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20 Famous Dragons in Movies and Literature

Dragons have captivated our imagination for ages, appearing as mighty beasts or wise companions in many beloved stories across various mediums like movies and literature. According to my research, a dragon is a magical legendary creature that appears in the folklore of multiple cultures worldwide.

In this article, I have discussed several dragons that are well-known in movies and literature like dragons of Pern, Smaug, Draco, Mushu, Toothless, and Drogon among others. If you want to know more about these dragons and their roles in movies, join me to the end as I discuss their amazing characters.

1. Mashu (Mulan)

Mushu is a famous dragon in the movie “Mulan.” He’s a small, red dragon with a big personality. Mushu is known for being funny, brave, and sometimes a little bit mischievous. He’s Mulan’s loyal friend and protector, helping her on her journey to save China.

Despite his small size, Mushu proves that even the tiniest dragons can have the biggest hearts. Kids and adults alike love Mushu for his humor and charm, making him one of the most beloved animated dragons in movie history.

2. Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)

Toothless is a famous dragon in the movie “How to Train Your Dragon.” He’s a Night Fury, a rare and powerful breed known for its stealth and speed. Toothless is sleek, black, and has expressive green eyes. Despite his fearsome appearance, he’s gentle and loyal, forming a strong bond with his human friend, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock.

Toothless is known for his intelligence, playfulness, and ability to understand human emotions. Toothless and Hiccup embark on thrilling adventures, learning from each other and defying stereotypes about dragons. Toothless’s endearing personality and fierce loyalty have made him a beloved character in the hearts of audiences worldwide.

3. Draco- (Dragonheart)

In the movie “Dragonheart,” Draco is a famous dragon known for his unique bond with a knight named Bowen. Draco’s role is pivotal as he teams up with Bowen to restore peace to their kingdom. Despite being initially reluctant, Draco learns the value of friendship and sacrifice, becoming a symbol of hope for both humans and dragons. Through his bravery and wisdom, Draco teaches important lessons about courage, honor, and the power of unity. 

4. Vermithrax Pejorative (Dragonslayer)

Vermithrax Pejorative is the dragon antagonist in the 1981 fantasy film Dragonslayer. With its massive size, fiery breath, and vicious nature, Vermithrax struck fear into villagers who offered it virgin sacrifices. When a young wizard’s apprentice named Galen volunteered to kill the dragon, Vermithrax was portrayed as a cunning and deadly beast.

Their climactic battle featured impressive special effects for the time. Though not as widely recognized today as dragons like Smaug, Vermithrax Pejorative left a memorable impression as one of the scariest cinematic dragons in the early 1980s. Its role established dragons as dangerous and complex villains.

5. Drogon (Game of Thrones)

Drogon is a famous dragon in the TV series “Game of Thrones,” adapted from the books by George R.R. Martin. He is one of the three dragons born to Daenerys Targaryen and plays a crucial role throughout the series. As the largest and most powerful of the dragons, Drogon serves as Daenerys’s mount and a formidable weapon in her quest to claim the Iron Throne.

He symbolizes her strength, resilience, and connection to her Targaryen heritage. Drogon’s fiery breath and fierce loyalty make him a feared and respected force in the world of Westeros, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

6. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

In “Sleeping Beauty,” Maleficent transforms into a fearsome dragon, becoming one of the most iconic dragons in movie history. The dragon guards Princess Aurora in her castle. Maleficent’s imposing presence adds suspense and danger to the story, as Prince Phillip must battle her to rescue Aurora.

The battle between Phillip and Maleficent in her dragon form is a thrilling climax to the classic fairy tale. Despite her terrifying appearance, Maleficent’s role as a dragon highlights her power and cunning as a villain. Her portrayal as a dragon has captivated audiences for generations, solidifying her status as one of the most memorable and formidable dragons in cinematic history.

