Dora and the Lost City of Gold Christian Movie Review (2019)

Guidance: Talk Together

This upbeat family adventure leans heavily into curiosity, courage, and strong family bonds. Most concerns come from jungle peril, a few tense moments, and worldview ideas about self-belief and identity that are worth talking through with children.

Why This Guidance Level

The film stays in the family-adventure lane, but it includes repeated danger, kidnapping and threat, and a few heavier moments of fear and separation. Its strongest discussion point is not surface content so much as message: the story celebrates courage and exploration, yet it also leans on “believe in yourself” language that Christian families may want to place under the larger truth of trusting God and finding hope in Jesus Christ rather than in self-confidence alone.

Faith & Worldview Perspective

The movie warmly affirms family love, courage, teamwork, and the idea that discovery should serve understanding rather than greed. It also presents parents as caring and involved, which is a real strength. The main tension is that Dora’s confidence is often framed in self-focused terms like “If you just believe in yourself, anything is possible” and “Just be yourself,” which can sound harmless but may need grounding in a Christian view of identity, wisdom, and dependence on God. Parents may want to discuss how confidence is healthiest when it rests in God’s truth and care, not merely in ourselves.

Truths Reflected

• Family members express love, protection, and sacrificial care for one another.
• The story treats greed as wrong and values discovery, stewardship, and cooperation.

Tensions to Discuss

• Self-belief is presented as a guiding answer, which may conflict with the Christian call to trust the Lord rather than ourselves.
• Personal identity is framed mainly as self-expression; Christian parents may want to point children to identity rooted in God’s design and hope in Christ.

Content & Discernment Markers

Occult & Spiritual Content

• Occult material does not stand out here. The story uses lost-city adventure and ancient-culture mystery rather than spiritual practice, invocation, or supernatural teaching.

Sexuality & Relationships

• Romantic content is light for most of the film’s tone, with only mild teen-interest material noted in broader reviews. It is not a central focus for family discernment here.

Identity Themes

• Dora is repeatedly told to “be yourself” as she leaves the jungle for the city and tries to fit in with peers. That can be a helpful encouragement against peer pressure, but it also invites a conversation about finding identity in Christ rather than in personality alone. Parents may want to ask what makes someone truly secure.
• The film positively includes bilingual family life and cultural heritage through phrases like “Gracias,” “¡Delicioso!,” “Te quiero,” and family terms such as “prima” and “primo.” This adds warmth and belonging rather than ideological pressure.

Violence & Intensity

• Adventure danger is a regular part of the story. Dora is chased by “a herd of angry pygmy elephants,” faces a cave-in with “A rockfall! This cave wasn’t here before,” and is later described in outside summaries as encountering kidnapping, guns, traps, and close calls. The tone remains family-oriented, but the peril is frequent enough to matter for younger or sensitive viewers.
• One emotional danger moment lands more seriously when Dora’s parents tell her, “Honey, you scared us to death today,” after she is nearly lost and needs rescue. This scene matters because it ties the adventure to real parental fear and consequences. Parents may want to discuss wise courage versus reckless confidence.

Language & Humour

• Language appears mild overall. Reported phrases include “pain in the butt,” “stupid,” “weirdo,” “be normal,” “shut up,” “freaking,” “brats,” “what the flip,” and “oh my God” as an exclamation. The concern is more teasing and disrespect than strong profanity.

Other Content Notes

• A sad separation thread runs through the opening as Diego moves away and Dora says, “I’m going to miss you, Diego,” with the reply, “I’m going to miss you too, cousin.” Later, Dora is sent to the city while her parents leave on an expedition. This emotional strain may connect with children who fear change or being left behind.
• The film clearly rejects greed when Dora’s family says, “We’re explorers, we’re not treasure hunters” and “the discovery of new places… that’s the treasure.” This is a strong moral note about motives, stewardship, and valuing people and truth over wealth.

Notable Moments

• Explorers not treasure hunters: Dora’s family explains that their goal is discovery and documentation, not greed.

  “We want to document Parapata for archeological purposes. See, we’re explorers, we’re not treasure hunters.”

• Diego moves away: A tender goodbye shows the sadness of family change and separation.

  “I’m going to miss you, Diego. I’m going to miss you too, cousin.”

• Parents send Dora to the city: Dora’s parents decide she needs to grow beyond the jungle and learn to relate to others her age.

  “Go to the city. Make friends.”

• Self-belief message: A key line captures the film’s recurring confidence theme.

  “If you just believe in yourself, anything is possible.”

Discussion Prompts

• Confidence and trust: When Dora says, “If you just believe in yourself, anything is possible,” what sounds helpful about that, and what might be missing?
  • Biblical guidance: Scripture teaches that confidence is safest when it rests in the Lord, not in our own strength. Christian hope is grounded in God’s faithfulness and in Jesus Christ, not in self-belief alone.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:13, John 15:5
• Identity and belonging: What does it mean to “be yourself” in a good way, and how is that different from letting other people or your feelings define you?
  • Biblical guidance: Children can be reminded that their deepest identity is not popularity or personality, but being made by God and, for believers, belonging to Christ.
  • Scripture: Psalm 139:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20
• Exploration versus greed: Why is it important that Dora’s family says they are explorers, not treasure hunters?
  • Biblical guidance: The film opens a good conversation about motives, stewardship, and valuing truth over riches.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:10, Colossians 3:23-24
• Courage and wisdom: What is the difference between brave action and reckless action in the story?
  • Biblical guidance: Biblical courage is not pretending danger is small; it is acting faithfully with wisdom, trusting God in the middle of fear.
  • Scripture: Joshua 1:9, Ephesians 5:15-17, James 1:5