10 Best Animated Fantasy Movies Like How to Train Your Dragon
If How to Train Your Dragon is one of your favourite animated stories, you are probably looking for more films with the same mix of wonder, heart and bold imagery. Fantasy animation has plenty to offer, from Irish folklore and Japanese myth to dragons, magical quests and found families. This list counts down ten animated fantasy films that sit naturally next to the Viking and dragon story. Read on for ten films that deliver wonder, heart and some very good dragons.
The picks come from several studios and countries, so the tone and style vary. Some are sweeping adventures, some are quiet fables, and some are sharp, modern fantasies with a playful edge. Together, they show how far animated fantasy has travelled since How to Train Your Dragon arrived.
Each entry below explains what the film is about, why it ranks where it does and why fans still recommend it. The order reflects how strongly each film combines a sense of wonder, a memorable lead, emotional weight and a satisfying story. A film near the top does at least one of those things better than the rest.
Fantasy animation works best when it treats its myths seriously. The stories below build their worlds with care, whether that means a dragon-hunting warrior, a magical island or a folk tale about the sea. That seriousness gives the fantastical moments real weight.
Here is how I ranked them. I looked at how immersive the world is, how strong the central character is, how distinctive the animation is and how often viewers return to the film. Some entries are big, epic adventures, while others are smaller films with a deep emotional core.
The films have moved between platforms over the years, so availability changes. In the US, many of these titles have been on several services, and availability in the UK and elsewhere differs, so check your region before you press play. Use the notes in each entry to choose the film you want to revisit first.
Think of this list as a starting point rather than a fixed rulebook. If your favourite is ranked lower than you would like, that is fine. The goal is to give you a clear route from the dragons of Berk to the next fantasy film you enjoy.
Whether you are watching with children or just want a cosy animated night in, there is a film here for you. Get comfortable, grab a snack and let's start 👇
If you love this, check out: Best Schitt’s Creek Episodes, Ranked
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What Makes Animated Fantasy Work?
The best animated fantasies combine a strong world with a clear emotional question. A dragon story asks whether a boy can prove he belongs, and a folk tale asks what we owe the people we love. When the magic serves that question, the audience cares about the spells and the creatures for the right reasons. You can read more about the genre on Wikipedia.
Animation is an ideal medium for fantasy because it can show what is impossible. Painterly backgrounds, stylised movement and imaginative designs let filmmakers build worlds that feel both strange and emotionally true. Several films on this list use that freedom to great effect.
How the Genre Has Grown Since How to Train Your Dragon
Animated fantasy has broadened in the years since How to Train Your Dragon. Films now draw on a wider range of folklore, from Irish legends and Japanese myth to Western fairy tales, and studios have experimented with new visual styles. The result is a genre with more voices and more ways to be moved.
Watching roughly in order of release can be a fun way to see that change. Early films lean on classic adventure structures, while later films often play with form and tone. In every case, the emotional core stays central, which is why the films fit so well after the dragons of Berk.
If you enjoy fantasy with a family heart, see Best Pixar Movies for Family Emotions. For a sitcom with a warm ensemble, try Best Sitcoms Like Modern Family.
How to Choose Your Next Fantasy Film
Start with the kind of fantasy you enjoy. If you want sweeping myth, begin with Kubo and the Two Strings. If you want a playful, modern fantasy, choose Nimona. The film overviews on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes are useful if you want to compare audience reactions before you choose.
Then think about your mood. Some films are best as an easy watch, while others reward a full, attentive viewing. You can also explore Explore This Amazon Offer for more ways to stream these films while you decide.
10. Onward
Onward follows two elf brothers who go on a quest to bring their father back for one day, using a magical staff that only partly works. The 2020 Pixar film is a funny, emotional road trip that treats grief and family with real care, and the brothers’ rivalry gives the story its energy.
Why it ranks here: It ranks tenth because it is a warm, funny quest, but its fantasy world is smaller and less dramatic than the films above it.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans enjoy the sibling chemistry and the way the film turns a magical quest into a story about missing someone.
Who should watch: Fans of quest stories and sibling comedies. For another film about family and loss, see Best Pixar Movies for Family Emotions.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
Want more stories about siblings and second chances? Listen to That Love Podcast for audio dramas and comedies with plenty of heart.
