10 Best How to Train Your Dragon Characters, Ranked
How to Train Your Dragon is one of DreamWorks’ most loved animated franchises, and its characters are the reason it has lasted. The films and series give Berk a cast of teenagers, parents, mentors and twins who are funny, flawed and deeply loyal to one another. This list counts down ten of those characters, from the boy who befriends a Night Fury to the rival who never quite stops trying to prove himself.
Each entry explains who the character is, why they rank where they do and why fans still talk about them. The list covers the core Viking cast and the dragon riders around Hiccup, so you can see how each character fits into the village of Berk and its wider story.
The franchise works because its characters grow. Teenagers learn to lead, parents learn to let go and rivals learn to trust, and the dragons often reflect those changes. That balance of humour and feeling is why the cast still feels fresh across the films and series.
Here is how I ranked them. I looked at how central each character is to the story, how strong their arc is, how distinct their personality is and how often fans bring them up. Some entries are heroes at the heart of the story, while others are supporting riders who make every scene funnier or more moving.
Streaming rights change, but UK viewers can currently find the animated film on Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema. Check the live listing before you watch, as availability can change.
Think of this list as a starting point rather than a fixed rulebook. If your favourite character is ranked lower than you would like, that is fine. The goal is to give you a clear route through Berk and the riders who call it home.
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The cast also rewards a second look because the characters often surprise. The brave rider is also scared, the joker has a serious side and the strong leader struggles with his own choices. Read on for the ranking, starting with the rider who grows most across the films and counting down to Hiccup, the boy at the heart of the story.
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What Makes the Berk Cast Work?
The best characters in How to Train Your Dragon have a clear want. Hiccup wants to prove he belongs, Astrid wants to be respected as a warrior, and Stoick wants to protect his village. The writers give each of them a reason to act, which makes the friendships and rivalries easy to follow. You can read more about the franchise on Wikipedia.
The dragons matter too. Each rider is paired with a dragon whose personality reflects their own, and those pairings give the characters new ways to show who they are. That is why a rider and a dragon often feel like one unit on screen.
How the Characters Grow Across the Films
The first film introduces Hiccup as an outsider who builds a bond with Toothless. Astrid, Gobber, Fishlegs and the twins fill out the training class, and Stoick anchors the village. The early story is about proving yourself, and each character’s place in the group is shaped by their skills and their doubts.
The sequel widens the family story. Valka returns as Hiccup’s long-lost mother, and Stoick’s fate reshapes the village. Drago’s threat forces Hiccup to grow into a leader, and the riders must trust each other more than ever. The characters are the same, but their stakes are much higher.
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How to Choose Your Next Watch
Start with the character you love most. If you want a heart-led story, begin with Hiccup and Toothless. If you want comedy, start with the twins and Snotlout. The film overviews on IMDb and the franchise page on Wikipedia are useful if you want to check where each character appears.
Then think about your mood. Some characters are best enjoyed as quick comic beats, while others need the full film to land. You can also explore Explore This Amazon Offer for more ways to stream the films while you decide.
10. Snotlout Jorgenson
Snotlout arrives as the rider who wants everyone to notice him. He boasts about his strength, jumps into danger before thinking and treats Hiccup’s growing reputation as a challenge. Hookfang, his Monstrous Nightmare, is just as fiery and stubborn, so their first scenes together turn training into a contest of wills.
The comedy works because Snotlout’s confidence is larger than his actual skill. He can be careless and jealous, especially when Hiccup earns the respect he craves, but the films and series also show a rider who will fight beside the group when the danger is real. His swagger is a defence against feeling overlooked.
Hookfang gives Snotlout a partner who refuses to be controlled by bluster. Their bond improves as Snotlout learns that trust matters more than showing off, and the dragon’s mischievous streak often exposes the softer side he tries to hide. That push and pull makes him more than a one-note bully or joke.
Why this character ranks at #10: Snotlout brings a distinctive comic energy and a satisfying hint of growth, but the story gives him fewer defining emotional turns than the riders ranked above him.
Who should watch: Viewers who enjoy loud, competitive characters whose bravado gradually gives way to loyalty.
Where to watch: UK listings for the 2010 animated film currently include Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema. Check the live listing before watching, as streaming rights change.
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9. Tuffnut Thorston
Tuffnut is one half of Berk’s unpredictable twin act, alongside his sister Ruffnut. They share Barf and Belch, a two-headed Hideous Zippleback, and every flight seems to become a disagreement about which head, twin or idea should be in charge. Tuffnut is fearless enough to make a bad plan sound like a brilliant one.
His humour comes from how sincerely he commits to nonsense. Tuffnut charges into danger, ignores sensible advice and treats a ridiculous scheme as though it has been carefully tested. Yet that recklessness does not mean he lacks courage: when the riders face a genuine threat, he stays with the group and is willing to take risks for them.
The relationship with Ruffnut gives his jokes their rhythm. They bicker constantly, but their shared history lets them anticipate each other and coordinate with Barf and Belch in ways outsiders cannot. Tuffnut’s odd inventions, dramatic confidence and willingness to play along with his sister make him an unusually memorable supporting rider.
Why this character ranks at #9: Tuffnut earns his place through comic timing, visual gags and a strong twin-and-dragon partnership, although his personal story remains lighter than the arcs above him.
Who should watch: Fans of absurd comedy, sibling banter and characters who turn every plan into a spectacle.
Where to watch: UK listings for the 2010 animated film currently include Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema. Check the live listing before watching, as streaming rights change.
8. Ruffnut Thorston
Ruffnut is the bolder, sharper half of the Thorston twins, and she has little interest in behaving as the village expects. She shares Barf and Belch with Tuffnut, so her best scenes often involve negotiating with her brother as much as coordinating with a dragon that has two heads and two opinions.
She thrives on mischief and danger, but Ruffnut is not simply Tuffnut with a different voice. She is quick to recognise an opening, enjoys getting a reaction from the other riders and can use her apparent chaos to unsettle people who underestimate her. Her confidence keeps the group’s training scenes lively and stops the twins’ comedy from becoming predictable.
The wider franchise lets Ruffnut’s social life become another source of comedy. Snotlout and Fishlegs compete for her attention, while her encounters with Eret add a new dynamic to the group. She responds to romance with the same intensity she brings to dragon-riding, which gives her a distinct comic point of view.
Why this character ranks at #8: Ruffnut edges above Tuffnut because she has a more individual presence in the group’s rivalries and relationships, while still delivering the chaotic twin humour fans expect.
Who should watch: Viewers who like mischievous heroines, eccentric sibling pairs and humour built around strong personalities.
Where to watch: UK listings for the 2010 animated film currently include Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema. Check the live listing before watching, as streaming rights change.
7. Fishlegs Ingerman
Fishlegs is the thoughtful dragon expert of Hiccup’s group. He knows the creatures’ habits, strengths and weaknesses, and that knowledge often gives the riders a useful answer when brute force will not work. He flies Meatlug, a sturdy Gronckle whose calm, affectionate nature makes a good match for his gentler personality.
His interest in dragons is more than a running joke about facts and food. Fishlegs watches closely, remembers details and treats each species as a creature to understand rather than an enemy to defeat. That outlook supports Hiccup’s approach and helps the younger riders make safer choices as they encounter unfamiliar dragons and threats.
Fishlegs also gives the ensemble warmth. He can be nervous or overlooked beside the louder riders, but he keeps contributing through observation, patience and loyalty. Meatlug’s unusual abilities prove that a dragon does not have to be fast or fearsome to be valuable, and their partnership helps Fishlegs trust his own strengths.
Why this character ranks at #7: Fishlegs is one of Berk’s most dependable team members, and his knowledge deepens the franchise’s dragon lore, though he has fewer central turning points than the characters above him.
Who should watch: Fans of gentle, intelligent characters, creature lore and friendships based on patience and trust.
Where to watch: UK listings for the 2010 animated film currently include Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema. Check the live listing before watching, as streaming rights change.
6. Valka
Valka enters the story in How to Train Your Dragon 2 as Hiccup’s mother, believed lost since he was a baby. Years among rescued dragons have made her an expert rider and a fierce defender of the creatures. Her home is a hidden sanctuary, a place built around the peaceful life she could not find in Berk.
Her reunion with Hiccup is emotional because they recognise the same curiosity in each other. Valka understands why her son rejects the old Viking habit of treating dragons as enemies, but she also carries the pain of the years she missed. Their connection gives Hiccup a new sense of where his instincts came from.
Valka’s return also forces the family to face an unfinished history. She and Stoick must meet again after decades apart, while the threat from Drago tests whether her knowledge and compassion can protect the dragons she has gathered. Cate Blanchett gives Valka quiet authority, making her feel experienced without turning her into an all-knowing guide.
Why this character ranks at #6: Valka expands the family story and the world of dragon-riders in a major way, but she arrives later in the trilogy and has less screen time than the central original cast.
Who should watch: Viewers drawn to family reunions, capable older heroines and stories about protecting misunderstood creatures.
Where to watch: Valka’s story begins in the 2014 sequel. Check UK streaming listings for that film separately; availability can differ from the 2010 original.
5. Gobber the Belch
Gobber is Berk’s blacksmith, dragon trainer and one of Stoick’s closest friends. His workshop is where Hiccup learns practical skills, while the training ring is where the village’s teenagers are expected to become dragon-killers. Gobber understands the old rules, but he also sees that Hiccup’s inventive mind can be useful.
His mentorship is built from blunt advice, dry humour and genuine care. Gobber does not always know how to encourage Hiccup gently, yet he gives him tools, instruction and room to make mistakes. The prosthetic devices he uses himself also make him a natural guide for a boy who learns to adapt after his own injury.
Gobber’s loyalty to Stoick gives him a place in the adult story as well as the youth ensemble. He can offer a joke when the village is tense, then step into danger when his friends need him. The short The Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon gives him a rare adventure of his own and shows how his tall tales shape the way the others see him.
Why this character ranks at #5: Gobber combines comic relief with practical mentorship and steadfast loyalty, giving the younger riders a bridge to Berk’s older generation.
Who should watch: Fans of gruff mentors, found-family dynamics and supporting characters who quietly hold a community together.
Where to watch: Gobber appears throughout the animated films and series; check UK listings for each title, since the films and television episodes may be on different services.
4. Stoick the Vast
Stoick is the formidable chief of Berk and Hiccup’s father. He has spent years leading a village under attack from dragons, so he sees strength, tradition and decisive action as ways to keep people alive. That history explains why he struggles to understand a son who is physically slight, inventive and reluctant to fight.
The first film gives their relationship room to change. Stoick initially treats Hiccup’s approach to dragons as a threat to Berk, but he eventually sees the Night Fury through his son’s eyes. Their reconciliation matters because it is not a sudden personality switch: Stoick has to admit that his certainty has been hurting the person he wants to protect.
In the sequel, the family story grows when Stoick is reunited with Valka. Their affection returns quickly, but the danger around them leaves little time to recover the years they lost. Stoick’s final decision to protect Hiccup makes his strength feel different from the forceful leadership he showed at the start: it becomes an act of love and sacrifice.
Why this character ranks at #4: Stoick’s arc gives the trilogy its strongest parent-child conflict and one of its most affecting losses, even though Hiccup and Toothless remain its central point of view.
Who should watch: Viewers who want a moving father-and-son story, complicated leadership and a parent learning to listen.
Where to watch: Stoick’s arc spans the animated trilogy. Check UK streaming listings for each film, as availability can vary by title.
3. Astrid Hofferson
Astrid begins as the strongest competitor in Hiccup’s dragon-training class. She is disciplined, ambitious and used to winning through hard work, so Hiccup’s sudden rise challenges everything she thinks she knows about him. When she discovers his secret visits to Toothless, she could expose him, but instead she listens and sees the dragon for herself.
