Dragons captivate imaginations across cultures, embodying a universal symbol in mythology and fantasy. While each culture has its unique interpretation, dragons are generally recognized as large, serpentine creatures known for their power, potential for destruction, and often profound wisdom. These mythical beings have been creatively adapted into various forms of media, including games, shows, plays, and movies.
When we mention a "Dragon Movie," the expectation is a film focused on or featuring dragons prominently. Despite their popularity, truly dragon-centric movies are surprisingly scarce. As a result, some entries in our list include dragons but may not revolve entirely around them.
Here are our top picks for the best dragon movies of all time.
Top Dragon Movies of All Time
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Maleficent (2014)
Kicking off our list with a film that's less focused on dragons, Maleficent is Disney's reimagining of the villain from the classic Sleeping Beauty. The story follows Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) who is cursed by Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) out of revenge. Unlike the original, Maleficent doesn't transform into a dragon herself but uses her magic to turn Diaval into various creatures, including a dragon towards the film's climax.
Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away features a dragon in a more cameo role within Hayao Miyazaki's magical narrative, which explores numerous Japanese myths. Chihiro (voiced by Daveigh Chase in English and Rumi Hiiragi in Japanese) ventures through a spirit-filled world to save her parents from being turned into pigs permanently. The white dragon, rooted in Japanese folklore, plays a significant role in the plot and Chihiro's journey.
For more enchanting films, explore our list of the best Studio Ghibli movies.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Though not the central focus, Falkor the 'Luck Dragon' in The NeverEnding Story is too iconic to overlook. Falkor aids Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) in his quest to save Fantasia from The Nothing. Despite his limited screen time, Falkor's role is crucial, and he remains one of the most memorable aspects of the film.
Pete’s Dragon (2016)
A remake of the 1977 film, Pete’s Dragon tells the touching story of a boy and his dragon friend. After becoming orphaned in a forest, Pete (Oakes Fegley) befriends a camouflaged dragon named Elliott. The film blends elements reminiscent of Tarzan and The Iron Giant, creating a heartwarming narrative that works well despite its derivative elements.
Eragon (2006)
Adapted from the acclaimed young adult book series, Eragon is predominantly about dragons. The story follows a young farm boy, Eragon (Ed Speleers), who discovers a dragon egg and embarks on a journey to defend his land with his dragon, Saphira. While the film offers exciting dragon action, it's recommended to watch it before reading the books for a better experience.
Dragonslayer (1981)
Despite its dated effects and average acting, Dragonslayer is a classic fantasy adventure worth watching for dragon movie enthusiasts. The film follows a young wizard's apprentice (Peter MacNicol) who must slay a dragon to free a kingdom after his master's death. Its bold and creative storytelling makes it a standout, even for its time.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
In the second installment of The Hobbit trilogy, Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and his companions seek to reclaim Erebor from the dragon Smaug. Unique among our list, this film features a dragon in its title and Smaug embodies the quintessential dragon traits: greed, intelligence, curiosity, and territoriality.
Explore our guide on watching the Lord of the Rings movies in order for more adventures in Middle Earth.
Reign of Fire (2002)
Reign of Fire stands out as an action-packed dragon movie set in a modern era. When a dragon is accidentally awakened in 2020 England, it begins a reign of terror. With a strong cast including Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey, the film offers an original concept and impressive effects for its time, making it a standout dragon movie.
Dragonheart (1996)
Dragonheart is a heartfelt, if somewhat corny, film that showcases a unique dragon narrative. A knight named Bowen (Dennis Quaid) teams up with the last dragon, Draco (voiced by Sean Connery), to defeat an evil king. Unlike typical dragon tales, Draco is sophisticated and only causes harm unintentionally or in self-defense. The chemistry between Bowen and Draco adds a charming buddy-cop dynamic to the film.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon is an enchanting and heartwarming tale that skillfully blends coming-of-age themes with fantasy. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), an aspiring dragonslayer, befriends a rare dragon, sparking a friendship that challenges the Viking way of life. This film not only excels as a dragon movie but also stands out as a top-tier animated film, rich with diverse dragon species and lore.
We anticipate the upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon to join, or perhaps even surpass, this list when it releases in June.
AnswerSee ResultsAnd that's our 10 picks of the best dragon movies of all time! Dragons come in many forms, but we can all agree they are very good boys and girls. Are we missing your favorite fire breather? Let us know in the comments.If you're looking for more movies like this, take a look at our guide to the best shark movies or dive into how to watch the Godzilla movies in order.
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