For years, mason thames was a young actor quietly trying to land the role that could change everything. Then The Black Phone happened. After that came Hiccup, romance movies, horror sequels, and a remarkable run of major releases. Today, Mason Thames is only 19, yet he already has another How to Train Your Dragon movie ahead, two comedies arriving in August 2026, and a role in the expanding John Wick world.
Who Is Mason Thames?
Mason Thames is an American actor from Texas.
He became widely known for playing Finney Blake in The Black Phone. He later became an even bigger name as Hiccup in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
His career has moved very quickly.
In only a few years, he has worked in horror, comedy, romance, fantasy, television, and action.
That variety appears to be important to him.
In a 2025 Teen Vogue interview, Mason said he wanted to show that he could play many kinds of characters instead of becoming known for only one role.
How Old Is Mason Thames?
Mason Thames was born on July 10, 2007.
That makes him 19 years old as of August 2026.
He celebrated his 19th birthday on July 10, 2026.
Mckenna Grace marked the day by sharing a video in which the two performed a song together, bringing fresh attention to their close friendship and the long-running rumors about their relationship.
It can feel surprising that Mason is still only 19.
He has already led several major studio movies and has been acting professionally since childhood.
Where Was Mason Thames Born?
Reliable biographical information lists Mason’s birthplace as Dallas, Texas.
He was raised in McKinney and attended school in the Prosper area.
However, readers may also see articles describing him as growing up in Austin.
This does not necessarily mean one story is false.
A detailed Teen Vogue profile says he spent important parts of his childhood in Austin and described his family life there.
The simplest way to understand it is this:
He was born in Dallas and has strong family and childhood ties across Texas.
What Was Mason Thames Like Before Acting?
Movies were already important to Mason when he was very young.
He told Teen Vogue that he regularly went to the movies with his father.
Those trips became special time for the two of them.
He was also fascinated by what happened behind the camera.
Instead of only watching movies, he watched behind-the-scenes videos and director commentaries.
As a child, he made little movies with friends and family using an iPad and simple editing software.
That may help explain why acting became more than a temporary childhood hobby.
He loved the full process of telling a story.
Was Mason Thames a Ballet Dancer?
Yes.
Before his movie career became serious, Mason studied ballet for about four years.
He began because of his sister Brooke, who later became a professional ballerina.
Mason has explained that ballet helped him discover how much he enjoyed performing onstage.
He did not necessarily fall in love with ballet itself.
He fell in love with performing.
That early dance training may also have helped with body movement, balance, and the physical work later required in movies such as How to Train Your Dragon.
Who Are Mason Thames’ Parents?
Mason has spoken warmly about his family, but they are not public celebrities.
That means their privacy should be respected.
In his Teen Vogue profile, Mason said his father works in real estate.
He also described his mother as highly supportive of his acting career.
One story shows just how involved she was.
When Mason auditioned for The Black Phone, his mother bought a red pay phone online and painted it black so he could use it during his audition.
That audition changed his life.
Did Mason Thames Almost Quit Acting?
Yes.
This may be one of the most interesting parts of his story.
Around 2020, Mason had gone through many auditions without getting the big break he wanted.
He told Teen Vogue that he was ready to stop acting because he did not want to keep taking up his family’s time.
Then he decided to try one more audition.
It was for The Black Phone.
He got the role.
Think about it like this.
If Mason had stopped one audition earlier, his career might look completely different today.
How Did The Black Phone Make Mason Thames Famous?
Mason played Finney Blake in director Scott Derrickson’s The Black Phone.
Finney is a kidnapped boy trapped by a masked killer called the Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke.
The movie gave Mason an emotionally difficult leading role at a very young age.
Director Scott Derrickson later praised his ability to react naturally and honestly on camera.
The film became Mason’s breakthrough.
Suddenly, Hollywood had a young actor who could carry a dark and frightening movie opposite an established star such as Hawke.
How Old Was Mason Thames in The Black Phone?
Mason was around 13 when he worked on the original film.
He later remembered feeling nervous because it was such an important early job.
He was working opposite Ethan Hawke while still learning how a large movie set operated.
Mason said Hawke could appear terrifying while filming and then quickly become friendly and supportive between takes.
For a young actor, watching that change became a lesson in professionalism.
Did Mason Thames Return in Black Phone 2?
Yes.
Mason returned as Finney in Black Phone 2, released in October 2025.
Madeleine McGraw also returned as Gwen, while Ethan Hawke again played the Grabber.
The sequel moves the story forward several years.
Finney is now older and struggling with what happened to him.
Universal’s official description says the Grabber begins threatening the siblings again, even though Finney escaped and killed him in the first story.
The role allowed audiences to see Mason return to the character who first made him famous.
But this time, both Mason and Finney had grown up.
How Did Mason Thames Become Hiccup?
