This is what happens when Hollywood takes a preschool property and actually respects it—Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a legitimately entertaining family adventure that doesn't talk down to kids or bore parents to tears.

The movie smartly ages up with its audience, following Dora as she navigates high school (spoiler: she's terrible at it in the most endearing way). The self-aware humor is surprisingly clever, poking fun at the original show's tropes while maintaining genuine heart. Isabela Moner (now Isabela Merced) brings infectious energy to the role without making Dora insufferable.

The cultural representation is a real strength—this isn't tokenism, it's authentic celebration of Latinx heritage woven naturally into an adventure story. The Inca civilization mystery provides enough stakes to keep things moving, even if the plot is pretty paint-by-numbers.

Parents should know this is more Indiana Jones Jr. than educational programming. The problem-solving and map-reading of the original show takes a backseat to action sequences and jungle peril. Some younger or more sensitive kids might find the mercenaries and booby traps scary, but it's all firmly in PG territory.

Bottom line: If you need a family movie that won't make you want to fake a work emergency, this is a solid pick. It's fun, positive, and respects its source material without being slavishly devoted to it.