Raya and the Last Dragon 2021

Movie · 107 min · English · March 5, 2021

Buddy Children's animated Fantasy action

Directed by Don Hall, Carlos López EstradaWritten by Qui Nguyen, Adele Lim

Starring Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Jona Xiao, Daniel Dae Kim

Raya and the Last Dragon is a 2021 American animated fantasy action comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It was directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, and written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim, with voices provided by Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Benedict Wong. The story centers on warrior princess Raya (Tran), who searches for the legendary last dragon, Sisu (Awkwafina), in order to rescue her father (Kim) and the realm of Kumandra from Druun—evil spirits threatening the land.

Work on the film started in October 2018, with official announcement made in August 2019. The title and voice actors were disclosed during this time. Production saw changes, including replacement of lead actor Cassie Steele with Tran to better fit updated character development and narrative needs. The movie draws inspiration from traditional Southeast Asian cultures. Animation and design emphasized varied landscapes and characters while preserving cultural authenticity. James Newton Howard composed the soundtrack.

Raya and the Last Dragon premiered in U.S. theaters on March 5, 2021, and also launched simultaneously on Disney+ for Premier Access subscribers. Its release was postponed twice from its original November 2020 date due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film ranked as the third-most-streamed movie of 2021, earning $130.4million globally. Critics responded favorably, and it received multiple award nods, including a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Academy Awards.