10 Best How to Train Your Dragon Villains, Ranked
How to Train Your Dragon has some of DreamWorks’ most memorable villains, from a warlord with a dragon army to a scheming dragon hunter who will do anything to win. The films and series give the dragon riders a steady run of threats, and each one tests Hiccup, Toothless and the Vikings of Berk in a different way. This list counts down ten villains and antagonists from the franchise, from the lesser threats to the warlord who shaped the sequel.
Each entry explains who the villain is, what they do in the story, why they rank where they do and why fans still talk about them. The list mixes film villains and series antagonists, so you can see how the threats change across the franchise.
Villains in this franchise work because they have clear goals. Some want to control dragons, some want to profit from them and some want to rule the world. Those motives give the riders something to push against, and they make each confrontation feel personal.
Here is how I ranked them. I looked at how strong the villain’s plan is, how much they threaten the heroes, how memorable they are on screen and how often fans bring them up. Some entries are full characters with long arcs, while others are supporting antagonists who add pressure to the story.
The franchise has moved between platforms over the years, so availability changes. In the US, the films have been on several services, but availability in the UK and elsewhere differs, so check your region before you press play. Use the notes in each entry to choose the villain you want to revisit first.
Think of this list as a starting point rather than a fixed rulebook. If your favourite villain is ranked lower than you would like, that is fine. The goal is to give you a clear route through the threats that test the dragon riders.
Whether you are a longtime fan or someone who only knows the dragons from the posters, there is a villain here for you. Get comfortable, grab a snack and let's face the threats 👇
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The best villains also show what the riders are fighting for. Some threats are about power, some about money and some about a grudge that has been building for years. Read on for the ranking, starting with the supporting antagonist who once had Alvin’s trust and counting down to Drago Bludvist, the warlord who gives the franchise its biggest threat.
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What Makes a Great Dragon Franchise Villain?
The best villains in How to Train Your Dragon are defined by their ambition. Drago wants an army of dragons to conquer the world, and Viggo wants to build a dragon-hunting empire. Those goals give the villains a clear shape, and they make the riders’ victories feel earned. You can read more about the franchise on Wikipedia.
Villains also reflect the heroes. Hiccup’s kindness and Toothless’s bond are tested by threats that want to control dragons, and that contrast gives the story its moral weight. The strongest villains show what the riders stand against.
How the Villains Change Across the Franchise
The sequel introduces Drago Bludvist, a warlord and dragon hunter who uses a Bewilderbeast to take control of the dragons. His army attacks the dragon nest, captures Astrid and the other riders, and threatens the whole world. Stoick’s fate in the same film is one of the franchise’s most moving moments.
The series expands the villain roster. Viggo Grimborn leads the Dragon Hunters, and his brother Ryker serves under him. Johann and Krogan join forces with Viggo, and Dagur and Alvin bring rival schemes that test the riders at every turn. The Hidden World then introduces Grimmel the Grisly, a new threat to the dragon world.
If you enjoy villains with a clear goal, see Best Spy Thriller Shows to Binge-Watch. For a family show with a memorable antagonist, try Best Shows to Watch If You Miss Schitt’s Creek.
How to Choose Your Next Villain Story
Start with the kind of threat you enjoy. If you like a warlord with a grand plan, begin with Drago Bludvist. If you prefer a schemer who works through traps and auctions, choose Viggo Grimborn. The film overviews on IMDb and the franchise page on Wikipedia are useful if you want to check where each villain appears.
Then think about your mood. Some villains are best enjoyed as quick action threats, while others need the full series to land. You can also explore Explore This Amazon Offer for more ways to stream the films while you decide.
10. Savage
Savage begins as Alvin the Treacherous’s trusted lieutenant, a man who helps the Outcasts carry out their plans against Berk. He is not the grand strategist in the room, but that makes him useful: he handles the practical work, knows the tribe’s habits and can exploit the trust Alvin places in him. His position also puts him close to the danger when Alvin’s schemes begin to unravel.
His most interesting quality is how quickly loyalty becomes a question of self-interest. Savage follows Alvin while the arrangement benefits him, then has to decide what to do when power shifts and new alliances appear. That makes him a smaller, more grounded threat than the warlords and dragon hunters: he understands the politics of the Outcasts and knows when to stay quiet or change sides.
