Dragons are arguably the most consistent creatures in world mythologies, fantasy, and science fiction. The creatures, regardless of the myriad forms in which they exist across stories, have captured the imagination of fans and creators alike. A staple of some of the biggest fantasy IPs that have come out of Hollywood, dragons received a more varied treatment than how they were in traditional stories.
House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones have set the tone for dragons in the modern media landscape, with their largely grounded approach to dragons being something that has drawn fans and dragon enthusiasts alike. While the short doses of new content that these shows do keep fans satiated, there are more than a few shows that can scratch the same itch when they are off the air.
These shows have been ranked by how fans and critics received them, as well as how well they delve into their own mythos about dragons and the impact they have on the in-universe world. Also, shows that delve into the discernible differences in their dragons are going to have an edge over those that have less diverse depictions of dragons.
10. American Dragon: Jake Long Follows The Inner Life Of A Single Dragon
America Dragon: Jake Long || Credit: Walt Disney Television Animation
More urban fantasy than epic fantasy, like House of the Dragon, American Dragon: Jake Long had its fair share of focus on dragon mythos and folklore. The show dealt with a lot of magical weirdness and also delved into Jake’s heritage as a dragon. The creative overhaul that heralded Season 2 might have been divisive, but the show explored many themes that seemed like echoes of issues explored in stories like Spider-Man and Invincible.
American Dragon: Jake Long can be streamed on Disney+.
9. Power Rangers: Mystic Force Has An Interesting Dragon At Its Center
Fire Heart served as a battle-izer for the Red Ranger || Credit: BVS Entertainment / Disney
Of course, there is a dragon in the fantasy-themed Power Rangers season. Complete with witches, goblins, and a battle-izer dragon, Mystic Force doesn’t often count among some of the best seasons that the show has to offer. While the dragon in question is a zord and somehow also biological, the character was a completely new creation for Mystic Force and did not exist in the original Japanese counterpart of the season.
Power Rangers: Mystic Force can be streamed on Tubi.
8. DOTA: Dragon’s Blood Is The Perfect Balance Between Quest and Intrigue
Poster depicting the main characters of the show || Credit: Netflix
Following a Dragon Knight named Davion, the show tries to adapt the world of DOTA 2. What it manages to deliver is a beat-for-beat fantasy epic, which it executes very well. The Eldwurm are explored in as much depth as possible without sacrificing pacing or character. It’s a perfect watch for fans looking for a balance between The Witcher and Game of Thrones. What it does lack, though, is a bigger focus on the world around it, which holds it back from securing a higher rating.
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood can be streamed on Netflix.
7. Dragon’s Dogma Gives The Hero Personal Reasons To Slay The Dragon
Dragon’s Dogma tells a fast-paced story worth checking out || Credit: Netflix
Dragon’s Dogma also delves deeply into the mythos of the dragon in question. While it doesn’t delve much into the variety of dragons as entries that are lower on the list, what it does manage to do is tell a tightly knit story with a dragon at its center. As Ethan tries to reclaim his heart, the psychological weight of the dragon destroying his world is explored brilliantly. However, while critics found the story to be engaging, it failed to resonate with fans as much, partially due to the slightly clunky animation that it employs. It would have been higher on the list if it had been able to cater to the fans of the IP, but it simply did not get there.
Dragon’s Dogma can be streamed on Netflix.
6. Dragon Booster Takes A Sci-Fi Approach To Dragons
Artha Penn astride Beau || Credit: Nerd Corps Entertainment
Dragon Booster was an animated show that is all about dragon riders. With a variety of dragons on display, the show follows the adventures of Artha Penn, who is the key to solving a dragon-human conflict that forces around the world are trying to exploit for their own gain. Artha would become the Dragon Booster, the legendary rider who would bring peace to the world of dragons and humans. One of the best action animated series when it was airing, it managed to explore the world that it created with humans and dragons brilliantly.
Dragon Booster can be streamed on Prime Video.
5. DreamWorks Dragons Continues The Movie’s Love For Dragons
One of the many reasons why this series is on the list is that the films cannot be included here. The series, however, takes place between the first and second films in the franchise and dives heavily into the physiology of the dragons and the history that Berk had with them. The films already showed off a system of classifying the dragons, which the show expanded on big time, showing viewers some of the creatures that did not get the chance to be in the films.
