Wish Dragon (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Wish Dragon is a 2021 animated comedy directed by Chris Appelhans, starring Jimmy Wong as Din, John Cho and Natasha Liu Bordizzo. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $21.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Chris Appelhans
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Wish Dragon About?
The premise of Wish Dragon without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In modern-day Shanghai, a young man named Din unexpectedly encounters Long, a hilarious and talkative dragon with the power to grant wishes. As Din navigates this extraordinary opportunity, he sets out on a quest to reconnect with Lina, a childhood friend. Through their adventure, they explore the complexities of friendship, love, and the true meaning of happiness when limitless possibilities arise.
Wish Dragon Themes & Keywords
· 33 tags- dragon
- cgi animation
- magic
- puppy
- computer animation
- boy
- chinese
- wish
- shanghai
- childhood
- best friend
- friend
+21 more Show fewer
- power
- china
- secret
- promise
- friendship
- birthday
- wealth
- lie
- heaven
- expectation
- 3d animation
- gold
- 2020s
- 21st century
- cg animation
- urban adventure
- 3d
- 3 dimensional
- shanghai china
- asia
- urban setting
Wish Dragon Cast & Characters
Jimmy Wong leads the cast as Din, with John Cho as Long and Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Li Na. Directed by Chris Appelhans; 15 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Chris Appelhans
-
Jimmy Wong as Din -
John Cho as Long -
Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Li Na -
Aaron Yoo as Pockets
Also Starring in Wish Dragon
· 11 more- Bobby Lee Tall Goon
- Will Yun Lee Dad
- Jimmy O. Yang Short Goon, Security Guard 2
- Constance Wu Mom
- Ronny Chieng Pipa God
- Sumalee Montano Granny Neighbor, Cougar, Party Guest
- Max Charles Young Long
- Ian Chen Young Din
- Nico Santos Buckley
- Alexandre Chen
- Alyssa Abiera Young Li Na
More from Chris Appelhans
One more film directed by Chris Appelhans: KPop Demon Hunters.
Wish Dragon Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Wish Dragon 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in story & flow (71).
Wish Dragon Echo Score Breakdown
Wish Dragon lands in a middle ground between earnest charm and familiar storytelling. Critics note the film’s weak moral and unoriginal plot, yet acknowledge its amusing sight gags and vibrant world‑building, while audiences celebrate its heartfelt characters and engaging visuals. The animation’s detailed style and culturally resonant representation add appeal, and many viewers report repeat‑watch interest. Consequently, the movie offers modest enjoyment with notable strengths in character and sensory presentation, offset by a conventional narrative.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 73
In terms of direction and visual design, the film presents a vivid, animated world that reviewers describe as fresh and detailed. Sight‑gag sequences and exaggerated animation are highlighted as strengths, while some critics find the overall world‑building less innovative. The mixed commentary yields a solid, though not groundbreaking, artistic execution.
- Character & Emotion 82
When evaluating character depth and emotional resonance, critics and viewers alike note the film’s heartfelt and dynamic personalities. Praise centers on the enjoyable chemistry and a message that connects with audiences, whereas minor critiques point to a lack of complexity in supporting roles. Overall, the character work is perceived as a strong, emotionally engaging component.
- Story & Flow 71
The narrative is identified as both familiar and occasionally charming. Critics observe that the plot relies on well‑trod tropes and a simplistic moral, yet acknowledge moments where the story becomes entertaining and heartfelt. User feedback emphasizes enjoyable pacing and a satisfying emotional core, resulting in a moderately positive assessment of the storytelling.
- Sensory Experience 80
Sensory elements, particularly the animation’s color palette and visual flair, receive commendation for their richness and cultural references. While specific remarks on sound design are scarce, the overall auditory‑visual experience is deemed lively and appealing. This combination of vivid visuals and engaging sound contributes positively to the film’s sensory impact.
- Rewatch Factor 79
Rewatch factor is reflected in audience enthusiasm and repeat‑view interest. Multiple users express that the film exceeds expectations and remains enjoyable on subsequent viewings, highlighting its humor, cultural representation, and emotional moments as reasons to return. Though critics do not directly address longevity, the prevailing viewer sentiment suggests a strong desire to revisit, indicating a high rewatch potential.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 71% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 78%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 5.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 79% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
70 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Wish Dragon Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Wish Dragon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Din Song is a hardworking college student living in Shanghai, who harbors a deep longing to reconnect with his childhood friend, Li Na. She moved away ten years ago with her father, Mr. Wang, and now enjoys a life of luxury. One day, an old man gifts Din a mysterious teapot, which releases a wish dragon named Long. Long reveals to Din that he will grant him three wishes, making Din the tenth and final master he has served. In return, fulfilling Din’s wishes will free Long from his servitude, allowing him to enter the Spirit world.
Full summary
The whole story of Wish Dragon, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Wish Dragon Box Office
Wish Dragon grossed $21.1 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$21.1M
- International
- $21.1M
Wish Dragon Trailers & Videos
8 videos: 2 trailers, 3 clips, 1 featurette and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Wish Dragon | Official Trailer | Netflix
- Clip Meet Long, the Wish Dragon | Netflix Futures
- Clip Din’s First Wish: Ultimate Fight Skills | Netflix Futures
- Clip Wish Dragon "Endless Sky" Song Clip | Netflix Futures
How Well Do You Know Wish Dragon?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
Who is Din's childhood friend that he wishes to reconnect with?
Wish Dragon Also Known As
32 alternative titles, including “许愿神龙” and “Önskedraken”.
- Also known as
-
- 许愿神龙
- Önskedraken
- De Wensdraak
- Дракон желаний
- تنّين الأماني
- มังกรอธิษฐาน
- Le Dragon-génie
- Il drago dei desideri
- El dragón de los deseos
- El dragón de la tetera
- Din e o Dragão Genial
- O Dragão dos Desejos
+20 more Show fewer
- 위시 드래곤
- ウィッシュ・ドラゴン
- Дракон бажань
- Волшебный дракон
- 許願神龍
- A kívánságsárkány
- Der Wunschdrache
- Smok życzeń
- Zmaj iz čajnika
- Το Τζίνι-Δράκος
- דרקון המשאלות
- Kouzelný drak
- Ước Nguyện Thần Long
- Sihirli Ejder
- Ønskedragen
- Змај Жеља
- Norus pildantis drakonas
- اژدهای آرزو
- Dragonul magic
- Дракон на желанията
Seen Wish Dragon?
Movies Like Wish Dragon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Where’s the Dragon?, Wish and Dragonkeeper.
Wish Dragon FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Wish Dragon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Wish Dragon?
Wish Dragon runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Wish Dragon released?
Wish Dragon was released on June 11, 2021.
Who directed Wish Dragon?
Wish Dragon was directed by Chris Appelhans.
More films by Chris Appelhans Who is in the cast of Wish Dragon?
Wish Dragon stars Jimmy Wong as Din, John Cho as Long and Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Li Na, among 15 credited actors.
How much did Wish Dragon make at the box office?
Wish Dragon grossed $21.1 million worldwide.
How is Wish Dragon rated?
Wish Dragon has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.
Does Wish Dragon have a post-credit scene?
No. Wish Dragon has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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