9. Rise of the Guardians
Jack Frost, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and the Sandman team up to protect children from the Boogeyman, Pitch Black. The 2012 DreamWorks film is a colourful, action-packed fantasy about belief and wonder, and Chris Pine gives Jack Frost a cheeky, lonely charm.
Why it ranks here: It ranks ninth because it is a bold, imaginative team-up, though its story is more crowded than the films ranked higher.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans love the ensemble of legendary characters and the way the film turns childhood belief into a heroic quest.
Who should watch: Fans of fantasy team-ups and magical adventures. For another group of friends with a shared mission, see Best Friends Christmas Episodes, Ranked.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
8. Nimona
Nimona is a shapeshifting teenager who insists on becoming the sidekick of Ballister Boldheart, a former knight framed for the queen’s murder. Together they investigate the truth and expose the Director of the knights as the real killer. The 2023 film is a playful, sharp fantasy with a strong message about outsiders and friendship, and Chloë Grace Moretz voices Nimona.
Why it ranks here: It ranks eighth because it is a clever, funny fantasy with a strong heart, though its story is more twisty than the films ranked higher.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans enjoy Nimona’s chaotic energy and the way the film uses its medieval-futuristic world to explore loyalty and identity.
Who should watch: Fans of playful fantasy and outsider stories. For another story about an unlikely partnership, see Best Friends to Lovers Movies With a Slow-Burn Romance.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
7. The Sea Beast
The Sea Beast follows Maisie, a young sailor who joins a monster-hunting crew and forms an unlikely bond with a sea monster. The 2022 DreamWorks Animation film is a sea-faring adventure with a strong sense of wonder, and its focus on understanding rather than fearing monsters gives it real heart.
Why it ranks here: It ranks seventh because it is an exciting, heartfelt adventure, though its world is less developed than the top films.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans appreciate its sea-faring spectacle and the way the film asks viewers to question who the real monsters are.
Who should watch: Fans of sea adventures and monster stories. For another story about a bold, unlikely friendship, see Best Shows to Watch If You Miss Schitt’s Creek.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
6. Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya is a warrior in a fractured land who sets out to find the last dragon, Sisu, and reunite the world. The 2021 Disney film mixes action, humour and a strong friendship story, and its dragon adds a sense of mythic scale to the adventure.
Why it ranks here: It ranks sixth because it is a bold, exciting fantasy with a strong lead, though its story is more conventional than the top films.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans enjoy Raya’s determination and the way the film turns a dragon into a companion with its own personality.
Who should watch: Fans of action fantasy and dragon companions. For another story about a determined lead, see Best Characters From The Office, Ranked.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
5. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Puss in Boots has used up eight of his nine lives and must face his final one. The 2022 DreamWorks film is a witty, action-packed fantasy that mixes swashbuckling with a moving story about mortality and second chances. Antonio Banderas returns as Puss, and the film’s stylish animation is a highlight.
Why it ranks here: It ranks fifth because it is a stylish, funny adventure with real emotional depth, though it is a spin-off rather than a franchise centrepiece.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans enjoy its gorgeous visual style, its humour and the way the film treats a playful cat’s fear with real sincerity.
Who should watch: Fans of swashbuckling adventures and emotional animation. For another story about a charming lead, see Best Sitcoms Like Superstore.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
4. Song of the Sea
Song of the Sea follows Ben and his younger sister Saoirse, who may be a selkie, as they travel through a magical Irish landscape. The 2014 Cartoon Saloon film is a gentle, beautifully drawn fable about grief, family and the power of stories, and its hand-drawn animation is one of the most striking in the genre.
Why it ranks here: It ranks fourth because it is a beautifully crafted fable, though its pace is slower than the films ranked higher.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans admire its hand-drawn style and the way its folklore builds a world of wonder and sadness.
Who should watch: Fans of folklore and quiet, beautiful animation. For another gentle story about family, see Best Near-Perfect Coming-of-Age Shows.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
3. Wolfwalkers
Wolfwalkers follows Robyn, an apprentice hunter in medieval Ireland, who befriends Mebh, a girl who can turn into a wolf at night. The 2020 Cartoon Saloon film is a striking, hand-drawn fable about friendship and freedom, and its visual style is unlike almost any other animated film.
Why it ranks here: It ranks third because it is one of the most visually daring fantasies on the list, though its story is smaller than the films above it.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans love its bold, painterly style and the way the friendship between Robyn and Mebh feels earned and urgent.