Savage rarely dominates an episode, but his history with Alvin adds a human layer to the Outcast conflict. He is a reminder that a villain’s organisation is made up of people with their own ambitions, not just a leader and a faceless army. His presence gives the early series a recurring source of uncertainty whenever the riders believe they have beaten Alvin.
Why this character ranks at #10: Savage is a useful supporting antagonist whose closeness to Alvin creates betrayal and tension, but he has less personality and development than the villains above him.
Who should watch: Fans of supporting villains with personal ties. For another story with ensemble rivalries, see Best Characters From The Office, Ranked.
Where to watch: Savage appears in Dragons: Riders of Berk. Check current UK listings for the animated series, as availability can differ from the films.
Want more stories with complicated rivalries? Listen to That Love Podcast for audio dramas and comedies with plenty of drama.
9. Alvin the Treacherous
Alvin leads the Outcast Tribe and becomes one of Hiccup’s earliest recurring human enemies in Dragons: Riders of Berk. He sees the young Viking’s knowledge of dragons as something to steal and turn into an advantage. Rather than confronting Berk in a single battle, Alvin repeatedly uses kidnappings, traps and political pressure to get what he wants.
His schemes work because he is patient enough to exploit other people’s fears. Alvin understands that the riders are still learning, and he tries to separate Hiccup from his friends or use the dragons as bargaining tools. That makes him dangerous in a different way from a giant dragon: he watches for weaknesses, adapts when a plan fails and keeps the Outcasts organised around his ambition.
Alvin’s story becomes more interesting as the line between enemy and ally shifts. His rivalry with Hiccup is built on mutual stubbornness, but the series also lets him make choices that complicate his reputation. Mark Hamill’s voice performance adds a theatrical charm to the character, so even his most self-serving decisions remain entertaining to watch.
Why this character ranks at #9: Alvin has a strong presence and a longer relationship with Hiccup than Savage, but the later villains bring more psychological complexity or a greater threat to the whole dragon world.
Who should watch: Fans of redemption arcs and clever antagonists. For another story about a changing character, see Best Near-Perfect Coming-of-Age Shows.
Where to watch: Alvin’s story continues in Dragons: Riders of Berk. Check UK listings for the series separately from the animated films.
8. Dagur the Deranged
Dagur first arrives as the unpredictable chief of the Berserkers, eager to turn every meeting with Berk into a contest. He is volatile, loud and drawn to danger, which makes him difficult for Hiccup to read. His fixation on proving himself gives the riders a very different kind of opponent from Alvin’s careful schemes.
Over time, Dagur’s motives become more personal. His connection to Heather reveals a family history he did not understand, and that relationship gives his anger somewhere to go besides another attack on Berk. His change from enemy to ally does not erase his impulsiveness; it gives that energy a new purpose, especially when the riders need someone bold enough to take a risk.
Dagur stays entertaining because his growth never turns him into a quiet or predictable character. He still has the instincts of a fighter, but he begins to use them in defence of people he once threatened. The contrast between his early cruelty and later loyalty gives the animated series one of its clearest examples of how a former villain can earn a place among the heroes.
Why this character ranks at #8: Dagur has a memorable personality and a substantial change of heart, though his threat becomes less frightening once his relationship with the riders changes.
Who should watch: Fans of unpredictable side characters. For another story with a comic-edged rival, see Best Sitcoms Like Superstore.
Where to watch: Dagur appears in the animated Dragons series. Check current UK listings for each series title, as services may carry different seasons.
7. Krogan
Krogan is a calculating dragon hunter who operates in the wider conflict around Drago Bludvist. He is used to working through alliances, hired forces and carefully chosen targets rather than challenging Hiccup in a straightforward duel. That makes him an important link between the human villains who want dragons captured and the larger powers trying to control them.
His partnerships are always conditional. Krogan can cooperate with figures such as Viggo or Johann when their plans serve his own goals, but he is ready to abandon them when he sees a better opportunity. The riders therefore cannot rely on a defeated enemy staying out of the story; Krogan’s ambition means he can return through a new deal or a new group of hunters.
Krogan is effective because he represents the professional side of dragon hunting. He treats dragons as valuable assets and the riders as obstacles, bringing an organised, militarised threat to the later series. His cold calculations also make him a useful contrast with Viggo, whose rivalry with Hiccup gradually becomes more personal and morally complicated.
