The story of Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon unfolds in Kumandra, a fantasy world where humans and dragons once lived side by side in genuine harmony. Five hundred years before our story begins, an evil force—shadowy creatures known as the Druun—threatened to destroy everything. The dragons, in a final act of sacrifice, combined their power to defeat this darkness but vanished in the process, leaving behind only legend and loss. Now, as the Druun return to plague the land once more, a lone warrior named Raya must track down the fabled last dragon, Sisu, to restore not just her world but the trust between fractured peoples who've spent centuries blaming one another. It's a story about redemption, about learning to trust again—and about whether one person can really change everything.
Behind the making of Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon emerged from Walt Disney Animation Studios as a collaborative effort between directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, with a screenplay by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim that draws inspiration from Southeast Asian and South Asian cultures. The voice cast brings serious pedigree: Kelly Marie Tran anchors the film as Raya, while Awkwafina (Nora Lum) brings comedic warmth to Sisu, the dragon herself. The ensemble also features Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Benedict Wong—a lineup that reflects both Hollywood's growing commitment to authentic casting and the film's cultural specificity. Released in 2021, the film earned a PG rating and ran 107 minutes, hitting theaters during a turbulent period for theatrical releases. The movie grossed $54.7 million worldwide, a respectable figure given pandemic-era constraints. Critical recognition followed: the film earned a 93% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 74 Metascore, and an IMDb rating of 7.3/10 from nearly 186,000 voters. It also secured an Oscar nomination, along with 13 wins and 62 additional nominations across the awards circuit—testament to its craft and cultural resonance.
What makes Raya and the Last Dragon stand out
What's striking about Raya and the Last Dragon is how it refuses to be just another Disney princess story. Sure, there's a female protagonist on a quest, but she's not waiting for rescue—she's a trained warrior with a sword, shaped by loss and hardened by a world that taught her not to trust. The film's animation is genuinely gorgeous, with 3D rendering that captures both intimate character moments and sprawling fantasy landscapes with equal care. But here's what really matters: the script understands something most blockbusters miss. It's not about defeating a villain so much as it's about rebuilding fractured relationships—between communities, between people, between past and present. Raya has to learn that trust isn't weakness, even though her world has taught her otherwise. That's a harder lesson than defeating monsters, and the film earns it.
Kelly Marie Tran delivers a performance that's equal parts vulnerable and fierce—you believe she could swing a sword, and you believe she's terrified of being hurt again. Awkwafina, meanwhile, steals scenes with a comedic sensibility that never undercuts the emotional stakes. The voice work across the board feels lived-in rather than performed, which matters when you're asking an audience to care about characters they'll only hear, not see. Critics noted that Disney Animation Studios had struggled in recent years to find its footing amid competition from Pixar and other studios, but Raya represents a genuine recalibration—a film that knows what it wants to say and has the craft to say it well.
How to watch Raya and the Last Dragon online
Raya and the Last Dragon is available across major OTT services, and Movie OTT tracks current streaming availability so you don't have to hunt across five different apps. The film's 107-minute runtime makes it perfect for a weekend watch, and the 3D animation truly benefits from a solid screen and sound setup—though it holds up beautifully on smaller displays too. Whether you're revisiting it or discovering it for the first time, the film's visual design and emotional arc reward close attention. Check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to see exactly which platforms currently have it in your region, since availability shifts seasonally.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Raya and the Last Dragon?
The film was directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, with a screenplay by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim. Hall is known for his work on Big Hero 6, while Estrada brought fresh perspective from his background in independent film.
Q: Is Raya and the Last Dragon based on a true story?
No, it's an original fantasy adventure created specifically for the screen. However, the film draws cultural inspiration from Southeast Asian and South Asian mythology, architecture, and storytelling traditions, giving it a grounded sense of place despite its fantastical elements.
Q: What's the runtime and rating?
Raya and the Last Dragon runs 107 minutes and is rated PG, making it accessible for families while still delivering genuine stakes and mature themes about trust and sacrifice.
Q: How was Raya and the Last Dragon received by critics?
The film earned a 93% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 74 Metascore, and received an Oscar nomination along with 13 wins and 62 additional nominations across major awards ceremonies.
Q: Who voices the main characters?
Kelly Marie Tran voices Raya, the warrior protagonist, while Awkwafina (Nora Lum) voices Sisu, the last dragon. The ensemble cast includes Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Benedict Wong.
Final thoughts on Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon deserves to be remembered as the moment Disney Animation Studios remembered how to tell stories that matter. It's not perfect—no film is—but it's ambitious in ways that feel increasingly rare in mainstream animation. It trusts its audience to understand that the real conflict isn't between good and evil, it's between fear and hope. That's a harder sell than dragons and sword fights, but the film makes you believe in it anyway. If you haven't seen it yet, or if it's been a while, it's worth your time.
