Wish Dragon (2021) – A Modern Fairy Tale with a Heartfelt Message

Wish Dragon is a 2021 animated fantasy comedy film written and directed by Chris Appelhans (in his feature directorial debut) and produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Tencent Pictures. Constance Wu, Jimmy O, Jimmy Wong, John Cho, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo star in the movie.

Yang, Aaron Yoo, Ronny Chieng, and Will Yun Lee Cho’s voice was provided by Jackie Chan for the Chinese Mandarin version of the film.

It tells the story of Din Song, a college student, who finds himself in a teapot inhabited by Long, a dragon with the ability to grant three wishes. Wish Dragon was released theatrically on January 15, 2021, in China, and on June 11, 2021, worldwide, on Netflix.

 

Plot

Din Song, a Shanghai college student from the working class, longs to see his childhood friend Li Na again. Li Na and her father, Mr., left their neighborhood ten years ago, so Din Song moved away from them.

Wang now leads an extravagant life. One day, Din is given a teapot by an elderly man, from which emerges Long, a wish dragon. Din is informed by Long that Long will grant his master, or whoever holds the teapot, three wishes. Long’s tenth and final master will be Din, who will release Long from his servitude and let him enter the Spirit world.

Din is then pursued by a trio of criminals led by Pockets, who was sent by Mr. Wang wanted to get the teapot back in the hope that it would save his failing business. Din fights the gangsters and gets away using his first wish. Din and Long show up at Li Na’s birthday party the following day.

In the hope that Li Na will notice him and rekindle their friendship, Din makes his second wish, which is to temporarily assume the role of a wealthy princeling for one day. When Li Na finds out that her father won’t be at her birthday party, she is disappointed.

Din comforts her while remaining in the persona of “Dan,” and Mr. Wang to share a meal together via video call. Din is warned by Long that because of their different socioeconomic status, Li Na will leave him as soon as she learns his identity. Din asks Long for advice on how to act in light of his new status during the date, but in the process, he upsets Li Na. After the criminals reappear and pursue Din, they both end up in Din’s neighborhood.

After Din tells Li Na who he is, the two of them spend the rest of the day in the neighborhood reliving their favorite pastimes as children. Din’s feelings are harmed when Li Na finally backs away, claiming that she must fulfill obligations and expectations.

In a desperate attempt to earn Long’s respect, Din asks Long to make him rich later that night. Long reveals that, during his lifetime, he was a powerful and wealthy lord whose reign ended in isolation and tragedy.

Following his death, the gods turned him into a wish dragon as punishment for his selfishness. Long’s servitude as a wish dragon is meant to make him appreciate the meaning of life, something he has failed to accomplish with all of his previous masters.
Mr. is betrayed by Pockets after locating Din. Wang by taking the teapot for himself and asks the wish dragon for his first wish to turn everything he touches to gold. He leaves Mr. Wang killed him in front of Li Na by falling from a large scaffolding. Din pursues the gangsters and, in the end, fights Pockets on Long’s back.

Pockets corners Din and prepares to hit him with his golden hand, but Long puts himself in the way, causing him to turn into a gold statue. Long is ultimately petrified when Din kicks Pockets off of him, bringing his hand into contact with himself.

Long’s falls into a river, whereas Pockets smashes to pieces when struck by the ground. It sinks regardless of Din’s efforts. Long finds his human self at the entrance to the Spirit world. He begs the gatekeeper to let him back into Din because he hasn’t used his third wish, despite being tempted to go through the gates.

With a caveat, the guardian grants permission. Din fulfills his final wish to bring Mr. Long vanishes alongside Wang. After a while, Mr. Din and Li Na assist Wang in opening a restaurant that serves dishes prepared by Din’s mother. Din frees Long after locating a teapot similar to the one Long occupied.

Din is informed by Long that the only requirement for his return to Earth was that he remain and serve ten more masters. Din bids Long farewell and places the teapot on a carriage driven by the old man from the beginning, who is actually the gatekeeper to the spirit world.

Voice cast

• Jimmy Wong as Din Song, a working-class college student who dreams to reunite with his childhood friend Li Na
  • Ian Chen as young Din
• John Cho as Long, a cynical but all-powerful dragon capable of granting wishes
  • Max Charles as young Long
• Constance Wu as Mrs. Song, Din’s strict but loving mother
• Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Li Na Wang, Din’s childhood friend, who moved with her father years ago from the neighborhood where she lived and now lives a lavish life
  • Alyssa Abiera as young Li Na
• Jimmy O. Yang as Short Goon, one of Pockets’ goons; and a security guard
• Aaron Yoo as Pockets, a henchman hired by Wang to retrieve the teapot that Din has and the main antagonist
• Will Yun Lee as Mr. Wang, Li Na’s absent but caring father, whose company business is failing
• Ronny Chieng as Pipa God, the guardian of the gate to the Spirit world

Nico Santos and Bobby Lee voice, respectively: Buckley, Mr. Wang’s assistant; and Diao (credited as “Tall Goon”), one of Pockets’ goons. The film’s director Chris Appelhans voices a hot towel waiter and a Nomani retailer. Niu Junfeng and Jackie Chan voice Din and Long, respectively, in the film’s Mandarin dub.