That choice changes her relationship with Hiccup without making Astrid less formidable. She remains direct, practical and fiercely capable, yet she becomes the person who can challenge him honestly and still stand beside him. Stormfly, her Deadly Nadder, matches her quick reactions and precision, giving Astrid a dragon partnership that feels earned through skill.
Across the sequels, Astrid moves beyond being the tough girl in the group. She supports Hiccup’s leadership while making her own decisions, and she steps up when the riders face Drago’s forces. Her confidence includes vulnerability: she can be proud of Hiccup, disagree with him and imagine a future with him without losing her own ambitions.
Why this character ranks at #3: Astrid is a compelling action hero with a genuine emotional arc, and her bond with Hiccup and Stormfly gives the ensemble a steady, independent centre.
Who should watch: Fans of skilled heroines, relationships based on mutual respect and friendships that deepen into romance.
Where to watch: Astrid appears across the animated trilogy and television stories. Check UK listings for the particular film or series you want.
2. Toothless
Toothless first appears as a feared Night Fury caught in one of Hiccup’s traps. Instead of killing him, Hiccup frees the dragon and gradually discovers that the injury to his tail has left him unable to fly normally. Their early friendship is built through patience: Hiccup observes, offers food and makes a prosthetic fin that lets them take to the sky together.
Toothless communicates through posture, eyes, chirps and bursts of mischief rather than words. His curiosity and playful reactions make him feel like a distinct character, not a mount, while his power keeps every flight exciting. The bond is mutual: Hiccup helps Toothless fly, and Toothless gives Hiccup the confidence to imagine a life beyond Berk’s old rules.
The sequels let Toothless grow into a leader. His confrontation with Drago’s Alpha shows how much responsibility comes with his strength, and his connection with the Light Fury creates a future that Hiccup cannot choose for him. Their goodbye in The Hidden World is affecting because love now means trusting each other enough to live apart.
Why this character ranks at #2: Toothless is the franchise’s most expressive dragon and the emotional partner at the heart of its defining friendship, but Hiccup’s choices carry the wider human story.
Who should watch: Anyone who loves expressive animal characters, wordless comedy and friendships that change both people involved.
Where to watch: Toothless features across the animated trilogy and series. Check UK listings for each title, as streaming availability differs.
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1. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
Hiccup begins as the awkward son of Berk’s chief, a boy who wants his father’s respect but cannot match the village’s idea of a strong Viking. He builds tools and weapons because his mind works faster than his body, then changes the course of his life when he chooses to free the Night Fury he has brought down. That decision becomes the moral turning point of the first film.
His friendship with Toothless teaches Hiccup to question what Berk believes about dragons. He does not win by becoming the strongest fighter; he succeeds by observing, listening and inventing a way for a dragon with an injured tail to fly. When he loses part of his leg in the final battle, the prosthesis he uses makes his own adaptation visible and keeps the victory from feeling effortless.
The sequels test the empathy that first made Hiccup different. He must face Drago’s force, grieve Stoick and take on the responsibilities of leadership without becoming a copy of his father. By The Hidden World, he understands that loving Toothless also means accepting that the dragon’s future may lead away from him.
Why this character ranks at #1: Hiccup has the fullest transformation, from insecure outsider to chief, and his choices connect the trilogy’s themes of compassion, invention, family and letting go.
Who should watch: Fans of underdog heroes, inventive problem-solvers and coming-of-age stories with emotional stakes.
Where to watch: Hiccup leads the animated trilogy and several television stories. Check UK listings for each title, as films and series can stream separately.
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Why the Riders Feel Like Family
The riders of Berk share a training ring, a village and a set of rivalries that feel real. They tease each other, argue and sometimes fail, but they also show up for one another when it matters. That mix of rivalry and loyalty is why the group feels like a family rather than a class of students.
The dragons deepen those bonds. Each rider is paired with a dragon whose temper and skills reflect the rider’s own, and the pairings often reveal something new about the people on their backs. Watching the riders learn to trust their dragons is one of the franchise’s quiet pleasures.