Who should watch: Fans of visually daring animation and folklore. For another story about an unlikely friendship, see Best Friends Thanksgiving Episodes, Ranked.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
2. The Wild Robot
Roz, a robot, is stranded on a remote island and must learn to survive among the animals. Lupita Nyong’o voices Roz, and the film’s story about a machine learning to care for an orphaned gosling is both funny and deeply moving. Its soft, expressive animation makes the island feel like a living world.
Why it ranks here: It ranks second because it is a striking, heartfelt story with a memorable lead, though its fantasy is gentler than the top film.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans love Roz’s growth and the film’s warm, thoughtful approach to nature, family and belonging.
Who should watch: Anyone who loved the heart of How to Train Your Dragon. For another show with warmth and growth, see Best Schitt’s Creek Characters, Ranked.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
Before the top spot, listen to That Love Podcast for a companion listen while you watch.
1. Kubo and the Two Strings
In feudal Japan, Kubo, a one-eyed 12-year-old, uses a magical shamisen to animate origami and tell stories about his missing samurai father. When he is pursued by his aunts and grandfather, the Moon King, he sets out on a quest with the help of Monkey and Beetle. Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey and Art Parkinson lead the voice cast, and the 2016 Laika film is a stop-motion masterpiece with a deeply emotional core.
Why it ranks here: It ranks first because it is the most ambitious and emotionally powerful fantasy on the list, with striking stop-motion and a story about memory and family.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans love its handcrafted stop-motion, its origami magic and the way the film treats loss and courage with real depth.
Who should watch: Anyone who loves epic, emotional fantasy. Pair it with Best Schitt’s Creek Episodes, Ranked for another show built on warmth and growth.
Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region, so check your local services before you press play.
Want to see more family fantasy with this kind of heart? Visit That Love Podcast for audio dramas and comedies, and check out our sponsorship options if your brand wants to reach our audience.
Why These Films Work for Dragon Fans
Fans of How to Train Your Dragon usually respond to three things: a lead who has to earn their place, a bond with a creature or companion, and a world that feels bigger than the screen. The films below share those strengths, even when their settings and styles are very different.
Many of them also treat myth and folklore with care. Whether the magic comes from a shamisen, a selkie legend or a dragon that answers to a princess, the best films use their fantasy to explore loyalty, grief and belonging.
If you want more fantasy adventures with heart, explore Amazon Prime to see which films are included on your account.
For more ways to stream these films and similar titles, explore this Amazon offer.
Also try Best Sitcoms Like The Big Bang Theory and Binge-Worthy Prime Video Sitcoms for more comedy with a strong ensemble.
Final Thoughts
Animated fantasy has a lot to offer fans of How to Train Your Dragon. From the handcrafted magic of Kubo and the Two Strings to the playful energy of Nimona, the films on this list show how varied the genre can be. If you are new to the genre, start with the top pick, then explore the rest at your own pace.
If this list helped you find your next fantasy film, consider supporting our work at Donate to That Love Podcast. Our advertising partners can also reach our readers through sponsorship options, and you can always listen to That Love Podcast for more. Or try Amazon Prime to see what is included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best animated fantasy movie like How to Train Your Dragon?
Kubo and the Two Strings is the top pick, because it combines striking stop-motion with an emotional story about memory and family.
Who voices Kubo?
Art Parkinson voices Kubo in Kubo and the Two Strings.
What is Nimona about?
Nimona is a shapeshifting teenager who teams up with Ballister Boldheart to clear his name after he is framed for the queen’s murder.
Is Wolfwalkers suitable for families?
Wolfwalkers is a hand-drawn fable with a strong friendship story, but some of its themes and imagery may suit older children more.
What is Song of the Sea about?
Song of the Sea follows Ben and his sister Saoirse, who may be a selkie, through a magical Irish landscape.
What is The Sea Beast about?
The Sea Beast follows Maisie, a sailor who forms an unlikely bond with a sea monster.
What is Raya and the Last Dragon about?
Raya is a warrior who sets out to find the last dragon, Sisu, and reunite a fractured world.
What is Onward about?
Onward follows two elf brothers on a quest to bring their father back for one day.
Where can I watch these films?
Availability varies by service and region, so check your local services before you press play.
Are there more family lists on That Love Podcast?
Yes. Our Pixar family-emotions guide is a good next read if you enjoy the films in this list.
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