Top 10 Most Famous Dragon Movies You Should Not Miss

The film Maleficent, also known as 'The Dark Fairy,' is a fantasy adventure movie released in 2014, directed by Robert Stromberg and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It quickly became a favorite among children, thanks to its captivating story, beautiful visuals, and unforgettable songs. In fact, many kids loved the songs so much they memorized them!

In the movie's final scenes, as the witch Maleficent struggles to reclaim her wings from the king, her loyal servant, Diaval, is magically transformed into a massive and fierce dragon to defend her. Unlike the original story where Maleficent (played by Angelina Jolie) turns into the dragon, this time it's Diaval who takes on the dragon's form. The spectacular special effects in this final battle sequence definitely leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Dragonheart is considered one of the greatest films about dragons. Set in 10th-century England during the reign of King Arthur, the story follows a pivotal moment after the king's death. To save the life of Prince Einon, the queen seeks the help of Draco, a mystical dragon living deep within a cave. Draco agrees to share half of his heart with the prince, hoping that one day Einon will grow into a wise and just ruler.

However, things take a darker turn. After receiving the dragon's heart, Prince Einon becomes a ruthless king, and his violent actions force Draco to lose faith in humanity. The legendary Sean Connery provided the voice for Draco in this film. Dragonheart was nominated for an Oscar for its groundbreaking visual effects and was highly praised by critics upon its release.

If you're a fan of cinematic art and enjoy adventure, fantasy, and mythology films, then you surely know about the legendary movie *The Lord of the Rings* (2001). Following that, the three parts of *The Hobbit* directed by Peter Jackson continue the story set in *The Lord of the Rings*. The trilogy centers on the journey of dwarves as they attempt to reclaim their homeland.

In the third installment, *The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* (2013), the terrifying dragon Smaug makes his appearance. With immense power, Smaug once conquered the dwarves' kingdom, slaughtering innocents to amass a treasure trove. Depicted with scaly skin, piercing golden eyes, and a voice full of menace, Smaug represents one of the most fearsome creatures ever seen on screen. This movie became a box office smash, grossing $958.4 million globally.

How to Train Your Dragon is set in the mythical world of Vikings. The story follows Hiccup, the clumsy son of the village chief, who feels inadequate and out of place. Despite his self-doubt, Hiccup secretly aspires to become a legendary dragon hunter. The film explores the deep and sincere friendship between humans and dragons.

One day, Hiccup encounters a wounded dragon and helps nurse it back to health, naming it Toothless. This relationship changes Hiccup's life, leading him to convince his tribe that dragons are not enemies to be slain. *How to Train Your Dragon* became a sensation upon release, grossing $495 million. Beyond its financial success, the film was highly praised by both critics and audiences.

Though released over a decade ago, Avatar is still regarded as one of the most visually stunning films in cinema history. Set in a world filled with mystical creatures, the film features various dragons, each unique in their design. A standout scene is when Jake Sully in his Avatar form rides a Leonopteryx to tame the mighty Toruk, a dragon of great power, in a breathtaking aerial battle.

This sequence is one of the film's most thrilling moments, alongside the final battle. It immerses viewers in the sheer grandeur of towering mountains and the fierce, untamable Toruk, with its striking orange scales and vast wingspan, ready to defend its territory. The film's success is reflected in its box office numbers. By January 26, 2010, *Avatar* had shattered *Titanic's* record, earning a monumental $1.878 billion and establishing itself as the new king of global cinema.

Nearly every child today knows the famous Harry Potter character. Before it became a movie series, the Harry Potter books captivated readers of all ages around the world. Among the many movie adaptations, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a favorite, featuring the appearance of a fierce dragon.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth fantasy film in the successful Harry Potter series, based on J.K. Rowling's book. In this installment, we encounter the fearsome Hungarian Horntail, a terrifying challenge Harry must face in the Triwizard Tournament. Harry is forced to choose between battling the dragon to claim the golden egg or risking being burned alive. In just three days of release, the film earned Warner Bros a whopping $102.3 million.

Although a supporting character in the Walt Disney movie Mulan, Mushu, the small and clumsy dragon, stands in stark contrast to the fearsome and majestic dragons often depicted in legends. Yet, his humorous, awkward, and fiercely loyal personality leaves a lasting impression on audiences. The film presents an endearing portrayal of a dragon that won the hearts of viewers.

In the movie, Mushu is sent by the ancestors to protect Mulan when she decides to disguise herself as a man and join the battle. Despite being tiny, clumsy, and awkward, Mushu demonstrates incredible agility and cleverness, saving Mulan from many tricky situations. The voice of the dragon is provided by comedian Eddie Murphy. If you have the chance, you should watch Mulan for a fun and relaxing experience.

Eragon was widely released on December 13, 2006, by 20th Century Fox. Produced with a budget of $100 million, the film grossed $250 million globally. It is a fantasy film featuring dragons, and it captivated audiences with its imaginative story, receiving positive reviews from viewers worldwide.

The film follows a young boy, Eragon, who lives in the small village of Carvahall on the fictional continent of Alagaesia, home to many legendary creatures. One day while hunting, Eragon stumbles upon a dragon egg, which hatches into a blue dragon he names Saphira. As Eragon learns more, he discovers that Saphira is the last surviving dragon of Alagaesia, destroyed by the treacherous rider Galbatorix. From that moment, Eragon and his dragon embark on a journey to revive the ancient order of Dragon Riders and overthrow the tyrant ruling over Alagaesia.

Spirited Away is a remarkable Japanese animated film, also known in Vietnam as "Lost in the Spirit World." Released in 2001 by Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this film captivated audiences of all ages upon its release.

The story follows a 10-year-old girl, Chihiro Ogino, as she embarks on a quest to rescue her parents in the mysterious and sometimes frightening spirit world. Alongside Chihiro is the young sorcerer Haku, slender in appearance but strong-willed and determined to protect her from the powerful witch Yubaba. Haku’s alternate form is a beautiful white dragon. Released on July 20, 2001, Spirited Away became the highest-grossing film in Japanese cinema history, earning $289 million worldwide.

Another animated film featuring a dragon is Shrek. This movie tells the story of the grumpy, ugly ogre, Shrek, who is reluctantly on a mission to rescue Princess Fiona, who is trapped in a tower guarded by a fearsome dragon. While the dragon is said to be terrifying, the scene where Shrek attempts to rescue Fiona brings laughter, as the dragon's appearance is far from menacing. Instead, the dragon is a female, stylishly wearing makeup and lipstick. Later, she marries Donkey and becomes Shrek's loyal companion on his adventures.

The plot, filled with amusing twists and turns, keeps viewers engaged and entertained throughout. Shrek is praised not only for its content but also for its special effects and the warm reception from audiences upon release. If you're a fan of dragons, this is definitely a movie worth adding to your watchlist. Just watching the quirky dragon in action is sure to bring a smile to your face.