Behind the Scenes of How to Train Your Dragon 3's Epic Conclusion

The Making of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

The third and final installment in the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon franchise, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was released in early 2019 to critical and commercial success. After nearly a decade of films, fans were eager to see how the story of hapless Viking Hiccup, his fierce dragon Toothless, and the village of Berk would conclude.

Cast and Characters

Reprising their starring voice roles for the film were Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid, and F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel. New additions to the cast included Justin Rupple as Thor Bonecrusher and Julia Emelin as Griselda. But the true stars of the How to Train Your Dragon films have always been the extraordinary dragons, brought to colorful life through state-of-the-art computer animation.

Creating a Dragon-Filled World

The unique setting of the Viking village of Berk and its dragon utopia was integral to the Hidden World story. The animation team used incredibly detailed models and textures when creating the environments, right down to every blade of grass and scale on Toothless’ skin. They also relied on improved lighting techniques to create the film’s iconic sunset scenes.

Toothless: The Alpha Dragon

As Hiccup's best friend and dragon alpha, Toothless needed to convey complex emotions in The Hidden World. Animators carefully crafted hundreds of facial expressions and poses for Toothless through a process called rigging, allowing his model to flex and move like a real animal. Accentuating Toothless' giant green eyes was key to making the Night Fury dragon come alive.

Expanding the Dragons’ World

A highlight of The Hidden World was exploring new landscapes Never before seen dragon species were introduced, like the Hobgobbler with its entertaining trickster personality. Existing favorites also received visual updates to behave more realistically while keeping their iconic looks. The Light Fury dragon was a major new addition as a potential mate for Toothless.

John Powell’s Emotive Score

Composer John Powell returned to score The Hidden World, building on the rousing themes of the earlier films. He interweaved new Celtic and Nordic musical influences to evoke the world of Vikings and mythic beasts. The score tugs heartstrings in emotional scenes but also captures playful adventure during exhilarating dragon flight sequences.

Earning Critical Praise

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World received strong reviews from critics, especially for its gorgeous animation and poignant, satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. It is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 91% critic score. Audiences agreed, giving the film an equally high A CinemaScore. The film ultimately grossed over $520 million worldwide.

An Epic Trilogy Concludes

For devotees of Hiccup and Toothless, The Hidden World brought a fitting, bittersweet end to their underdog story across three blockbusters. Alongside the beloved central duo, the film was a showcase for state-of-the-art animation and visual effects. After nearly a decade, audiences said goodbye to this magical dragon realm, one that captured imaginations across generations.

FAQs

When did How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World release in theaters?

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was released in theaters on February 22, 2019 in the United States.

Who are the main voice actors in How to Train Your Dragon 3?

The main voice cast includes Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid, F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel, and Justin Rupple as Thor Bonecrusher.

What new dragon species appear in The Hidden World?

Notable new dragons included in the film are the Light Fury, a potential mate for Toothless, and the tricky Hobgobbler dragon.

Did How to Train Your Dragon 3 receive good reviews?

Yes, the film was praised by critics and audiences alike. It earned a 91% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore from fans.