From 'Pete's' to Re-'Pete's': A Quick Guide to the Dozen Best Movie Dragons of Past 40 Years
Elliott, ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (1977)
Elliott is the bestest friend Pete (Sean Marshall) or any other kid could want. (Photo: Everett)
Vermithrax Pejorative, ‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)
The bane of the kingdom of Urland (and notable depature from the friendly Elliott), this terrifying reptile set the standard for scary cinematic dragons for decades to come. (Photo: Everett)
Falkor, ‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)
Who didn’t want to ride a luckdragon like Falkor after watching Wolfgang Petersen’s fantasy? (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Draco, ‘Dragonheart’ (1996)
Dennis Quaid buddies up with this noble dragon in the 1996 fantasy. (Photo: Everett)
Dragon, ‘Shrek’ (2001)
The love of Donkey (Eddie Murphy)’s life, this female fire-breather is a force to be reckoned with — just ask Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). (Photo: DreamWorks)
Norbert, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)
Hagrid’s beloved Norwegian Ridgeback was renamed Norberta when the gamekeeper learned it was a she. Norberta was the first of many dragons to appear in the series, culminating with the Ukrainian Ironbelly specimen Harry, Ron, and Hermione use to escape from Gringotts in ‘Deathly Hallows.’ (Photo: Everett)
Dragon, ‘Reign of Fire’ (2002)
These prehistoric beasties were released from the London Underground and end up munching on Matthew McConaughey before Christian Bale can save the day. (Photo: Everett)
Narissa, ‘Enchanted’ (2007)
Susan Sarandon’s evil witch queen tranforms into this monstrosity in a nod to the 1959 'Sleeping Beauty.’ (Photo: Disney)
Jabberwock, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (2010)
Tim Burton’s film features the flame-eyed Jabberwock, which not only pays homage to Lewis Carroll’s original illustrator, John Tenniel, but also was inspired by the demon Chernabog from the 'Night on Bald Mountain’ segment of 'Fantasia.’ (Photo: Walt Disney)
Toothless, ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
The steadfast Night Fury is formidable in battle and friendship as he teams with Hiccup to defend the island of Berk in the CGI franchise. (Photo: Everrett)
Smaug, ‘The Hobbit’ (2013)
This riddle-loving, treasure-obsessed worm (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) infests the Lonely Mountain and lays waste to Laketown in Peter Jackson’s 'Hobbit’ trilogy. (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Diaval, ‘Maleficent’ (2014)
This fearsome dragon, another nod to the classic creature from Disney’s 'Sleeping Beauty,’ is conjured by the imprisoned Maleficent to free her from her binds. The beast is actually the fairy’s transformed pet raven, Diaval. (Photo: Walt Disney)
Elliot, ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (2016)
The reimagined version of Elliot (who has shed a “t” in the decades since his animated debut) might be CGI, but his appearance incorporates the gentle demeanor of his cartoon predecessor. (Photo: Walt Disney)
Disney’s original Pete’s Dragon arrived in movie theaters in 1977, charming children with its animated title creature, Elliott. Movie drakes have come a long way between then and this weekend’s release of the reimagined Pete’s Dragon. We’ve collected a dozen of the best fiery beasts that have populated the big screen between the two Pete’s. Click through, if you dare!