Production

Wish Dragon is the first Sony Pictures Animation film to be produced by Base Animation, a new animation studio that is part of the VFX firm Base FX, and also the first to feature visual effects and animation provided by Industrial Light & Magic. The goal of the film and the Base Animation studio is to “make world-class animation in China for China… and the world”. Writer and director Chris Appelhans “wanted the film made in China, with a strong Mainland China creative team, an international cast of talent, and a focus on the hopes and dreams of contemporary China.”^[10] The film is Appelhans’ directorial debut.^[11] The film was officially completed on January 8, 2020.^[12]

• Wish Dragon: A Tale of Magic, Memory, and the Power of Friendship

  Fade in. Shanghai, modern day.

  Neon lights flicker against glass towers. Street vendors call out over the hum of scooters. In the midst of this pulsing cityscape, a young man named Din Song hurries through the crowd—humble, hopeful, and holding onto a memory that refuses to fade: the smile of his childhood best friend, Li Na Wang.

  From this grounded, urban beginning, Wish Dragon whisks us into a world where the ancient collides with the modern—where a dusty teapot holds more than just tea leaves. Inside it slumbers Long, a bright pink, fur-covered wish dragon with a thousand years of history, arrogance, and unfinished business.

  A Genie Tale with a Chinese Twist

  From the moment Long bursts into the screen—grumbling, flamboyant, and unimpressed with the 21st century—the film sets its tone: bold, vibrant, and full of heart. This is not just another “three wishes” story. This is a journey through what it means to want, and more importantly, what it means to need.

  As Din stumbles through his new power, tempted by wealth and status, he keeps his eyes on the real wish: to reconnect with Li Na, now a glamorous socialite far removed from their childhood in the alleyways of Shanghai.

  Their worlds couldn’t be more different. Yet the past has a way of catching up—and as Long watches Din chase something deeper than gold, the dragon’s own hardened heart begins to crack.

  From Teacups to Rooftops: A Visual Feast

  Director Chris Appelhans doesn’t just tell a story—he paints it. The animation leaps from lush Shanghai cityscapes to hilarious high-speed chases, rooftop brawls, and surreal dragon-powered spectacles. Every frame is rich with texture, color, and emotion, from the steam of a noodle bowl to the fiery sparkle of Long’s magic.

  And when the action pauses—when Din and Li Na sit in the quiet of a childhood haunt, or Long stares into the night sky recalling the man he once was—there’s a stillness that speaks volumes.

  John Cho’s Dragon Steals the Show

  If Wish Dragon has a soul, it’s Long—brought to life with wit, warmth, and surprising depth by John Cho. What begins as comic relief becomes the film’s emotional core. Long’s transformation—from a jaded spirit bound by pride to a selfless friend ready to give everything—is nothing short of cinematic alchemy.

  Jimmy Wong’s earnest portrayal of Din grounds the film in sincerity, while Natasha Liu Bordizzo gives Li Na the poise and inner conflict of a young woman torn between duty and desire. Their chemistry is subtle, but true.

  A Story That Echoes

  Beneath the laughs, chases, and wish-making lies the heart of Wish Dragon: a story about belonging, letting go, and remembering what matters most.

  It’s about the friend who still knows your favorite flavor of fish balls. The parent who works themselves to the bone for your future. The choice to be rich in heart, not just in pocket.

  It’s about second chances—for friendships, for families, and even for dragons.

  The Final Act

  In the climactic scenes, as magic clashes with greed and the past comes roaring back to life, Wish Dragon delivers a finale that is both thrilling and tender. And when the final wish is spoken—not for power, not for wealth, but for connection—you may just find your own heart stirred.

  People’s review(taken from google)

