Bringing a beloved story back to life is no easy feat, but the new How to Train Your Dragon live-action soundtrack proves it can be done with grace, heart, and unforgettable music. Composer John Powell, who defined the musical identity of the animated trilogy, returns to score the 2025 adaptation, premiering June 13. His latest work bridges past and present, blending familiar themes with fresh emotion.
In the original 2010 How to Train Your Dragon, Powell captured the spirit of flight and friendship with now-iconic compositions like “This is Berk” and “Test Drive.” These sweeping orchestrations helped earn him an Academy Award nomination and set a high bar for any future versions. With the live-action reboot, Powell meets the challenge head-on, reimagining beloved motifs and introducing a moving new piece: You Are My Homeward.
What makes John Powell’s new score feel both familiar and fresh?
In the new How to Train Your Dragon movie, audiences will recognize many musical cues from the original trilogy, but they come subtly reworked to suit the more grounded tone of live action. Powell himself explained in an Instagram interview, “If I’ve done my job right, people will think I haven’t done anything different at all. But there are a lot of differences going on.”
He artfully adjusted orchestration and tempo to evoke the deeper emotions at play in this new version. Characters like Hiccup (played by Mason Thames) and Toothless may be brought to life with real actors and CGI, but Powell ensures their emotional journey feels as soaring as ever. The soundtrack was released on June 13 across major digital platforms, including Apple Music, inviting listeners to relive their favorite moments and uncover the nuances Powell has added.
How does “You Are My Homeward” elevate the live-action ending?
The standout addition to the How to Train Your Dragon live-action soundtrack is undoubtedly You Are My Homeward, which plays during the film’s closing credits. This new composition channels the themes of reunion and emotional healing that define the story’s final act.
Hiccup and his dragon friends face incredible odds against the monstrous Red Death, but the aftermath is what truly resonates. As the characters ride into the sunset, the heartfelt strains of You Are My Homeward underscore their triumph and transformation. Powell described the song as capturing “the joy of flying” and “the joy of friendship” — sentiments that align perfectly with the saga’s core values.
Even long-time fans who know every beat of the story will find something new in Powell’s approach. The track’s placement at the end reinforces the idea that while the journey may be familiar, the emotions it stirs remain powerful and fresh. Its delicate blend of piano, strings, and woodwinds speaks volumes without a single word.
Does the live-action version stay true to the original’s emotional core?
Yes, and then some. The 2025 adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon remains largely faithful to the original plot, with a few deeper character developments. Hiccup’s strained relationship with his father Stoick (played by Gerard Butler, reprising his role) takes on more nuance, while Astrid (Nico Parker) emerges as a strong-willed leader with her own ambitions. Their dynamics are explored with greater depth, giving new weight to the story’s themes of acceptance and courage.
As Stoick lashes out over Hiccup’s alliance with Toothless, a supposedly dangerous Night Fury, the movie builds toward a climactic confrontation at the Dragon’s Nest. Hiccup and his fellow riders, including Snoutlout, join forces with their dragons to battle the Red Death — a moment scored with soaring intensity by Powell.
When the dust settles, it’s clear that the dragons and Vikings have crossed a threshold. Their future together is uncertain but full of promise. And as You Are My Homeward plays, the audience is invited to linger in that hopeful moment. It’s a graceful conclusion that reaffirms why this franchise continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
