Mar 19 2009
10 Memorable Dragons From Movies
As I was researching this article, I came to the realization that there just aren’t many dragons that have appeared in movies. They’re prevalent throughout literature and especially video games, but when it comes to movies, these mythical beasts are actually quite rare. Part of that reason, I suppose, could be that up until about 15 years or so ago, visual effects were pretty limited and it was almost impossible to show a decent-looking dragon on the big screen. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more dragons in movies in the future; I’m always a sucker for an effects-driven monster/beast movie. If I was a girl, I’m pretty sure I’d be obsessed with unicorns. At any rate, the dragons that do appear in movies come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and temperaments. After the jump, take a look at 10 memorable dragons from movies.
Male Dragon - Reign of Fire
In 2020, every dragon Van Zam and Quinn encounter turns out to be female, and it is believed that there is one male dragon even larger and more deadly than the rest. Naturally, this theory turns out to be true, and the male dragon makes his appearance in London, clutching a female out of the sky and devouring her in front of the horrified protagonists. Quinn manages to defeat the male dragon, but not before it made a snack of Van Zam.
Elliot - Pete’s Dragon
Elliot had the ability to turn invisible and could be seen only by Pete. Unlike most dragons, Elliot was friendly, opting to play games with children instead of gobbling them up. Nothing against Elliot, but he looks like he’s got some type of mental illness or genetic disorder. And one tooth? You’re a dragon, for chrissakes, pull yourself together.
Draco - Dragonheart
Voiced by Sean Connery, Draco the dragon was a hustler. He knew a good scheme better than anyone, and his partnership with the dragon-slayer Bowen proves to be mutually beneficial and quite lucrative.
Hungarian Horntail - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Naturally, during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Harry selects the most ornery and vicious of all the dragons against which the contestants must battle - the Hungarian Horntail. Given the task of retrieving a golden egg, Harry has to evade the Horntail or suffer the consequences of being set on fire or eaten. I never really understoof how a school - even Hogwarts - could sanction events in which students risked life and limb. These days, you’re not even allowed to play friggin’ freeze tag.
Various Dragons - D-War
Alright, I never saw this South Korean movie, but that’s because I couldn’t find anyone to go with me. I seem to have that problem quite often, actually. Anyway, there are tons of ridiculous-looking dragons that apparently bite and breathe fire at one another (and people, I’m guessing) in this movie, and the insane cobra-esque dragon (pictured above) warranted me throwing these dragons into this article. Has anyone seen this flick? Is it as terrible as I’ve heard?
Falcor - The Neverending Story
Sure, everyone loves the Luckdragon Falcor, but did you know that he is a horrible racist? It’s true. He also has boogers the size of footballs and a penis that looks like a pink canoe when unsheathed. This was all supposed to be revealed in The Neverending Story: Director’s Cut.
Mushu - Mulan
Mushu was voiced by Eddie Murphy and served as a guardian spirit to the Fa family. He provides guidance to Mulan, although he’d probably be more effective if he was gigantic and not a little twerp. I enjoyed seeing an Eastern dragon in this movie, as most of the dragons we are accustomed to are presented in the Western style, and I maintain that Mulan is a pretty underrated flick.
Saphira - Eragon
Rachel Weisz provides the voice for Saphira, who joins with a boy named Eragon to continue the legacy of Dragon Riders. What are the chances that a boy named Eragon would discover a dragon egg? That’d be like a kid named Onicorn stumbling upon…well, you see what I’m getting at.
Vermithrax Pejorative - Dragonslayer
With a name that sounds like an Herpes medication, Vermithrax terrorizes the kingdom of Urland. It’s up to Galen Bradwarder to slay the giant wyrm and save the kingdom. Galen has some help along the way and ultimately succeeds in destroying Vermithrax -not with a sword or spear, but with an amulet and an exploding wizard.
Dragon - Shrek
Dragons need love, too, and the dragon in Shrek - named simply “Dragon” - ends up falling for a donkey named (simply) “Donkey.” The two animals end up having a litter of hybrid children together, and the big, mean Dragon turns out to be a total sweetheart. Which leads me to my question: would you rather make it with a dragon or a donkey? I’d pick the dragon - better offspring, less stench, and mad street cred. Word.
Are there any dragons in movies that didn’t make it into this article? Let me know in the comments section!
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Yep D-War is very bad but I kinda watched the whole movie just for the dragons. And enjoyed the cgi. But don’t expect a story or even acting.
Who can forget the dragon at the end of Beowulf? Much cooler offspring of Grendel than the giant man/boy with the gnarly eaar tumor.
Ok, I guess this is because I’m a girl, but…..the dragon-version of Malificent in “Sleeping Beauty” (the Disney movie) is pretty cool. Also, as kids, my brother and I loved the 1970s animated version of “The Hobbit,” featuring Smaug the dragon, who I always thought looked like a weird cat.
You did, indeed, forget the gaggle of dragons, including the big bull, from Reign of Fire. Shame, shame.
@ Dorkus
That’s right, there was a dragon in Sleeping Beauty. For some reason I thought there may have been one in Cinderella, but yes, it was Sleeping Beauty I was thinking of.
@ Xaos Bob
You have got to be kidding me, right? Wow.
Although the movie “Dungeons & Dragons” was pretty bad the dragons in the movie were pretty cool and seemed pretty important hence the name of the movie.
What about Puff the Magic Dragon? Just saying it brings back memories.
@ MikewithaK
Puff was just the name of the boy’s dragon, Focker.
There are 371 movies on IMDb associated with the plot keyword “dragon”:
http://www.imdb.com/keyword/dragon/
Personally, I’m taking notes.
@ Heather
Yes, but the keyword for this article is “memorable.” They’re not memorable if you have to look them up.
Ok, it’s a TV movie, direct to VHS, but the Rankin/Bass “The Flight of Dragons” owns, and it one of my favorite movies ever. Three memorable dragons: Gorbash, Smrgol, and Bryagh, with two honorable mentions to Lunarian and Shen Tsu.
Gorbash 100% , well done Bill