London Mums Magazine was delighted to be invited to the preview of the latest release of How to Train Your Dragon at the BFI IMAX in central London. Guests were warmly welcomed by a lively Viking-themed reception featuring axe throwing, face painting, a tattoo artist, and an abundance of delicious treats.
The new How To Train Your Dragon movie soars onto the big screen with a fresh live-action twist on the beloved animated classic first released in 2010.
This exciting adaptation stars Mason Thames as Hiccup Haddock, a mischievous and slightly clumsy young Viking who couldn’t be more different from his father, Stoick the Vast – Chief of Berk, played once again by Gerard Butler. Stoick is a fierce warrior and a commanding leader, while Hiccup prefers tinkering with machines over wielding a sword.
In the village of Berk, dragons are more than just a nuisance – they’re a real threat. From flesh-eating beasts to fire-breathers and gas-lighting terrors (yes, really!), these creatures regularly raid the village, steal livestock, and leave destruction in their wake. Eventually, Stoick declares enough is enough and vows to find the dragons’ nest to eliminate them once and for all.
But Hiccup has a different approach. He’s not your typical Viking – his passion lies in inventing clever gadgets to solve problems rather than fighting. Using one of his contraptions, Hiccup manages to shoot down what’s considered the most dangerous dragon of all: the elusive Night Fury. Jet black and lightning-fast, Night Furies are the stuff of legend.
When Hiccup encounters the injured dragon up close, he’s terrified – but instead of slaying it, he does something extraordinary. He shows compassion. What follows is a heartwarming bond between boy and dragon. Hiccup and Toothless quickly become the heart of the story, reminding us all that there’s more to heroism than brute strength.
At London Mums Magazine, we gave it a collective 7/10. The takeaway? It’s a powerful message about peace and understanding: you don’t have to be at war with someone – or something – just because it’s different. Even if it breathes fire.
London Mums interviewed one of he young reporters of the London Kids’ Club:
“Hi, I’m Parmy Thatal, I’m 14 years old and I went to see the latest How To Train Your Dragon.
As someone who grew up absolutely loving the animated films, I had really high hopes – and honestly, it didn’t disappoint at all.
The movie felt like a perfect tribute to the original. It stayed so true to the animated version, and I was genuinely impressed by how well they brought the characters to life. Hiccup, Astrid, and even Stoick looked and acted just like I imagined they would if they were real people. Even the dragons – especially Toothless – looked incredible! He reminded me of my dog – cute, playful, and full of personality. The CGI made them feel super real but still kept their cartoon charm.
Even though I already knew the storyline, I was still completely pulled in. There’s something magical about seeing it played out with human actors and special effects. I think younger kids will love it – it’s full of action, adventure, and an exciting story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Overall, it was such a fun experience. If you’re a fan of the original movies, you have to see this!”
The trailer
