What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHow to Train Your Dragon
Dean DeBlois · Film · 2025
If you loved How to Train Your Dragon, start with Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury (Tom Owens, 2011) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to How to Train Your Dragon across media.
What captivated you in How to Train Your Dragon is the profound, transformative connection that bridges the gap between human and beast.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury
Tom Owens · Film · 2011
Adaptation
DreamWorks Dragons
Chris Sanders · Series · 2012
Adaptation
Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers
Elaine Bogan · Film · 2014
Books on the same thread
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
Like the bond in How to Train Your Dragon, this tale centers on an unlikely hero who finds his courage during a perilous journey involving legendary, fire-breathing creatures.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Just as How to Train Your Dragon explores the intersection of childhood wonder and dangerous creatures, this story captures the emotional passage of a boy navigating his wild imagination.
Eragon
Christopher Paolini · Book · 2006
Shares a thread with How to Train Your Dragon: Coming-of-Age Fantasy.
If the dragon-rider dynamic in How to Train Your Dragon held your interest, you will appreciate this epic narrative centered on the deep, magical destiny shared between dragon and rider.
White fang
Jack London · Book · 1906
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Survival, Redemption.
The struggle to bridge the divide between man and nature seen in How to Train Your Dragon is echoed here in the complex, raw relationship between a wolf-dog and humanity.
Series on the same thread
DreamWorks Dragons
Chris Sanders · Series · 2012
Explores: Dragon Lore, Human-Dragon Friendship, Coming of Age.
This series directly expands upon the themes of human-dragon friendship and teamwork that made How to Train Your Dragon such a compelling exploration of growth and coming of age.
Dragons: Race to the Edge
Series · 2015
Shares a thread with How to Train Your Dragon: Dragon Riders.
Fans of How to Train Your Dragon will enjoy this continuation of the riders' journey, which further deepens the core themes of overcoming prejudice and the unique human-animal bond.
Podcasts on the same thread
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human-wildlife conflict, Apex predators, Biological survival.
While How to Train Your Dragon celebrates the harmony between species, this podcast offers a grounded perspective on the intense, real-world dynamics of human and apex predator interactions.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
Much like the group dynamics found in How to Train Your Dragon, this high fantasy adventure relies on the interplay of an unlikely team navigating a dangerous, mythical world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch How to Train Your Dragon and the related shorts?
You can begin with the 2025 How to Train Your Dragon film. Following this, you can explore the franchise through the 2011 movie Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury, the 2012 TV series DreamWorks Dragons, and the 2014 short film Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers.
Is How to Train Your Dragon based on the 2012 TV series?
The 2025 movie How to Train Your Dragon is a distinct production. While the 2012 TV series DreamWorks Dragons exists within the same franchise universe, the film serves as its own entry focusing on the initial bond between Hiccup and Toothless on the isle of Berk.
How long is the How to Train Your Dragon franchise content?
The franchise includes the 2025 How to Train Your Dragon film, the 2011 movie Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury, the 2012 television series DreamWorks Dragons, and the 2014 movie Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers. These titles provide an extensive look at the Viking and dragon conflict.
Should I watch Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury before How to Train Your Dragon?
It is recommended to watch the 2025 How to Train Your Dragon film first to understand the origin of the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. Once you have finished that, you can proceed to the 2011 movie Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury to see further adventures.