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Wish Dragon
2021 99 min United States of America, China, Czech Republic PG 6+
★7.2
Animation, Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Director: Chris Appelhans
Trailers
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Description
Determined teen Din is longing to reconnect with his childhood best friend when he meets a wish-granting dragon who shows him the magic of possibilities.
Worldwide:
$25.86M
Starring
Jimmy Wong
Actor
John Cho
Actor
Constance Wu
Actor
Awards
4 nominations total
Key opinion
Wish Dragon is a charming and heartwarming animated film that successfully updates the classic wish-fulfillment fable with a grounded, modern Chinese setting. While critics note its narrative familiarity and modest production scale, it is widely praised for its emotional depth and exploration of themes like friendship and social class.
| Theme | The film succeeds as a heartfelt family adventure that balances cultural specificity with relatable emotional themes. | |
| Production | The animation quality is consistently polished and natural, effectively capturing character expressions despite operating on a more modest budget than major studio flagships. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay builds a solid, engaging narrative arc that prioritizes character growth and the protagonist’s personal agency over magical shortcuts. | |
| Humor | Opinions on humor are divided: some viewers find the blend of modern and retro jokes effective and organic, while others consider the comedic delivery modest or occasionally inconsistent. |