Another huge moment came when Mason was chosen as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
The casting felt personal because Mason had loved the animated movies since childhood.
He had even watched behind-the-scenes material from director Dean DeBlois years before he knew he would one day work with him.
Universal paired Mason with Nico Parker as Astrid.
Gerard Butler returned as Stoick, a role he had already voiced in the animated films.
The movie arrived in theaters in June 2025.
For Mason, playing Hiccup was not simply another job.
It was a childhood dream becoming real.
Why Was Playing Hiccup So Special to Mason Thames?
Mason had grown up with the character.
Hiccup is not the strongest Viking.
He is not the loudest.
He is a thoughtful boy who sees dragons differently from everyone around him.
That idea connected strongly with Mason.
In interviews, he spoke about how much the character’s journey of accepting himself meant to him.
There was also a full-circle moment during filming.
Mason remembered watching old footage in which director Dean DeBlois documented the creation of the animated films with a small camera.
Years later, DeBlois walked onto the live-action set carrying a camera again.
Mason said seeing it made him emotional.
Was How to Train Your Dragon Successful?
Yes.
The live-action movie became a major box-office success in 2025.
PEOPLE reported that it ultimately earned more than $630 million worldwide.
Mason’s performance also brought him more attention as a leading actor.
The role helped show that he could move from the dark, small-scale world of The Black Phone into a huge fantasy production.
He later received a Saturn Award nomination connected with his Hiccup performance.
Is Mason Thames Returning in How to Train Your Dragon 2?
Yes.
Mason is returning as Hiccup in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Universal has scheduled the sequel for June 11, 2027.
Nico Parker and Gerard Butler are also among the returning cast.
Cate Blanchett joined the live-action sequel as Valka after previously voicing the character in the animated series.
Filming took place in 2026.
That means Hiccup will remain an important part of Mason’s career for at least the next several years.
Was Mason Thames in Regretting You?
Yes.
Mason played Miller Adams in Regretting You, the 2025 film based on Colleen Hoover’s novel.
Mckenna Grace played Clara.
The movie gave Mason something very different from horror or dragons: a romantic leading role.
Mason told Teen Vogue that romantic movies were already a genre he enjoyed.
He described Miller as one of the characters closest to his real personality.
The movie also led to huge public interest in his friendship with Mckenna Grace.
Are Mason Thames and Mckenna Grace Dating?
This question continues to appear everywhere online.
The careful answer is that neither actor has clearly made a formal public announcement confirming a relationship.
However, they are clearly very close.
They have appeared together away from movie sets, held hands publicly, shared affectionate social-media posts, exchanged matching bracelets, and spoken warmly about each other.
Mason told PEOPLE in late 2025 that Mckenna was the person closest to him.
Mckenna previously responded “no comment” when directly asked about their relationship status.
The pair continued their close public friendship in 2026.
For Mason’s 19th birthday in July, Mckenna shared a video of them singing together.
Fans are free to speculate.
But unless Mason or Mckenna confirms a label themselves, it is better not to present rumors as fact.
How Did Mason Thames Meet Mckenna Grace?
Mason has said they connected almost immediately.
PEOPLE reported that the two first got to know each other around their work on the Green Day-inspired project that later became Nimrods.
They then worked together again in Regretting You.
That repeated collaboration helped their friendship grow.
Mason told Teen Vogue that they could simply be themselves around each other, something he considered rare.
They are now sharing the screen again in Nimrods.
What Is Nimrods?
Nimrods: A Green Day Story is one of Mason Thames’ biggest current 2026 releases.
The movie was previously titled New Year’s Rev.
It follows young friends who head out on a wild trip because they wrongly believe their band has been invited to open for Green Day.
Mason stars alongside Mckenna Grace, Kylr Coffman, Ryan Foust, Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Fred Armisen, Bobby Lee, and Sean Gunn.
Green Day members Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool, and Mike Dirnt also appear.
The film opens in U.S. theaters on August 14, 2026.
That is only days after Mason’s 19th birthday month.
Did Mason Thames Learn Guitar for Nimrods?
Yes.
The role required much more than pretending to play.
Mason trained intensely on guitar.
He told Teen Vogue that he practiced so hard during filming that his fingers sometimes bled.
Mckenna Grace also helped him learn.
According to Mason, she created a custom video tutorial for him with instructions and encouraging messages.
The work appears to have created a real interest in playing.
For an actor who already likes moving between genres, becoming a convincing young musician was another new challenge.
Why Was New Year’s Rev Renamed Nimrods?
The movie originally carried the title New Year’s Rev.
By 2026, it had become Nimrods.
Variety reported that the movie was retitled as it moved toward a wider theatrical release.
The new title has a clear Green Day connection.
Nimrod is also the title of the band’s famous 1997 album.
There is another funny part to this story.
