Top 7 Dragons in Movies (January 2021)

Insert a fire-breathing dragon or a winged, scaly guardian into a film or book and it will almost always increase its entertainment value. From wyverns to nagas (mythological serpents), from wild beasts to the Swedish Short-Snout (Harry Potter), dragons appeal to people of all ages, and why not?

They're like an enhanced version of dinosaurs: powerful, magical, and sometimes they even talk. If a dragon in a movie is boring, it's because the filmmakers aren't putting in enough effort. Their stories are shared around the world, inspiring both wonder and terror, generation after generation.

There are dozens, even twenty, of dragon movies to choose from. Unfortunately, they're still not enough for my taste, but there are a good handful that are must-sees for any fan of the genre. In honor of these fabulous beasts, here is my (subjective) ranking of the best dragons in movies. Below, you'll find our collection of Dragon Shirts.

7. Falkor (The Neverending Story)

Falkor , the lucky dragon , is closer to a Chinese dragon than a European one , but most people remember him as a giant, bright puppy who loved children (not for breakfast). This flying creature is the most beloved in " The NeverEnding Story ," always smiling, and he demonstrates passion and positivity in Atreyu's quest.

His enormous brown eyes and fluffy fur may have seemed unusual in 1984, but the popularity of Wolfgang Petersen's film remains strong, with parents introducing their children to their favorite movie year after year. Falkor's enthusiastic participation in a practically harmless revenge plot against Bastian's tormentors has also secured him a place in the hearts of young and old alike.

Falkor's appearance may have inspired David Lowery's 2016 film " Pete's Dragon ". Elliott was shown with hairy, feline features reminiscent of both Falkor and Toothless .

6. Vermithrax Pejorative (The dragon of the fire lake)

The Vermithrax was a menacing, vicious, and wicked dragon whose eyes were fixed on a peaceful land called Urland. Demanding sacrifices of virgins twice a year, the dragon remained docile, only killing when its randomly chosen victims were brought to it.

It's a fun game to offer virgins to the local dragon to eat, until one of those virgins turns out to be your daughter 😆. Although Peter MacNicol distanced himself from his 1981 film, " The Dragon of Fire Lake, " known as " Dragonslayer " in America, remains a cult classic.

Between the general strangeness, the darkness and the theme of "rescuing the damsel in distress", Dragonslayer recalls the archetype of the dragon tale , as well as the story of David's triumph over Goliath, in more ways than one.

Today's dragon fans might see it and consider its special effects both too dated and too dark, but the film was a major cinematic achievement at the time, depicting a dragon on the big screen like no other film had done before.

5. The Reign of Fire

Dragon tales are usually set in ancient history, which makes the futuristic film " Reign of Fire " (2002) a particularly exciting take on the fantasy genre. Not only did this entertaining post-apocalyptic film anticipate the current demand for dystopian media, but it also endangered the entire human race in a truly unique way: through dragon attacks.

The premise seems rather kitschy for a 21st-century film, but Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Gerard Butler managed to make it work, and then some. Critics didn't find it particularly successful, but fantasy fans appreciated Bale's bravery, Butler's altruism, and McConaughey's wide-eyed madness.

The images of a war in a film featuring live-action dragons were unique and satisfying, as humans became the prey in a world dominated by dragons. Box office statistics show the film to be a modest success, and the film, which won an award at the Sitges Film Festival and was nominated for a Saturn Award, was also developed into a video game.

4. Peter and Elliott the Dragon

This invisible green dragon allows an orphan named Peter to have fun and avoid trouble. The original Disney film was remade in 2007 starring Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard.

In Pete's Dragon , the creature is one of the kindest you could ever meet until you anger it, leading to some rather comical scenes. Even when upset, it remains quite cute, until its fiery breath is unleashed. The 2016 film is a reboot of the 1977 comic book. Elliott the dragon acted as something of a guardian angel for children.

The film modernizes the concept with a unique perspective while retaining the elements that made the original so charming. This adaptation emphasizes mystery and adventure, whereas the original focused more on fantasy and comedy. As for the villains, it's a film with a friendly dragon , perfect for family viewing.

3. Draco (Dragonheart)

Probably the best dragon movie ever , Dragonheart tells the story of Draco , a dragon who dared to share his heart to help keep a human prince alive. Unfortunately, his heart was wasted by a cruel tyrant, leading Draco to lose his faith in humanity. Paired with the intriguing ex- dragon-slaying knight, Dennis Quaid, Draco, voiced by Sean Connery, easily won over fans with his sarcastic remarks and grumpy character.

The film even ended in tragedy, ensuring a better world for the kingdom and allowing Draco to earn his place among the stars with his dragon companions . Critics may have found the film somewhat bland in terms of its plot, but no one could deny its visual and aesthetic appeal. Since its release, it has also inspired a video game and two sequels.

Although it's a shame that the sequel to Dragonheart was too terrible to tell, its original story combined the delightful fantasy tale of two jaded characters swindling villages out of money with the first truly realistic modern depiction of a dragon, earning it a place as one of the best dragon movies of all time.

2. Hungarian Horntail (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)

Harry Potter fans who haven't read the books are truly missing out when it comes to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (not to mention the rest of the series). A key element of the Triwizard Tournament is the dragon battle , but in the book, readers encounter several different kinds of dragons. Harry faces the fiercest of them all in the film : the Hungarian Horntail.

They also meet Charlie Weasley, a character completely ignored in the films but very popular with fans. The creatures provide the most amazing moments in Goblet of Fire, but the dragon scenes are such a fan favorite that there's even a dragon ride in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Harry Potter universe isn't limited to just one book or film when it comes to dragons. Gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid adopted and hatched a dragon egg, named Newt, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Harry, Ron, and Hermione ride a Ukrainian Ironbelly during one of the best scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

1. Smaug (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)

Many fans agree that while there's much to appreciate in Peter Jackson's Hobbit films, Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of the greedy dragon, Smaug , makes the overall experience even more enjoyable. The special effects and the dragon 's haughty character, not to mention his amusing media interviews, made the rest of the film well worth watching.

The dragon's thirst for gold and vengeance was palpable on screen. Smaug's sharp, reptilian features, cunning golden eyes, and velvety, murderous voice combine to create a fearsome and wicked creature the world has never known. Many other dragon films have contributed to the creation of Smaug, the finest modern depiction of a dragon the world has ever seen.

" The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug " was a tremendous success at the box office, grossing over $958 million worldwide. It earned even more money than "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," although many fans claim to prefer the latter films.

That's it, we've come full circle! Tell us what you think of this ranking of dragons in movies and tell us about your own favorite dragon 🐉! By the way, if you'd like a beautiful Dragon Bracelet, you can find it here. ⬇