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Final Thoughts
The characters of How to Train Your Dragon show why the franchise still matters. Hiccup’s growth, Toothless’s loyalty and the riders’ friendships give the stories their warmth and humour. If you are new to the franchise, start with the first film, then move on to the sequel to see how the cast grows.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the main character in How to Train Your Dragon?
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is the main character. At the start, he is an inventive but awkward teenager who feels out of place in Berk and wants his father’s approval. Finding Toothless changes how he sees dragons and his own community. Across the trilogy, Hiccup grows into a leader by using curiosity, empathy and problem-solving rather than trying to become the strongest Viking.
Who is Toothless?
Toothless is a Night Fury, a rare and powerful dragon who becomes Hiccup’s closest companion. Hiccup frees him from a trap, then designs a prosthetic tail fin so they can fly together after Toothless’s injury. The dragon communicates through expression and movement, which gives their friendship much of its warmth. Later, Toothless becomes a leader in the dragon world and has to choose a future of his own.
Who is Astrid?
Astrid Hofferson is one of Berk’s most skilled young riders and Hiccup’s partner. She begins as his fiercest rival in dragon training, but when she discovers his secret friendship with Toothless, she listens instead of exposing him. Astrid stays competitive and direct while becoming one of Hiccup’s most trusted allies. Her bond with Stormfly and her willingness to act independently make her more than simply the hero’s girlfriend.
Who is Stoick the Vast?
Stoick is Hiccup’s father and the chief of Berk. Years of defending the village from dragons make him strong, decisive and protective, but those same beliefs stop him from understanding his son at first. Their relationship changes when Stoick sees that Hiccup’s way of approaching dragons can save the village. His reunion with Valka and his sacrifice in the second film give his story its most emotional turns.
Who is Gobber?
Gobber is Berk’s blacksmith, dragon trainer and one of Stoick’s closest friends. He teaches the young Vikings practical skills and becomes a gruff but caring mentor to Hiccup. Gobber’s own prosthetic devices help him understand how adapting can be a source of strength, not shame. His dry humour lightens tense scenes, while his loyalty to the village and its people gives him a meaningful role beyond comic relief.
Who is Valka?
Valka is Hiccup’s mother, who was presumed lost when he was a baby. She has spent years among dragons she rescues and protects, becoming an experienced rider with a hidden sanctuary of her own. Her reunion with Hiccup reveals how closely his empathy mirrors hers. Seeing Valka and Stoick meet again also gives the second film a family story about grief, separation and the possibility of finding one another again.
Who rides Hookfang?
Snotlout Jorgenson rides Hookfang, a Monstrous Nightmare whose fiery temper suits his rider’s boastful personality. Their relationship is entertaining because Hookfang is not simply a creature who obeys every order: he has his own moods, stubbornness and mischievous streak. Snotlout has to earn cooperation rather than rely on confidence alone. That dynamic brings out his comic side while showing why trust matters between a rider and a dragon.
Who rides Barf and Belch?
Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston share Barf and Belch, a two-headed Hideous Zippleback. The dragon’s divided attention suits the twins’ constant bickering, but it also means they must coordinate if they want to fly well. Their partnership turns family arguments into comic action and gives the dragon a distinctive presence among Berk’s riders. The twins are chaotic, yet their shared history makes them an unusually effective team.
Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon in the UK?
UK streaming rights can change, and the three animated films may not all be available on the same service at the same time. Current listings for the 2010 animated film include Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema, but check a live UK search before subscribing or renting. Also confirm whether a listing covers the animated original, a sequel, the series or the live-action version.
What makes Fishlegs and Meatlug such a strong team?
Fishlegs and Meatlug work well because both are underestimated at first. Fishlegs is gentle and bookish, but his careful knowledge of dragon behaviour often helps the group find a solution that strength alone cannot provide. Meatlug is sturdy, affectionate and capable of surprising bursts of power. Together, they show that a good rider-dragon bond grows through observation and patience, and that quiet strengths can be just as important as speed or aggression.
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