Mason has another 2026 movie called Idiots.
So he ended up with two movies in the same month whose titles basically mean similar things.
He joked in an August 2026 interview that he initially thought the title changes were an April Fools’ joke.
What Is Mason Thames’ Movie Idiots?
Mason also stars in Idiots, which reaches theaters on August 28, 2026.
The movie was originally called The Shitheads before being given a more theater-friendly title.
Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr. play two men hired to transport a troubled wealthy teenager to rehab.
Mason plays that teenager, Sheridan Kimberley.
Naturally, the simple trip goes very wrong.
Peter Dinklage, Kiernan Shipka, and Nicholas Braun are also in the cast.
The film premiered at Sundance in January 2026 before receiving its wider theatrical release.
Why Is Idiots Different From Mason Thames’ Other Roles?
The character is another big change for Mason.
Teen Vogue reported that Mason described the role as a much darker and more chaotic character than the kind-hearted Hiccup or romantic Miller.
That appears to be exactly what he wants.
Mason has repeatedly said he does not want people to look at him and see only one character.
Playing a frightened kidnapping victim, a Viking hero, a romantic teenager, a musician, and a wild comedy character helps him avoid that problem.
Is Mason Thames Joining the John Wick Universe?
Yes.
In June 2026, Deadline reported that Mason had joined Caine, the upcoming John Wick spinoff centered on Donnie Yen’s character.
Donnie Yen is also directing the project.
As of the latest reliable reporting, details about Mason’s character have not been fully revealed.
That means websites claiming to know his entire role should be treated carefully.
What is confirmed is the larger point:
Mason is moving into another major action franchise.
What Is Mason Thames Doing in 2026?
His year is unusually busy.
He spent part of 2026 working on How to Train Your Dragon 2.
He appeared at major Hollywood events, including the Academy Awards in March.
Then his release calendar became crowded.
Nimrods arrives August 14.
Idiots follows August 28.
He has also joined Caine, expanding his future work beyond the franchises people already know him from.
For a 19-year-old actor, that is a remarkable amount of work.
Did Mason Thames Really Match a Jim Carrey Box-Office Record?
PEOPLE highlighted an unusual achievement for Mason in late 2025.
Three movies featuring him reached No. 1 at the domestic box office during the same year:
How to Train Your Dragon
Black Phone 2
and
Regretting You.
PEOPLE compared the run to Jim Carrey’s famous 1994 year, when Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber all became major hits.
Mason said Carrey had been a big part of his childhood and that he would like to thank him for the inspiration.
That comparison does not mean their careers are identical.
It simply shows how unusual Mason’s 2025 run was.
What Awards Has Mason Thames Received?
Mason’s early performances have already received recognition.
He was nominated for a Saturn Award for The Black Phone.
He later won Fangoria’s Editor’s Eyeball on the Future Award.
His performance as Hiccup also earned a 2026 Saturn Award nomination.
Awards are not the only measure of a career.
But they show that his work has attracted attention beyond ticket sales and social-media popularity.
Is Mason Thames Famous on Social Media?
His profile has grown quickly, but Mason has said he tries not to make social media the center of his life.
In his Teen Vogue interview, he explained that keeping much of his private life private is a conscious decision.
He wants his acting to matter more than his follower count.
That can become difficult when a young actor suddenly has millions of people curious about his personal life.
The attention around Mckenna Grace shows exactly how quickly one photo or video can create hundreds of stories.
Does Mason Thames Still Live With His Parents?
In a November 2025 Teen Vogue profile, Mason said he was still living with his family in Texas when he was not working.
He described home life as quieter than movie sets and press tours.
At that time, he was also thinking about spending more time in New York after completing work on How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Because those plans can change, it would be wrong to claim an exact current home address or location.
He has deliberately kept his private life relatively protected.
Does Mason Thames Have Siblings?
Yes.
Teen Vogue identified his sister Brooke as a professional ballerina.
Mason said he began studying ballet because of her.
The same profile also mentioned a brother while discussing the family’s pets.
However, his siblings are not major public entertainment figures.
There is no need to publish unnecessary private information about them simply because Mason is famous.
How Tall Is Mason Thames?
Different websites give different answers for Mason Thames’ height.
The reliable interviews and studio sources reviewed for this article do not provide one clear official measurement.
For that reason, it is safer not to turn an entertainment-database estimate into a confirmed fact.
Mason himself joked in 2025 about how much he had grown since making the first Black Phone.
He was still a growing teenager during much of his early career, which may also help explain why older online height listings differ.
What Is Mason Thames’ Net Worth?
Mason Thames’ exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Several celebrity websites publish estimates.
But those figures usually do not come with audited financial records.
A person’s movie salary is also not the same as their net worth.
Taxes, management fees, expenses, investments, contracts, and private assets all affect the real number.
Mason has clearly become a successful working actor.
