Year: 2021
Runtime: 98 min
Language: English
Director: Chris Appelhans
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.
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In the bustling heart of modern Shanghai, the ordinary rhythm of street markets, neon billboards, and hurried commuters hides a thread of ancient magic. Din is a diligent college student whose days are filled with exams, part‑time work, and the quiet longing for a childhood connection that feels increasingly out of reach. One seemingly ordinary afternoon, a mysterious teapot appears in his modest apartment, and from it emerges Long, a talkative dragon with a mischievous grin and the power to grant three wishes. Their encounter turns the city’s familiar skyline into a canvas for wonder, where the extraordinary slips just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Long’s flamboyant personality clashes delightfully with Din’s earnest practicality, setting up a partnership that is as humorous as it is heartfelt. Din’s first wish is simple yet profound: the chance to bridge the gap between his present and the world of his past friend, Li Na, who grew up alongside him before life whisked her away to a more privileged existence. Their shared memories linger like hidden alleyways, promising both nostalgia and the possibility of new beginnings amid Shanghai’s glittering streets.
The film balances whimsical comedy with sincere emotion, using the dragon’s magical abilities to explore themes of friendship, longing, and the true meaning of happiness. As Din navigates the tantalizing options that each wish presents, he discovers that the real adventure lies not in the fantastical outcomes but in the choices that reveal who he truly wants to become. The city itself becomes a character, its towering skyscrapers and historic teahouses reflecting the blend of contemporary ambition and timeless myth that defines the story’s tone.
Through vivid animation and a soundtrack that marries traditional Chinese motifs with modern pop, Wish Dragon invites viewers to imagine what might happen when a humble dreamer is handed the key to limitless possibility, and to wonder whether the greatest wishes are the ones that bring us back to the people we never stopped caring for.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 00:45
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