10 Things You Didnt Know About How to Train your Dragon
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VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu
WRITTEN BY: Donatus Francis Ofiaeli
Dive into the fascinating world of "How to Train Your Dragon" as we uncover surprising secrets behind the beloved animated film. From Toothless' unique design to unexpected creative choices, this countdown reveals the magic and hidden stories that brought this epic adventure to life. Discover how the directors transformed the original book, created Toothless from multiple animal inspirations, and made some incredible accidental animation moments that became iconic scenes in the film! Are you a HOTYD fan? How does the live action version look to you? Share in the comments.
10 Things You Didn't Know About How to Train your Dragon
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for unique things about “How to Train Your Dragon” that you probably didn’t know.
Before Hiccup’s story soared onto the big screen, it first came to life in Cressida Cowell’s 2003 novel. While DreamWorks' adaptation and the book differ in many ways, they share core ideas, characters and themes. Both are set in a fictional Viking world and follow Hiccup’s heroic journey. Fans of both narrative media may have noticed that the book caters more to a younger audience, while the animated film takes a broader approach. This shift was intentional, as directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders aimed to create an animation that resonated with a more mature audience, a decision that paid off. The film won hearts, launched a highly successful trilogy, and even received Cowell’s enthusiastic approval.
DreamWorks has created plenty of fascinating characters but Hiccup is widely regarded as its first teenage protagonist. Others before him, like Shrek and Po, were either adults or non-human characters with unclear ages. About 15 years old when the film started, Hiccup’s unlike anyone in his Viking village. Despite being the son of the mighty Stoick, he’s often ridiculed. But that’s precisely what makes this underdog’s story so endearing. We watch him grow from a terrified, awkward boy into someone who changed everything by daring to be different. Anyone who has looked into Hiccup’s voice actor will notice striking similarities between Hiccup and Jay Baruchel. It’s almost as if they’re one and the same, though Hiccup’s traits draw inspiration from others, too.
To bring their ideas to life, Sanders and DeBlois had to do more than storyline changes. One of the biggest alterations they made is Toothless’ size and design. In the book, the Berk’s boys visit a dragon nest to find their dragons. After giving up his first, Hiccup ended up with Toothless- a green, iguana-sized dragon small enough to perch on his arm. For the film, the directors enlarged Toothless to make it more menacing, rideable, and rare. With their unique design, Toothless became a mix between a panther and salamander, and was also transformed into the Night Fury. Still, it retained those big, innocent eyes and a special bond with Hiccup that made their friendship so adorable.
The more you learn about Hiccup’s loyal companion and the creativity behind its creation, the more impressive it becomes. To design a creature that felt rare yet relatable, the animators let their imagination run wild. Look closely and you’ll notice that Toothless looks like a combination of a cat, giant salamander and panther, far from the traditional-looking dragon. At times, he even behaves like a dog. That’s because the animators drew inspiration from a variety of animals like horses, snakes, kangaroos, dogs and even more unusual ones. How cool is that? It’s no wonder Toothless is so unique and amazing, with that extra pet-like touch. Even more fascinating is the fact animators attended flight school to perfect its breathtaking flight sequences.
Before Hiccup and Toothless formed their unbreakable bond, there was some level of distrust between the two. One of the most memorable moments reflecting their gradual bonding is the touch scene, where Toothless hesitates as Hiccup tries to touch him. This was actually an animation error, but since it worked so well, the filmmakers decided to keep it. Another powerful moment that began as an error is the scene where Hiccup celebrates capturing Toothless. As Hiccup approaches, the camera pans over Toothless’ closed eyes, which instantly open, creating a chilling yet beautiful shot. Also, the heartwarming “Gift of the Night Fury” scene, where Hiccup attaches a new tail for his buddy, came to life after an animator experimented with his own cat.
Toothless would’ve been a tiny, green-colored dragon if the directors hadn’t decided to make him larger. While he was spared from looking like a Terrible Terror, we still get to see these feisty, pint-sized pranksters in the film. They’re more of a nuisance and comic relief of the dragon world. Small but mighty, you don’t want to mess with them. Their yappy sound is spot-on Chihuahua, which makes sense, since that was the source of inspiration. The animal responsible for these troublemakers’ sound is none other than a Chihuahua named Paco, discovered by the film’s sound designer on YouTube. Allegedly, Paco was paid 100 dollars for lending its voice to the film. Isn’t that adorable?
