A giant dragon which fans will recognise from a classic Harry Potter film stunned Londoners today as it roared its way through the capital’s streets.
The 25-foot-long animatronic creature appeared ‘captured’ in a box, making its way past iconic landmarks like Westminster Bridge and King’s Cross Station, to Warner Bros. Studio in London.
This dramatic spectacle was orchestrated to celebrate the unveiling of ‘Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions’, a fresh attraction at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.
The Hungarian Horntail, tipping the scales at an impressive 1.3 tonnes, replicates the iconic scene from the beloved movie, where Harry confronts the formidable dragon during the ‘Triwizard Tournament’s’ initial challenge.
Designed by Harry Potter filmmaker and animatronic designer Joe Scott, the lifelike creature features a moving head, mouth and eyes, and sound effects.
Assembled over 750 hours, this creation features a 3D printed head, 25kg of fibreglass, and 119 individually attached spikes. Its intimidating jaws are equipped with 38 resin teeth, meticulously crafted to mirror the film’s fearsome look in painstaking detail.
Scott consulted original drawings, CGI drafts, and scans of the actual film prop to inform his design strategy. Reflecting on the project, he remarked: “Revisiting the creation of the Hungarian Horntail 20 years on from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has been magical.”
He added: “Creating the dragons for the Triwizard Tournament was no mean feat, with engineers, animatronics, designers and the special effects teams all working together to bring them to life.
“It’s fantastic to see the craftsmanship that went into this on display at the new feature – inspiring visitors with the magic of our filmmaking secrets.”
‘The Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions’ exhibit will run from 15 May to 8 September 2025 at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Fans will be transported behind the scenes of the iconic Triwizard Tournament, discovering how the thrilling magical challenges were brought to life.
The Studio Tour’s new summer feature invites visitors into the all-new Backlot Stage to explore the Secrets of Special Effects. The dedicated indoor space includes a digital screen, tiered seating and live demonstrations revealing how filmmakers created the magic.
Among the highlights is a reimagining of the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students’ arrivals, complete with costumes and choreography. Visitors will also discover the techniques used to show Harry holding his breath underwater during the second task.
Geoff Spooner, senior vice president at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, said: “We’re excited to launch our brand-new summer feature, Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, where visitors can learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the fourth Harry Potter film.
“To celebrate and bring the magic of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to the streets of the capital, we recreated the iconic moment of the escaped Hungarian Horntail dragon 20 years on from ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”