Why this character ranks at #7: Krogan raises the scale of the series’ dragon-hunting conflict and keeps alliances unstable, though he has less character development than the more layered antagonists above him.
Who should watch: Fans of alliances that turn sour. For another story about shifting loyalties, see Best Friends to Lovers Movies With a Slow-Burn Romance.
Where to watch: Krogan appears in the later animated Dragons stories. Check UK listings for the relevant series and season before watching.
6. Ryker Grimborn
Ryker is Viggo Grimborn’s older brother and a senior figure among the Dragon Hunters. Where Viggo prefers strategy and negotiation, Ryker is more direct, relying on physical force and his command of the hunters. Their different styles make the brothers a threat on two fronts: one can outthink the riders while the other keeps them under pressure.
Ryker’s confidence comes from believing the Dragon Hunters’ resources and numbers will always give him the advantage. He treats dragons as valuable cargo and sees Hiccup’s efforts to protect them as an obstacle to business. That view gives him a practical motive for the attacks, but it also limits him: he repeatedly underestimates how quickly the riders adapt when they work together.
The tension between Ryker and Viggo adds more than a family name to the conflict. Their partnership is built around shared power, yet their different priorities mean that they do not always trust each other. When the Dragon Hunters’ position changes, their sibling rivalry becomes a weakness the riders can exploit.
Why this character ranks at #6: Ryker is an imposing antagonist with a useful family conflict at the centre of his story, but he lacks the strategic depth that makes Viggo the more memorable Grimborn.
Who should watch: Fans of family rivalries and power struggles. For another story about siblings, see Best Friends Thanksgiving Episodes, Ranked.
Where to watch: Ryker’s story is part of the animated Dragons series. UK availability varies by title, so check the specific series listing.
5. Johann
Johann seems harmless for much of the franchise: a travelling trader who arrives with unusual goods, stories and information from beyond Berk. Because the riders often need supplies or news, he can appear helpful at exactly the right moment. That familiar role makes him easy to trust, and it allows him to move between communities without attracting the suspicion a Dragon Hunter would.
The later reveal that Johann has been manipulating the riders changes how earlier encounters feel. His cheerful manner hides years of self-interest, and information he offers can be chosen to direct Hiccup towards a discovery or danger that benefits Johann. The twist works because the audience has seen him often enough to mistake familiarity for honesty.
Johann’s villainy is rooted in deception rather than strength. He trades loyalty for opportunity, forms alliances when they are useful and is willing to betray former partners once he has what he needs. That makes him an especially unsettling antagonist for a series built around trust: the riders do not simply have to defeat him, they have to reconsider how long he has been shaping events.
Why this character ranks at #5: Johann’s long deception gives him one of the series’ most effective reveals, and his friendly cover makes the betrayal more memorable than a straightforward attack.
Who should watch: Fans of crafty schemers and shifting alliances. For another story with a sharp twist, see Best Shows to Watch If You Miss Schitt’s Creek.
Where to watch: Johann’s full role unfolds across the animated Dragons series. Check UK streaming listings for the series and season where his story concludes.
4. Red Death
The Red Death is a colossal queen dragon who rules the nest beneath Berk. Smaller dragons bring it food because they fear what will happen if they return empty-handed, so the creature’s power reaches far beyond its own lair. The film first presents dragons as raiders, then reveals that many of them are acting under the Red Death’s control.
Unlike the human antagonists, the Red Death does not need a clever speech or a political plan to be frightening. Its enormous size, firepower and command over other dragons make it feel like a force of nature. The threat also changes Hiccup’s challenge: he is not only trying to convince Vikings that dragons can be trusted, he must help them face the creature they have been obeying.
The final confrontation works because the riders use what they have learned about dragon behaviour rather than meeting force with force. Hiccup and Toothless take the danger into the sky, while the other riders have to act together against a threat that none of them could handle alone. The Red Death gives the first film a large-scale climax with a clear connection to its central idea.
Why this character ranks at #4: The Red Death is the most physically overwhelming antagonist in the original film and transforms the dragon conflict, but it has less personal complexity than the human villains above it.
Who should watch: Fans of monster villains and dark dragon stories. For another story with a dangerous antagonist, see Best Horror Movies of the 1990s, Ranked.