It’s not uncommon for franchises to drop cameos or references to other works, and DreamWorks did just that in “How to Train Your Dragon”. This Easter egg occurs during a really dark scene, so not everyone will catch the cameo of the hippo, Gloria. It happens during Astrid’s excursion on Toothless, when he suddenly joins a flock of dragons headed to the dragon’s nest. Among them, one deadly dragon bears what looks like a cow. But if you pause, you’ll see it's actually a hippo. The animators confirmed in the film commentary that it’s none other than poor Gloria from “Madagascar”. This subtle reference may raise questions whether HTTYD and “Madagascar” share the same universe, but it’s likely just DreamWorks’ way of keeping viewers intrigued.
Before Sanders and DeBlois took the reins, “How to Train Your Dragon” was headed in a different direction, aiming for a more faithful adaptation. This would’ve resulted in a version that appealed mostly to a younger audience. But when Sanders and DeBlois came onboard, they changed the game, creating a film as heartwarming and rare as “Lilo & Stitch”. So, if you’ve ever wondered why Toothless resembles Stitch, it’s because the same creative minds worked on both films. The directors were part of Disney when “Lilo & Stitch” was released in 2002 but reportedly began working for DreamWorks in 2008. Now it makes sense why Toothless and Stitch share similar vibe and look- from their melon-shaped head and big eyes to their huge hearts.
One character that adds more depth to the story doesn’t really exist in the book. Well, she does, but under a different name, and her story arc is different. In the book, Hiccup has no clearly defined love interest. Instead, there’s Camicazi, one of Hiccup’s friends, who’s fierce and proud much like Astrid. She also owns Stormfly, just like Astrid. However, the directors chose to enrich Astrid’s character by giving her a stronger connection to Hiccup, which we must admit was a smart move. Her development aligns better with the film’s tone. It’s truly amazing how she evolves from Hiccup’ rival to his friend and eventually falls in love with him. The film simply wouldn’t feel the same without their bond.
In this beloved animated film, dragons are initially seen as enemies, and the goal of the Vikings of Berk is to destroy them. Some tales, including Hiccup’s mom’s flashback, reveal a longstanding war between them. However, while many Vikings talk about wiping out these creatures, it’s Hiccup who can’t bring himself to harm one. This happens at the end of the first film, where Hiccup faces off against the terrifying Red Death. Though it’s Toothless’ fire that ultimately defeats the bad dragon, it’s Hiccup’s bravery that spurs them into action, making the victory possible. Together, both rider and dragon deserve credit for being the true heroes of the film.
What is the most heartwarming moment in “How to Train Your Dragon” films?
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for unique things about “How to Train Your Dragon” that you probably didn’t know.
#10: Based on a Book
Before Hiccup’s story soared onto the big screen, it first came to life in Cressida Cowell’s 2003 novel. While DreamWorks' adaptation and the book differ in many ways, they share core ideas, characters and themes. Both are set in a fictional Viking world and follow Hiccup’s heroic journey. Fans of both narrative media may have noticed that the book caters more to a younger audience, while the animated film takes a broader approach. This shift was intentional, as directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders aimed to create an animation that resonated with a more mature audience, a decision that paid off. The film won hearts, launched a highly successful trilogy, and even received Cowell’s enthusiastic approval.
#9: DreamWorks’ First Teen Protagonist
DreamWorks has created plenty of fascinating characters but Hiccup is widely regarded as its first teenage protagonist. Others before him, like Shrek and Po, were either adults or non-human characters with unclear ages. About 15 years old when the film started, Hiccup’s unlike anyone in his Viking village. Despite being the son of the mighty Stoick, he’s often ridiculed. But that’s precisely what makes this underdog’s story so endearing. We watch him grow from a terrified, awkward boy into someone who changed everything by daring to be different. Anyone who has looked into Hiccup’s voice actor will notice striking similarities between Hiccup and Jay Baruchel. It’s almost as if they’re one and the same, though Hiccup’s traits draw inspiration from others, too.
#8: Toothless’ Size Is Changed
To bring their ideas to life, Sanders and DeBlois had to do more than storyline changes. One of the biggest alterations they made is Toothless’ size and design. In the book, the Berk’s boys visit a dragon nest to find their dragons. After giving up his first, Hiccup ended up with Toothless- a green, iguana-sized dragon small enough to perch on his arm. For the film, the directors enlarged Toothless to make it more menacing, rideable, and rare. With their unique design, Toothless became a mix between a panther and salamander, and was also transformed into the Night Fury. Still, it retained those big, innocent eyes and a special bond with Hiccup that made their friendship so adorable.
