If you loved the soaring adventure, heartwarming friendship, and stunning animation of How to Train Your Dragon, you’re probably hungry for more captivating movies in the same vein. This beloved DreamWorks franchise captured the imaginations of audiences with its poignant coming-of-age story about a misfit Viking teen named Hiccup who befriends an injured dragon, changing his village’s way of life forever.
While few films can match the magic of Hiccup and Toothless’ tale, there are many other wonderful animated and live-action movies that share similar themes of unlikely friendships, finding your place in the world, and epic fantasy storytelling. Whether you’re seeking more dragons, craving a good ugly-duckling story, or just want to be transported to fantastical realms, these 15 films are sure to enchant fans of How to Train Your Dragon.
1. Pete’s Dragon (1977)
This classic Disney musical blends live-action and animation to tell the story of an orphan boy named Pete who befriends a kind dragon named Elliott. Much like Hiccup, Pete is an outsider who finds acceptance through his bond with a misunderstood mythical creature. While the original Pete’s Dragon has a lighter, more whimsical tone than How to Train Your Dragon, it still offers a touching portrait of an unlikely friendship.
The film is full of delightful musical numbers, slapstick comedy, and an endearingly goofy cartoon dragon brought to life through charming hand-drawn animation. Pete’s Dragon demonstrates how the love between a boy and his dragon can overcome adversity and prejudice. If you enjoy stories of special friendships with a side of song and dance, this one’s for you.
2. Dragonheart (1996)
Dragonheart is a live-action fantasy adventure starring Dennis Quaid as Bowen, a knight who becomes a dragon slayer after his student, the tyrannical King Einon, betrays him. Bowen reluctantly joins forces with Draco (voiced by Sean Connery), the last dragon, who had saved Einon’s life by sharing his heart with the prince.
Like How to Train Your Dragon, Dragonheart explores themes of disillusionment, moral complexity, and learning to see dragons as allies rather than enemies. Bowen and Draco’s grudging partnership blossoms into a sincere friendship as they grapple with Einon’s villainy. The film boasts impressive (for the time) CGI bringing Draco to life and a sweeping orchestral score. While more mature in tone than How to Train Your Dragon, Dragonheart is an entertaining medieval fantasy with a poignant message about sacrifice and honor.
3. The Iron Giant (1999)
From director Brad Bird (The Incredibles), The Iron Giant is a stunning animated Cold War fable about a young boy who discovers a giant alien robot and strives to protect him from government forces. Like Hiccup, lonely outcast Hogarth finds purpose through his friendship with the childlike Giant, teaching him about life on Earth and keeping him hidden.
Filled with gorgeously retro animation, The Iron Giant is a powerful story about choosing your own destiny and the transformative power of friendship. Its anti-war, pro-acceptance message still resonates today. Fans of Hiccup’s underdog story and the sincere emotional core of How to Train Your Dragon will find much to love in this modern animated classic.
4. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch centers on a lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts a strange blue “dog” who is actually a dangerous genetic experiment. Lilo is an outcast among her peers, while Stitch is hunted by alien forces seeking to destroy him. Together, these two oddballs form an unbreakable bond and learn the true meaning of family.
Like How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch is ultimately a story about seeing beyond surface appearances and embracing people (or creatures) for who they are inside. Its lush watercolor backgrounds and Elvis-infused soundtrack give the film a unique flavor. If you enjoyed watching Hiccup and Toothless learn to trust and accept one another, Lilo and Stitch’s journey will definitely tug at your heartstrings.
5. Spirited Away (2001)
Legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning masterpiece follows a young girl named Chihiro who is transported to a realm of spirits and must work in a bathhouse to free herself and her parents. Spirited Away overflows with astonishing creativity, from its bizarre menagerie of supernatural creatures to its evocative hand-drawn animation.
One of Chihiro’s allies is Haku, a boy who can transform into a flying dragon. Haku helps Chihiro navigate the spirit world, and she in turn saves him from his own corruption. Their tender bond calls to mind Hiccup and Toothless’ connection. Spirited Away‘s dazzling fantasy, strong female lead, and moving story of friendship and resilience make it essential viewing for any animation fan.
6. The Secret of Kells (2009)
This ravishing Irish animated film tells the story of Brendan, a young monk who befriends Aisling, a mysterious forest sprite, and defies his abbot’s orders to help complete the legendary Book of Kells. Filled with intricate illuminations inspired by Celtic artwork, The Secret of Kells is a visual feast.
Brendan must learn to trust his own artistic gifts and venture beyond the safety of his village’s walls. His friendship with the wild, free-spirited Aisling is not unlike Hiccup’s bond with Toothless, with each challenging the other’s worldview. If you fell in love with the lush Nordic landscapes of How to Train Your Dragon, you’ll be enchanted by The Secret of Kells‘ gorgeous take on Irish mythology and history.
7. Song of the Sea (2014)
From the same studio behind The Secret of Kells, this breathtaking film draws on Irish folklore to spin the tale of a mute girl who is the last of the selkies, women who can transform into seals. With help from her brother and an eccentric band of fairies, Saoirse must free the spirits of the sea.
Song of the Sea shares the exquisite artistry of The Secret of Kells while delving into themes of grief, growing up, and embracing your identity. Like Hiccup’s journey to prove himself, Saoirse must learn to harness her half-human, half-selkie nature. Ultimately, both Song of the Sea and How to Train Your Dragon are about the importance of preserving magic and tradition in a changing world.
8. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Laika’s stunning stop-motion samurai epic follows a one-eyed boy in ancient Japan who must locate a magical suit of armor to defeat his evil grandfather, the Moon King. Armed with a shamisen that brings origami to life, Kubo is joined by a snow monkey and a beetle samurai on his quest.
Kubo and the Two Strings combines dazzling visuals with an engrossing hero’s journey in the spirit of How to Train Your Dragon. As an outcast grappling with newly discovered powers, Kubo’s arc parallels Hiccup’s own. The film also explores how storytelling and memories keep our departed loved ones alive. If you want another thrilling, poignant, visually inventive coming-of-age tale, Kubo is not to be missed.
9. Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
From Studio Ponoc, founded by ex-Ghibli animators, comes this delightful film about a girl who finds a magical flower that grants her temporary witch powers and passage to a school of magic. There she uncovers a plot by the headmistress to use the flower for nefarious purposes.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower boasts the lush, hand-drawn look of a classic Miyazaki movie with an enchanting story all its own. Like Hiccup, Mary is a misfit who learns to believe in herself through her supernatural adventures. This film is perfect for fans of whimsical fantasy and the beautiful animation of How to Train Your Dragon.
10. Eragon (2006)
Based on the first novel in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, Eragon tells the story of the titular farm boy who discovers a dragon egg and becomes linked to the hatchling Saphira. As the last of the Dragon Riders, Eragon must defend his land from the tyrannical King Galbatorix.
While the film received mixed reviews, it still offers an entertaining dragon-riding adventure in the vein of How to Train Your Dragon. Eragon and Saphira’s bond develops as they learn to work together, much like Hiccup and Toothless. With sweeping vistas, sword-and-sorcery action, and (of course) a majestic CG dragon, Eragon is worth a look for fantasy fans.
11. Reign of Fire (2002)
This post-apocalyptic action film imagines a world where dragons have awakened from hibernation and decimated human civilization. Christian Bale stars as Quinn, the leader of a ragtag community who must team up with an American militia, led by Matthew McConaughey’s Denton, to take down the beasts.
Reign of Fire presents a much darker, grittier vision of human-dragon relations than How to Train Your Dragon. But it still offers exhilarating action, a unique dystopian setting, and fearsome fire-breathing creatures brought to life with then-cutting-edge CGI. Sometimes it’s fun to watch dragons be the menacing monsters they were originally envisioned as.
12. The Neverending Story (1984)
Wolfgang Petersen’s beloved fantasy classic follows Bastian, a shy bookworm who is drawn into the magical world of Fantasia through the pages of an enchanted novel. There he discovers the land is under threat from a malevolent force called The Nothing, which is spreading despair and destruction.
The Neverending Story is a celebration of imagination and the transporting power of a good book, much like how How to Train Your Dragon immerses you in the world of Vikings and dragons. Bastian, like Hiccup, is an unlikely hero who must believe in himself to save the day. The film also features stunning practical effects, including the iconic luck-dragon Falkor. It’s a must-see for any fan of 80s fantasy.
13. Dragonslayer (1981)
This dark medieval fantasy from Disney follows Galen, a sorcerer’s apprentice who must defeat a monstrous dragon after his master dies in the attempt. He’s joined by Valerian, a would-be female dragonslayer disguised as a man. Dragonslayer boasts cutting-edge creature effects that bring the fearsome dragon Vermithrax Pejorative to terrifying life.
While grimmer in tone than How to Train Your Dragon, Dragonslayer still offers rousing adventure, a compelling lead duo, and one of cinema’s most memorable dragons. Galen’s journey from naive apprentice to hero will appeal to fans of Hiccup’s own coming-of-age arc. If you like your fantasy with a bit more bite, Dragonslayer is a cult classic well worth slaying.
14. Shrek (2001)
DreamWorks’ fractured fairy tale follows Shrek, a grumpy ogre who begrudgingly befriends the annoying Donkey and embarks on a quest to rescue the fiery Princess Fiona. Shrek gleefully subverts and satirizes Disney-style storytelling with plenty of irreverent humor and a touching message about accepting yourself for who you are.
While Shrek has a more modern, ironic sensibility than the sincere How to Train Your Dragon, both showcase DreamWorks’ skill at bringing memorable characters to life through state-of-the-art animation and strong vocal performances. They also share themes of misfits finding their place in the world. Shrek is a hilarious, quotable romp that still has a big heart underneath its rude, crude exterior.
15. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Disney’s sumptuous fantasy epic centers on Raya, a warrior princess on a quest to find the last dragon and save her land from a plague of darkness. Drawing on Southeast Asian folklore, Raya and the Last Dragon is a visual feast, from its lush landscapes to its vibrant costumes and adorable (yet powerful) water dragon Sisu.
Like How to Train Your Dragon, Raya grapples with themes of prejudice, learning to trust, and realizing that dragons are allies, not enemies. Raya is another complex, compelling heroine in Hiccup’s mold. And the film’s message of unity and hope is one we could all use more of these days. Raya and the Last Dragon is a worthy addition to the dragon-riding fantasy genre.
These 15 films illustrate the enduring appeal of stories about dragons, misfits finding their destiny, and the power of friendship. Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming tale like Pete’s Dragon, a darker fantasy like Dragonslayer, or an imaginative anime like Spirited Away, there’s something for every fan of How to Train Your Dragon‘s potent blend of adventure, humor, and heart.
So the next time you find yourself longing to soar through the skies with Hiccup and Toothless again, give one of these enchanting films a watch. They’ll transport you to faraway realms where dragons are real and even the unlikeliest hero can save the day. Because that’s the real magic of How to Train Your Dragon—and cinema itself.
