A third instalment in the HTTYD series is scheduled for release next year, and today brings an official title for the trilogy capper, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Loosely based on the Cressida Cowell children’s books of the same name, Dreamworks’ franchise has been critical and financial dynamite ever since the initial film was released way back in 2010. For those unfamiliar, it tells the story of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a scrawny teenage Viking who aspires to become a prolific dragon slayer, as is his tribe’s tradition. After finally striking down and immobilizing his first dragon, later named Toothless, he discovers that the fearsome fire-breathers aren’t as terrifying as they appear.
Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, How to Train Your Dragon went on to gross nearly $500 million worldwide and is a staggering 98% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, garnering the studio an Academy Award nomination in the Best Animated Feature category.
As a result, in 2014 Dreamworks released a sequel entitled, How to Train Your Dragon 2, which was also directed by DeBlois and Sanders. The computer-animated action fantasy follow-up surpassed its predecessor at the box office, earning $621 million, but took a bit of a tumble on its RT rating, currently sitting at 91%. It was also nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Animated Feature category.
Now, we’re getting a third installment and while not much is known about it just yet, that should start to change soon, as How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is set to fly into theaters on March 1st, 2019, after being delayed numerous times, and will supposedly close out the franchise. Fans needn’t worry, however, as director Dean DeBlois has already teased that there could be some spinoffs. As always, watch this space for more.