DreamWorks Dragons can be streamed on Peacock.
4. Merlin (2008) Has One Dragon, But Builds Him Up Well
Merlin took a very different approach to its dragon || Credit: BBC
BBC’s Merlin billed its titular hero as a Dragon Lord. While the series doesn’t feature many dragons, the Great Dragon leaves a lasting impression, recalling the intelligence and presence of Smaug from The Hobbit. Unlike many fantasy stories that treat dragons as little more than obstacles or living weapons, Merlin gives the Great Dragon a distinct personality, complete with his own motivations, beliefs, and agenda. Rather than existing solely to serve the plot, he actively shapes it through his decisions and complex relationship with Merlin. This deeper characterization makes the dragon far more than a powerful creature; it cements the Great Dragon as one of television’s most memorable dragons.
Merlin can be streamed on Prime Video.
3. Dungeon Meshi Looks Deeply Into Dragons and Other Magical Creatures
Dungeon Meshi took a novel approach to fantasy monsters || Credit: Studio Trigger
For a show that deconstructs what constitutes a dungeon in a fantasy setting, it was obvious that Dungeon Meshi was going to take a microscope to dragons too. Much like Netflix’s DOTA adaptation, it puts a dragon as the main antagonist of the first proper arc, allowing the characters to debate its physiology from time to time. Further into the story, other kinds of dragons are discussed, all of which have their own unique physiology. The show earns its spot in the top three because it leaves the political maneuvering of A Song of Ice and Fire behind to focus on the magic that it has, in the form of monsters, dragons included.
Dungeon Meshi can be streamed on Netflix.
2. The Dragon Prince Is The Best Dragon Show Netflix Has Put Out
The Dragon King from The Dragon Prince || Credit: Netflix
From a part of the team that made Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Dragon Prince sits right in the middle of a triangulation of Avatar, The Lord of the Rings, and House of the Dragon. A story that delves heavily into the relationship that elves, dragons, and humans share in the world, it borrows a lot from the dragon stories that came before it, but is able to build on them to deliver a heartfelt narrative of love, hope, and empathy. The reason it sits so close to the top is the willingness that the story has to not just explore its take on dragons, but also to look at the relationship they have with the world, as if they were a civilization of their own.
The Dragon Prince can be streamed on Netflix.
Honorable Mention: Dragon Tales
Dragon Tales Had A Rich, Imaginary World || Credit: Sesame Workshop
Before we reveal the #1 spot on this list, we have to talk about one show without which this ranking would have been incomplete. Dragon Tales was a profoundly foundational show for a lot of adults who grew up in the 2000s. While the show was focused on a younger audience and was nowhere close to being as gritty and dark as House of the Dragon, it remains a hallmark of children’s fantasy television even today. Developing a cult following, the only reason it’s not on the main list is due to the supposed lack of widespread recognition that it gets. Regardless, the story was something that every child could relate to, with full fleshed out dragon characters that were fun to watch.
Dragon Tales can be bought on Apple TV.
1. The Legend of Vox Machina Is Heavily Shaped By The Chroma Conclave
It seems like a cheat code, adding a show inspired by Dungeons and Dragons on top, but the Chroma Conclave manages to marry the intellectual, deep menace of Middle-earth’s dragons with the sheer ferocity and unpredictability that is seen on House of the Dragon. Vox Machina is largely influenced by their battles with the Chroma Conclave, and it also impacts the world around them. It pays to be familiar with how dragons work in DnD when watching the show, but it does a brilliant job with its dragons regardless.
The Legend of Vox Machina can be streamed on Prime Video.
NameRotten Tomatoes Score(as of June 2, 2026)IMDb Score(as of June 2, 2026)The Legend of Vox Machina100% || 93%8.4/10The Dragon Prince100% || 88%8.2/10Dungeon MeshiNA || 100%8.1/10Merlin (2008)85% || 87%7.9/10Dreamwork’s DragonNA || 95%7.9/10Dragon BoosterNA7.4/10Dragon’s Dogma83% || 39%6.2/10DOTA: Dragon’s BloodNA || 85%7.7/10Power Rangers: Mystic Force–6.8/10American Dragon: Jake Long NA || 67%6.6/10
Feel a show belongs on the list? What would you replace? Let us know in the comments!
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