There are actually more similarities between Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon than you might think. Set in Hawaii, Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 and followed the story of an outcast girl called Lilo who befriends alien Experiment 626. This strange premise made it a standout film, and Stitch’s lovable personality has cemented the film’s notoriety as a Disney classic.
How to Train Your Dragon was released in 2010 and was based on Cressida Cowell’s book series. The DreamWorks movie followed teen outcast Hiccup as he formed an unlikely friendship with a dragon called Toothless. The success of both Lilo & Stitch and How To Train Your Dragon sparked various movies and shows. Yet, while the two animated movies are seemingly unconnected, there are actually many ways that How To Train Your Dragon copies Lilo & Stitch.
Toothless’ Design Was Based On Stitch
Dean DeBlois Confirmed The Inspiration
In 2018, How to Train Your Dragon’s co-director and co-writer Dean DeBlois confirmed that Toothless’ design was based on Stitch from Lilo & Stitch. In a post via X (formerly Twitter), DeBlois confirmed that “Toothless is based on a black panther, a salamander, and a touch of Stitch. Designed by Simon Otto and Takao Naguci.” He cited The Art of How to Train Your Dragon for more information.
It’s not hard to see why comparisons have been drawn between the two animated characters’ designs. They are completely different species, with Toothless being a quadrupedal dragon with an animal-like personality, and Stitch being an unknown bipedal creature with blue fur and sentience. Yet, Toothless’ large round eyes, wide jaw of sharp teeth, large pointed ears, and elephant-shaped clawed feet show that he has “a touch of Stitch” in his character design.
Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders Wrote And Directed Both Movies
The Creative Duo Were Responsible For Both Movies
Interestingly, the directors and writers also offer a connection between the two animated classics. Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders created Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, sharing writing and directing credits on both major picture films. What’s more is that Lilo & Stitch actually marked both DeBlois and Sanders’ directorial debuts.
|
Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders Movies |
Box Office |
|---|---|
|
Lilo & Stitch (2002) |
$273.1 million |
|
How to Train Your Dragon (2010) |
$494.9 million |
While the idea was created by Sanders (who also voiced Stitch), Lilo & Stitch was a joint venture between Sanders and DeBlois, and its success cemented their reputations in animation. Previously working on films like Mulan and Hercules, their directorial debut Lilo & Stitch allowed them to shine as a duo. Since then, Sanders and DeBlois have been longtime collaborators and were co-writers and co-directors once again with 2010’s How to Train Your Dragon.
Stitch & Toothless Crash Land In Their Respective Introductions
Lilo & Hiccup’s Friends Land With A Crash
After an exciting space battle sequence as Stitch escapes the United Galactic Federation, his hijacked space cruiser crash-lands on Kaua’i, Hawaii. The scene plays out comedically in Lilo & Stitch, as Lilo makes a wish on a “shooting star” (Stitch’s space cruiser), she says, “Maybe send me an angel, the nicest angel you have.” This immediately cuts to Stitch cackling maniacally as his ship burns behind him.
A similar scene plays out in How to Train Your Dragon for Toothless’ introduction. When Berk is once again ravaged by dragons, Hiccup tries his new dragon-catching device out. Hiccup sees the silhouette of a Night Fury, and shoots it down, making the dragon crash-land in the forest. This character introduction directly mirrors Stitch’s in Lilo & Stitch, especially considering what the characters grow to be for Lilo and Hiccup.
Hiccup & Lilo Are Both Outsiders
The Young Characters Don’t Fit Into Their Societies
As is often the case for the protagonists of animated movies, the main characters in Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon are both outcasts. Lilo is a strange child, raised by her struggling older sister, after the death of their parents. Lilo’s deadpan wit and bizarre ideas often get her in trouble, as seen when Lilo is late to rehearsal for feeding Pudge the fish who “controls the weather.”
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Similarly, Hiccup lost his mother in How to Train Your Dragon and was raised by his dad, Stoick. Unfortunately, his physical weakness and cowardice put him at odds with Berk, especially with his father. As a result, Hiccup tries hard to prove himself a capable dragon slayer, but his schemes often get him in trouble. Therefore, Lilo and Hiccup mirror each other, from outsiders to someone who finds a sense of belonging through newfound friendships.
Hiccup Sketches Toothless Like Lilo Sketches Stitch
Drawings Are Used In Both Films To Show Characters Changing
On a smaller level, How to Train Your Dragon copies minor things from Lilo & Stitch. When Lilo sets out to reform Stitch’s bad behaviours, she draws a sketch of him and colors him in to indicate his good and bad levels. Lilo’s sketch is pivotal to Stitch’s development as it shows clear progress in his character arc as he goes from bad to good.
This scene was pivotal in showing Toothless’ real nature, turning from aggressive to submissive (or “bad” to “good”) depending on where Hiccup stepped.
