How To Train Your Dragon Teaser

All images: Universal

I don't know about you, but I've loved the How To Train Your Dragon animated movies from the first time I saw them. They are wonderful stories with endearing characters and beautiful animation. And now, Universal is making a live-action version. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Here's the official synopsis from Universal: 

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (Nico Parker) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding. 

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader. 

The film also stars Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur.

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters on June 13, 2025.

Holiday Treats At Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom

All images: Disney

There are so many holiday sweets and treats at Disney World this year that it would be complete sugar overload to taste them all. But it would be fun to try! Here are the tempting treats you can find at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. 

Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary

• Linzer Cookie Mousse Torte: Layers of hazelnut cake, raspberry-blackcurrent mousse, raspberry jam, and sweet snow-dusted Linzer cookie 🎄❄️

Backlot Express

• Gingerbread Cheesecake: Gingerbread cheesecake on a vanilla cookie topped with milk chocolate ganache, dulce de leche whipped cream, gingerbread chocolate décor, gold crispy pearls, and holiday sprinkles 🎄❄️

Dockside Diner

• Red Velvet Holiday Milk Shake:  Red Velvet Milk Shake swirled with Chocolate Sauce topped with Whipped Cream, Rainbow Sprinkles, and a Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie 🎄❄️

Rosie’s All-American Café  

• Coquito Wreath Cupcake: Coquito custard-filled vanilla cupcake topped with coquito buttercream, chocolate bow, gold crispy pearls, and rainbow sprinkles 🎄

The Trolley Car Café

• Winter Spice Mini Whoopie Pie: Spice cake filled with orange buttercream and cranberry-raspberry jam topped with a candied orange peel, cranberry, holiday sprinkles, sweet snow, and a plant-based chocolate tree 🎄🥕

Woody’s Lunch Box

• Hot Cocoa Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate fudge filling, hot chocolate-marshmallow fondant, and mini marshmallows ❄️

Outdoor Vending Locations

• Holiday Mickey Brownie: Chocolate brownie with holiday sprinkles  

Animal Kingdom

Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus

• Snack for Santa: Chocolate chip cake, edible cookie dough, milk mousse, chocolate chip cookie, buttercream, and Christmas sprinkles ❄️🎄

🎄 - New

❄️ - Available November 8 - January 4

🥕 - Plant-based 

"Popular" - Wicked

Universal

There are just a few more days before Wicked (Part One) arrives in theaters. So here's a clip of Ariana Grande singing "Popular" in the film. It looks, and sounds, pretty amazing.

 

Wicked (Part One) arrives in theaters on November 22nd. 

A Haunted Mansion Christmas Tree?

Every year, there dozens of decorated Christmas trees appear in Disney Springs as part of the Christmas Tree Stroll. Each tree has a theme: a movie, a ride, or a Disney property. Last year, one of my favorite trees was the Haunted Mansion tree. It featured a full size bride and a wedding cake (with a headless groom of course) tucked into its branches. 

The Boy and the Octopus

Disney

This Disney short is the most unexpected of Christmas stories. When a little octopus becomes attached to a young boy on vacation, they discover an unlikely friendship that will bring them both Christmas joy.

Thunderbolts*

Marvel

The latest trailer for Marvel's Thunderbolts* looks absolutely hilarious. That's quite the group of misfits Valentina's assembled. I can't wait to see what trouble they get up to.

Thunderbolts* arrives in theaters on May 2, 2025.

It Is Nearly Time For Mufasa's Tale To Be Told

All images: Disney

The final trailer for Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King has arrived. The story of Mufasa's rise to power looks like a rather dark adventure. And this trailer introduces the new villain, Kiros.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, "Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

Mufasa: The Lion King arrives in theaters on December 20th.