Wish Dragon

Lore & Background

The film centers on Din Song, a working-class college student in Shanghai who dreams of reuniting with his childhood friend Li Na. After receiving a teapot from an elderly man, Din meets Long, a dragon who can grant three wishes. Din becomes Long's tenth and final master, and uses his wishes to navigate challenges involving a trio of goons sent by Li Na's father, Mr. Wang, who seeks the teapot to save his failing business. The plot explores themes of socioeconomic status, friendship, and selflessness, as Din ultimately uses his last wish to heal Mr. Wang.

Reader's Guide

Wish Dragon received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with a 71% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 59 out of 100. Critics noted its similarities to Disney's Aladdin, but praised its setting in contemporary China and its commentary on hustle culture and social status. The film was released theatrically in China on January 15, 2021, and on Netflix internationally on June 11, 2021. A sequel is set for Summer 2027, with Appelhans returning as writer. The film marked the first Sony Pictures Animation production by Base Animation and featured visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic.

Did You Know?

• Jackie Chan produced the film and voiced John Cho's role in the Chinese Mandarin version.
• The film was completed later than initially reported, with its first release on January 15, 2021, and post-production likely extending into 2020.
• The musical score was composed by Philip Klein and released through Milan Records on June 11, 2021.
• The film is based on writer-director Chris Appelhans' friendship with Michael Wu, a cousin of a colleague he met during a 2014 visit to China.