Dora the Explorer Movie: Lost City of Gold (2019) Guide
If you’ve been searching for the Dora the Explorer movie, you’ve probably noticed the confusion: there’s a 2019 live-action film, a 2025 release called “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado,” and plenty of rumors about sequels, Netflix availability, and animated versions. Here’s what actually exists and what doesn’t.
Release Year: 2019 · Genre: Adventure Comedy · Based On: Dora the Explorer TV series · Lead Character: Dora · Runtime: 104 minutes
Quick snapshot
- 2019 live-action film exists and is called “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” (Wikipedia)
- A 2025 film “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” exists but is a reboot, not a sequel (ScreenRant)
- The franchise began with a TV series premiering August 14, 2000 (YouTube Timeline)
- Exact box office figures for 2019 film (one source shows questionable $12.5M; most reports cite over $120M)
- Current Netflix availability status (catalogs change; Paramount+ holds primary US rights)
- Detailed audience reception data for 2025 reboot (recent release; limited reviews available)
- Original series: August 14, 2000
- 2019 film: August 9, 2019
- 2025 reboot: July 2, 2025
- No official sequel announced for either film
- 2025 reboot streams exclusively on Paramount+, not Netflix
Two live-action Dora films exist, but they share neither cast nor continuity.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Title | Dora and the Lost City of Gold |
| Year | 2019 |
| Director | James Bobin |
| Stars | Isabela Merced, Eugenio Derbez |
| Genre | Adventure, Comedy |
| Box Office | Over $120 million |
What is Dora and the Lost City of Gold?
Released on August 9, 2019, “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” marked the first live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon’s beloved children’s series (Wikipedia). Directed by James Bobin, the film pivoted the story from the TV show’s preschool audience toward teenagers and young adults, featuring Isabela Merced as a teenage Dora leading her friends through a jungle adventure to locate her missing explorer parents.
“There was this challenge of making it feel like Dora, but also like a real movie with a real backpack and a real Swiper.”
— Director James Bobin, discussing the adaptation approach
Plot summary
The story opens with six-year-old Dora growing up in the Peruvian jungle with her parents Elena (Eva Longoria) and Cole, both professional explorers (Paramount Fandom Wiki). When Dora reaches adolescence, she and her cousin Diego relocate to the city, only to be drawn back into the jungle alongside classmates to rescue her parents from treasure hunters.
Cast and crew
The 2019 film starred Isabela Merced as Dora, with Michael Peña playing her father Cole (Paramount Fandom Wiki). Eva Longoria portrayed mother Elena. Boots the monkey appeared as a CGI character, while the animated Swiper retained his talking-fox personality from the series.
Production details
Produced by Kristin Burr and theatrically distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film landed in theaters on the same day as the final unaired episode of the original series (YouTube Teaser). This timing symbolically marked the franchise’s transition from children’s TV to cinematic territory.
The implication: the 2019 film successfully bridged nostalgia for original fans while introducing Dora to an older demographic.
“The challenge was honoring the original show while making something that would resonate with teens and young adults who grew up with Dora.”
— Entertainment analyst reviewing the adaptation
Is the Dora the Explorer movie on Netflix?
Netflix availability for the 2019 film has fluctuated over time. As of mid-2024, the film appeared on Netflix in certain regions but this status changes as licensing agreements expire and rotate. Paramount+ carries the streaming rights in the United States.
Streaming availability
To find the current status, check your regional Netflix catalog directly or consult streaming guides like JustWatch, which tracks real-time availability across platforms (JustWatch Guide). The film has also been available for rental or purchase through Amazon Prime Video and other digital retailers.
Other platforms
Paramount Pictures released the 2019 film theatrically, and Paramount+ has become the primary streaming home for the studio’s library content. Physical media (DVD and Blu-ray) remains available through standard retail channels.
The catch: streaming rights rotate frequently. If you can’t find it on Netflix today, try checking Paramount+ or wait for it to cycle back onto other platforms.
Is there a Dora the Explorer movie 2?
Yes and no. “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” arrived July 2, 2025, but it’s a reboot rather than a direct sequel (ScreenRant). The 2025 film does not continue the story of Isabela Merced’s Dora.
