Save the Cat rankings

How to Train Your Dragon script analysis

How to Train Your Dragon script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

How to Train Your Dragon follows young Hiccup’s journey from awkward apprentice to dragon hero. He struggles to fit into his warrior Viking culture but befriends the feared Night Fury, challenging his people’s beliefs. As he learns empathy and teamwork, he must prove dragons are friends, not foes, culminating in a battle against the Red Death. In the end, Hiccup unites his village and finds his place.

85 Save the Cat fit score 80% analysis confidence / 27 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

90%

Introduces the harsh, dragon-plagued world of Berk through Hiccup’s narration.

This, is Berk. It's twelve days North of hopeless, and a few degrees South of freezing to death.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 4 / Page 4 / 5% target

70%

Gobber’s teasing highlights Hiccup’s desire for recognition and hints at believing in one’s own potential.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-3 / Pages 1-3 / 10% target

90%

Establishes Hiccup’s place in Berk, his relationship with his father Stoick, and the annual dragon raids.

4

Catalyst

Scene 5 / Page 5 / 12% target

90%

Hiccup discovers the injured Night Fury instead of killing it, upending his goals.

I'm going to kill you, Dragon. I'm gonna cut out your heart and take it to my father....
5

Debate

Scene 6 / Page 6 / 20% target

80%

Hiccup protests dragon training, torn between his father’s expectations and his own doubts.

I don't want to fight dragons.
6

Break into Two

Scene 8 / Page 8 / 25% target

90%

Hiccup returns to the hidden cove and fully commits to understanding the Night Fury.

7

B Story

Scene 14 / Page 14 / 30% target

80%

Astrid confronts Hiccup and becomes his confidante, beginning the film’s emotional subplot.

I want to know what's going on. No one just gets as good as you do. Especially you....
8

Fun and Games

Scene 10 / Page 10 / 40% target

90%

Montage of training shows Hiccup’s cleverness and the film’s playful exploration of dragon taming.

Today is about teamwork. Work together and you might survive.
9

Midpoint

Scene 16 / Page 16 / 50% target

90%

Under the Northern Lights, Hiccup and Astrid discover the dragon nest, raising the stakes.

Alright I admit it. This is pretty cool. It's... amazing. He's amazing.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 18 / Page 18 / 65% target

80%

Hiccup’s final exam puts him at odds with villagers who expect him to kill Toothless.

Be careful with that dragon.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 19 / Page 19 / 75% target

90%

Stoick disowns Hiccup, seeming to destroy their relationship and Hiccup’s confidence.

I should have known. I should have seen the signs.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 20 / Page 20 / 80% target

80%

With Toothless chained and his world collapsing, Hiccup faces despair.

Set sail! We head for Helheim's Gate. Lead us home, Devil.
13

Break into Three

Scene 22 / Page 22 / 85% target

90%

Hiccup rallies fellow trainees to rescue Toothless and save his friend.

14

Finale

Scene 25 / Page 25 / 95% target

90%

Stoick and Hiccup lead the attack on the lair and confront the Red Death in a climactic battle.

When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose.
15

Final Image

Scene 27 / Page 27 / 99% target

90%

Berk celebrates a new era of harmony between dragons and Vikings as Hiccup plans to fly with Astrid.

It snows nine months of the year... and hails the other three.