Introduction
If you’re like most fans of How to Train Your Dragon movies, you might be confused about the order in which to watch these films. The franchise consists of three main films and several short films and series set in the same universe, which makes it challenging for viewers to determine how to watch them in the right order. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to watching How to Train Your Dragon movies in various orders, depending on the viewer’s preferences.
Chronologically Based Viewing Order
One of the most popular ways to watch How to Train Your Dragon movies is in chronological order, which means the movies are watched in the order of the events that happen in the story. In this case, the viewing order would be:
- Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014) – Short Film
- Dragons: Riders of Berk (Season 1, 2) (2012-2013) – TV Series
- Dragons: Defenders of Berk (Season 1, 2) (2013-2014) – TV Series
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (2015-2018) – TV Series
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Film
- Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury (2011) – Short Film
- Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014) – Short Film
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Film
- DreamWorks Dragons: The Series (Season 1-8) (2012–2018) – TV Series
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Film
Watching the movies in chronological order allows viewers to follow the story’s timeline, which could make the viewing experience more enjoyable. This order helps establish the characters and their relationships, provides more clarity on the storyline, and even helps fill in some gaps in the overarching plot. However, it might not reflect the intended narrative order and could lead to spoilers. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate this approach’s benefits and downsides before deciding to watch the movies in chronological order.
Tone Based Viewing Order
Another way of watching How to Train Your Dragon movies is in tone-based order. This order groups the movies based on similar themes, moods, and emotional tones. In this case, the viewing order would be:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Film
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Film
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Film
Watching the movies in tone-based order emphasizes the continuity of the story’s emotional arc. Each movie builds on the previous one, as the characters grow and mature over time. This order provides a coherent and satisfying experience for viewers who value emotional storytelling and character development. However, it might not be the best order for viewers who seek a more comprehensive and complex understanding of the entire franchise’s universe and historical events.
Release Date Based Viewing Order
The most straightforward approach for viewers to watch How to Train Your Dragon movies is in release date order, which means watching them in the order they were released in theaters. In this case, the viewing order would be:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Film
- Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury (2011) – Short Film
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Film
- Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014) – Short Film
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Film
Watching the movies in release date order could be helpful for viewers who want to experience the same sequence as most of the other fans have seen it. This order provides a basic understanding of the story’s evolution and progression. However, it might not reflect the creative intentions, especially if the story is told in a nonlinear way or has parallel timelines.
Character Based Viewing Order
Another way to watch How to Train Your Dragon movies is by character-based order, which means grouping the movies based on the significance of specific characters in the story. In this case, the viewing order would be:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Film
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Film
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (2015-2018) – TV Series
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Film
Watching the movies in character-based order gives viewers a better understanding of the main characters, their backgrounds, and relationships. This order provides a character-driven experience that captures the essence of the story’s emotional journey. However, it might not be the most effective way to understand the entire story’s historical background and cultural significance.
Theme Based Viewing Order
Another way to watch How to Train Your Dragon movies is in theme-based order, which groups the movies based on their overarching themes and motifs. In this case, the viewing order would be:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Film (Friendship, Trust)
- Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury (2011) – Short Film (Family)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Film (Family, Leadership)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Film (Acceptance, Love)
Watching the movies in theme-based order gives viewers a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of the franchise’s overarching ideas and motivations. This order helps viewers identify the foundational values of the franchise and how they develop and progress over time. However, it might not be ideal for viewers who prefer more straightforward and linear storytelling approaches.
Chronological Events Based Viewing Order
Lastly, viewers can watch How to Train Your Dragon movies in chronological events order. This means organizing the movies in the order of their historical events, regardless of their timeline sequences. In this case, the viewing order would be:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Film
- Dragons: Riders of Berk (Season 1, 2) (2012-2013) – TV Series
- Dragons: Defenders of Berk (Season 1, 2) (2013-2014) – TV Series
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (2015-2018) – TV Series
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) – Film
- Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury (2011) – Short Film
- Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014) – Short Film
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) – Film
- DreamWorks Dragons: The Series (Season 1-8) (2012–2018) – TV Series
Watching the movies in chronological events order helps viewers understand the franchise’s historical context and the events that led up to the “present” of the story. This order provides a unique and creative way of storytelling that emphasizes the story’s historical richness. However, it might not be the most accessible way to follow the story from a narrative structure standpoint.
Conclusion
The most essential thing to remember while deciding on the order to watch How to Train Your Dragon movies is to choose the approach that aligns with your viewing preferences and goals. Each viewing order has its benefits and downsides, depending on what the viewer seeks to gain from the story. As such, we recommend evaluating each method’s pros and cons before choosing the best viewing order for you. Whatever your choice, enjoy the ride, and have a fantastic time getting lost in the magical world of How to Train Your Dragon.