7. King Ghidorah (Godzilla)

King Ghidorah is a famous multi-headed dragon monster from the Godzilla movies. He has three heads on long necks and huge, powerful bat-like wings. Each of his triangular heads has horns and wild red eyes. King Ghidorah is an alien being that flies through space destroying whole worlds with his lightning-like gravity beams.

In battle, King Ghidorah wraps his neck around Godzilla, carries him into the sky, and uses fiery electrical blasts. Godzilla finally kills him but King Ghidorah always comes back to life somehow. With his winged serpent shape, three snarling heads, and planet-killing powers, King Ghidorah is one of the greatest dragon villains in movie history.

8. Saphira (Eragon)

Saphira is the wise and powerful dragon bonded to Eragon in Christopher Paolini’s fantasy novel series The Inheritance Cycle. With sapphire-blue scales and an impressive wingspan, Saphira hatches for Eragon and they develop a close mental connection. She grows rapidly, showing fierce loyalty while advising Eragon with her ancient knowledge.

Saphira breathes impressive flames and her aerial combat ability makes her instrumental in battles against evil King Galbatorix. Her character represents freedom, wisdom, and courage. 

9. Falkor (The Neverending Story)

In “The NeverEnding Story,” movies, one of the most famous dragons is Falkor, a Luck Dragon. Falkor is a friendly and wise creature with a long, white body covered in scales. He has a kind face and is known for his gentle nature and soothing voice.

Falkor helps the young hero, Atreyu, on his quest to save the fantastical world of Fantasia. With his ability to fly and his wisdom, Falkor provides valuable guidance and support throughout the journey. Children and adults alike adore Falkor for his warmth and positivity, making him a beloved character in the magical world of “The NeverEnding Story.”

11. Haku(Spirited Away)

Haku is the mysterious dragon spirit that features in the 2001 animated film Spirited Away. In the movie, Haku appears as a young boy with magical abilities but transforms into a graceful, serpentine white dragon. After the protagonist Chihiro frees him from a spell, Haku returns the favor by protecting her multiple times.

As a river spirit, he is connected to water and nature. His dragon form has an Asian-inspired design with whiskers and a flowing mane. As an important figure in the young girl’s heroic journey, Haku left a lasting impression as a benevolent dragon guide. His relationship with Chihiro showed a softer, more uplifting side of dragon depictions in film.

12. Hungarian Horntail (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)

The Hungarian Horntail is one of the most terrifying dragons featured in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This black, lizard-like creature has bronze horns and spikes on its tail, earning its name. It is capable of shooting flames up to 50 feet and the Horntail viciously protects her eggs. It is considered one of the most dangerous dragons.

Harry summons all his bravery and flying skills to retrieve a golden egg and survive the challenge. The dramatic sequence demonstrated Harry’s courage and wizarding abilities. The Horntail’s breath could reach extraordinarily high temperatures and can turn stone red in seconds. 

13. Spyro the Dragon (video games)

Spyro the Dragon is the spirited purple protagonist of the classic Spyro video game franchise. First appearing in 1998’s Spyro the Dragon, Spyro is a young, headstrong dragon who must save his fellow dragons from being frozen in crystal. With his fiery breath, horned head, and ability to glide, charge, and defeat enemies, Spyro proved a fun, kid-friendly dragon hero.

As the sarcastic yet brave title character, Spyro headlined several PlayStation games and branched into other media like toys and comics. With his memorable design and lovable yet mischievous personality, Spyro persists as one of the most iconic dragon characters in video games, leaving a lasting impact as a pioneer in 3D platform games starring a dragon protagonist.

14. Dragons of Pern (Anne McCaffrey)

The Dragons of Pern, featured in Anne McCaffrey’s beloved fantasy book series are very famous. Lots of people love reading about them. These dragons bond to human riders at birth. They can talk to their riders with telepathy. The dragons protect the planet Pern from bad spores that fall from the sky.

