9 Best Stoick the Vast moments across the How to Train Your Dragon franchise

How to Train Your Dragon is a franchise led by director Dean DeBlois. He envisioned it through DreamWorks Animation as a coming-of-age saga and a nuanced exploration of friendship and acceptance. It’s quite literally an emotional epic anchored by music and a layered, timeless tale. Stoick the Vast is the chief of the Hooligan tribe, father to Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, and Valka’s husband. Stoick has been envisioned by director DeBlois as a symbol of old ways and the weight of tradition. He happens to be a father torn between duty and love, and a man capable of growth and change.

Here is a list of 9 Best Stoick the Vast moments from the live action of How to Train Your Dragon.

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Saving Toothless in How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

The animated movie series deals with several complicated and emotionally driven themes, one of them being the divide between father and son. This particular theme is explored extensively through the characters Stoick and Hiccup. The first HTTYD movie sets the foundation for this perfectly. Although not a typical Viking, Hiccup still tries to earn the approval of his father and the rest of the villagers. Hiccup is too different from everyone else, and his efforts lead to nothing fruitful—often yielding disastrous outcomes. Stoick’s firm belief in traditional ways clashes with his son’s reckless nature.

Although Stoick is quite pissed with Hiccup for his betrayal and even disowns him, there comes a slight pause in the moment when Stoick realizes what he has done. Instead of reconsidering his decision, Stoick moves forward anyway toward what he believes is certain death, and Hiccup sets off on a mission to rescue his father. But instead, he ends up almost drowning in the process, with Toothless trapped and muzzled. Stoick steps up and saves his son as well as Toothless. After this incident, Stoick apologizes to Hiccup. Although it doesn’t fix everything, it still cements Stoick’s role as a good and responsible father.

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Stoick’s reconciliation with Valka in How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

In the second edition of the animated movie series, Stoick realizes that Valka is still alive. While she expected Stoick to be furious at her for abandoning her family and living among the dragons, Stoick didn’t say anything rude to her. Instead, he seemed extremely happy and even told her that he found her just as beautiful as the day he lost her—and then kissed her. Stoick went on to rekindle his love with Valka by singing their song, “For the Dancing and the Dreaming.” He then asked Valka to accompany him back to Berk, to which she agreed. Stoick ended his fight with Drago to save Valka from his Bewilderbeast, unwilling to lose her again. This solidified Stoick’s role as a good husband.

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Pride of Berk in How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Stoick isn’t necessarily always the proud father of his son’s achievements. Their little exchange after the whole “saving Toothless” episode in the first movie is extremely important. There comes an emotionally driven and crucial point in the father-son relationship in HTTYD 2 when Stoick finally starts recognizing Hiccup as a capable ruler for the tribe.

Throughout the movie, Stoick struggles to come to terms with Hiccup’s absolute reluctance to step into his role as chief. Stoick genuinely wants to see his son ascend the throne and take charge as the leader. However, Hiccup has different plans and is still contemplating whether or not he’s best suited for the job.

The turning point comes when the father-son duo is reunited with Valka, and Stoick witnesses Hiccup’s courage, passion, and leadership qualities while confronting Drago Bludvist. In their final confrontation with Drago—after Toothless attacks under the Alpha’s control—Stoick officially acknowledges Hiccup as the rightful future leader of Berk. He does so not because Hiccup fits the mold Stoick had once imagined, but because Hiccup has proven himself through wisdom, heart, and integrity. Stoick shines as a father yet again.

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Catching and throwing a boulder in How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

In How to Train Your Dragon 2, released in 2014, Stoick catches a boulder fired from a catapult and throws it back—showcasing his immense strength. This particular scene takes place during the initial battle when Drago Bludvist’s army attacks Valka’s dragon sanctuary. Just as the fortress of ice begins to collapse under attack, Stoick displays incredible Viking strength. When a giant boulder crashes toward him and the other Vikings, Stoick catches it mid-air and hurls it aside, clearing the way for his people. This scene is a visual reminder of why Stoick is referred to as “Stoick the Vast”—not just in stature, but in strength and courage.

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Stoick’s support of Hiccup’s dragon training in How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

In the movie How to Train Your Dragon, for the most part, Stoick is deeply opposed to the idea of befriending dragons. Stoick firmly believes that dragons are the enemies of the people of Berk and is frustrated with Hiccup for not fitting the perfect mold for the chief of Berk. However, during the final battle with the Red Death, Stoick realizes that Hiccup’s decision to partner with dragons, rather than fight them, is what saves Berk. After Hiccup risks his life to defeat the Red Death with Toothless, Stoick helps free Toothless from the wreckage and proudly tells Hiccup that he’s proud to call him his son. In the film’s final scenes, we find Stoick standing alongside Hiccup and other Vikings as they ride dragons. This shows that Stoick now supports Hiccup’s dragon training and vision of human-dragon friendship. This sheds light on the transition Stoick goes through—from being a warrior chief bound by traditions to a wise leader who’s willing to change his ways.

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Lifting a fallen pillar, How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

The scene where Stoick is seen lifting a fallen pillar happens in the first movie of the trilogy. During the final battle against the Red Death, after the giant dragon crashes to the ground in flames, the aftermath leaves debris and wreckage everywhere. Stoick finds Hiccup and Toothless trapped beneath a massive piece of the fallen structure—something resembling a broken pillar or part of the Red Death’s lair. In a powerful moment of both desperation and strength, Stoick lifts the heavy debris off them in an attempt to free his son and Toothless. It underscores Stoick’s physical strength and reaffirms the reason he is referred to as “Stoick the Vast.” More importantly, it shows his love and absolute fear for Hiccup’s life. All of Stoick’s earlier harshness or disappointment disappears in that moment; all that matters is his son.

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Stoick’s flashbacks and memories – fatherly moment in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Throughout the movie, Hiccup recalls Stoick’s advice in key moments when he struggles with leadership and the decision to protect Toothless and Berk. The key flashback is when Stoick teaches a young Hiccup that with love comes loss, and that it’s part of the deal. Sometimes it hurts, but it all becomes worth it in the end. He lets his son know that there is no greater gift than love. Stoick goes on to explain his desire to find a ‘Hidden World’—a safe place where dragons could live freely, away from those who might hurt them. These memories guide Hiccup toward his ultimate decision to let Toothless and the dragons go, fulfilling both Stoick’s dream and ensuring the safety of the dragons.

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The moment Hiccup lets Toothless go in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, (2019)

When Hiccup releases Toothless into the Hidden World, the emotional strength to do so comes from Stoick’s teachings about love, loss, and responsibility. In that moment, Hiccup honours his father’s wisdom by putting Toothless’s well-being ahead of his own desires. Stoick’s flashbacks serve as the emotional anchor of Hiccup’s journey. His dream of the Hidden World is fulfilled through his son. Stoick represents the heart of what Hiccup is fighting for—love, peace, and the courage to let go.

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The emotional weight of Stoick’s legacy in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Even though Stoick isn’t physically present in the third installment of the trilogy—having died in How to Train Your Dragon 2—his absence is deeply felt. He looms large in Hiccup’s life and choices throughout The Hidden World. His values, sacrifices, and the physical symbols of his leadership constantly remind Hiccup and the audience of what it truly means to lead and protect. Hiccup often carries Stoick’s axe and keeps elements of his armour and crest in his chief’s quarters. These items are more than heirlooms; they symbolize the weight of leadership that Hiccup feels on his shoulders. Stoick’s legacy is deeply important in the third film, keeping him at the emotional centre of the story, even in his absence.