The Princess and the Dragon (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot
The Princess and the Dragon is a 2018 animated fantasy film directed by Marina Nefedova, starring Ani Lorak as Princess Barbara, Diomid Vinogradov and Irina Kireeva. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes. Its Echo Score is 25/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 15m (75 min)
- Director
- Marina Nefedova
- Original language
-
Russian
- Studio
- Licensing Brands
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Princess and the Dragon About?
The premise of The Princess and the Dragon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
On her 7th birthday, Princess Barbara discovers a magical book that transports her to Wonderland, an enchanted place filled with dragons and fantastic creatures.
The Princess and the Dragon Cast & Characters
Ani Lorak leads the cast as Princess Barbara, with Diomid Vinogradov as King and Irina Kireeva as Queen. Directed by Marina Nefedova; 5 actors are credited in all.
- Director Marina Nefedova
- Ani Lorak as Princess Barbara
- Diomid Vinogradov as King
- Irina Kireeva as Queen
- Konstantin Kozhevnikov as Balthasar
Also Starring in The Princess and the Dragon
· 1 more- Sergey Smirnov Dragosha
The Princess and the Dragon Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 25/100, strongest in art & craft (35) and weakest in sensory experience (20).
The Princess and the Dragon Echo Score Breakdown
The Princess and the Dragon received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with critics highlighting outdated CGI, disjointed plotting, and a soundtrack that detracts from the viewing experience. Voice acting is frequently described as poorly synchronized and the main characters, especially the princess, are considered irritating rather than engaging. While a few reviewers note occasional visual appeal and an endearing dragon, these strengths are insufficient to overcome the film's fundamental shortcomings. Consequently, the movie offers limited value to both children and adults, resulting in a low overall rating.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
In terms of art and craft, the film suffers from archaic CGI and inconsistent visual polish, leading many viewers to describe the animation as silly or poorly rendered. Some observers note occasional appealing visuals, yet the overall production design appears lazy, with unconvincing settings and editing that fails to smooth narrative gaps. The net impression is that the technical execution falls short of contemporary standards, contributing to a weak artistic impression.
- Character & Emotion 30
When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are widely criticized for mismatched lip‑sync and irritating dialogue, particularly from the princess. Voice acting is labeled horrible, reducing emotional resonance. A minority of viewers found the dragon character endearing and the overall cast suitable for children, but these positive notes are outweighed by pervasive issues of bland character depth and poor chemistry. Overall, the character work is considered subpar.
- Story & Flow 25
The story and flow are described as predictable, disjointed, and often nonexistent, with many reviewers calling the plot a mess or dull. Pacing is uneven, and the narrative resolution feels unsatisfying or rushed. Some parents note that the simple premise may work for very young audiences, yet the lack of coherent storytelling limits broader appeal. Consequently, the narrative component is judged weak and poorly constructed.
- Sensory Experience 20
Sensory experience is dominated by criticism of the soundtrack, with multiple reviewers labeling the songs as embarrassingly horrendous and disruptive to the film's flow. Sound design and audio‑visual synchronization are also faulted for poor lip‑sync and jarring audio cues. A few comments mention moments of visual beauty, but these are eclipsed by the overall negative auditory impression, leading to a low sensory rating.
- Rewatch Factor 25
Rewatch factor is limited, as most viewers advise against further viewings due to the film's technical flaws, weak story, and off‑putting music. Although a handful of children might tolerate the content, the consensus suggests the movie lacks lasting appeal and fails to motivate repeat engagement. The overall replay value is therefore considered low.
The Princess and the Dragon Plot Summary
What happens in The Princess and the Dragon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1926 New Orleans, a determined young woman named Tiana dreams of opening her own restaurant. She works two waitress jobs to save every penny, leaving little time for a social life or big ambitions beyond her culinary goals. Across town, the arrogant Prince Naveen of Maldonia arrives with a carefree appetite for life, looking to marry into money so his family fortune can be revived. His plan centers on Charlotte La Bouff, Tiana’s wealthy best friend, whose father, Big Daddy, hosts a grand masquerade ball in Naveen’s honor. Beignets and opportunity seem within reach for Tiana when Charlotte asks her to whip up treats for the party, promising enough money to buy an old mill she can convert into a restaurant.
Full summary
The whole story of The Princess and the Dragon, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Princess and the Dragon?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is Tiana's ultimate dream at the start of the film?
The Princess and the Dragon Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Printsessa i drakon” and “プリンセスとドラゴンの魔法の本”.
- Also known as
-
- Printsessa i drakon
- プリンセスとドラゴンの魔法の本
- Принцесса и дракон: Тайна волшебного зеркала
- La princesa y su Dragón: Una historia interminable
- Princesė ir drakonas
- La princesa y su dragón
- Princezná a dráčik
- Princese un pūķis
- Prenses ve Ejderha
- Princezna a dráček
- La princesa y el dragón
- Принцесата и Дракона
+9 more Show fewer
- 소피와 드래곤: 마법책의 비밀
- Księżniczka i smok
- A Princesa e o Dragão
- Hercegnő Csodaországban
- La Petite Princesse et le Dragon
- 小公主芭芭拉:魔法大冒險
- Công Chúa Luyện Rồng
- La principessa e il drago
- הנסיכה והדרקון
Seen The Princess and the Dragon?
The Princess and the Dragon FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Princess and the Dragon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Princess and the Dragon?
The Princess and the Dragon runs 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).
When was The Princess and the Dragon released?
The Princess and the Dragon was released on August 23, 2018.
Who directed The Princess and the Dragon?
The Princess and the Dragon was directed by Marina Nefedova.
Who is in the cast of The Princess and the Dragon?
The Princess and the Dragon stars Ani Lorak as Princess Barbara, Diomid Vinogradov as King and Irina Kireeva as Queen, among 5 credited actors.
Does The Princess and the Dragon have a post-credit scene?
No. The Princess and the Dragon has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Princess and the Dragon in?
The original language of The Princess and the Dragon is Russian.
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