10 of The Greatest Dragon Movies
Selecting 10 of the greatest dragon movies is a little difficult since there are plenty to pick from. But thanks to the difference in CG, plot, and even dialogue, picking out a few favorites is not impossible.
Reign of Fire
This one has been largely forgotten in the history of dragon movies, even though it has an appealing storyline. It didn’t feel entirely fleshed out, but the action between the dragons and the humans was intense and very one-sided.
Dragonheart
The dynamic between Dennis Quaid and the late Sean Connery, who voiced the dragon, was funny and engaging. It didn’t make for an instant epic, but it was a family-friendly story in many ways. Not only that, but the standoff between the knight and dragon was, initially, rather funny.
Pete’s Dragon
Imagination is a great thing, especially when it gives way to reality. Many people think the original version of this movie is the best since it was simpler and not quite as nuanced, but many people also love the newer version.
Dungeons & Dragons
Not everyone loved the newest D&D movie with Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez, but it was entertaining in several ways. While it didn’t focus entirely on dragons, the view of the black dragon (and its appropriate breath weapon) and the stone dragon featured in the final fight was impressive.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
How many people remember the cartoon characterization of Smaug? He looked like a cross between a dinosaur and a cat. But the creature in this updated, live-action movie looked like a certified nightmare. Maybe that’s why watching him being taken down by a single iron arrow was hard to imagine. It was part of the story, though, so it works.
How to Train Your Dragon
Vikings and dragons… It’s not a bad pairing, but inserting a kid like Hiccup into the mix and making him the expert on dragons was an interesting choice. It worked, though, since two other movies, not to mention a series, came after.
Raya and the Last Dragon
One fun thing about dragons is that they don’t belong to just one culture. There are representations of dragons in almost every culture, in one form or another. In this movie, the dragons are protectors, not aggressors, which makes for a great tale.
Shrek
The dragon in this movie was kind of silly but also became a useful character in the movies that followed. While the romance between Dragon and Donkey was awkward at the best of times, it still created enough humor that people came to love the pairing.
Mulan
It’s fair to say that this is not the type of dragon people think of when they want to see something big, scaly, and terrifying. Mushu is, well, comic relief, but also a type of conscience that the animated character needed. Not only that, but Eddie Murphy is great when it comes to voice acting.
Damsel
There are many stories that show dragons as aggressors, but not as many that explain why. Some would believe that dragons are naturally aggressive and not bound to be diplomatic. But this movie took a different tactic that’s been used sparingly and created a story explaining why the dragon is angry and vengeful. It wasn’t considered a blockbuster, but it was an interesting story.
