Directed and written by Dean DeBlois, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World wraps up the trilogy launched in 2010 by DreamWorks Animation. As the final chapter of Harold, Astrid, and Toothless’s adventures, this family-friendly animated film, released in cinemas on February 6, 2019, will be available for streaming on Netflix starting January 9, 2026. French voice actors include Donald Reignoux and Florine Orphelin. It marks the conclusion of a saga that has become an iconic part of contemporary animation.
Harold is now the leader of Berk, supported by Astrid, while Krokmou rules over the dragons. Together, humans and creatures are finally living in harmony in a bustling village, but the delicate balance begins to fray. The emergence of a new enemy intent on capturing the dragons, along with the discovery of a mysterious Lightning Fury, threatens this fragile peace, prompting Harold to consider leaving for a hypothetical "hidden world" believed to be home to his kin.
As Krokmou finds himself drawn to this elusive white dragon, the bond tying him to Harold is put to the test. The film explores a dual journey toward maturity: that of a chief learning to let go, and that of a dragon answering the call of the wild. Together, Vikings and dragons will face an unprecedented threat and come to terms with the fact that their destinies are no longer fully entwined.
Originally conceived as the concluding chapter of a trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World fulfills director Dean DeBlois's vision of showcasing a true coming-of-age story—transforming the awkward young Harold into a responsible leader. The film is brought to life by producers Brad Lewis (Ratatouille, Antz) and Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon series, Toy Story, Tarzan), supported by a revamped technical infrastructure at DreamWorks. The advanced rendering tool MoonRay enables unprecedented real-time lighting work, with shots featuring over 100,000 digital images and scenes populated with tens of thousands of dragons, coral reefs, and intricate background details.
The Lightning Fury, the new central character of this installment, underwent a detailed character design process. The animators drew inspiration from big cats to give her an appearance that's both sleek and fierce, combining elegance, agility, and danger—while steering clear of excessive anthropomorphism. The contrast between her instinct-driven behavior and that of Krokmou, who’s already accustomed to human presence, underscores the theme of conflicted loyalties. Visually, the film pushes the universe of Beurk and the hidden world to the limit, leveraging MoonRay technology to craft intricate scenes featuring fire, ice, and luminous effects with stunning finesse.
This third installment is geared towards the same family audience as its predecessors, but with a more melancholic tone and a deliberate emotional depth. Kids will once again enjoy the thrilling dragon races, breathtaking landscapes, and awe-inspiring creatures, while older viewers may see an allegory about separation, independence, and the closing of a golden chapter. The film works both as an epic fantasy adventure and as a heartfelt conclusion to the bond between a boy and his dragon, continuing the story from Dragons and Dragons 2.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World | Film | 2019
Released in theaters: February 6, 2019
Available on Netflix starting January 9, 2026
Animation, adventure, family | Duration: 1h44
Directed by Dean DeBlois | Starring Donald Reignoux, Jay Baruchel, Florine Orphelin
Original title: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Country of origin: United States
Final chapter in a series that launched nearly a decade ago, How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World wraps up the saga with a conclusion that’s both grand and heartfelt. Weaving themes of technological innovation, stunning visuals, and a story of parting, the film is crafted as the third act of a continuous journey, bringing the three installments together through the shared fate of Hiccup and Toothless.
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