Wish Dragon

Wish Dragon

Year: 2021

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Chris Appelhans

AdventureFantasyComedyAnimationFamily

In modern-day Shanghai, a young man named Din unexpectedly encounters Long, a hilarious and talkative dragon with the power to grant wishes. As Din navigates this extraordinary opportunity, he sets out on a quest to reconnect with Lina, a childhood friend. Through their adventure, they explore the complexities of friendship, love, and the true meaning of happiness when limitless possibilities arise.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Wish Dragon yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Wish Dragon (2021) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Wish Dragon (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Din Song is a hardworking college student living in Shanghai, who harbors a deep longing to reconnect with his childhood friend, Li Na. She moved away ten years ago with her father, Mr. Wang, and now enjoys a life of luxury. One day, an old man gifts Din a mysterious teapot, which releases a wish dragon named Long. Long reveals to Din that he will grant him three wishes, making Din the tenth and final master he has served. In return, fulfilling Din’s wishes will free Long from his servitude, allowing him to enter the Spirit world.

However, Din’s newfound hope quickly turns tense when he finds himself pursued by a trio of goons, led by Pockets, who are sent by Mr. Wang to retrieve the teapot in an attempt to salvage his failing business. To escape, Din uses his first wish to combat the goons effectively.

The following day, Din and Long show up at Li Na’s birthday celebration. Din wishes to transform into a wealthy princeling for just one day, hoping to catch Li Na’s attention and revive their friendship. Yet, Li Na is disheartened upon discovering her father’s absence from the celebration. As “Dan,” Din comforts her, and they are invited by Mr. Wang via video call to share a meal together. Long cautions Din that the moment Li Na learns of his true identity and financial status, she would likely abandon him.

During their date, Din seeks Long’s guidance on behaving according to his new persona but inadvertently hurts Li Na’s feelings. When the goons start pursuing Din again, they flee back to Din’s old neighborhood, where he reveals his true self to Li Na. They reminisce about their shared childhood adventures, but Li Na ultimately withdraws, insisting she has obligations to fulfill, which leaves Din heartbroken.

In a fit of anger, later that night, Din demands Long make him wealthy, yearning for respect and validation. Long discloses his own tragic past; he was a powerful lord, punished by the gods for his selfishness with a fate of becoming a wish dragon to learn an important life lesson.

Meanwhile, Pockets manages to double-cross Mr. Wang, seizing the teapot for himself and wishing for everything he touches to turn to gold. During this chaos, he mortally wounds Mr. Wang in front of Li Na and engages in a confrontation with Din. On Long’s back, Din faces off against Pockets. In a climactic moment, Long willingly puts himself in harm’s way to save Din, turning Pockets into a gold statue. The ensuing struggle results in both Pockets shattering upon impact with the ground and Long being swept away by the river.

As Long finds himself at the gate to the Spirit world, he is tempted to enter but chooses instead to plead with the guardian to return to Din for his final wish. The guardian agrees, provided Din uses his last wish to heal Mr. Wang. Upon fulfilling this wish, Long must depart.

In the wake of these events, Mr. Wang opens a restaurant that showcases Din’s mother’s culinary expertise, with both Din and Li Na actively contributing. One day, Din unearths another teapot resembling the one Long inhabited and sets him free once more. Long informs Din that his return to Earth comes with the obligation of serving ten additional masters before truly being free. After a heartfelt farewell, Din watches as Long disappears, leaving the teapot with the elderly guardian from the beginning, who is revealed to be the gatekeeper to the Spirit world.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:02

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Wish Dragon?

Still wondering what the ending of Wish Dragon (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the end, Din’s journey with the wish dragon, LongZhu, highlights the importance of love, family, and true connection over material wealth. LongZhu, once a greedy emperor from the Qing Dynasty, was punished and transformed into a wish-granting dragon to learn the value of kindness and selflessness. Throughout the story, he serves nine masters and finally the tenth, Din, who is pure-hearted and determined. By granting Din’s final wish, LongZhu sacrifices his chance to fully enter the spirit world, choosing instead to stay on earth and help his friend. This act of self-sacrifice underscores the film’s message that real happiness comes from meaningful relationships, not riches.

The ending scene shows Din discovering a white teapot similar to the original green one. When he calls out to LongZhu, the dragon explains he sacrificed his own peace to fulfill Din’s last wish. Din, moved by this, quietly says goodbye, placing the teapot on a rickshaw and hoping to meet his friend again someday. The film’s roots in the classic Arabian Night’s story of Aladdin reinforce the themes of wishes, friendship, and sacrifice, transforming the tale into a heartfelt celebration of human connection and kindness beyond material gain. Ultimately, the story reminds us that the greatest magic lies in love and selflessness.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58

Unlock the Full Story of Wish Dragon

Don't stop at just watching — explore Wish Dragon in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Wish Dragon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Wish Dragon Timeline

Track the full timeline of Wish Dragon with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Wish Dragon Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wish Dragon

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Wish Dragon. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wish Dragon

Wish Dragon Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Wish Dragon? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Wish Dragon Ending Explained

More About Wish Dragon

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Wish Dragon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Wish Dragon

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