A question for those of you who have seen both of the "How to Train Your Dragon" movies. Do you need to see the first one for the second to make sense?

“I know that it is, essentially, a children’s movie”
Is that a bad thing?

I haven’t seen the second yet, but just based on the trailers and the bits my friends have spoiled makes it seem like it builds quite a bit off of what happens in the first.

You could always read a synopsis of the first movie and then go to the second one. That’s what I’d do. No point in seeing both if you don’t want to.

You see how he trains dragons in the first one. You also see his social situation.

You should really see the 1st one. It is well worth the time!

I have seen – and loved – the first one. I am asking because we are considering going this weekend with friends who haven’t seen it. I want to see it, but I wouldn’t want them to be lost.

@El_Cadejo – No. My implication was that sometimes in a children’s movie, it is less necessary to see the movies in order.

@RocketGuy – That is part of what I am wondering. Do the things that you mentioned need to be known to enjoy and follow the second movie?

@tedibear Not the good ones :P

I think it would be a good idea for them to familiarize themselves with the storyline of the first one, at thievery least, as it really sets the stage. Better, of course, if they see it.

I loved both of them. :-)

There is a lot of background on dragon training in the 1st that us taken for granted in the 2nd movie. Makes it more believable.

The first helps you understand the relationship between Hiccup (the boy) and Toothless (the black dragon) a lot better.

But come to think of it, it’s just a cartoon so they should be able to figure things out quite handily.

I don’t think it’s “just a cartoon”. In my opinion, both movies have depth. You can’t say that towards half of the movies released this year that are aimed towards adults.