Where to watch: The Red Death appears in the 2010 animated film. Current UK listings for that film include Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema; check availability before watching.
3. Viggo Grimborn
Viggo leads the Dragon Hunters with a planner’s patience. He studies dragons, tracks them with the Dragon Eye and treats each encounter as a problem to solve rather than a fight to win quickly. Hiccup is the first opponent who consistently disrupts that approach, so their rivalry becomes an intellectual contest as much as a battle over the creatures.
Viggo respects cleverness, even when it comes from the person he is trying to defeat. He notices Hiccup’s ability to improvise and begins to treat him as a worthy rival, which gives their exchanges more tension than a simple hero-versus-villain chase. His relationship with Ryker also exposes the limits of his control: strategy cannot guarantee that the people closest to him will follow the same rules.
His eventual turn is powerful because it grows from that respect rather than appearing out of nowhere. Viggo starts to question the Dragon Hunters’ purpose and the damage their work causes, then makes a costly choice that helps Hiccup escape. His redemption does not undo his past, but it completes a character arc built around intelligence, pride and the possibility of changing sides.
Why this character ranks at #3: Viggo is the series’ most developed tactical rival, with a genuine evolution in his relationship to Hiccup and the dragons, though the film villains threaten the franchise on a wider scale.
Who should watch: Fans of clever villains with redemption arcs. For another story about a scheming leader, see Best Spy Thriller Shows to Binge-Watch.
Where to watch: Viggo’s story is told in Dragons: Race to the Edge. Check current UK listings for the series, as its availability may differ from the films.
2. Grimmel the Grisly
Grimmel is the central threat in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. He has made a reputation as a Night Fury hunter and sees Toothless as the final prize in a long pursuit. Unlike Drago, Grimmel does not try to command a dragon army openly; he studies the riders, lays traps and uses the Light Fury to draw Toothless away from the people who protect him.
His calm presentation makes him unsettling. Grimmel speaks as if he is simply doing a necessary job, yet his plan depends on treating living creatures as trophies and tools. His Deathgrippers give him another weapon, while his knowledge of Hiccup’s attachment to Toothless lets him attack the emotional bond at the centre of the trilogy.
Grimmel forces Hiccup to confront a painful question: can he keep Toothless safe by holding on, or does protecting him mean helping him choose freedom? The villain’s pursuit pushes the riders towards the Hidden World and makes the final separation between Hiccup and Toothless feel earned. Grimmel is not as physically large as the Bewilderbeast, but he is a precise threat to the film’s central friendship.
Why this character ranks at #2: Grimmel is a focused, personal enemy for Hiccup and Toothless, and his method directly tests the trilogy’s themes, though Drago’s power reaches further.
Who should watch: Fans of final-chapter villains and dramatic climaxes. For another story with a big finale, see Best Horror Movies of the 1990s, Ranked.
Where to watch: Grimmel appears in The Hidden World, the third animated film. Check UK listings for that title separately from the original and sequel.
Before the top spot, listen to That Love Podcast for a companion listen while you watch.
1. Drago Bludvist
Drago Bludvist is the warlord at the centre of How to Train Your Dragon 2. He commands an army and intends to make dragons obey him, turning the creatures into weapons for conquest. His arrival changes the scale of the story: Hiccup is no longer trying only to persuade one village, but facing a leader who can threaten every dragon and human community around him.
Drago believes control is the only way to survive a world where dragons are dangerous. The film hints that a traumatic encounter hardened this conviction, but it never makes his methods reasonable: he uses fear, force and the power of his Bewilderbeast to dominate other dragons. When Toothless falls under that control, Drago’s plan becomes painfully personal for Hiccup.
The conflict also exposes a weakness in Drago’s way of ruling. He can force obedience, but he cannot create trust, and the riders’ bond with their dragons gives them a strength his army cannot reproduce. Hiccup has to face Drago after losing Stoick and watching Toothless become a weapon, so the final struggle tests both his grief and his belief that dragons can choose their own path.
Why this character ranks at #1: Drago poses the broadest threat, controls an army and directly attacks the bond between Hiccup and Toothless, making him the franchise’s most consequential villain.
Who should watch: Anyone who enjoys a big-threat villain. Pair it with Best Schitt’s Creek Characters, Ranked for another show with strong personalities.
