How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: How to Train Your Dragon
Director: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
Released: 2010
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 7.9

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.

Rated PG • 2010 • 1h 38m

Directed by Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

7.9

10K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

How to Train Your Dragon follows Hiccup, a young Viking who defies his village's tradition of dragon-slaying by befriending a legendary Night Fury dragon named Toothless. This animated adventure received a PG rating primarily for intense action sequences and some scary, creature-focused imagery. Parents should be aware of themes involving parental disapproval, peril, and the loss of a limb. While generally lighthearted, the film is… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Jay Baruchel

Gerard Butler

Craig Ferguson

America Ferrera

Jonah Hill

Christopher Mintz-Plasse

T.J. Miller

Kristen Wiig

Robin Atkin Downes

Philip McGrade

Kieron Elliott

Ashley Jensen

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Is How to Train Your Dragon appropriate for kids?

Content severity in How to Train Your Dragon

Sex None 0/10

Violence Moderate 4/10

Language Mild 2/10

Substances Mild 1/10

Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in How to Train Your Dragon, moment by moment

0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
0:25 🍷 Substances 1/10

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Sex and nudity in How to Train Your Dragon

There is no sexual content in this film.

Violence and gore in How to Train Your Dragon

The film features stylized action-cartoon combat throughout, including dragon raids, arena training, and mid-air battles. While there is no blood, characters face significant peril, and Hiccup suffers the loss of his lower leg during the finale. We have applied the animation violence modifier for these encounters, as they are non-humanoid in nature and feature exaggerated cartoon stakes.

Language in How to Train Your Dragon

Language is very mild. A character makes a passing reference to 'breast' in a joke, and one character uses the phrase 'all hell is going to break loose' before a battle.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in How to Train Your Dragon

There are brief scenes depicting Vikings celebrating with large mugs of ale, implying alcohol consumption.

Mature themes in How to Train Your Dragon

The story deals with complex emotional themes, including a child seeking a father's approval, the consequences of war, and the trauma of physical injury. The initial death of a parent is alluded to, and there is a central conflict regarding whether dragons are pests or creatures worthy of empathy.

Scary moments in How to Train Your Dragon

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for How to Train Your Dragon yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is How to Train Your Dragon appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests How to Train Your Dragon is best for ages 7+. It's rated PG. How to Train Your Dragon follows Hiccup, a young Viking who defies his village's tradition of dragon-slaying by befriending a legendary Night Fury dragon named Toothless. This animated adventure received a PG rating…

What age rating does How to Train Your Dragon have?

How to Train Your Dragon is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 7+.

What is How to Train Your Dragon about?

Is there sex or nudity in How to Train Your Dragon?

There is no sexual content in this film.

How violent is How to Train Your Dragon?

Is the language in How to Train Your Dragon appropriate for kids?

Language is very mild. A character makes a passing reference to 'breast' in a joke, and one character uses the phrase 'all hell is going to break loose' before a battle.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in How to Train Your Dragon?

There are brief scenes depicting Vikings celebrating with large mugs of ale, implying alcohol consumption.

What mature themes appear in How to Train Your Dragon?

How long is How to Train Your Dragon?

How to Train Your Dragon runs 98 minutes, directed by Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, released in 2010.

Where can I read the full How to Train Your Dragon parent guide?

Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.