Top 10 Easter Eggs In How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

By the time How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World hit theaters in 2019, DreamWorks Animation had built a franchise that was as emotionally resonant as it was visually stunning. Serving as the conclusion to the trilogy, the movie wrapped up the journeys of Hiccup, Toothless, and the people of Berk with a deeply satisfying sense of finality. While the story leaned into themes of change, leadership, and letting go, it also raised the bar for world-building within the How To Train Your Dragon universe.

What truly sets The Hidden World apart, however, is how richly it expands the franchise’s lore and continuity. From subtle callbacks to earlier installments to nuanced character development, the film is packed with Easter eggs that reward longtime fans. These hidden details don’t just reference the past – they show how far the world has come. Whether it’s evolving architecture, expanded mythologies, or quiet character revelations, The Hidden World isn’t just a finale, it’s an Easter egg-filled celebration of everything the How To Train Your Dragon franchise has built.

Berk Has Grown

Viking Society Continues To Evolve

Berk in How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

From a humble Viking village plagued by dragon raids to a bustling hub of human-dragon coexistence, Berk’s transformation is front and center in The Hidden World. Under Hiccup’s leadership, the once-rough settlement has evolved into a thriving, vertical metropolis where dragons and humans live together in harmony. This growth isn’t just architectural; it reflects years of cultural development driven by the radical idea that dragons aren’t enemies, but partners.

This Easter egg is more than just background detail, it’s a visual representation of Hiccup’s legacy. The introduction of dragon-riding technology, new building designs to accommodate dragon flight, and even agricultural advancements suggest that Berk has fully embraced its dragon-friendly identity. It’s a direct result of Hiccup’s commitment to peace, knowledge, and innovation. The village’s prosperity speaks volumes about the time that has passed since How To Train Your Dragon 2, showing that Hiccup’s efforts have paid off on a grand scale. Berk is no longer just surviving, it’s flourishing.

Gobber’s LGBTQ+ Representation

Viking Society Is Open-Minded

Gobber talks to Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon

One of the more subtle yet significant Easter eggs in The Hidden World is Gobber’s same-sex attraction, which appears to be directed toward Eret. The seeds for this were planted in How To Train Your Dragon 2, where Gobber made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it comment about why he never married. In The Hidden World, his affection for Eret is played with a touch of humor but also sincerity, continuing the thread of LGBTQ+ representation in the franchise.

While it’s never made explicitly central to the plot, Gobber’s character provides an important nod to inclusivity within the How To Train Your Dragon world. His feelings are treated with normalcy and respect, fitting organically into the narrative without relying on stereotypes or dramatic reveals. In a fantasy setting where dragons soar and worlds remain hidden, seeing human stories evolve with authenticity is its own kind of magic. Gobber’s quiet journey of self-expression adds emotional depth to a character who’s often played for laughs, and gives the franchise an extra layer of progressive storytelling.

How To Train Your Dragon Gobber

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John Powell Strikes Again

The Legenday Composer Leaves His Mark

hidden-world-toothless

How to Train Your Dragon has an outstanding score for an animated movie thanks to composer John Powell, and The Hidden World continues this fine tradition. Nothing about the music is understated, but it definitely hits home in the last act of the movie. The score helps perfectly bookend the series, especially since the last 15 minutes or so only contain tracks from the first How To Train Your Dragon movie. With the ending of the film dedicated to a final flight between friends, good luck keeping the tears at bay with “First Flight” blasting over the speakers.

John Powell has been the musical heartbeat of the How To Train Your Dragon franchise from the very beginning. A renowned composer known for his work on animated films like Kung Fu Panda and Shrek, Powell brought sweeping, orchestral emotion to every moment of Hiccup and Toothless’s journey. The Hidden World features yet more musical genius from Powell, with a score that blends familiar themes and new motifs into a stirring final chapter. His music doesn’t just accompany the action, it elevates it, becoming as iconic as the dragons themselves.

Hiccup’s Understanding Of Dragon Biology

The Viking Genius Still Has More Tricks Up His Sleeve

Hiccup Being Fireproof

By the point in the How To Train Your Dragon timeline that The Hidden World begins, Hiccup’s understanding of dragon biology has become impressively advanced. This isn’t just academic knowledge – it’s practical, too. One of the standout examples is his invention of fireproof armor, designed using materials that mimic or withstand dragon fire. It’s a clever fusion of science and survival, showing how deeply Hiccup has studied his fire-breathing companions. His technological innovations are born from empathy and curiosity, further emphasizing the bond between humans and dragons.

As was established in the first How To Train Your Dragon movie, dragons’ scales are fireproof while their innards are not. However, viewers didn’t really see that aspect applied in classic Hiccup flare until The Hidden World. It was insinuated that Hiccup was already using dragon scales to create his armor, but it’s specified better in The Hidden World. He even makes Toothless’s new tail fin out of the scales Toothless sheds. Crushing them into a paste (with the addition of Night Fury saliva), he uses the mixture as paint and then has Toothless set the liquid with fire.

Toothless Is Still The Last Night Fury

A Romantic Interest Doesn’t Undo The Franchise’s Established Lore

Toothless and a light fury in How To Train Your Dragon The Hidden WOrld

It’s a little fuzzy on the relationship between Night Furies and Light Furies, but make no mistake: the Night Furies are gone. Grimmel hunted them all – but not the Light Furies. In fact, there is a family of Light Furies living in the Hidden World. What’s more, despite being a different species, Toothless can breed with his Light Fury girlfriend. The babies are shown to be something of a crossbreed, and this was an ingenious way of introducing a new stage in Toothless’ life without undoing the importance of his species.