Sequel status
No official sequel to “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” has been announced. The franchise took an unexpected turn with the 2025 release, which functions as a fresh start rather than a continuation.
Related projects
“Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” is directed by Alberto Belli and written by JT Billings, who developed the concept over two years (Wikipedia). The film features Samantha Lorraine as Dora and Jacob Rodriguez as Diego—a completely new cast compared to the 2019 production.
The trade-off: fans of the 2019 film won’t find narrative closure in the 2025 reboot, which establishes its own canon and character origins.
The 2025 reboot swaps the entire cast and tells a different origin story—so treat it as a separate entry in the franchise rather than a continuation.
Is there a Dora the Explorer animated movie?
The franchise has produced animated content, though not as full theatrical features. The original series featured direct-to-video releases and TV specials, while the 2025 film “Sol Dorado” uses computer animation according to some sources (JustWatch Guide), though this characterization appears inconsistent across sources.
Direct-to-video films
Nickelodeon released several animated Dora specials on DVD over the years, typically tied to holiday themes or educational content. These were shorter format (60-90 minutes) and distributed directly to home video rather than theatrical release.
TV specials
The series produced numerous TV specials, including crossover episodes and celebration milestones. These differ from theatrical films in scope, budget, and distribution model.
The pattern: animated Dora content exists but as specials or direct-to-video releases, not as feature-length theatrical films equivalent to the 2019 live-action adaptation.
What about Dora the Explorer movie 2023 or others?
No Dora live-action film appeared in 2023. The confusion likely stems from early development speculation or fan-created concepts that circulated online. Searches for “Dora the Explorer movie 2021” or “Dora the Explorer movie 2023” refer to projects that never materialized.
2021 and 2023 searches
Both years passed without theatrical Dora releases. The 2019 film remained the sole live-action entry until the 2025 reboot’s debut.
Sol Dorado details
“Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” (2025) follows Dora and Diego on a quest through the Amazon jungle to locate an ancient magical fallen star (Wikipedia). Daniella Pineda plays the archaeologist villain Camila. Unlike the 2019 film, the reboot establishes Dora’s interest in Incan artifacts through her grandfather rather than her parents.
The key difference: Diego stays in the Amazon with Dora into her teens in the 2025 film, whereas the 2019 version had Diego move to the city before reuniting with Dora later.
What this means: the 2025 reboot reimagines the characters’ relationships and backstories from scratch, positioning itself as an Indiana Jones-inspired adventure rather than a direct continuation.
The 2025 film “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” is exclusive to Paramount+—not Netflix, despite search traffic suggesting otherwise.
Related reading: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – Recast & No Sequel · One Piece Live Action: Season 2 Premiere, Season 3 News & Cast
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Isabela Merced captivates as Dora in the 2019 adventure to the Lost City of Gold, much as Swedish film review highlights its colorful live-action charm.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Dora the Explorer movie?
The 2019 film “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” runs 104 minutes, positioning it as a feature-length adventure comedy suitable for family viewing.
What age rating is Dora and the Lost City of Gold?
The film received a PG rating from the MPA, indicating parental guidance suggested for younger viewers due to action sequences and mild thematic elements.
Who plays Boots in the live-action movie?
Boots appears as a CGI character in the 2019 film, with the vocal performance handled by Anthony Bell (standard voice work for the character).
Did the Dora the Explorer movie make money?
The 2019 film grossed over $120 million worldwide against a production budget of approximately $49 million, indicating commercial viability for future installments.
Is the Dora movie suitable for young kids?
With a PG rating and the franchise’s educational origins, the film remains appropriate for children ages 6 and up, though the teenage cast and action tone cater to older kids and families.
What languages is the movie in?
The 2019 film was released with English audio and subtitles in multiple languages. Dubbed versions were produced for Spanish, French, and other major markets through standard Paramount distribution.
Are there Dora the Explorer movie games?
No major video game adaptations of the films have been released. The franchise maintains its strongest presence in television and educational media rather than gaming.
Is there an animated Dora movie in 2024?
No animated theatrical Dora film has been announced for 2024. The franchise’s 2025 release “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” appears to use computer animation, though it’s distributed as a streaming release on Paramount+.
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