Movies like Dragon Rider
If Dragon Rider hooked you with its animation and family, these are the films to watch next. Every pick says why it matches.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)
When a young owl is abducted by an evil Owl army, he must escape with new-found friends and seek the legendary Guardians to stop the menace.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRise of the Guardians (2012)
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)
It's been ten years since the dragons moved to the Hidden World, and even though Toothless doesn't live in New Berk anymore, Hiccup continues the holiday traditions he once shared with his best friend. But the Vikings of New Berk were beginning to forget about their friendship with dragons. Hiccup, Astrid, and Gobber know just what to do to keep the dragons in the villagers' hearts. And across the sea, the dragons have a plan of their own...
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLegend of the BoneKnapper Dragon (2010)
Hiccup and friends accompany their mentor, Gobber, on a quest to kill the legendary Boneknapper Dragon.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRaya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMune: Guardian of the Moon (2015)
When a faun named Mune becomes the Guardian of the Moon, little did he had unprepared experience with the Moon and an accident that could put both the Moon and the Sun in danger, including a corrupt titan named Necross who wants the Sun for himself and placing the balance of night and day in great peril. Now with the help of a wax-child named Glim and the warrior, Sohone who also became the Sun Guardian, they go out on an exciting journey to get the Sun back and restore the Moon to their rightful place in the sky.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJustin and the Knights of Valour (2013)
A heart-warming tale about friendship, honor & courage, which sees a young boy become a man as he embarks on a quest to become a knight.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Good Dinosaur (2015)
An epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBook of Dragons (2011)
So you want to be a dragon trainer do you? Prepare yourself for adventure, excitement and training as Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless and Gobber tell the legend behind the Book of Dragons and reveal insider training secrets about new, never-before-seen dragons.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHow to Train Your Dragon (2010)
As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBrave (2012)
In the mystical Scottish Highlands, Merida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus and Queen Elinor. An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Merida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Merida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman and is granted an ill-fated wish.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers (2014)
A hunt for a lost sheep turns into a competition between Hiccup and friends as they compete to become the first Dragon Racing champion of Berk.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Tiger's Apprentice (2024)
After the death of his grandmother, Tom Lee discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu and the other Zodiac animal warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force that threatens humanity.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEpic (2013)
A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world—and ours.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStrange World (2022)
A journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades—a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest, and by far most crucial, mission.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing (2020)
When a musical dragon with a beautiful voice hypnotizes the dragons and people of Huttsgalor, the Rescue Riders have to find a way to break the spell.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Secret Kingdom (2023)
Verity and Peter’s trip to the old family mansion takes a turn when the floor of their room suddenly gives way and they fall into an underground chamber where they are met by a civilization of creatures. The leader tells them that Peter's arrival was foretold as he’s the one who can use Great Clock of the Citadel to restart time and destroy the Shroud, a malevolent creature who feeds on fear itself...
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnward (2020)
In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWolfwalkers (2020)
In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when she saves a wild native girl, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Great Bear (2011)
Jonathan, 11, usually spends his vacations alone with his grandfather who lives on the edge of a vast forest populated by mythical animals. This year his kid sister Sophie joins him. But it's not cool to be stuck with a little sister, so he does what he can to avoid her. He succeeds entirely too well: Sophie is kidnapped by a giant, 1000-year-old bear. Now, Jonathan has to venture into the heart of the forest to confront the strange beings that dwell there and rescue his sister.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSwapped (2026)
A small woodland creature and a majestic bird, two natural sworn enemies of the Valley, magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime to switch back. Their journey soon uncovers a greater threat—one that could endanger not only their species, but the entire valley they call home.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisOrion and the Dark (2024)
A boy with an active imagination faces his fears on an unforgettable journey through the night with his new friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Kubo mesmerizes the people in his village with his magical gift for spinning wild tales with origami. When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking vengeance, Kubo is forced to go on a quest to solve the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical weaponry, as well as discover his own magical powers.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Sea Beast (2022)
When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Train Your Dragon: Snoggletog Log (2019)
When Hiccup and Toothless begin sharing stories of their special relationship with their respective families as they prepare for the Snoggletog Festival, it quickly becomes clear that the new generation of Vikings don’t remember the bond between dragon and human.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSavva. Heart of the Warrior (2015)
A fairytale about a grand life journey of a 10-year old boy Savva devoted to help his Mom and fellow village people to break free from the vicious hyenas.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisXico's Journey (2020)
The peace of a small town is endangered when a corporation wants to destroy the mountain that protects them. A girl named Copi and her best friend Xico, a Xoloitzcuintle dog, will go into the mountains to try to save the town.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Hunters (2008)
Dragon Hunters is a fantastic tale telling the adventures of two dragon hunters: the world has become a vast conglomerate of islands of varying size and shape. This babbling universe is mainly peopled with ruthless rogues, surly peasants and illiterate, petty lords Their main concerns revolve around two fundamental rules : Eat and don't get eaten.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragons: Gift of the Night Fury (2011)
Hiccup and Toothless go on an exciting adventure and discover an island of new dragons.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZog (2018)
Zog is a keen young dragon who wants to learn to fly, roar, and breathe fire, so he studies at the Dragon School. He is desperate to impress his teacher and win a golden star, but he is prone to accidents and he has to be helped by a kind young girl who patches up his bumps and bruises.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Dragon Rider?
The closest matches to Dragon Rider are Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, Rise of the Guardians, How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming.
How are movies similar to Dragon Rider chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Dragon Rider, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.
Are there English movies like Dragon Rider?
Yes: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, Rise of the Guardians, How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming.