Folklore and myths about Dragons spread across all cultures worldwide. No wonder it has inspired a diverse set of enchanting films all over the world. Dragons have a varied set of powers from throwing fireballs to being repositories of ancient world wisdom. These flying creatures, sometimes even causing war are indispensable to the genre of fantasy. These movies are bound to be a perfect getaway with fantasy.
Dragons never fail to fascinate us. The large, fierce (also sometimes friendly, as you will see in this list) mythical creatures immerse us in a land of fantasy that we don’t want to leave. Sometimes they scare us at other times they amaze us but every time, they make our jaws drop in wonder.
Dragons have been exhibited in many movies, and quite a few are animated. Animated movies about dragons are always a fun-watch. They provide a wholesome experience that encompasses humor, thrill, adventure, and amazement. This list will provide you with a list of the 15 best animated movies about dragons that will surely entertain you.
- How to Train Your Dragon
When one thinks of animated movies about dragons, what initially comes up in the mind is How to Train Your Dragon. Released in 2010, this epic adventure remains an iconic dragon movie.
Over the years, the film has succeeded in achieving a huge fan base and has been praised for its heartwarming story. Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, the film is rated a whopping 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- How to Train Your Dragon 2
The sequel to the 2010 film, How to Train Your Dragon 2 drives the plot from the first film forward and offers another amusing journey into the world of dragons. The movie was released in 2014 and is directed by Dean DeBlois.
The sequel too was lauded upon its release similar to the first installment in the series. It earned a grand sum of $621.5 million at the box office. It is rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Directed by the same director, the third installment in the classic franchise provides an epic joy-ride in the world that the previous movies set up. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a definite watch for all dragon lovers and can’t be missed.
Released in 2019, the movie made $525.7 million at the global box office. Like the previous two films, the third part was widely celebrated by fans and critics alike. Rotten Tomatoes recommends the movie with a strong 90%.
- Flight of Dragons
Flight of Dragons is a classic animated film about dragons. Released in 1982, the film plunges the audience into a magical realm with dragons in it. It was directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass.
The movie has been praised for its efficacy to engage not only children but also adults with its clever dialogues and creative visualizations of a fantasy world.
- Spirited Away
A widely popular anime movie, Spirited Away is a classic film about mythical creatures, including dragons. Released in 2001, it grossed over $395.8 million in its theatrical run.
The film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and was awarded the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards along with various other accolades. Spirited Away was also featured in the list of the best animated films ever made.
- Raya and the Last Dragon
Inspired by traditional Southeast Asian cultures, Raya and the Last Dragon is an epic adventure across the fanatical land of Kumandra. The plot follows the titular character Raya who sets out to track down Sisu, a dragon, who transferred all her powers into a magical gem that is now scattered all over the kingdom.
Directed by Carlos López Estrada, Don Hall, and Dean Wellins, the film came out in theaters in 2021.
- The Reluctant Dragon
A fairly old but doubtlessly film about dragons, The Reluctant Dragon was released back in 1942. It was one of the first animated films that featured a dragon.
The movie was adapted from the children’s book of the same name by Kenneth Grahame. Rated with a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was directed by Alfred Werker.
- My Father’s Dragon
Rated highly by critics, My Father’s Dragon is a 2D animated film that plunges the viewers into a fantasy land full of scary beasts, beautiful forests, and most importantly, a dragon. Released in 2022, the movie is directed by Nora Twomey.
Rotten Tomatoes rates My Father’s Dragon 85% and IMDb gives it 6.8 out of 10.
- Tales from Earthsea
Tales from Earthsea is a 2006-released anime movie set in a magical and enchanting world with magnificent creatures. One such creature is, of course, a gigantic dragon. Directed by Goro Miyazaki, the film is rated a decent 6.3 on IMDb.
Tales from Earthsea was successful in collecting a revenue of $75.5 million upon its release.
- Wish Dragon
A fantasy story summed with comedy that provides good belly laughs Wish Dragon is an adventure-filled joy-ride that one can’t miss. The film came out in 2021 and was appreciated for its colorful and heart-warming storytelling.
Directed by Chris Appelhans, it is rated 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.2 on IMDb.
- Belle
Another anime movie, Belle is about a high school student who becomes a globally beloved singer after entering a fantastic virtual world filled with mysterious beasts including dragons.
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, the film was inspired by the popular fairy-tale Beauty and the Beast. The movie is rated a commendable 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is the fourth installment in the successful horror comedy franchise, Hotel Transylvania. This film portrays Johnny, the main character and a human turned into a dragon.
A laughter-inducing ride, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon. The film was released in 2022.
- Dragon Rider
Dragon Rider is an animated German film distributed by Netflix. The family fantasy is based on the 1997 novel of the same name by Cornelia Funke.
Directed by Tomer Eshed, the movie was released in 2020. Rotten Tomatoes recommends Dragon Rider with 72% and IMDb gives it a decent 5.6 out of 10.
- Tom & Jerry: The Lost Dragon
Tom & Jerry is undoubtedly one of the most favorite and popular shows among kids. And this gets even better with Tom & Jerry: The Lost Dragon, a film that binds the impeccable duo of Tom and Jerry with a huge dragon. The film was released in 2014 on digital platforms. The movie was produced and directed by Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone.
- Dragon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
To wrap up the list we have yet another anime film, Dragon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train which is a spin-off of the immensely admired show Dragon Slayer. Upon its release in 1981, the film was highly acclaimed. It was nominated for several accolades and also earned a whopping total of $506.5 million at the box office.
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, the film is rated 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.2 on IMDb.