Where to watch: Drago’s story is in How to Train Your Dragon 2. Check the current UK listing for the 2014 film, since availability can differ from the other titles.
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Why the Threats Keep the Riders Honest
A good villain forces the heroes to change. Hiccup has to become a leader, Astrid has to trust her instincts, and the riders have to learn to work together. Each antagonist tests a different part of the group, and that pressure gives the stories their momentum.
The franchise also shows that villains can be complicated. Some betray their allies, some are redeemed and some never change. That range keeps the stories from feeling predictable, even when the dragons are the centre of the action.
If you enjoy stories with complicated rivals, explore Amazon Prime to see which family films are included on your account.
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Also try Best Sitcoms Like Modern Family, Best Sitcoms Like The Big Bang Theory and Binge-Worthy Prime Video Sitcoms for more stories with strong ensembles.
Final Thoughts
The villains of How to Train Your Dragon show how much the franchise depends on its threats. Drago’s world-scale plan, Viggo’s cold schemes and Alvin’s changing loyalties each test the riders in a different way. If you are new to the franchise, start with the first sequel for the biggest threat, then follow the series to see how the rivalries grow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the biggest villain in How to Train Your Dragon?
Drago Bludvist is the biggest overall threat because he commands an army and uses a Bewilderbeast to control dragons. His plan affects the whole world around Berk, not just one village. Grimmel is a more personal danger to Toothless, while Viggo is the most strategic rival in the animated series, but Drago combines scale, force and a direct attack on Hiccup’s closest bond.
Who voices Drago Bludvist?
Djimon Hounsou voices Drago Bludvist in How to Train Your Dragon 2. His performance gives Drago a controlled, commanding presence that contrasts with the more openly emotional Hiccup. Drago’s quiet certainty makes his belief in domination feel especially dangerous: he sees dragons as creatures to command, while Hiccup believes they can choose to trust people. Their opposing views drive the sequel’s central conflict.
Who is Grimmel the Grisly?
Grimmel the Grisly is the main antagonist of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. He is a Night Fury hunter who sets his sights on Toothless and uses traps, the Light Fury and Deathgrippers to pursue him. Grimmel’s threat is closely tied to the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, because his plan tries to separate them and turn dragons into trophies rather than companions.
Who is Viggo Grimborn?
Viggo Grimborn is the leader of the Dragon Hunters in the animated series Dragons: Race to the Edge. He relies on planning and knowledge of dragons, making him a different sort of opponent from a brute-force warlord. His rivalry with Hiccup gradually develops into mutual respect, and Viggo’s eventual decision to help the riders gives him one of the franchise’s strongest redemption arcs.
Who is Ryker Grimborn?
Ryker is Viggo’s older brother and a senior Dragon Hunter. He is more direct and physically forceful than Viggo, whose preferred weapon is strategy. Their differing styles create tension inside the Dragon Hunters as well as danger for Hiccup’s group. Ryker’s role shows that the brothers do not approach power in the same way, even when they are working towards the same objective.
Who is Alvin the Treacherous?
Alvin is the chief of the Outcast Tribe and a recurring enemy in Dragons: Riders of Berk. He wants to use Hiccup’s knowledge of dragons for his own advantage and repeatedly relies on schemes, pressure and capture rather than a straightforward fight. His shifting relationship with Hiccup makes him more complicated than a one-time villain, while Mark Hamill’s performance gives him an entertaining theatrical edge.
Who is Dagur the Deranged?
Dagur begins as the volatile chief of the Berserkers and an enemy of Berk. He loves danger and often treats conflict as a personal contest, which makes him difficult for Hiccup to predict. His connection to Heather changes his priorities, and he eventually becomes an ally. Dagur remains impulsive after his change of heart, but his energy is redirected towards protecting people he once threatened.
Is Red Death a villain?
Red Death is a massive queen dragon that can control other dragons and make them swarm.
Who is Savage?
Savage is Alvin’s former right-hand man in Dragons: Riders of Berk. His position gives him access to the Outcasts’ plans and makes his loyalty important to Alvin’s power. When the balance shifts, Savage’s self-interest complicates that relationship and adds betrayal to the series’ recurring conflict. He has less screen time than the main villains, but his connection to Alvin makes the Outcast story feel like a struggle within a tribe.
Where can I watch How to Train Your Dragon?
Availability varies by service and region, so check your local services before you press play.
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