This New Kids Movie Challenges Families to Return to the Basics

Published: July 10, 2025

By Gabrielle Gillen

DORA AND THE SEARCH FOR SOL DORADO celebrates the power of family and the exploration of finding one’s identity, shares director Alberto Belli.

In an interview with Movieguide®, Belli reveals his inspiration for Dora’s three-generational family featured in the movie.

Growing up in Mexico, his household was always filled with family, friends and, of course, food.

He recalls, “Every weekend was like this chaotic thing, like five families, bringing together all the kids. There was always caring and food in the house, and everyone was eating constantly. So I did want to bring that into the movie — where you’re never really fully alone in your house, there’s always these people that are over.”

The movie’s opening moments reflect the themes of family and togetherness as one character calls their family’s unshakeable bond their greatest treasure.

Belli explains that when researching Incan culture for the movie, “we found ayllu, a term used by the Incans which means teamwork and together we’re better… Each individual is special, but when you bring everyone together, you create a team. So that was really what we wanted to be the theme of the movie.” Movieguide®’s review of the movie similarly praised its redemptive, uplifting message of forgiveness and family love.

Belli hopes the movie encourages families to go outside more and to avoid the negative influence of social media.

He shares, “I have a 5-year-old…We really try to go to nature and the parks. Even if it’s like, you know, a park across the street or something like that. That is a million times better than this tablet.”

Belli uniquely notes that such exploration helps us better ground ourselves and our identity. With social media always showing other people’s lives, it’s easy to get lost in the feed. Belli warns it’s an easy trap to fall into: “I wish I was doing that and I wish I was doing this instead of living in the moment. So I think the message to go and explore and be yourself, it’s super crucial right now.”

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A post shared by Alberto Belli (@abelli)

Along with finding the courage to take your own path, Belli hopes that audiences take away the positive message of learning to lean on those around them.

He shares, “I hope they feel entertained and excited about being who they are, like they don’t have to be perfect all the time, that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and it’s okay to trust, and rely on other people…[You] think you need to figure out everything because you’re powerful, but also I think that power comes within that group of people and trusting other people when you feel lost and open up and ask for help.”

Belli concludes the interview with a positive outlook on how we can contribute to society and make a difference. He says, “Together we are better…So we need to work together to create a greater good, and that’s my hope — [that] people really get that ayllu message across in real life.”

DORA AND THE SEARCH FOR SOL DORADO is available to stream on Paramount+ and is a fun, family-praising adventure movie that shows the power of finding strength in not only yourself but your family and friends.

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