#7: Toothless Is a Combination of Many Animals
The more you learn about Hiccup’s loyal companion and the creativity behind its creation, the more impressive it becomes. To design a creature that felt rare yet relatable, the animators let their imagination run wild. Look closely and you’ll notice that Toothless looks like a combination of a cat, giant salamander and panther, far from the traditional-looking dragon. At times, he even behaves like a dog. That’s because the animators drew inspiration from a variety of animals like horses, snakes, kangaroos, dogs and even more unusual ones. How cool is that? It’s no wonder Toothless is so unique and amazing, with that extra pet-like touch. Even more fascinating is the fact animators attended flight school to perfect its breathtaking flight sequences.
#6: The Touch Scene & Other Mistakes
Before Hiccup and Toothless formed their unbreakable bond, there was some level of distrust between the two. One of the most memorable moments reflecting their gradual bonding is the touch scene, where Toothless hesitates as Hiccup tries to touch him. This was actually an animation error, but since it worked so well, the filmmakers decided to keep it. Another powerful moment that began as an error is the scene where Hiccup celebrates capturing Toothless. As Hiccup approaches, the camera pans over Toothless’ closed eyes, which instantly open, creating a chilling yet beautiful shot. Also, the heartwarming “Gift of the Night Fury” scene, where Hiccup attaches a new tail for his buddy, came to life after an animator experimented with his own cat.
#5: Terrible Terror Inspired by a Dog
Toothless would’ve been a tiny, green-colored dragon if the directors hadn’t decided to make him larger. While he was spared from looking like a Terrible Terror, we still get to see these feisty, pint-sized pranksters in the film. They’re more of a nuisance and comic relief of the dragon world. Small but mighty, you don’t want to mess with them. Their yappy sound is spot-on Chihuahua, which makes sense, since that was the source of inspiration. The animal responsible for these troublemakers’ sound is none other than a Chihuahua named Paco, discovered by the film’s sound designer on YouTube. Allegedly, Paco was paid 100 dollars for lending its voice to the film. Isn’t that adorable?
#4: The Hippo Cameo
It’s not uncommon for franchises to drop cameos or references to other works, and DreamWorks did just that in “How to Train Your Dragon”. This Easter egg occurs during a really dark scene, so not everyone will catch the cameo of the hippo, Gloria. It happens during Astrid’s excursion on Toothless, when he suddenly joins a flock of dragons headed to the dragon’s nest. Among them, one deadly dragon bears what looks like a cow. But if you pause, you’ll see it's actually a hippo. The animators confirmed in the film commentary that it’s none other than poor Gloria from “Madagascar”. This subtle reference may raise questions whether HTTYD and “Madagascar” share the same universe, but it’s likely just DreamWorks’ way of keeping viewers intrigued.
#3: Directed & Written by “Lilo & Stitch” Directors
Before Sanders and DeBlois took the reins, “How to Train Your Dragon” was headed in a different direction, aiming for a more faithful adaptation. This would’ve resulted in a version that appealed mostly to a younger audience. But when Sanders and DeBlois came onboard, they changed the game, creating a film as heartwarming and rare as “Lilo & Stitch”. So, if you’ve ever wondered why Toothless resembles Stitch, it’s because the same creative minds worked on both films. The directors were part of Disney when “Lilo & Stitch” was released in 2002 but reportedly began working for DreamWorks in 2008. Now it makes sense why Toothless and Stitch share similar vibe and look- from their melon-shaped head and big eyes to their huge hearts.
#2: Astrid Is Different in the Book
One character that adds more depth to the story doesn’t really exist in the book. Well, she does, but under a different name, and her story arc is different. In the book, Hiccup has no clearly defined love interest. Instead, there’s Camicazi, one of Hiccup’s friends, who’s fierce and proud much like Astrid. She also owns Stormfly, just like Astrid. However, the directors chose to enrich Astrid’s character by giving her a stronger connection to Hiccup, which we must admit was a smart move. Her development aligns better with the film’s tone. It’s truly amazing how she evolves from Hiccup’ rival to his friend and eventually falls in love with him. The film simply wouldn’t feel the same without their bond.
#1: Hiccup the Dragonslayer
In this beloved animated film, dragons are initially seen as enemies, and the goal of the Vikings of Berk is to destroy them. Some tales, including Hiccup’s mom’s flashback, reveal a longstanding war between them. However, while many Vikings talk about wiping out these creatures, it’s Hiccup who can’t bring himself to harm one. This happens at the end of the first film, where Hiccup faces off against the terrifying Red Death. Though it’s Toothless’ fire that ultimately defeats the bad dragon, it’s Hiccup’s bravery that spurs them into action, making the victory possible. Together, both rider and dragon deserve credit for being the true heroes of the film.
What is the most heartwarming moment in “How to Train Your Dragon” films?
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