When you’re a kid, you have an ambivalent attitude towards dragons – especially talking dragons. Some dragons are ultra-scary, monstrous symbols of danger and threat. Some dragons are cute cuddly cartoon creatures in bright colors. Dragons are supporting roles or stars of the story. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best talking dragons in the movies.
1. Falkor the Luck Dragon
It’s quite hard to see Falkor as a true dragon because he’s more canine-like in his appearance than the archetypal scaly, long-necked monster. Falkor the Luck Dragon however, easily qualifies as one of our talking dragons because he breathes blue fire and flies. In The Neverending Story, the meeting of Falkor and Altreyu is when Altreyu’s luck changes – unsurprisingly.
2. Draco
Sean Connery may be a brilliant actor but he is not known for his mastery of accents. Whatever part he has played – even when he was cast as Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez in Highlander – he always delivers a Scottish accent. You just know therefore that any talking dragons voiced by Sean Connery are going to be Scottish! As is the lot with Draco in Dragonheart.
3. Smaug
I’ve not seen the movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug yet but Peter Jackson’s Smaug is touted as one of the greatest anthropomorphic dragons of all time. Voiced by the most-excellent Benedict Cumberbatch, we were always going to be on a winner there. Cumberbatch captures the chilling intelligence and arrogance of Smaug perfectly with his haughty voice.
4. Elliot
Is there a more cuddlier dragon than Elliot in Pete’s Dragon? Well, to get real, Elliot was a Disney creation, so it was never really going to be scary was he? (although It will be interesting to see how monstrous they make Maleficent’s dragon) . Elliot is green with a big round belly, is usually only visible to Pete and can make himself invisible to Pete too.
5. Saphira
Saphira from Eragon is one of my favorite talking dragons – simply because I love the voice. I think Rachel Weisz does an excellent job of changing the cadence of delivery to suit everything from soothing to menacing. I also think that the moviemakers did a good job of translating the vision of Saphira from the book to the movie screen.
6. Mushu
If Mulan were an adult movie rather than a Disney offering, I think we’d be seeing a lot more of Mushu – and hearing a lot more! Mushu, the Chinese guardian spirit, is voiced by the inimitable Eddie Murphy and he’s as witty and smart-mouthed he can be in a Disney production.
7. Haku
I’m using a bit of poetic license here because strictly speaking, Haku is not a dragon. Haku is a river spirit that has the ability to transform into a flying dragon. Haku when in dragon form is pretty cute with fur instead of scales. Haku is beautifully imagined as you might expect because he is a character in Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki – widely accepted as one of the greatest animations ever.
There are some amazing dragons in the movies – like the one the Potter kids escape from Gringotts on, Beowulf, Ghidorah, Vermithrax Pejorative, and the endlessly cute Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. When they become talking dragons, they seem to have an added dimension that makes them more interesting. Do you have a favorite talking dragon or a favorite movie featuring dragons?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some of the best talking dragons in movies?
- Some beloved talking dragons include Mushu from 'Mulan', Elliott from 'Pete's Dragon', and Draco from 'Dragonheart'.
- Why do talking dragons appeal to audiences?
- Talking dragons combine fantasy with relatable personalities, making them both magical and engaging for viewers.
- Are these dragons usually good or bad characters?
- Talking dragons can be heroes, like Elliott, or more mischievous figures, like Mushu, adding variety to their roles.
- Which movie features the friendliest talking dragon?
- 'Pete's Dragon' features Elliott, who is a gentle and protective dragon befriending a young boy.
- Do these dragons have unique voices or personalities?
- Yes, each talking dragon is given a distinct voice and personality that fits the story's tone and target audience.
- Are talking dragons common in animated or live-action films?
- They appear in both, but many popular talking dragons are found in animated movies due to the flexibility of animation.
- Can talking dragons teach valuable lessons?
- Definitely! Many movies use talking dragons to convey messages about friendship, bravery, and self-acceptance.
- Which movie features the most iconic talking dragon?
- 'Mulan' is famous for Mushu, who adds humor and heart to the story as a loyal guardian.
- Are talking dragons suitable for kids?
- Yes, most talking dragons appear in family-friendly films that entertain and teach positive lessons.
- Where can I watch movies with talking dragons?
- You can find these movies on popular streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime video.