Dungeons & Dragons is an action-adventure fantasy film series based on the role-playing game of the same name currently owned by Wizards of the Coast. The original trilogy consists of a theatrical film, a made-for-TV second installment, and a direct-to-video third installment, while the fourth installment is a reboot of the series.
Contents
Films
Original trilogy
The Empire of Izmir is a divided land. An elite group of sorcerers, known as "The Mages", rule the land while the commoners are left defenseless. The Empress of Izmir, Savina, fights for equality and prosperity amongst all citizens, but the wicked and powerful Mage Profion plots to overtake her throne. As he plots to rule the Empire by nefarious means, the Empress seeks the Rod of Savrille, which has the power to control the Red Dragons. She hires two petty thieves, Ridley and Snails, who become her key to aligning with the dragonkeeper. Together with a mage apprentice named Marina, a combative Dwarf named Elwood, and the Empire's personal expert tracker - an Elf named Norda - they must outpace Profion's chief henchman Damodar to find the Rod of Savrille, the artifact that has the power to set their kingdom free.
The first film in the series, Dungeons & Dragons was released on December 8, 2000.
When the evil sorcerer Damodar succeeds in stealing the mystic elemental black orb, he declares a sinister vengeance against the kingdom of Izmir. A decorated warrior of the Empire, named Berek, and Melora, an unseasoned sorceress join forces with four heroes - representing Intelligence, Wisdom, Honor and Strength - to thwart the evil Mage and his growing army. Together they must reach the vault that holds the orb, assembling their own army, and defeat Damadar before he awakens the dormant black dragon whose purpose would destroy the entire kingdom.
Wrath of the Dragon God is the second instalment in the series and serves as a stand-alone sequel to Dungeons & Dragons (2000). The only returning actor is Bruce Payne, reprising his role as Damodar. The film premiered at the Sci-Fi Channel on October 10, 2005. It was released in theaters in Europe as well as some parts of North America and Latin America, and released on DVD on February 7, 2006.
A young knight named Grayson recruits the team to save his father from evil warlord Shantrax, who also wants to use the magical Book of Vile Darkness for malevolent purposes.
The Book of Vile Darkness is the third installment in the series and was released direct-to-DVD in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2012.
Reboot
A bard named Edgin Darvis and barbarian Holga Kilgore enlist a team of unlikely heroes to steal an ancient and powerful relic but come into conflict with evil forces.
Honor Among Thieves is a reboot of the series and has no relation to the previous films. The film was released on March 31, 2023, by Paramount Pictures, and stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Hugh Grant, Justice Smith, Regé-Jean Page, Daisy Head, and Sophia Lillis in the main roles.
Television
A spin-off television series has been in development since 2022. Part of a "multi-pronged approach" for television projects, the show is described as the "flagship" and "cornerstone" live-action series, of the multiple projects in development, while also functioning to "complement" the film side of the franchise. Various networks and streaming companies were reportedly bidding on distribution rights. Paramount+ initially ordered the series and partnered with Entertainment One (eOne) and Paramount Pictures to develop it, but in 2024, the network decided not to go forward with the project. The series is currently in development "by Hasbro's in-house division Hasbro Entertainment following eOne's December 2023 sale to Lionsgate" with a new creative team and "will undergo a creative update before being taken out to other potential buyers".
In other media
Wizards of the Coast released a Fast-Play Game, The Sewers of Sumdall, based on the first film. It is a DVD-ROM feature on the DVD as a printable PDF file.
