Dora the Explorer, the beloved Latina explorer, is set to make a groundbreaking return in a completely new format. Nickelodeon is relaunching the iconic character in a theatrical short titled “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures.” This animated CGI film will be exclusively released in theaters on Friday, Sept. 29, preceding the premiere of “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.” The new Dora series will also debut in 2024 on Paramount+, with international streaming availability on Paramount+ and airing on Nickelodeon channels worldwide.
In “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures,” viewers will witness Dora (voiced by Diana Zermeño) and her loyal companion, Boots (voiced by Asher Spence), embark on an incredible adventure to the land of alebrijes. These magical and colorful creatures reside in the heart of the rainforest. Together, Dora and Boots must unite against the mischievous Swiper (voiced by Marc Weiner) in order to save the beloved alebrijes and their Copal Tree Celebration. The dynamic short film also features the voices of Anairis Quiñones as Luna Arcoiris, Danny Burstein as Sol, and Kate del Castillo as Ale.
Following the premiere of “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures,” fans can expect to see more exciting Dora content across various Nickelodeon platforms, as well as Paramount+ and Noggin. As the short film is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, California, under the direction of William Mata, audiences can anticipate a visually stunning and engaging experience. The screenplay is written by Alejandro Bien-Willner, with a story co-created by Bien-Willner and Sean Gill. The production is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President of Global Animated Series at Nickelodeon, with Miriam Richie and Marielle Kaar serving as Nickelodeon’s Executives in Charge of Production for the short.
Accompanying the new Dora series, a talented ensemble of voice actors joins the cast of “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures.” Anairis Quiñones will lend her voice to Map and the Fiesta Trio’s armadillo, while Maria Canals-Barrera takes on the role of Abuela. Danny Burstein contributes his vocal talents as the Grumpy Old Troll and various characters from the Fiesta Trio. Katarina Sky brings Backpack to life, Donovan Monzon-Sanders becomes Tico, Tandi Fomukong portrays Isa, Quintún Muñoz voices Benny, and Chris Gifford returns as Big Red Chicken.
Similar to the success of Viacom’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” which generated over $1 billion in retail merchandise sales in 2023 alone, Dora the Explorer is also a significant brand for the entertainment conglomerate. The franchise consistently generates several hundred million dollars annually through merchandise sales. Furthermore, Dora already made her mark in the live-action film industry with “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” in 2019, earning over $120 million worldwide.
The relaunch of Dora the Explorer in CGI animation marks an exciting new chapter for the iconic character. Fans can look forward to a visually captivating journey filled with fantastical creatures and thrilling adventures. As Dora continues to captivate audiences worldwide, both young and old, the legacy of this beloved explorer only grows stronger. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as Dora’s exploration into the world of CGI continues to unfold.