Dragons
A great pick
Ages 6–13First shown 2012
Taking place between How to Train Your Dragon and HTTYD 2, DreamWorks Dragons follows Hiccup as he tries to keep balance within the new cohabitation of Dragons and Vikings. Alongside keeping up with Berk's newest installment—A Dragon Training Academy—Hiccup, Toothless, and the rest of the Viking Teens are put to the test when they are faced with new worlds harsher than Berk, new dragons that can't all be trained, and new enemies who are looking for every reason to destroy the harmony between Vikings and Dragons altogether.
Our verdict
- Good influence 5/5
- Parent appeal 4/5
- Well made 4/5
Reviewers describe the series as a high-quality expansion of the franchise that successfully maintains a mature tone and sophisticated emotional core. It is highly regarded for its positive messages about teamwork and resilience, as well as its impressive musical score and visual production.
Why these scores
Good influence
Does it show behaviour you'd be happy to see copied?
5out of 5
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the show for its depiction of courage, teamwork, and the importance of empathy toward others and animals. It is particularly noted for its positive portrayal of disability and its focus on improving communication between parents and children. While one review felt the characters were foolish and ignored parental advice, the vast majority of commentary highlights mature growth and strong moral examples.
Parent appeal
Will you enjoy watching it with them?
4out of 5
Many adults find the series genuinely engaging due to its dramatic depth, mature humour, and high-quality action sequences. While a few critics feel the show is mostly for dedicated fans or lacks the depth of the original films, most parents and even adults without children enjoy the world-building and emotional stakes.
Well made
Are the writing, animation and sound made with care?
4out of 5
The production quality is widely considered excellent, with particular acclaim for the cinematic orchestral score and the inclusion of original voice actors. Most reviews describe the animation as detailed and lush, though some viewers note that it occasionally falls short of the high-budget feature films or relies on episodic formulas.
Watch-outs
Overstimulating: not enough data
We haven't found enough independent sources to say yet.
Toy-led: not enough data
We haven't found enough independent sources to say yet.
Grating audio: not enough data
We haven't found enough independent sources to say yet.
Where to watch
Stream for free
- Not that we know of
Stream with a subscription
Rent or buy
DVD and Blu-ray
Streaming availability from Watchmode.
Last updated 18 October 2026.