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Does DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS Live Up to HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Quality?

Peacock/Hulu

Does DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS Live Up to HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Quality?

By Movieguide® Contributor

DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS is a DreamWorks production streaming on Hulu and Peacock. It is developed by Henry Gilroy and the main characters are voiced by Jeremy Shada, Ashley Liao, Marcus Scribner, Aimee Garcia, and Julia Stiles. Based on the How to Train Your Dragon movie franchise, DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS follows four children, brought by their parents to a research base on the edge of a huge fissure, as they uncover the truth about dragons and discover their hiding place.

DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS is set roughly 1000 years after the events of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD. Tom Kullerson, the son of a famous scientist and descendant of Vikings; Jun Wong, Kullerson’s best friend from childhood and a believer in magic; D’Angelo Baker, son of the head of security; and Alexandra Gonzalez, a very shy computer hacker, all meet when they are taken by their parents to a small research center on the edge of a new fissure caused by a comet. When receiving a tour of the facility, the children are informed that earthquakes and power outages are common throughout the base. Kullerson later breaks away from the group and goes to see at the fissure. While looking, an earthquake strikes and Kullerson sees a flash of light in the fissure. Later that night, he goes back to the fissure and discovers that the flash of light is a dragon whom he befriends, feeds and rides.

The next time he goes to visit the dragon, Jun follows him and together they begin to discover a hidden world full of dragons. Eventually, Alexandra and Baker find out, however, the four children keep their discovery a secret from their parents as they know that the dragons are valuable and believe that their discovery will lead to the enslavement and abuse of the creatures for profit. However, when a monstrous dragon places the whole base at risk, the children and the dragon’s they tamed must figure out how to save their families before it is too late.

While the original DreamWorks movies all contain strong moral worldviews, the series merits some caution. Jun uses tarot cards and regularly mentions Zodiac signs and ancient Chinese mythology. Additionally, DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS also incorporates elements of a humanistic, scientific worldview and reflects the belief that the physical world is all that exists. The existence and belief in magic may seem to contradict this, however some characters logically explain this through science. There are some positive moral values displayed throughout the series including friendship, honesty, loyalty, kindness, and the caring for and respect of creation. 

DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS is relatively void of violence and language issues; however there are some problematic behavioral and family issues. Kullerson, regularly goes against his mother’s instructions and gets himself into some very reckless, dangerous situations. Alexandra is secretly a computer hacker and hacks a corporations data base several times throughout the series. Baker has a habit of being slightly self-absorbed, pompous, and at times a little mean, specifically to Alexandra who appears to have social anxiety. These behavioral characteristics are stereotyped as being typical of teenagers. Additionally, most of the children’s parents are not active in their lives. All of them come from single-parent homes. The active parents, the ones that brought them to the fissure, regularly take phone calls or leave in the middle of conversations demonstrating that their work is more important to them than their children. As a result, the children are regularly upset or disappointed and are often left without supervision which allowed them to find the dragons in the first place.

While DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS may entertain young children, it falls short of achieving the same production quality and plot as that of the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON movies. The animation is simply adequate, the plot slow, predictable, and unengaging. It feels more like a forced sequel made simply for children to watch when they are bored, rather than being a quality, family-friendly addition to the franchise. As a result, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON fans will most likely be disappointment with this new installment. 

Because DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS has some minor questionable elements discretion is advised for older children and sensitive adults.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.