Dragonheart
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Sean Connery, David Thewlis, Dina Meyer,Jason Isaacs
IMDb Rating: 6.4
Rob Cohen’s Dragonheart is one of the sweetest and most touching Dragon films. The special effects in this film truly show emotions of Draco. It also has fantastic tropes with King Arthur at his round table. Draco is voiced by none other than the charismatic Sean Connery.
Bowen is the last knight who wants to tutor Einon to not follow in his father’s footsteps; which had caused insurgency across his empire and nobility. But Einon is accidentally injured by Kara. Einon;s mother seeks the help of the dragon Draco to save her son. Draco does so by giving away half of his heart. He also hoped to repair the relationships between man and dragon so that they can peacefully coexist. But things start to go wrong when Einon becomes a despotic tyrant just like his father!
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Kristen Wiig
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Hiccup is a curious little inventor living in the Viking village called Berk, but his inventions are often a failure. His village is repeatedly antagonized by dragons and Hiccup is hell-bent to solve it. Although his invention, a bolas designed to kill dragons successfully injures one: he can’t kill it. Instead he devotes time to grooming the dragons and befriends Night Fury the dragon while he is in a class to learn how to destroy them. With his little crush Astrid, who is in the same class this bright, this movie is highly recommended.
The Hobbit
Cast:
IMDb Rating:
Spirited Away (2001)
Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Daveigh Chase, Susan Egan, Susan Egan.
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Hiyao Miyazaki’s most popular animated film Spirited Away is an indispensable recommendation in the world of fantasy and magic. This Academy Award-winning film is about a sweet little ten-year-old girl called Chihiro. On the way to their new home, Chihiro and her parents are caught up in a world of spells, spirits, and magic.
Chihiro’s parents are metamorphosized into pigs and she has to get them out!
She makes a friend called Haku: he tells her that she will not be able to leave this world of spirits and magical bathhouses if she forgets her own name. When the dragon is revealed, it is a stunning sight.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)
Cast:Robin Shou, Talisa Soto, Brian Thompson, Sandra Hess, Lynn Red Williams
IMDb Rating: 3.6/10
This movie directed by John R. Leonetti is based on the famous Mortal Kombat video game series.
An evil Outworld king called Shao Khan is trying to invade the Earthrealm, but Liu Kang, Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs have sworn to stop the attacks. But the only way to do so is to reunite Princess Kitana with her mother. Filled with North American mythological references, Earthrealm protectors achieve powers of Dragon marking if they kill someone, and this dragon marking passes down the generations, an interesting concept from the video games.
Eragon
Cast: Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory, Robert Carlyle, Djimon Hounsou
IMDb Rating:5.1/10
This movie is directed by Stefen Fangmeier and is adapted from Christopher Paoloni’s novel. Rachel Weisz voices the dragon in this movie and it has some impressive animation, which makes the dragon truly come alive.
Eragon a farm boy comes across a mysterious stone one day. Hoping to sell it or trade it for food he brings it back with himself; only to realize it is a dragon egg. The dragon once hatched is raised by Eragon. Eragon and Saphira a beautiful friendship as they can communicate telepathically. But their idyllic country life is to not last long as Ra’zac is in Eragon’s village to destroy his life.
Beowulf 2007
Cast: Ray Winstone, Crispin Glover, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright, John Malkovich
IMDb Rating:
Adapted from the Old English epic poem, this stunningly animated movie is written by Neil Gaiman. It is directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Angelina Jolie too.
The premise is the adventures of the legend of the Geatish hero Beowulf. The film is set in the year 507, when Beowulf is invited to slay the dragon Grendel who has been terrorizing King Hrothgar and his people. There are multiple vicious attacks and fights that makes it an absolutely thrilling watch. Grendel is beautifully animated to depict every little disgusting detail. The animation inspires true horror. But with his fight against Grendel, Beowulf now has made an enemy who is thirsty for his blood: Grendel’s mother.
Enchanted (2007)
Cast: James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, Amy Adams, Kevin Lima.
IMDb Rating:7.1 /10
This movie directed by Kevin Lima is set in both modern-day New York and the fantastical kingdom of Andalasia. This Disney film with, princes, princesses, and Chipmunks will be a hit with kids.
The premise revolves around Prince Edward who falls in love with Giselle. Giselle has also desired to marry a prince so they decide to elope the next morning. Except, Edward is unaware that Narissa his evil sorceress mother, will lose her kingdom of Andalasia if Edward marries. So Narissa’s scheme lands Giselle in modern-day New York where she is sheltered by Robert. Then this whirlwind of romance is disrupted by Narissa, who can also transform into a dragon.
Alice in Wonderland
Cast: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Tim Burton is especially acclaimed for his fantasy films. This Tim Burton movie is an adaptation of Carroll’s work. Alice is reimagined to be in her late teens for this Tim Burton movie and she revisits the fantasy world; which has remained unchanged. The animation in the film is exceptional as the colours unfold eerily beautifully.
Alice now an adult, has adult problems like grief from her father’s death and unsolicited marriage proposals. In midst of all this unfamiliar turmoil, she sees her rabbit with a waistcoat and a pocket watch and follows him down his hole. Once she starts conversing with a caterpillar she finds she is the only one who can save Underland from the despotic Red Queen. The Red Queen terrorizes the inhabitants with her dragon Jabberwocky and Alice is the only one that can slay it.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Benedict Cumberbatch
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Directed by Peter Jackson and adapted from the J.R.R. Tolkien novels, Smaug is one of the most formidable dragons of all in The Hobbit.
The film revolves around Bilbo and Thorin trying to protect the treasure between the Lonely Mountain as other clans are fighting over it. Smaug meets a violent end at the opening of this film as he has started to terrorize laketown by spewing fire again.
