Dragon Movies

Dragons are majestic, powerful, and terrifying creatures that can set fire to everything in their path. With armored hides thick enough to withstand nuclear weapons, these apex predators are more than capable of engulfing entire cities with nothing but a single breath. Whether they’re good samaritans or evil empire-builders, these monsters make for a fascinating subject for movies. Fortunately, there are plenty of films that feature these winged beasts. Some of the best dragon movies are animated, allowing audiences to experience their majesty and magic through the artful use of animation. Others, like the first true modern-day depiction of a dragon in Smaug, are live action and bring an impressive level of realistic fantasy to the screen.

While the cast of this 90s film is a bit uneven, it still delivers a heartwarming story of two jaded dragonslaying knights forming an unlikely bond with a reptile. The dragon’s haughty persona and lust for gold make Smaug one of the most compelling and recognizable modern-day depictions of a dragon.

Pete’s Dragon is a surprisingly bittersweet film about the mistreatment of an adopted child and his relationship with his dragon. Even though the movie has a low Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a charming story that’s perfect for family viewing. The movie features a wide range of talented voice actors and a special effects team that uses animatronics, stop-motion puppetry, and computer modeling to capture the majesty of this iconic creature. The result is a touching and beautiful movie that remains as popular now as it was in 1977.