Toothless might find love in The Hidden World, but that doesn’t change his status as the last known Night Fury. His bond with the Light Fury leads to the birth of dragon offspring, but these hatchlings are hybrids—part Night Fury, part Light Fury. It’s a hopeful sign for the future, but also a poignant reminder: Toothless is truly one of a kind. While the next generation hints at new beginnings, it also marks the end of an era. The legacy of the Night Furies lives on, but Toothless remains the final purebred member of his mysterious and powerful species.

Stoick’s Words Of Wisdom

Gerard Butler’s Leader Left A Lasting Legacy

Stoick and Hiccup

Despite dying in How To Train Your Dragon 2, Gerard Butler’s Stoick the Vast is a huge part of the story of The Hidden World without truly being there. A series of flashbacks throughout the film, including the family after Valla’s dragon abduction, keep his legacy alive. Probably the most touching scene is watching Stoick break down, letting himself be emotional when no one is looking. And instead of telling Hiccup to not show such weakness or deny crying, he addresses the sadness of losing Valla in a way young Hiccup can understand. He then goes on to explain that he holds onto the good memories of Valla.

Stoick’s presence is deeply felt throughout The Hidden World just as strongly as the likes of Hiccup and Toothless. Flashbacks featuring Stoick help guide Hiccup’s growth as a leader, offering words of wisdom that resonate long after his passing. These moments aren’t just emotional callbacks -they’re essential narrative tools that show how Stoick’s ideals still shape Berk’s future. His legacy isn’t just in Hiccup’s memories; it lives on in every choice his son makes, every innovation he builds, and every peace he protects. Stoick’s influence is immortal, anchoring the trilogy’s emotional core.

Happy Snoggletog!

The TV Show Tie-Ins Get A Big Screen Nod

Snoggletog!

If you remember the How to Train Your Dragon Christmas special, Gift of the Night Fury, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Unlike a majority of franchises that overlook their tie-in series, The Hidden World fondly looks back on where it’s been. Considering the Netflix series bent over backward to remain canon with the films, they dedicated an episode to Stoick releasing his Thunderdrum so he could train the Rumblehorn seen in How to Train Your Dragon 2; it’s nice to see the films do the same.

Toothless needs an automatic tail fin in order to pursue the Light Fury of his dreams. So Hiccup builds it. Again. Instead of overlooking the entire storyline of the special, Astrid and Hiccup have a brief conversation about it. Not only is it a nice little nod to the expanded continuity, but it’s used as a character development moment. Toothless never had a reason to leave Hiccup. Now, he has a reason to be more independent.

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Drawing Lessons

Like Rider, Like Dragon

Toothless Drawing

Many of the best How To Train Your Dragon Easter eggs in The Hidden World are those that remind viewers the franchise has come full circle – and Toothless trying to woo the female Light Fury with a drawing is a prime example. Throughout the series, Hiccup is shown as immensely creative and an unconventional thinker. Viewers never saw the same with Toothless, but The Hidden World makes it clear he shares this personality trait with his rider.

To impress the Light Fury in How To Train Your Dragon: The Thidden World, Toothless’s final move is drawing a picture of her. This ploy works and grabs the Light Fury’s attention. She ends up stepping on the lines, which is a big no-no for Toothless, but unlike Hiccup, she doesn’t stop. The symbolism for the original drawing scene was the avoidance of breaking the rules by bending them. There were hard and fast lines between Vikings and dragons, so our intrepid duo had to find a way around them.

Hiccup Saves Toothless

Same Climax, Different Circumstances

hiccup-httyd

Every part of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World takes such care and consideration to fully bookend the trilogy. Much like Toothless gaining the attention of the Light Fury with a drawing in the dirt, the final moments of The Hidden World contains a clear callback to the first How To Train Your Dragon movie. The climax of The Hidden World ends with a fall, just like the original. However, things are a little different this time, which also highlights how the franchise has grown emotionally.

Instead of a dragon and a human opposing a dragon, The Hidden World sees Hiccup nearly meet his end during a fight between a dragon and a human opposing a human. It’s up to Hiccup to make the call, not Toothless. As they fall, Hiccup tells the Light Fury to “Save him,” save Toothless, repaying the favor. Just to reinforce the point, Hiccup detaches his leg. Thankfully, Light Fury saves them both and viewers were treated to a happy ending.

Forbidden Friendship

All Good Things Must Come To An End

hiccup-astrid

If the first How To Train Your Dragon movie was a hello, The Hidden World is a goodbye, and it’s all the more emotional for it. Viewer’s last moments between present-day Hiccup and Toothless are an understanding of parting ways. Audiences are treated to a slow-motion shot of Hiccup pulling his hand away from Toothless’s snout with the “Forbidden Friendship” track playing over it. Toothless then leaves with the Light Fury and the other dragons for the Hidden World. Hiccup fully takes up his chief title and marries Astrid.

However, just because the iconic dragon and his rider part ways doesn’t mean the story is truly is at an end. One more time, the movie includes that hand-to-snout contact between Toothless and Hiccup, though this time decades in the future. After years of being apart, Toothless needs a refresher. Hiccup has a beard and grey hair. While their adventures may be over, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World shows their friendship will never die.

How to Train Your Dragon The Hidden World Poster

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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

PG

Animation

Adventure

Action

ScreenRant logo

8/10

8.8/10

Release Date

February 22, 2019

Runtime

104 Minutes

Director

Dean DeBlois

Writers

Cressida Cowell, Dean DeBlois

Prequel(s)

How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Christopher Mintz-Plasse

    Christopher Mintz-Plasse

  • Headshot Of Jonah Hill

    Jonah Hill

Franchise(s)

How to Train Your Dragon

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