Honestly, it feels like only yesterday we were watching Isabela Merced navigate high school and ancient temples in the first live-action flick. But Hollywood moves fast. Blink and you’ll miss the fact that the franchise just pulled a complete 180. Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, often just called dora the new movie by fans, didn't just change the lead actress; it basically threw the 2019 timeline into a blender and hit "liquefy."
If you’re confused, you’re not alone. Is it a sequel? Is it a prequel?
The short answer: it’s a hard reboot.
Gone are the days of Dora’s parents being professional jungle explorers (at least in the way we knew them). In this new version, which hit Paramount+ and Nickelodeon on July 2, 2025, we’re introduced to a 16-year-old Dora played by Samantha Lorraine. You might recognize her from the Adam Sandler-produced You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. She brings a "quick-witted" and "smart" energy that feels slightly more grounded than the wide-eyed optimism of previous iterations.
The Big Reset: What Actually Happens in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado
This isn't a continuation of The Lost City of Gold. Forget everything about Diego living in the city while Dora stayed in the jungle. In dora the new movie, the two cousins grew up together in the Amazon. It changes the dynamic entirely. Instead of a fish-out-of-water story, it’s a "we’ve been doing this since we were six" kind of vibe.
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The plot kicks off with a quest for the Sol Dorado—a legendary Incan artifact that can grant a single magical wish.
Director Alberto Belli really leaned into the Andean heritage here. One of the coolest details? Dora actually speaks Quechua, the indigenous language of the Andes. It’s a level of authenticity we haven't seen before. They even brought in cultural experts to make sure things like the "quipu" (that knotted-string record-keeping system) were handled with respect.
Why the Cast Looks So Different
The most obvious shift is the replacement of the original live-action cast.
- Samantha Lorraine takes the lead as the 16-year-old explorer.
- Jacob Rodriguez steps in as Diego. Unlike the ultra-cool Diego of the past, this one is a bit more "risk-averse." He’s a worrier.
- Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias provides the voice for Boots. If you were expecting a small, squeaky monkey, Fluffy brings a very different, comedic energy to the role.
There's also a new villain in town: Camila the Crusader, played by Daniella Pineda. She’s a disgraced archaeology TV star who has basically lost her mind and her reputation. She’s hunting the Sol Dorado to fix her career, and she’s brought along a very familiar companion: Swiper.
Wait.
Swiper is in this? Yes, but he’s not the talking, bipedal fox with a blue mask you remember. In dora the new movie, Swiper is more of a "realistic" fox that acts like a thieving pet for the villain. He doesn't talk. He just... swipes.
The 25th Anniversary Context
This film wasn't just a random release; it was the centerpiece of "The Great Dora Fiesta," celebrating 25 years since the show first aired in 2000. Paramount and Nickelodeon went all out, releasing a new season of the CG-animated series and a standalone special called Dora & Diego: Rainforest Rescues on the exact same day.
It's a lot of Dora.
But it makes sense. The brand is a juggernaut. Even with the changes, the core is there: bilingual problem-solving, a map, a backpack, and a monkey.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
One of the most debated things about dora the new movie is how it handles the fourth wall. In the 2019 movie, they made it a meta-joke, where Dora would talk to the "camera" and her parents would look at her like she was losing her mind.
In Sol Dorado, she still does it, but it’s handled with a bit more nuance. Samantha Lorraine mentioned in interviews that she wanted her Dora to feel "smart" but still maintain that "explorer" spirit where she’s guiding the audience.
The Controversy: Reboot vs. Sequel
Fans have been split. Some love the fresh start, while others miss Isabela Merced's performance. The main sticking point is the "lore."
For instance, in the 2019 film, Dora’s obsession with the lost city came from her parents. In the new film, it’s all about her Abuelito (grandfather) and his stories. These little retcons might seem small, but they effectively "deleted" the first movie from the timeline.
Then there’s the ending.
Without giving away too much, the wish from the Sol Dorado actually gets used for something surprisingly "real-world." Diego uses it to land an internship at a College of Zoology in New York. It’s a weirdly grounded ending for a movie about magical sun artifacts, but it fits this newer, more "teenage" version of the characters.
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Technical Stats You Might Care About
- Director: Alberto Belli
- Screenplay: JT Billings
- Runtime: 96 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Release Date: July 2, 2025
The movie was filmed primarily on location in Colombia. They used real jungles and actual caves, which gives the film a grittier look than the previous one. It's not "Tomb Raider" grit, but there’s real fire and real bugs involved.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Is there a sequel coming?
With the launch of Season 4 of the animated show and the success of the 25th-anniversary initiative, it’s highly likely. The "Sol Dorado" storyline felt like an origin story for this specific version of Dora.
If you're planning to watch dora the new movie with the family, here’s the move:
- Check the Platform: It’s exclusive to Paramount+ and the Nickelodeon cable channel.
- Watch the CG Series First: If you have younger kids, the new CG-animated episodes are a good "warm-up" for the live-action tone.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Keep an eye out for references to Raiders of the Lost Ark and even The Wild Thornberrys. There’s a scene where a boulder rolls after a booby trap that is a direct, shot-for-shot nod to Indiana Jones.
It’s a new era for the explorer. Whether you're a nostalgist or just looking for something for the kids, this version is clearly aiming to be the definitive one for the next decade.
To get the most out of your viewing experience, you should verify if your Paramount+ subscription is active, as the film is currently a primary draw for the service's family-oriented "Great Dora Fiesta" library. If you're looking for more behind-the-scenes content, the "Dora the Explorer" official YouTube channel has several "Making Of" clips featuring Samantha Lorraine and the rest of the new cast.