This is how you end a trilogy. The Hidden World doesn't try to be bigger or louder than its predecessors—instead, it goes deeper, tackling the genuinely difficult question of what it means to protect the things you love, even when that means letting them go.

The animation is breathtaking (seriously, the Hidden World itself is worth the price of admission), and the story earns its emotional beats. Yes, the ending will wreck you, but in the best way—it's sad because it matters, not because it's manipulative.

This is a rare animated film that trusts kids to handle complex emotions and doesn't undercut its message with a cheap reversal. Hiccup grows up, takes responsibility, and makes a hard choice. That's legitimately enriching content wrapped in a gorgeous, entertaining package.

The only real knock is that it's the third in a series, so you really need to have watched the first two (which you should, because they're excellent). But as a conclusion? Chef's kiss.