15 Iconic Disney Dragons That Will Either Terrify or Charm You

Practically since its inception, the Disney brand has been synonymous with fairy tales and magical legends. Walt Disney himself chose a traditional German fairy tale featuring a princess at the center in the studio’s first animated feature: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Disney’s love of mythologies, folklore, continued with full-length animated pictures like Pinocchio (1940), Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953). But it was in a 1941 animated anthology that audiences would see the first of many Disney dragons to come. And one of the most memorable and famous would make her debut in Sleeping Beauty (1959). 

Disney animal characters come in all shapes and sizes, and are a core element to the brand, but dragons hold an iconic status in the fairy tale world. And Disney has developed a large catalog of these mythological creatures over the decades. Across Disney’s feature-length animated and live-action movies, shorts, and theme parks, dragons have been at center-stage in some of Disney’s most iconic moments. So, we’re going to take a look at the most memorable, and potentially obscure, Disney dragon characters.

Known simply as “Dragon” this ancient reptile dwells in a hidden lair below Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris called La Tanière du Dragon. A walk-through attraction in Sleeping Beauty Castle, the dragon is often mistaken for Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, but it’s a different character unique to the Disney Parks entirely. When Disneyland Paris opened on April 12, 1992, it was the largest animatronic figure ever constructed.

The online encyclopedia, Muppet Wiki, describes Uncle Deadly as a “blue, reptilian-looking creature” so he certainly fits the bill of Disney dragon. He first appeared in 1976 and had an almost 20-year gap where he did not appear in any Muppet properties. In the junior novelization of the film The Muppets (2011) he is described as “a dragon.”

He usually appears as a sinister force, but generally with a comedic edge, and has earned a low-key cult following for it. He may not be the most well-known among the Muppets or Disney dragons, but his personality all but makes up for it.

Lord Dragonus appeared in the animated series Mighty Ducks (1996-1997) and the movie Mighty Ducks: The First Face Off (1996). He has a fearsome appearance as an anthropomorphic red dragon and is the main antagonist of the heroes, The Mighty Ducks.

His true power was never showcased, as the series was canceled after its first season, so fans never got to see a final face-off between the heroes and this formidable villain. Given it likely would have been quite the battle, he still earns a spot on the list.

A unique and equally devastating dragon, The Curse Dragon, appears in Disney/Pixar’s Onward (2020). According to the lore of the film, The Curse Dragon is unleashed when all the Phoenix Gems are gathered by an adventurer and a dragon made of debris or anything in its surrounding area appears.

The Curse Dragon can fly, leave large gashes in the earth with its footfall, and breath fire. However, the dragon met his match when he was defeated by the hero of the movie, Ian, with the Curse Crusher.

Melty is a small, but mighty dragon from the Lilo & Stitch franchise of films and TV series. He appears in the movie Leroy & Stitch and the shows Lilo & Stitch: The Series and Stitch! (aired exclusively in Japan). Like Stitch, he is one of Jumba Jookiba’s experiments—Experiment 228 to be exact—and was designed as a weapon against enemy forces.

He’s small in stature with a snake-like body and can melt objects with his fireballs—even under water! His unique powers are what make him one of the best Disney dragons.

The Great Stone Dragon from Disney’s Mulan (1998) might not seem like an obvious choice for a list of Disney movie dragons, but he plays a pivoting role in Mulan’s story—by not actually playing a part in Mulan’s story. The much smaller and less significant dragon, Mushu, accidentally topples his statue and passes himself off as the mighty entity. One fan theory states that Mushu may not have been able to awaken the Great Stone Dragon because the dragon was already awakened in Mulan herself.

This is actually yet another stone dragon from the animated series: Gargoyles (1994-1997). Unlike the Great Stone Dragon from Mulan, this dragon is based around the English legend of King Arthur and European lore. The dragon is, in fact, a statue of a dragon that once existed in the world of the Gargoyles named Wyvern. It’s eventually felled in battle by King Arthur who manages to hit its weak point—a red stone in its chest.

This creature was a Disney dragon character from the animated Alice in Wonderland whose scene was cut in the final film. But it finally manifested on screen in 2010’s Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016). In the live-action Alice movies, he serves the Red Queen as a fierce and powerful henchman and is sent to destroy the White Queen and her people. 

A terrifying specter of Greek mythology, the Hydra appears in Hercules (1997) and made subsequent appearances in TV shows like Hercules (1998-1999) and House of Mouse (2001-2003).

Part of what makes the Hydra so formidable is its ability to regenerate three new heads each time one is cut off. Hercules was only able to defeat the Hydra by moving it into a position where he caused an avalanche to crush it. 

Another dragon original to the Disney Parks, Figment, is a purple dragon that appears in the Epcot attraction: Journey Into Imagination.

Figment has appeared in countless merchandise over the years (most famously, his popcorn bucket) and serves as the park’s unofficial mascot. He embodies the power of imagination which Disney holds in high esteem. In a way, he is one of the most powerful Disney dragons of all for what he represents. 

A divine water dragon who can also transform into human-form, Sisu appears in Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). As the movie title states, she’s the last dragon in existence and questions her own power.

She largely has the ability to manipulate water into various forms like fog, clouds, and even water platforms. Her greatest power may be how she offers courage and empathy to Raya throughout her mission.

Madam Mim is a sorceress from Disney’s The Sword in the Stone (1963) who can shapeshift into almost anything. In a magical duel with the great wizard, Merlin, she transforms into a giant purple dragon. Merlin is only able to defeat her by outwitting her and becoming a germ, causing her to become sick and forfeit the duel.

Her reputation as a dark horse of Disney Villains combined with the clever-thinking required to take her down makes one of the best Disney dragons.

The gentle giant, Elliot, is a good natured, animated dragon from Pete’s Dragon (1977) — a combination live-action and animated film. He befriends a young orphan named Pete and has the ability to disappear entirely.

His gift lies mainly in the ability to act as a guardian to children and a force for good. A dragon that warms the heart, and not just because he breathes fire, is one that can be treasured by many.

This one probably deserves mention above most Disney dragons in cartoons since he’s the first. He is part of an anthology film called The Reluctant Dragon (1941) and is featured in his own short.

The Reluctant Dragon, much like Elliot, represents the softer side of Disney dragons. He prefers poetry and the arts to breathing fire and enjoys a peaceful life. He fakes a battle with a knight (in which he does breath fire) and, in the end, is welcomed by unwitting villagers as a “reformed” dragon.

Probably the most well-known and iconic dragon in the Disney brand, Maleficent is a powerful witch feared by everyone in Princess Aurora’s kingdom in Sleeping Beauty. And for good reason—her sharp exterior matches the dark coldness within.

She appears first in human form and transforms into a dragon at the film’s climax. While she is ultimately defeated by Prince Phillip, she lives on in the pop culture zeitgeist.

Live-action films have been devoted to the icon, and even the character’s younger self like in the Disney movie Descendants: The Rise of Red. She’s also appeared in countless shows and parades in Disney Parks throughout the world.

She was once Mickey Mouse’s ultimate nemesis in the show Fantasmic! in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Though she was defeated again, this time by a fire during an April 2023 Fantasmic! performance at Disneyland, she’s proven she can take her licks but her lasting-power as a Disney icon stays strong.

Walt’s legacy is that his creative team has a knack for creating compelling Disney dragon characters and its catalog of dragons has only grown throughout the years. The Art of Disney Dragons is a great book to see more dragons by Disney artists.

Given the studio’s track record, fans can expect to see more appear in the coming years. But any new creations to enter the game will certainly have a hard time topping the old ones.