However, giving readers a made-up million-dollar figure would not make the article more accurate.
What Is Mason Thames’ Dream Role?
Mason has spoken about loving major movie characters and franchises.
His interviews also show a strong interest in comic books and superhero stories.
But his larger career goal seems broader than one specific role.
He has said he admires actors such as Timothée Chalamet, Heath Ledger, and Leonardo DiCaprio because they could move between very different types of films.
Mason appears to want the same thing.
Not just fame.
Range.
Does Mason Thames Want to Direct Movies?
Yes.
His interest in filmmaking goes beyond acting.
He has talked about growing up making homemade videos and watching behind-the-scenes footage.
Teen Vogue reported that he has ambitions connected with storytelling and directing as his career grows.
That makes sense when looking back at his childhood.
He was interested in cameras and editing before he became famous enough to stand in front of professional ones.
Why Is Mason Thames Becoming So Popular?
Part of it comes from the movies themselves.
The Black Phone introduced him.
How to Train Your Dragon made him a major studio leading man.
Regretting You showed a softer side.
Black Phone 2 brought him back to horror.
Now Nimrods and Idiots are showing his comic side.
But there is also a human story behind the fast rise.
This is an actor who nearly quit.
He gave himself one last audition.
That audition became The Black Phone.
Only a few years later, he was leading one of Universal’s biggest fantasy franchises.
That is the kind of career turn people remember.
What Movies Does Mason Thames Have Coming Next?
As of August 2026, his most important confirmed or reported projects include:
Nimrods — August 14, 2026.
Idiots — August 28, 2026.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 — June 11, 2027.
Caine — the John Wick spinoff, with Mason’s role not yet fully revealed.
That is already a very mixed group of films.
Comedy.
Fantasy.
Action.
Exactly the kind of range Mason says he wants.
FAQs About Mason Thames
Who is Mason Thames?
Mason Thames is an American actor best known for The Black Phone, How to Train Your Dragon, Black Phone 2, and Regretting You.
How old is Mason Thames?
Mason was born July 10, 2007. He is 19 years old as of August 2026.
Where is Mason Thames from?
He was born in Dallas, Texas, and has strong family roots in Texas. Reliable biographies also connect his childhood with McKinney, Prosper, and Austin.
Who did Mason Thames play in The Black Phone?
He played Finney Blake, the teenager kidnapped by Ethan Hawke’s character, the Grabber.
Is Mason Thames in Black Phone 2?
Yes. He returned as Finney in the 2025 sequel.
Who plays Hiccup in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon?
Mason Thames plays Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.
Will Mason Thames be in How to Train Your Dragon 2?
Yes. He is returning as Hiccup. The movie is scheduled for June 11, 2027.
Are Mason Thames and Mckenna Grace dating?
They have been at the center of romance rumors and are clearly very close, but neither has publicly given a simple formal confirmation of their relationship status.
How did Mason Thames meet Mckenna Grace?
They became close around their work on projects including Nimrods and Regretting You. Mason has said they connected very quickly.
What is Mason Thames’ new movie in August 2026?
He actually has two. Nimrods opens August 14, while Idiots follows on August 28.
Is Mason Thames in a John Wick movie?
Deadline reported in June 2026 that he joined Caine, the Donnie Yen-led John Wick spinoff. His role has not yet been fully revealed.
Did Mason Thames do ballet?
Yes. He trained in ballet for around four years after following his sister Brooke into dance.
What is Mason Thames’ net worth?
His exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Online estimates should not be treated as proven financial facts.
How tall is Mason Thames?
There is no strongly verified official height in the reliable sources reviewed. Different online listings give different figures, so it is safer not to present one as confirmed.
What was Mason Thames’ first big movie?
The Black Phone became his major breakthrough and introduced him to a much wider audience.
Final Thoughts
The story of mason thames is moving unusually fast.
At one point, he was ready to stop auditioning.
Then he tried one final time.
That audition gave him The Black Phone.
A few years later, he became Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon.
Then came Black Phone 2 and Regretting You.
In 2026, he is changing direction again.
Nimrods gives him a music-filled road comedy.
Idiots lets him play a much wilder character.
And his future includes How to Train Your Dragon 2 and a role in the John Wick spinoff Caine.
At only 19, Mason has already experienced the kind of career growth that takes many actors decades.
Yet his interviews suggest he does not want to become trapped by one successful character.
He wants to keep changing.
Horror one year.
Fantasy the next.
Romance.
Comedy.
Action.
Maybe directing one day too.
His friendship with Mckenna Grace has brought plenty of attention away from the screen, but both actors still deserve the freedom to define their private relationship in their own way.
For now, the most interesting part of Mason Thames’ story remains his work.
He went from almost quitting acting to leading major movies.
And based on his 2026 schedule, he is still only getting started.
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