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Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) movie poster

Timeline

Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 102 min · English
Echo score 75
JustWatch #3,625 9
Directed by
James Bobin
Starring
Isabela Moner, Benicio Del Toro, Temuera Morrison, Michael Peña, Haley Tju, Adriana Barraza
Budget
$49M

When Dora is unexpectedly thrust into high school, she must leave her familiar jungle behind. Joined by Boots, Diego, and a group of newfound friends, she embarks on a dangerous quest to find her missing parents. Their journey leads them through perilous landscapes as they search for a legendary lost city. Along the way, Dora and her friends face numerous challenges, testing their courage and friendship while uncovering ancient secrets.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Dora and the Lost City of Gold
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)

Where can you watch Dora and the Lost City of Gold? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount Plus Premium and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Dora and the Lost City of Gold Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Dora's Childhood Adventures

    Deep in the Peruvian jungle, young Dora embarks on daily adventures with her loyal monkey companion Boots and her cousin Diego. Together, they explore the lush surroundings while consistently thwarting the mischievous plans of Swiper, a sly fox intent on stealing Dora's map.

    When
    Childhood
    Where
    Peruvian Jungle
  2. Diego Leaves for Los Angeles

    At the age of six, Dora experiences a significant shift when her cousin Diego moves to Los Angeles with his family. This departure shakes Dora's world, leaving her to pursue her adventures alone in the jungle.

    When
    Childhood
    Where
    Los Angeles
  3. Dora's Parents Find Artifact

    Years later, Dora's parents, Cole and Elena, successfully decipher the location of the fabled Inca city of Parapata after uncovering an artifact that Dora had found in a hidden cave. This discovery reignites their passionate quest for exploration.

    When
    Decade Later
    Where
    Peruvian Jungle
  4. Dora Moves to Los Angeles

    Prior to their perilous journey to Parapata, Dora's parents decide it’s safest for her to live with Diego’s family in Los Angeles. Concerned for Dora's well-being, they believe she is not yet prepared to face the dangers that accompany their exploration.

    When
    Decade Later
    Where
    Los Angeles
  5. Adjusting to City Life

    In Los Angeles, under the care of Diego's relatives, Dora tries to fit in at school but struggles with her new environment. She meets students like Sammy and Randy, who show her both friendship and the challenges of navigating social dynamics in a city setting.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Los Angeles
  6. Communication Breakdown

    Dora maintains contact with her parents via a satellite phone, but eventually faces an eerie silence when she can no longer reach them. As she grapples with isolation in her new life, she begins to feel increasingly alienated from Diego and their childhood bond.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Los Angeles
  7. School Dance Incident

    Things escalate at a school dance when Dora joyfully dances to a Conga song, which leads to her being bullied by classmates. This incident acts as the tipping point, prompting Diego to criticize her for not conforming to their peers, driving a wedge between them.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Los Angeles - School
  8. Captivity in the Museum

    During a field trip to a museum, Dora and her friends unexpectedly fall into a trap set by mercenaries led by Powell. The group is captured and shipped back to Peru, where they meet Alejandro, who claims to assist them in their plight.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Peru
  9. The Parents' Disappearance

    Alejandro delivers distressing news about the disappearance of Dora’s parents, revealing that mercenaries intend to loot treasures from Parapata based on Dora's parents’ research. This revelation ignites Dora’s determination to rescue her family.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Peruvian Jungle
  10. Jungle Adventure Begins

    Driven by her goal to find her parents, Dora leads Alejandro and her reluctant friends into the Peruvian jungle. They face numerous challenges, including natural obstacles and Inca puzzles, that test their courage and resolve.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Peruvian Jungle
  11. Mysterious Old Woman's Warning

    While navigating through the jungle, the group meets a mysterious old woman who warns them about a curse tied to the search for Parapata. Despite this ominous warning, she helps guide them on their journey for a while.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Peruvian Jungle
  12. Friendship and Betrayal

    After braving various challenges, Dora discovers where her parents are located, only to be betrayed by Alejandro, who reveals he is working with the mercenaries. This betrayal tests the group's loyalty and fortitude severely.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Near Parapata
  13. Confrontation with the Guardians

    In the heart of Parapata, the group encounters the Inca guardians led by their queen. Using her knowledge of Quechua, Dora communicates their good intentions, enabling them to avoid conflict and gain temporary safe passage.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Parapata
  14. Resolution and Reunion

    With the Inca's help, Dora manages to locate her parents and they secure a safe escape from the clutches of the mercenaries. The ordeal solidifies her family's bond as they consider future explorations together.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Parapata
  15. Dora's New Decision

    Upon returning to the familiar jungle, Dora reflects on her experiences and chooses to return to school in Los Angeles while celebrating her reunion with friends. The adventure ends with uncertainty for Alejandro and the mercenaries who remain in Parapata.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Peruvian Jungle

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:08

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Timeline questions answered

Dora and the Lost City of Gold Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Dora's parents send her to Los Angeles instead of taking her on the expedition?

Dora's parents sent her to Los Angeles because they believed she was not yet equipped to handle the dangers of exploration. Elena explicitly states that Dora is not ready to face the perils that come with searching for Parapata. Since they were heading into a treacherous journey with mercenary threats, they decided it was safest for her to live with Diego's family while they pursued the discovery.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Cole warns Dora about the dangers of city life, establishing the parents' protective mindset.

  • dora parents
  • los angeles
  • parapata
  • expedition
  • dangerous journey
Q2

Why did Diego leave Dora when they were children?