• cool kid_ YT

• 3 years ago
  Wish Dragon is the most magnificent movie, ever! The storyboard, voice-acting and design is unique in every single way and aspect. Unfortunately, I have seen multiple netizens who are constantly spamming about this movie as an “Aladdin rip-off”, which is completely untrue. Wish Dragon brings a whole new experience about a certain magical dragon, who is trapped in a teapot and can grant 3 wishes, but with a very special backstory, you’ve never seen before. I don’t want to spoil it, but those who have already watched the movie, would know what I mean. In fact, the only thing that “Wish Dragon” has inspired from “Aladdin” is the number of the wishes, and everything else is completely innovative and new. There are several other references to different stories & movies as well, such as Cinderella, Midas and even My Little Pony (based on the moral of the story and how the main villain ended up, in this movie) and lot’s of Chinese myths that are featured in this movie, in the most attractive way (just like other great movies such as “Over the Moon” and “Nezha”). Aside from the Chinese Traditions that are featured amazingly in this movie, it also shows us a brief history of Shanghai, and the 30th establishment of Pudong New Area in Shanghai, has transformed from an obsolete farmland into the epitome of the city’s modernization and a pioneer of China’s reform and opening-up. Another advantage of this movie, is the comdy-gold story : the hilarious and yet clever jokes in this movie are rich! The only movie that was this much fun to watch is “Secret Magic Control Agency”. Both of these movies, made me laugh from both joy and emotions. Speaking of emotions, the moral of this story is simply about “friendship vs money” but it emphasized on “platonic, intellectual and collective friendship” without any cheesy romance that are present in 99% of Disney movies (including Aladdin). In fact, Disney never accomplished such a deep and yet funny plot, throughout its entire history. The fact that the famous actor & artist ; Jackie Chan, is one the producers of this movie explains why it’s enriched with martial arts and kong fu fights (which I personally loved). The 3D design of this movie is excellently done, and even the slightest details are perfectly animated. The colours and art-designs are also outstanding. The characters are well designed. The motions and movements are absolutely amazing. It’s practically the best! At the end, I want to express my utmost gratitude to everyone who worked on this masterpiece. “Wish Dragon”, along with “Secret Magic Control Agency”, are the only movies to which I gave a full 10/10 review so far and they both are the best movies, that I have watched. So, I recommend everyone to watch this movie and appreciate the hard work that has been put on it! Thank You.
  16 people found this helpful

• 

  iam me 1

  a year ago

  The most cliche kids movie lesson ever was “Money can’t buy love”, but you know? If you make an entertaining movie like Wish Dragon with this lesson as the main lecture, I think you can succeed telling the viewers just that. Wish Dragon, a film produced by Jackie Chan, directed by Chris Appelhans, is a story that revolves around a peasant boy who wants to see his best friend again, but stumbles upon a genie dragon from the Ming Dynasty to give him 3 wishes. Wish Dragon is literally an exact clone of Aladdin, but doesn’t copy every single detail of Aladdin at all. It has its own spin of the tale, having certain important characters tell their woes and problems, developing a character development. The characters have one sided personalities, but they reflect how Asian people interact with each other, such as the neighbors who’d spy and gossip at a drama just around the next apartment. It feels right at home yet to others who live in the west, they might not catch our drift. Animation-wise, it’s SUPER fluid! Bounce and stretch is commonly used here and it’s really cartoonish and very bouncy. As a Chinese/Asian film that feels right at home, this is certainly entertaining! For western viewers however, they might be let down. Of course it’s a run of the mill average film with a generic lesson for kids and adults alike, but if you execute the film well in story-telling and character development, then maybe your wish of a perfect lesson might just be granted! I give this rating a 5 star, but in integers I’ll give it a 9/10.

  80 people found this helpful.

  

  Ezra De Ocampo

  3 years ago

  Charming characters, nostalgic but distinct storyline, universal lessons with a hint of reality, and a touch of cartoon magic will really just equate to a great movie. Wish Dragon will of course be compared to the ‘Original wish cartoon movie: Aladdin’. It’s impossible not to. There are similarities of course like the rich-poor theme, wishes, and all that. Some people out there will not even give in to this so-called “rip-off” and not watch it – then don’t force yourself. But to those who are looking for some reassurance or opinion, I can guarantee that it has its own charm and feel that in the end, you’ll appreciate it as well. It conveys a good message about living and life that is more relatable than past cartoon movies, including Aladdin. I wouldn’t go so far and say it has no flaws or problems since there really is no cartoon movie that doesn’t have any. Moreover, it really depends on your opinion about it. But in the end, it’s a harmless movie, and just enjoy it as you watch. Who says movies with similarities can’t both be great anyway?

  33 people found this helpful.

  

  Antonis Zaprios

  3 years ago

  A Masterpiece of Sony. If the producers are reading this i wanna let em know I hope there will be a second sequel (Wish Dragon 2). The design the voice acting and in general the performance of the team gave us by far the best animated movie I ve ever watched. 5/5 Is just because i watched it for 7th time and still not bored. ‘Alladin Rip-off’. For me Wish Dragon is better than Alladin. I have my hopes up can’t wait for what can be expected from such a movie Edit: About the ”Alladin rip-off’ thing.After a small ‘research’ i did i found this: The story writter as he told us traveled to shanghai about 15 yrs ago as he was travelling tho the world and learned that the alladin idea first came from there so he decided to create a movie based on the place where the whole thing first came from.

  27 people found this helpful.