Raya and the Last Dragon ( RYE-ə) is a 2021 American animated fantasy action-adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It was directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directed by Paul Briggs and John Ripa, and produced by Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho. The screenplay was primarily written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim with additional contributions from various writers, based on story ideas by Bradley Raymond and Helen Kalafatic. Raya and the Last Dragon stars the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, and Gemma Chan, and follows the titular warrior princess, Raya, as she seeks out the fabled last dragon to save her father and the land of Kumandra from evil spirits Druun.
Development began in October 2018, and in August 2019 the project was officially announced, with the title and voice cast being revealed. During production, Disney replaced several cast and crew members, including the initially announced lead actress Cassie Steele for Tran, to conform with changes in character and plot. The film is inspired by traditional Southeast Asian cultures. During design and animation, the team focused on its diverse environments and characters while maintaining authentic cultural representation. James Newton Howard composed the score.
Raya and the Last Dragon was released in theaters in the United States on March 5, 2021, simultaneously in theaters and through Disney+ with Premier Access. It was delayed twice from an original November 2020 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film became the third-most-streamed film of 2021, and, excluding its Disney+ Premier Access revenue, grossed $130.4 million worldwide. Raya and the Last Dragon received generally positive reviews; critics praised the imagery and depth, but criticized the story and limited Southeast Asian representation. It was nominated for various accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
