When is 'How to Train Your Dragon' Live-Action Streaming on Peacock? Will it be on Disney Plus?

Sep 10, 2025

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is set to soar onto Peacock starting October 10, 2025, giving fans a thrilling new way to revisit the epic tale of Hiccup and Toothless while addressing whether this Universal blockbuster will ever land on Disney Plus.

Universal Pictures' How to Train Your Dragon has captivated audiences since its June 13 theatrical debut, blending stunning CGI dragons with heartfelt storytelling in a faithful adaptation of the 2010 animated classic. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original trilogy, the film stars Mason Thames as the inventive Viking teen Hiccup and features Gerard Butler reprising his role as Chief Stoick the Vast.

With its mix of high-flying action, emotional depth, and family-friendly appeal, the remake has quickly become a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers eager to know when How to Train Your Dragon live-action streaming hits Peacock and if Disney Plus will ever join the fray.

Here's the TLDR on the key details:

Streaming Confirmation: The movie arrives on Peacock October 10, 2025, about four months after theaters—right on track with Universal's typical rollout for hits like Twisters and The Fall Guy.
Box Office Buzz: It grossed $632 million worldwide, topping the franchise's previous high and ranking as 2025's fifth-biggest film, thanks to a record $84.6 million domestic opening.
Lilo & Stitch Ties: Both originals were co-directed by DeBlois and Chris Sanders, sharing themes of unlikely friendships between misfits and misunderstood creatures—Stitch the alien and Toothless the dragon.
Disney Plus Outlook: No, it won't stream there; as a Universal production, it stays exclusive to Peacock initially, then shifts to Prime Video after four months.
Sequel Scoop: How to Train Your Dragon 2 live-action is locked for June 11, 2027, with DeBlois returning to expand Hiccup's adventures.

Streaming Timeline and Rollout

The film's journey from screen to streaming mirrors the soaring flights of its dragons. After a blockbuster run that saw it dethrone Disney's Lilo & Stitch remake at the box office, Universal confirmed the Peacock drop for October 10. This timeline aligns with industry patterns for NBCUniversal titles, allowing theaters to maximize earnings before home viewing kicks in. Digital rentals hit platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV on July 15, followed by physical Blu-ray on August 12, building hype for the full stream.

Critical and Audience Reception

The movie itself recaptures the magic of Cressida Cowell's book series and the animated hit, where Hiccup defies Viking traditions by befriending the rare Night Fury, Toothless. Live-action elevates the visuals: Toothless' expressive eyes and fluid movements pop in photorealistic CGI, while practical sets in Northern Ireland ground the fantasy. Critics praise its 77% Rotten Tomatoes score for balancing nostalgia with subtle updates, like deeper Astrid moments played by Nico Parker. Audiences love it even more at 96%, calling it a "breath of fresh air" among remakes.

Box Office Dominance

Box office-wise, How to Train Your Dragon didn't just fly—it dominated. Opening to $84.6 million domestically (the franchise's best), it hit $632 million globally against a $150 million budget, outpacing the original's $494 million. This makes it DreamWorks' top earner and the second-highest live-action/animated hybrid ever, only behind The Jungle Book (2016). Strong international legs in markets like Mexico ($24.5 million) and China ($23.2 million) fueled its success, proving family epics still rule summer.

Lilo & Stitch Connections

Its connection to Lilo & Stitch adds intriguing layers. Both 2002 Disney and 2010 DreamWorks films share co-directors DeBlois and Sanders, who infused similar vibes: an outcast kid bonds with a "monster" (Stitch's chaotic alien energy mirrors Toothless' initial menace), leading to themes of acceptance and family. Sketching scenes—Lilo drawing Stitch, Hiccup sketching Toothless—highlight growth, while "ohana" echoes Berk's evolving community. The 2025 live-action remakes even competed at the box office, with Dragon toppling Stitch after three weeks at No. 1, both proving remakes can thrive if faithful.

Streaming Availability on Disney Plus

As for Disney Plus, don't hold your breath. Universal's deal keeps How to Train Your Dragon on Peacock for the first four months of its pay-TV window, then 10 months on Prime Video, before looping back. Disney+ focuses on its own IPs, so this DreamWorks tale stays firmly in NBCUniversal's ecosystem—no crossover plans announced.

Sequel Plans

Looking ahead, sequel fever is real. Universal greenlit How to Train Your Dragon 2 pre-release, eyeing June 11, 2027. DeBlois returns to direct, adapting the 2014 Oscar winner where adult Hiccup discovers his mother's dragon sanctuary and faces warlord Drago Bludvist. Expect Thames and Parker back, with hopes for Cate Blanchett as Valka. DeBlois teases tweaks for more depth, like expanded Astrid arcs, while keeping the emotional core—though he's "terrified" of recapturing the original's heart. A third film could follow, but talks are early.

Whether you're rewatching for the dragon flights or prepping for more Berk adventures, October 10 marks the perfect streaming launch. This remake doesn't just retrain dragons—it reignites a franchise for a new era.

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