WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Read at your own risk.
The first three films of How to Train Your Dragon proved to be a success. The movie was meant to be a trilogy, completing the adventures of Hiccups and Toothless. But, because of the success of the franchise, many fans were hoping that How to Train Your Dragon 4 will still happen.
Despite the demand, it looks like How to Train Your Dragon 4 isn't on the plan anymore. Director Dean DeBlois already made it clear that the third movie, The Hidden World, is the final installment of the franchise. Although it's a bittersweet way to say goodbye to the characters, they think it's the right way.
The entire trilogy has been directed by DeBlois. In 2014, he revealed that he was able to talk with DreamWorks about wanting How to Train Your Dragon 4. However, by the end of the third installment, Hiccup and Toothless's story reached a satisfying ending.
The movie is based on the children's books of Cressida Cowell, consisting of 16 novels. There are still a lot of materials to be mined for further films. Yet, it's clear that DeBlois' statement implies that we won't be getting a fourth installment, at least for the foreseeable future.
The third movie ended with a happy and satisfying noted. While the main storyline has been properly wrapped up, the jump forward in time leaves a chance for more stories. The story shifts a few years into the future, showing grown-up Hiccup and Astrid; married and have their own kids.
They went on a journey together to the entry point of the Hidden World. There, the two saw Toothless with the Light Fury and baby dragons of their own. The movie concluded with the mature versions of Hiccup and Toothless, leaving the door open for How to Train Your Dragon 4.
But, even if the plan will push through, we can't expect the fourth movie to come on the big screen anytime soon. Animated movies often take a long time to develop, write, and produce. There's a four-year gap between the first two films, while five years between the second and third.
This pattern might be followed in How to Train Your Dragon 4. A lot of works are needed to be done first before officially releasing it. If ever, we can expect the moving arriving in 2023. But considering the current situation, the premiere could be later than that.
Meanwhile, the first film grossed $494.8million, while the second one grossed $621.5million. The third movie didn't, reportedly, make the same amount of money as the first two. Still, it performed well in the box office, generating about $519.9million.