They breathe fire to destroy the spores. The Pern dragons act like real creatures. They seem smart and emotional. McCaffrey made them seem very life-like. So her dragon books taught people that dragons can be complex beings and good friends to humans.

15. Deathwing (Warcraft)

Deathwing is one of the most infamous dragons in fantasy featured in the Warcraft universe. Originally known as Neltharion the Earth-Warder, he was corrupted by dark forces and turned against the other dragonflights he was meant to protect. In his madness and lust for power, Deathwing scorched much of Azeroth, shattering continents and plunging the world into chaos.

Though once a noble guardian, Neltharion came to be better known by his title of Deathwing the Destroyer. Massive and terrifying, wreathed in molten fire, Deathwing became the very embodiment of evil. It took the greatest heroes of Azeroth uniting together to finally defeat Deathwing after his fiery cataclysm and restore some semblance of peace.

16. Nicol Bolas (Magic: The Gathering)

Nicol Bolas is an evil dragon from the fantasy card game and story series Magic: The Gathering.  He has black scales, and curved horns, and can breathe blue fire that burns super hot. Nicol Bolas wants to gain more magical power and take over entire worlds. He is known for being cruel and tricky.

He defeats his enemies by getting into their heads and using magic spells. Some of his most evil deeds involve stealing power from other dragons and making sinister deals. Nicol Bolas proves that not all dragons are nice and that sometimes the oldest dragons can be the most dangerous villains of all! Despite his evilness, many fans see Nicol Bolas as one of the greatest Magic dragons.

17. Longwings ( Temeraire books)

Longwings is a special kind of dragon from the fantasy book series Temeraire books by Naomi Novik. The dragon weighs between 15 to 18 tons. They have long, narrow wings compared to most other dragons, which let them fly very fast and very high, above the clouds.

Longwings come in bright, shiny colors like gold, silver, and bronze. They breathe really hot fire, which helps them roast their enemies in battle. The most famous Longwing is Meleys, ridden by Princess Rhaenys Targaryen during a big war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Meleys was killed in battle but was still very feared. With their speedy flying and fiery breath, Longwings are some of the deadliest dragons in fantasy stories.

18. Alduin (Skyrim)

Alduin is a big black dragon from the popular video game called Skyrim. He is known as the World Eater. He is the first-born son of Akatosh, the god of time in Skyrim. Alduin is a mean dragon who wants to destroy the world. He can bring other dragons back to life so they can help him. The player has to try to stop Alduin from destroying everything.

They have big fights with fire breathing and shouting. Alduin looks very scary with big black wings, horns, and red eyes. He is super strong too. In the end, the player defeats Alduin who then disappears. Alduin is remembered as a very powerful dragon villain who almost ended the whole world of Skyrim!

19. Shenron (Dragon Ball)

Shenron is a big green dragon from the popular Dragon Ball movies and comic books. He lives inside seven magic balls called Dragon Balls. When all seven balls are brought together, Shenron comes out. His eyes glow red and he can make people’s wishes come true. He is very strong and has magic powers. But Shenron can only grant one wish at a time before he goes back into the balls.

He also cannot bring people back to life who have died before. After he grants a wish, the Dragon Balls turn to stone for one year. Then Shenron’s powers come back. Lots of exciting stories happen when people try to find the Dragon Balls and make a wish from the magical Shenron dragon.

20. Smaug (The Hobbit)

Smaug is arguably the greatest dragon in all of literature. With scales of impenetrable gold and gems encrusting his underbelly, Smaug took possession of the dwarven riches within the Lonely Mountain. There he rested for decades, admiring his glittering hoard. Smaug was cunning, vain, and greedy beyond measure. His fiery wrath was aroused when Bilbo Baggins stole a golden cup.

The resulting vengeance laid waste to Lake-town. Ultimately, Smaug was killed thanks to his small vulnerability – a missing scale that left his chest exposed. His death allowed the dwarves to regain their home and gold. Smaug’s lust for gold and savagery captured imaginations worldwide.