where was httyd live action filmed
How to Train Your Dragon (HTTYD) live-action remake filming locations primarily centered in Northern Ireland, with additional shots in Iceland.
This 2025 release, directed by Dean DeBlois, transformed the animated Viking world of Berk into real-world landscapes after a brief delay from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Production kicked off in January 2024 at major studios like Titanic Studios and Belfast Harbour Studios, wrapping by May. The rugged cliffs, misty forests, and dramatic coastlines perfectly mirrored the franchise's epic feel, blending practical shoots with CGI dragons.
Core Filming Hubs
Northern Ireland served as the production's heart, offering unpredictable weather and natural beauty that DeBlois praised for authenticity.
- Tollymore Forest Park : Iconic mossy woods for Hiccup's first meeting with Toothless, providing an intimate, enchanted forest vibe.
- Dunseverick Castle : Towering stone ruins for tense Hiccup-Astrid talks, evoking ancient Viking strongholds.
- Murlough Bay : Caves, rock formations, and vibrant green hills for dragon flight scenes and family drama.
- Giant's Causeway : Basaltic columns for dramatic exteriors, a UNESCO site adding mythical texture to Berk's shores.
Studios handled village interiors and heavy effects, while exteriors roamed County Antrim for that raw, windswept island look.
Iceland's Epic Additions
Select sequences ventured to Iceland's otherworldly terrain, like Drangnir sea stacks, for sweeping aerials and dragon chases. These stark, volcanic landscapes amplified the sense of untamed wilderness Berk fans adore.
Fan & Forum Buzz
Reddit threads from r/httyd lit up with set photos as early as late 2023, sparking excitement and debates on live-action fidelity. Users shared on-site snaps of industrial-scale builds that later gleamed post-editing, while speculating on weather challenges. One post marveled at overcast shoots forcing creative lighting tweaks.
"This is really awesome! If possible, please capture more set photos later on :)" – Reddit fan on early set reveals
By mid-2025, post-release breakdowns trended, with travel sites pitching "Berk road trips" to these spots. As of early 2026, tourism to Giant's Causeway spiked among HTTYD enthusiasts.
Behind-the-Scenes Timeline
- Pre-Production (2023) : Strike paused plans; sets built amid fan skepticism from DeBlois' past remake critiques.
- Filming (Jan-May 2024) : Northern Ireland base, Iceland jaunts for variety.
- Post-Production : CGI layered Toothless into real forests and bays, revealed in summer 2025 trailers.
- Release (2025) : Global hit, boosting location visits into 2026.
These sites aren't just backdrops—they're pilgrimage spots now, where fans hike Tollymore trails imagining Hiccup's ingenuity unfolding amid the ferns. Multiple viewpoints from cast interviews highlight how Ireland's "wild soul" outshone green screens.
TL;DR : Mostly Northern Ireland (Tollymore, Dunseverick, Murlough Bay, Giant's Causeway) plus Iceland—stunning real-world Berk since 2024 shoots.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.