It’s been six years since Dora and the Lost City of Gold hit theaters, and while I wasn’t expecting a new Dora film to pop up in 2025, here we are with Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, now streaming on Paramount+. Directed by Alberto Belli, this standalone sequel stars Samantha Lorraine as Dora, alongside Jacob Rodriguez, Daniella Pineda, and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
Right off the bat, I was bummed to hear this film would go straight to streaming. The 2019 film had its flaws, sure, but it knew what it was—a tongue-in-cheek, silly, adventure-packed nod to the beloved cartoon. It leaned into the “Dora-isms” and gave adult fans a fun, nostalgic experience. This new one definitely resets things. It’s got a new cast, a different tone, and a look that feels more “streaming budget” than cinematic.
The story follows 16-year-old Dora as she heads into the Amazon with her cousin Diego, Boots, and a couple of new friends to find the legendary treasure of Sol Dorado. Along the way, they face mercenaries, ancient puzzles, and jungle magic. The movie was actually filmed in Rio Claro, Colombia, which added some much-needed authenticity to the visuals. I appreciated the use of practical sets, though there were moments where the budget clearly showed—especially in one cave sequence that looked like a kids’ play area, not a treacherous tomb.
Samantha Lorraine does a solid job as Dora. She captures that same overly optimistic, energetic explorer vibe that Isabela Merced nailed in the 2019 film. It genuinely felt like an extension of the cartoon character. Jacob Rodriguez as Diego brought a different kind of energy—more grounded, a little more mature, and clearly someone who’s ready to outgrow the jungle adventures.
The full cast is predominantly Latino, which I really appreciated. It’s always nice to see that kind of representation, especially in a family film. Gabriel Iglesias steps in as the voice of Boots, which was fun, though I was disappointed by the treatment of Swiper. He’s in the movie but has no voice at all, which is a downgrade from Benicio del Toro’s role in the first film.
As for the film itself—yeah, it’s silly. It’s clearly aimed at younger audiences with fast pacing, tons of quick jokes, and a simple plot. As an adult, it didn’t do much for me. The humor doesn’t always land, and some scenes felt rushed. But I also recognize that this movie isn’t for me. It’s for kids—especially kids who may be growing up with Dora the same way I did.
There’s also something to be said for how the movie challenges the Dora formula. It asks whether she needs her usual tools—like her backpack or map—to really be an explorer. That added a nice bit of self-awareness for longtime fans.
Visually, the film is a mixed bag. Some CGI elements like Boots and a few animals looked surprisingly good and fit the cartoony tone. But again, some of the green screen moments and cheaper sets pulled me out of the experience.
So no, this isn’t a great film, and it’s definitely not top-tier when it comes to family or adventure movies. But it’s not trying to be. It’s a light, silly, harmless adventure that kids will probably enjoy. For parents who grew up with Dora, it might be a fun little bonding moment with your kids—even if it’s not a film you’ll be dying to rewatch.
For what it is, Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is okay. It’s not memorable, but it’s not awful either. It continues the franchise in a safe, playful way—and for the right audience, that might just be enough.
Rating – 6.5/10