committing to a subscription for this trilogy.
Why this matters: fans who want unrestricted, offline access should invest in a digital copy rather than relying on a rotating catalog.
Will there be a How to Train Your Dragon 2?
The original How to Train Your Dragon 2 has been released since 2014 — so the question usually refers to a live-action adaptation. A live-action version of the first film was released on June 13, 2025, and a sequel is already in development.
Is the original How to Train Your Dragon 2 already released?
Yes, the animated sequel premiered in 2014. It is not a new film.
What about the upcoming live-action adaptation?
According to SYFY Wire, a live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 is slated for theatrical release on June 11, 2027. Cate Blanchett will reprise her role as Valka. The project is a Universal film, so it will bypass Disney+.
The trade-off: fans eager for a live-action sequel must wait until 2027 for a story that already exists in animated form. The remake pipeline means the original 2014 film remains the definitive version for now.
The 2025 live-action film will test whether audiences want a beat‑for‑beat remake. If it succeeds, the 2027 sequel will likely follow the same story but with new casting and real‑world sets.
Is there LGBTQ in How to Train Your Dragon 2?
The sequel contains what many viewers interpret as queer representation through the character Gobber, Hiccup’s blacksmith mentor. In a scene, Gobber says he “never found the right girl” and alludes to “one other reason,” which Decent Films reads as a coded sexuality reference. MambaOnline described Gobber as the character linked to queer representation in 2014.
Which character is openly gay in How to Train Your Dragon 2?
There is no explicitly stated gay character in How to Train Your Dragon 2. However, Gobber’s dialogue has been consistently read as a hint. Fantasy-Animation.org argues that Gobber is the franchise’s canonically queer-adjacent figure, while CBR claimed that The Hidden World confirmed Gobber as gay. Neither film makes the identity explicit.
How was the representation received?
Reception among audiences and critics has been mixed: some praise the subtle inclusion as a step forward, while others argue it is too ambiguous to count as representation. Director Dean DeBlois, who is openly gay, has discussed wanting to reflect the world without making a big deal out of it, according to SYFY Wire.
The pattern: DreamWorks chose ambiguity over clarity, leaving fans to debate whether the character is intended as queer — a common tactic in family animation of the era.
What is the saddest death in How to Train Your Dragon?
Stoick the Vast, Hiccup’s father, dies in How to Train Your Dragon 2. He is killed while shielding Hiccup from the villain Drago’s dragon, causing Toothless to blast him. CinemaBlend describes it as a sacrifice that remains devastating even years later.
How does Stoick’s death affect the story?
Stoick’s death becomes the emotional crux of the sequel. It forces Hiccup to mature from a boy into a chief, taking on leadership of Berk. ScreenRant notes that it is one of the most devastating beats in the franchise.
Why is Stoick’s death considered the saddest?
Fans consistently rank it as the franchise’s most heart-wrenching moment because it comes unexpectedly — a beloved father dies saving his son. On social media platforms like TikTok, discussions frequently call it the franchise’s saddest scene. The live-action adaptation will likely recreate the moment for a new audience.
The implication: Stoick’s death is not just a plot device; it defines the entire emotional architecture of the sequel and shapes Hiccup’s growth. Removing it would undermine the story’s integrity.
Eight key specifications, one pattern: each attribute shows the film’s polish and commercial reach.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 13, 2014 |
| Director | Dean DeBlois |
| Writers | Dean DeBlois, Cressida Cowell |
| Running time | 102 minutes |
| MPAA rating | PG |
| IMDb rating | 7.8/10 |
| Box office gross | $621.5 million |
| Production company | DreamWorks Animation |
Timeline of key events
- – Theatrical release of How to Train Your Dragon 2.
- 2019 – DreamWorks announces a live-action adaptation of the original film (What’s On Disney Plus).
- – Live-action How to Train Your Dragon released in cinemas (What’s On Disney Plus).
- – Live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 slated for release (SYFY Wire).
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 was released in 2014.
- The film is available on Netflix in many countries.
- Stoick dies in the film.
- Gobber’s dialogue references same-sex attraction in coded terms.
- A live-action sequel is scheduled for 2027.
What’s unclear
- Exact release date of the live-action adaptation beyond reports from trade sources.
- Whether the live-action will be a direct remake or a new story.
- Future availability on Disney+.
- Whether Gobber will be explicitly gay in future adaptations.
Voices on the film
“We wanted to reflect the world we live in and show representation without making a big deal out of it.”
— Dean DeBlois, director, in a 2014 interview with SYFY Wire
“Stoick’s death is the most heartbreaking moment in the entire franchise. I still can’t watch it without crying.”
— Fans on social media, as collected in CinemaBlend
For viewers who care about representation, How to Train Your Dragon 2 offers a tentative but meaningful step. For those who love a gut-wrenching story, Stoick’s death delivers. And for anyone wondering where to watch, Netflix is the default answer — for now. The live-action pipeline means the franchise is far from over, and the choices made in 2025 and 2027 will determine whether the new adaptations modernize the storytelling or just replicate it. For the modern viewer, the decision is clear: revisit the 2014 classic, and watch the 2025 live-action to see how the story evolves — or risk missing the moment the franchise redefines itself. Dean DeBlois and DreamWorks face the challenge of making the remake relevant without losing what made the original matter.
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For those looking to revisit Berk, the How to Train Your Dragon 2 streaming details cover everything from platform availability to the emotional impact of Stoick’s death.
Frequently asked questions
How long is How to Train Your Dragon 2?
The runtime is 102 minutes.
Who is the voice of Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon 2?
Hiccup is voiced by Jay Baruchel.
Is How to Train Your Dragon 2 appropriate for children?
The film is rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor. Most parents consider it suitable for ages 7 and up.
How many Oscars did How to Train Your Dragon 2 win?
It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards but did not win.
Will there be a crossover with How to Train Your Dragon 3?
No crossover has been announced. The trilogy tells a single story arc.
What does the title “How to Train Your Dragon” mean?
The phrase refers to the central theme of building a bond between humans and dragons through understanding, not force.
