Are your kids obsessed with Toothless and Hiccup? Dive into the thrilling world of Dreamworks Dragons! My family certainly is, especially since How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was released. If you’re new to Berk or looking to revisit this fantastic franchise, you might be wondering: what’s the best way to Watch How To Train Your Dragon? With movies, multiple TV series, and shorts, figuring out the How to Train Your Dragon timeline can be tricky.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone! When my girls first started watching Dragons: Race to the Edge, I was completely lost. But their fascination pulled me in, and I realized just how much Dreamworks Dragons content there is! To help you navigate this amazing universe, I’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to watch How to Train Your Dragon in the correct chronological order. Get ready to soar with dragons!
Image showing the title card for Dragons: Race to the Edge, a Netflix exclusive series, part of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
The Chronological How to Train Your Dragon Watch Order
This guide lays out the watch how to train your dragon order step-by-step, ensuring you experience the story as it unfolds chronologically.
1. How to Train Your Dragon (Movie – 2010)
The movie that started it all! How to Train Your Dragon introduces us to Hiccup, a Viking teenager who befriends a Night Fury dragon named Toothless. This heartwarming and action-packed film is essential viewing and sets the stage for everything that follows. You can find it readily available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Don’t make my mistake and wait years to watch it – dive in now!
2. Short Films: Gift of the Night Fury (2011), Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010), and Book of Dragons (2010)
Next, enrich your experience with these delightful short films. Gift of the Night Fury is a holiday special that takes place after the first movie. Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon and Book of Dragons offer fun side adventures and dragon lore. These shorts are often bundled together and available on streaming services. In fact, Book of Dragons and Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon are sometimes found under the title How to Train Your Dragon Legends on Netflix. Gift of the Night Fury can be a bit trickier to locate on Netflix directly, but you can often find it within compilations like Dreamworks Holiday Classics (look for Episode 3).
3. Dragons: Riders of Berk & Dragons: Defenders of Berk (TV Series – Seasons 1 & 2)
These two seasons, originally aired on Cartoon Network, bridge the gap between the first and second movies. Riders of Berk and Defenders of Berk follow Hiccup and his friends as they train dragons and protect Berk. These series are packed with exciting adventures and further develop the characters and world. While they originally aired on TV, you can currently find Dragons: Riders of Berk Part 1, Dragons: Riders of Berk Part 2, Dragons: Defenders of Berk Part 1, and Dragons: Defenders of Berk Part 2 available on DVD.
Image features DVD cover artwork for Dragons: Riders of Berk, showcasing Hiccup and Toothless flying together, emphasizing the TV series as part of the How to Train Your Dragon watch order.
4. Dawn of the Dragon Racers (Short Film – 2014)
This short film introduces the dragon racing element that becomes prominent in later series. Dawn of the Dragon Racers is a fun, competitive interlude and is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
5. Dragons: Race to the Edge (Netflix Series – Seasons 1-6)
Dragons: Race to the Edge, a Netflix exclusive series, is set between Defenders of Berk and How to Train Your Dragon 2. This series is extensive, with six seasons filled with new dragons, villains, and exciting explorations beyond Berk. It’s a fan favorite for a reason! Sadly, the sixth season marks the end of Race to the Edge, but it perfectly sets up the next movie.
6. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Movie – 2014)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 takes place a few years after Race to the Edge. The characters have grown, and the stakes are higher than ever. This movie introduces new powerful dragons and challenges, continuing the epic saga. It’s crucial to watch the series before this movie to fully appreciate the character development and story progression.
7. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Movie – 2019)
The final chapter (for now!) in the movie series, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World brings the story to a beautiful and emotional conclusion. It wraps up Hiccup and Toothless’s journey and is a must-watch for any fan. It’s readily available on DVD and for digital purchase.
Beyond Watching: Dive Deeper into the Dragon World
While watching how to train your dragon is a fantastic experience, don’t forget the original source material! The entire franchise is inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon book series by Cressida Cowell. These books offer a different, but equally engaging, take on the dragon world and are a great addition for fans of all ages.
Image of a printable checklist for How to Train Your Dragon movies and TV shows, useful for tracking viewing progress through the franchise.
Click here to get a printable version of this checklist.
Enjoy your dragon-filled adventure! Following this how to watch how to train your dragon guide will ensure you experience the complete and captivating story of Hiccup and Toothless.
