Wish Dragon

Play trailer

2:45

Wish Dragon

PG

2021

1h 38m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In Sony Pictures Animation's Wish Dragon, Din, a working-class college student with big dreams but small means, and Long, a cynical but all-powerful dragon capable of granting wishes, set off on a hilarious adventure through modern day Shanghai in pursuit of Din's long-lost childhood friend, Lina. Their journey forces them to answer some of life's biggest questions -- because when you can wish for anything, you have to decide what really matters.

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Critics Consensus

Although its juvenile humor may test some viewers' patience, Wish Dragon is a colorful and quirky romp that will warm audience's hearts.

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Angie Han

FilmWeek (LAist)

06/16/2021

I feel so indifferent about this whole thing... I forgot it as soon as I saw it.

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Peter Debruge

Variety

06/12/2021

"Wish Dragon" delivers a whole new world, a new fantastic point of view, and that's plenty.

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Natalia Winkelman

New York Times

06/11/2021

"Wish Dragon" is a transporting experience, but it's far from a whole new world.

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Carson Timar

Clapper

02/22/2022

There is a lovely sense of authenticity to the world and characters that make Wish Dragon up and especially for those with children, this is an easy recommendation!

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Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

02/16/2022

6/10

So, is Wish Dragon a rip-off of Aladdin? The answer is yes, it undeniably is. But does that mean its a bad movie? Not really.

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Lauren Miles

Flickering Myth

06/18/2021

An endearing modern retelling of Aladdin, Wish Dragon ticks all of the boxes for a memorable family film - adventure, comedy, and sincerity.

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Jackson W

Sep 11

This movie is what you would call mid. I don't think there was anything special about it. Love the dragon though.

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Peyton W

Aug 3

Beautiful, sweet and hilarious

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Jasten I

Jul 14

Some viewers have called Wish Dragon a rip-off of Aladdin because both stories feature a magical being who grants three wishes. But that comparison misses what makes Wish Dragon so special and unique. First, the film is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and folklore, with its story set in modern-day Shanghai and featuring a wish dragon from a teapot rather than a genie from a lamp. The characters’ motivations and backgrounds are shaped by the realities of contemporary China, from family expectations to socioeconomic divides, making the story feel fresh and authentic. While the wish-granting premise is familiar, Wish Dragon takes it in a new direction. The protagonist, Din, doesn’t just want wealth or romance—he’s driven by a genuine desire to reconnect with his childhood friend, Li Na. The film’s focus on friendship, sacrifice, and kindness gives it a different emotional core than Aladdin, which centers more on romance and personal gain. The dragon, Long, isn’t just a comedic sidekick; his journey is about learning the true meaning of life and friendship after centuries of selfishness. The humor, vibrant animation, and action sequences are all top-notch, but what really makes Wish Dragon shine is its heart. The film explores what really matters in life—loyalty, compassion, and the bonds we share with others—in a way that feels genuine and moving. Even if the plot has some similarities to Aladdin, the execution, setting, and themes make it stand out as its own story. In short, calling Wish Dragon a rip-off of Aladdin is an oversimplification. It’s a beautifully animated, funny, and touching film that uses a classic fairy-tale structure to tell a story that’s uniquely its own—and that’s why it’s so good.

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Vicenzo C

Jul 8

Brilliantly written and completed with incredible performances from Jimmy Wong and Jon Cho, Wish Dragon is an impressive debut feature from up-and-coming animation juggernaut(and future John Lasseter) Chris Applehans.

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Lluvia A

Jul 3

This was a great kids’ film. Highly recommend for your little ones.

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Blueberry B

@ONEINAMILLIONTWICEONCEIII9102015 Jun 11

Wish Dragon has been stuck in my brain for more than a year and I loved it. Recommend so that it'll increase a chance of Wish Dragon sequel.

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Chris Appelhans

Director

John Cho

Long

Jimmy Wong

Din

Natasha Liu Bordizzo

Li Na

Constance Wu

Mom

Will Yun Lee

Mr. Wong

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Wish Dragon: Trailer 1

2:45

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Synopsis

In Sony Pictures Animation's Wish Dragon, Din, a working-class college student with big dreams but small means, and Long, a cynical but all-powerful dragon capable of granting wishes, set off on a hilarious adventure through modern day Shanghai in pursuit of Din's long-lost childhood friend, Lina. Their journey forces them to answer some of life's biggest questions -- because when you can wish for anything, you have to decide what really matters.

Director: Chris Appelhans
Producer: Chris Bremble, Jackie Chan, Aron Warner
Screenwriter: Chris Appelhans
Production Co: Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation, Sony Pictures Animation, The Monk Studio, Tencent Pictures
Rating: PG (Mild Action and Rude Humor)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 11, 2021
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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