The 10 Best Dragon Movies of All Time

Dragons are a universal symbol in mythology and fantasy, recognized across various cultures. Despite the diverse interpretations, dragons are commonly depicted as large, serpentine creatures known for their power, often associated with destruction and great wisdom. These mythical beings have inspired numerous adaptations in games, shows, plays, and movies, yet surprisingly, there aren't as many dragon-centric films as one might expect. Some of the movies listed here feature dragons but may not be solely focused on them.

Read on to discover our top picks for the best dragon movies of all time.

Top Dragon Movies of All Time

11 Images

10. Maleficent (2014)

Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Robert Stromberg | Writer: Linda Woolverton | Stars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley | Release Date: | Review: IGN's Maleficent review | Where to watch: Stream on TBS, TNT, and tru TV, rentable on Amazon and other platforms

Starting our list is Maleficent, Disney's reimagining of the villain from the classic 1959 film Sleeping Beauty. In this retelling, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) puts Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) to sleep as an act of revenge. Although Maleficent doesn't transform into a dragon herself, she uses her magic to turn Diaval into various creatures, including a dragon towards the end of the film.

9. Spirited Away (2001)

Image credit: Studio Ghibli
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Writer: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: JP: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki; Eng: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden | Release Date: July 20, 2001 | Review: IGN's Spirited Away review | Where to watch: Max, or rentable on other platforms

Spirited Away features a dragon in a cameo role within its magical narrative, inspired by Japanese folklore. Chihiro (voiced by Daveigh Chase and Rumi Hiiragi) navigates a fantastical world to save her parents, with the white dragon playing a crucial role in her journey and character development.

For more from this studio, check out our list of the best Studio Ghibli movies.

8. The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Image credit: Warner Bros.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Writer: Wolfgang Petersen, Herman Weigel | Stars: Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach | Release Date: April 6, 1984 | Review: IGN's The NeverEnding Story review | Where to watch: Rentable on most platforms

While not the central focus, Falkor the 'Luck Dragon' from The NeverEnding Story is a beloved character. Falkor aids Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) in his quest to save Fantasia, making him an indispensable part of the story and a fan favorite.

7. Pete’s Dragon (2016)

Image credit: Walt Disney Studios
Director: David Lowery | Writer: David Lowery, Toby Halbrooks | Stars: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley | Release Date: August 8, 2016 | Review: IGN's Pete's Dragon review | Where to watch: Disney+, or rentable on other platforms

A remake of the 1977 original, Pete’s Dragon tells the heartwarming story of a boy named Pete (Oakes Fegley) and his dragon friend, Elliott. After being orphaned in a forest, Pete befriends the camouflaged dragon, leading to a tale that blends elements of Tarzan and The Iron Giant.

6. Eragon (2006)

Image credit: 20th Century Fox
Director: Stefan Fangmeier | Writer: Peter Buchman | Stars: Jeremy Irons, Robert Carlyle, Ed Speleers | Release Date: December 16, 2006 | Review: IGN's Eragon review | Where to watch: Disney+, or rentable on other platforms

Based on the popular young adult book series, Eragon follows a farm boy (Ed Speleers) who discovers a dragon egg and embarks on a journey to defend his homeland with his dragon, Saphira. While the film offers exciting dragon action, it's recommended to watch the movie before reading the books.

5. Dragonslayer (1981)

Image credit: Paramount Pictures
Director: Matthew Robbins | Writer: Hal Barwood, Matthew Robbins | Stars: Peter MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke, Ralph Richardson | Release Date: June 26, 1981 | Where to watch: Kanopy, Hoopla, Paramount+ Apple TV, or rentable on other platforms

Despite its dated effects and average acting, Dragonslayer is a classic fantasy adventure. A young wizard's apprentice (Peter MacNicol) must slay a dragon to save a kingdom, making it a must-watch for dragon movie enthusiasts.

4. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Peter Jackson | Writer: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro | Stars: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage | Release Date: December 13, 2013 | Review: IGN's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug review | Where to Watch: Max, or rentable on other platforms

The second film in The Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug follows Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and his companions as they seek to reclaim Erebor from the dragon Smaug. This film uniquely features the dragon's name in its title and presents Smaug as the quintessential dragon: greedy, clever, and territorial.

For more on this series, see our guide on watching the Lord of the Rings movies in order.

3. Reign of Fire (2002)

Image credit: Buena Vista Pictures
Director: Rob Bowman | Writer: Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka, Matt Greenberg | Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, Izabella Scorupco | Release Date: July 12, 2002 | Review: IGN's Reign of Fire review | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon or other platforms

Reign of Fire is a thrilling action movie set in a modern world where dragons have become the dominant predators. After a dragon is awakened in 2020 England, humanity struggles to survive, with strong performances from Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Izabella Scorupco.

2. Dragonheart (1996)

Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: Rob Cohen | Writer: Charles Edward Pogue, Patrick Read Johnson | Stars: Dennis Quaid, Sean Connery, David Thewlis | Release Date: May 31, 1996 | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon and other platforms

Dragonheart is a heartfelt, if somewhat cheesy, tale of a dragonslaying knight, Bowen (Dennis Quaid), who teams up with the last dragon, Draco (voiced by Sean Connery), to defeat an evil king. The film's unique buddy-cop dynamic between Bowen and Draco adds charm and humor to the story.

1. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Image credit: Paramount Pictures
Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois | Writer: Will Davies, Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois | Stars: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson | Release Date: March 21, 2010 | Review: IGN's How to Train Your Dragon review | Where to watch: Stream on Max, rent on Amazon Prime Video and other platforms

How to Train Your Dragon is an enchanting animated film that blends coming-of-age themes with fantasy. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) befriends a rare dragon, leading to a transformative friendship that challenges the Viking tradition of dragon hunting. This film stands out for its detailed dragon lore and captivating storytelling.

We anticipate the upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon to be a strong contender for this list upon its release in June.

And that's our list of the top 10 dragon movies of all time! Dragons may come in many forms, but they are universally cherished. If we missed your favorite dragon movie, please share it in the comments.

For more movie recommendations, explore our guides to the best shark movies or how to watch the Godzilla movies in order.