Diego left Dora when he was six years old because his family moved to Los Angeles. This departure was a significant emotional moment for young Dora, as it marked the end of their close childhood adventures in the Peruvian jungle together. Diego's move foreshadowed his later role in helping rescue Dora's parents years later.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that Diego and Dora were inseparable during their jungle adventures, making his sudden departure a pivotal childhood moment.

  • diego
  • childhood
  • peruvian jungle
  • los angeles
  • moved away
Q3

Why did Alejandro betray Dora and her friends?

Alejandro betrayed Dora because he was secretly working with the mercenaries led by Powell. He only pretended to be a family friend helping them find their parents. His true allegiance was to the mercenaries who wanted to loot the treasures of Parapata using the research from Dora's parents' diary.

Foreshadowing: Alejandro conveniently appears right after the mercenaries capture the group, which sets up the betrayal reveal.

  • alejandro
  • betrayal
  • mercenaries
  • powell
  • parapata
  • loot
Q4

How did Dora know how to speak Quechua?

Dora learned Quechua from her explorer parents while growing up in the Peruvian jungle. Her parents, who were dedicated archaeologists and explorers, taught her their language as part of her education. This knowledge becomes crucial when the group encounters the Inca guardians in Parapata, allowing Dora to communicate their peaceful intentions.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Dora's upbringing in the jungle with her explorer parents, who would naturally teach her the local language.

  • dora
  • quechua
  • language
  • inca
  • parapata
  • communicate
Q5

Why did the mercenaries kidnap Dora and her friends?

The mercenaries kidnapped Dora and her friends to use them as leverage and to get access to Dora's parents' research. Powell's team wanted to find Parapata and loot its treasures, and they believed holding the group would help them locate Dora's parents, who had already deciphered the location of the lost city.

Foreshadowing: During the museum field trip, Powell specifically targets Dora, showing his interest in her connection to her parents' work.

  • mercenaries
  • kidnapping
  • powell
  • museum
  • parapata
  • parents research
Q6

How did Boots rescue everyone from Alejandro?

Boots rescued the group by coming to their aid at a critical moment when Alejandro had betrayed them. The clever monkey, who had been secretly accompanying them throughout the journey, intervened at the right time to thwart Alejandro's plans and help Dora and her friends escape the mercenaries' clutches.

Foreshadowing: Boots is established as Dora's loyal companion who frequently saves the day throughout their adventures.

  • boots
  • monkey
  • rescue
  • alejandro
  • mercenaries
  • save
Q7

Why did the old woman help Dora find Parapata despite warning about the curse?

The mysterious old woman helped Dora despite warning about the curse because she recognized Dora's genuine heart and good intentions. While the curse supposedly affects those who pursue Parapata's treasure with greed, the old woman saw that Dora was motivated by rescuing her parents rather than by greed for gold. This aligned with her initial warning about the curse being tied to greed rather than to all seekers.

Foreshadowing: The old woman's warning specifically mentions the curse affects those who pursue Parapata, setting up the distinction between greedy treasure hunters and those with honorable intentions.

  • old woman
  • curse
  • parapata
  • help
  • greed
  • intentions
Q8

Why did Dora choose to return to school in Los Angeles instead of staying in the jungle?

Dora chose to return to school because she wanted to continue her education and pursue her own path. While her parents contemplated future family expeditions, Dora decided she wanted to attend school in Los Angeles, showing her independent choice to forge her own destiny rather than simply following her parents' explorer lifestyle.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Dora's brilliant mind and her enthusiasm for learning, which makes her decision to pursue formal education consistent with her character.

  • dora
  • school
  • los angeles
  • return
  • education
  • jungle

Movie threads

More Movies Like Dora and the Lost City of Gold, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Dora and the Lost City of Gold tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Quirky Fish-Out-of-Water Adventures like Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Optimistic heroes thrive in strange new worlds. Explore movies like Dora and the Lost City of Gold where optimistic and quirky main characters find themselves in completely new settings, from high school to new worlds. These films blend comedy, adventure, and heart as the heroes use their unique perspectives to succeed and find friendship.

  • quirky
  • uproarious
  • hopeful
  • energetic
  • playful
  • triumphant
  • Tone: light, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories follow an archetypal 'fish-out-of-water' structure. The protagonist, often defined by their unwavering optimism or specialized knowledge, enters a new social or physical landscape that initially rejects them. Through a series of challenges, their unique qualities prove invaluable, earning them allies and leading to a successful, uplifting conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core narrative of displacement and triumphant adaptation. They feature a light, humorous tone, a fast-paced mix of social and action-oriented challenges, and a central character whose perceived weaknesses are ultimately revealed as strengths, creating an uplifting and energetic viewing experience.

Fast-Paced Family Treasure Hunts like Dora and the Lost City of Gold

A race against time to find legendary secrets. If you liked the jungle exploration and treasure hunting in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, you'll enjoy these movies. They feature adventurous quests, ancient puzzles, and loyal friendships, all presented with a fast pace and a light tone suitable for family audiences.

  • adventurous
  • energetic
  • puzzle-solving
  • exploration
  • teamwork
  • hopeful
  • Tone: light, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, quest-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is a linear, goal-oriented race. The discovery of a map, artifact, or legend sets the heroes on a path filled with environmental obstacles, cryptic puzzles, and a rival or antagonist. The focus is on the thrill of the chase and the bonds formed between the characters, culminating in a successful discovery and a happy resolution.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies based on their core adventure structure and consistent tone. They share a straightforward, fast-paced plot driven by exploration and puzzle-solving, a light emotional weight that keeps the stakes exciting but not frightening, and an overwhelmingly positive, uplifting outcome that celebrates friendship and discovery.

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Every angle

Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Dora and the Lost City of Gold in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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