How To Train Your Dragon copies this concept when Hiccup draws Toothless in the cove, documenting the Night Fury’s form. Hiccup tries to connect with the dragon, but Toothless shies away. However, when Hiccup draws Toothless in the dirt, Toothless becomes interested and draws his own “sketch.” This scene was pivotal in showing Toothless’ real nature, turning from aggressive to submissive (or “bad” to “good”) depending on where Hiccup stepped.
Stitch & Toothless Become Less Aggressive As Their Movies Progress
Lilo & Hiccup Help To Tame Their Behaviors
Stitch was the product of illegal genetic experimentation by Dr. Jumba Jookiba, purposely designed to be an aggressive, near-indestructible creature. This is evident at the beginning of Lilo & Stitch, when Stitch escapes the United Galactic Federation and lands on Earth, causing destruction and chaos. However, Lilo’s teachings allow Stitch to become less aggressive as the film goes on, as he learns about “ohana.”
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How to Train Your Dragon’s test drive scene is a direct mirror of this as it shows Toothless changing from aggressive to submissive. Dragons are established as destructive and dangerous at the start of the film, when we see them attack Berk. This perception continues with Toothless, who bares his teeth and roars at Hiccup when they meet. However, just like Stitch, Toothless becomes much tamer over the course of the movie.
How To Train Your Dragon Copies Lilo & Stitch’s Drowning Scene
The Kid Rescuer Returns For Stitch & Toothless
With both Sanders and DeBlois working on Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, there are going to be similar scenes. However, the drowning scene is almost a direct copy. When Stitch goes surfing, he is knocked off the board by Jumba and Pleakley. Nani and David rescue Lilo from saving Stitch, whose molecular density causes him to sink, taking her back to the beach, before David goes back for Stitch.
In an iconic moment in How to Train Your Dragon, Toothless is trapped in a sinking boat at the dragon’s nest. While attempting to rescue the dragon, Hiccup starts to drown and is saved by Stoick, who carries his son to the shore before going back for Toothless. Both Stoick and David have reservations about the youngsters’ pets, yet their dedication to saving Stitch and Toothless proves how much they care.
Enemies Become Allies At The End Of Both Movies
Dragons & Aliens Become Accepted In Their Communities
From the beginning, aliens cause chaos in Hawai’i in Lilo & Stitch; Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley toe the line of discovery during their time on Earth, trying to hide their alien origins. Furthermore, the United Galactic Federation becomes an antagonist the more that Stitch bonds with Lilo and her family. Yet, by the end of the movie and in the Lilo & Stitch TV series, these alien characters become allies.
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Similarly, in How to Train Your Dragon, the dragons are introduced as predominant enemies of the Viking village, shown to be vicious beasts who attack their food sources and burn down buildings. However, as Hiccup learns more about the dragons through Toothless, we realise that there are more things at play. As such, by the end of the 2010 movie, dragons become widely accepted by Berk as pets.
Toothless & Stitch Both Perform Mid-Air Rescues
The Conclusive Battle Features A Similar Scene
During the spaceship chase scene at the end of Lilo & Stitch, while Stitch manages to escape, Lilo is still trapped on Gantu’s ship. Convincing Jumba and Pleakley to help, Stitch then performs a daring midair rescue, grabbing Lilo from the ship mid-flight before jumping and disappearing into a cloud of smoke. Fortunately, Stitch’s midair rescue works out, and Lilo and Stitch are seen safely perched on Jumba’s ship.
At the end of How to Train Your Dragon, when Hiccup finally manages to defeat the Red Death, Toothless’ prosthetic tail fin gets burnt.
At the end of How to Train Your Dragon, when Hiccup finally manages to defeat the Red Death, Toothless’ prosthetic tail fin gets burnt, causing Hiccup to lose control. As a result, Hiccup falls from Toothless’ mount into a cloud of fire and smoke, with Toothless diving after him. Like Lilo & Stitch, Hiccup is shown to be saved by Toothless on the beach of the dragon’s nest.
How To Train Your Dragon & Lilo & Stitch Both Got Live-Action Remakes In 2025
Sanders & DeBlois Returned For The Live-Action Movies
Considering the similarities between Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, it’s unsurprising that the live-action remakes have followed suit. Currently, 2025’s remake of How to Train Your Dragon is challenging Lilo & Stitch’s remake at the box office. Lilo & Stitch’s remake released on May 23, 2025, and How To Train Your Dragon’s remake released on June 13, 2025, mirroring the original animated movies’ release order.
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Interestingly, Dean DeBlois returned to produce, write, and direct the 2025 live-action of How to Train Your Dragon without Sanders. While Chris Sanders only returned to voice Stitch in Lilo & Stitch’s live-action, he also did so without DeBlois. Nevertheless, the creative duo are still responsible for creating the legacy of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon’s original animated movies in the first place.
Sources: X
