
Playground Hero Dora Marches on to Her 25th Anniversary
- Jul 4, 2025
"Swiper, no swiping!" "We did it!" Ah, a wave of nostalgia hits when we hear these phrases. Just when you thought Dora could only be a part of your past, she's boldly marching right back into your living room, boots on, backpack strapped. If this wasn't ringing enough bells, we're talking about none other than the adventurous and engaging "Dora the Explorer" series. This year marks the delightful and exciting 25th anniversary journey of our beloved explorer and her band of animated pals.
The adventures of Dora, the beautiful, smart, and fearless bilingual explorer, have spanned generations. Keeping millennials and Gen Zs glued to their television screens was the original animated series on Nickelodeon. Their Boomer parents couldn't help but overhear, and guess what's happening now? Our Gen Alpha and Gen Beta little champs have seized the torch with the new CGI-animated reboot of “Dora” on the streamer Paramount+.
Hold your horses (or more aptly, your foxes named Swiper) because it gets better! This week, the live-action movie "Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado" makes a grand entry on Nickelodeon and Paramount+. Even amidst a chaotic entertainment landscape, Nickelodeon and its parent company Paramount Global have got our jaws dropped with Dora's powerful comeback. It's as if they've created a nostalgia vortex, amped up to the maximum.
Dora was brought to life in 2000 by the combined brilliance of Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner, along with their creative cohort at Nickelodeon Animation Studio. Dora was all about not merely viewing but participating, encouraging young viewers to be problem-solving dynamos. This interactive format has remained a core feature of the Dora empire, whether it's in animation or live-action scripts.
“When I met the visionary behind 'Dora', Chris Gifford, one thing caught my attention," says Ramsey Naito, president of Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation. “His secret to making 'Dora' relatable to kids was pure love. Imagine Dora as the best friend next street whom kids relate to, a buddy who’s always there for them. When Dora addresses the audience, kids wholeheartedly embark on her adventures, believing they travel with their best companion."
When it came to revamping the beloved franchise, the CGI animated series was designed with the mantra 'Dora should be Dora', ringing in the creators' ears. And the charm of Dora won't be missing in the next saga either, “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado." You'll see Samantha Lorraine don the boots of Dora as she braves the treacherous wilderness of the Amazon jungle, in quest of the mythical Sol Dorado treasure and to thwart it from falling into sticky fingers. Samantha spills the beans - "We’ve retained Dora as we know her - her sunshiny zest, light-footedness and her interactive queries to the viewers. What sets this Dora apart is her sharp wit, unswerving courage and an unquenchable resolve to lay her hands on Sol Dorado."

But fair warning, Dora fans - expect a few poignant moments. Like when Map breathes his last (yes, you read it right). “When Map passes away or when Backpack gets stolen, it becomes a moment of self-discovery for Dora," shares an excited Loraine. "She's left to figure out her true identity, stripped of her signature tools. And she emerges as a fearless, dedicated, optimistic leader.”
The premiere of “Search for Sol Dorado” on July 2nd marks the beginning of “The Great Dora Fiesta,” Paramount’s 25th-anniversary gala for “Dora.” This grand offer also includes the launch of "Dora" Season 3 on Paramount+, an all-new hour-long spectacle called "Dora & Diego: Rainforest Rescues." Dora is primarily for the preschool audience, although Paramount is also mindful of the differences between the 90s child and today’s tyke.
“Today’s kids are more likely watching tablets than TV,” explains Naito. Hence, the new version focuses more on immersive storytelling while maintaining its educational core. Meanwhile, "Sol Dorado" is geared to be a family entertainer. Samantha Lorraine, all of 18, adds a mature yet playful dimension to Dora. “This film connects with viewers of all age groups. I portray Dora in a way that motivates the young to embrace intelligence regardless of age.”
Lorraine divulges that director Alberto Belli ups the nostalgia quotient by scattering homages reminiscent of "The Goonies," "Indiana Jones," and "Jurassic Park.”. "Whether you're a youngster or an adult, this movie has a slice of magic for everyone," muses Lorraine.
So brace yourselves, Dora fans, because our little explorer is back to take you on a whole new adventure! Can you guess what Dora would say now? Well, it’s definitely "We did it!"
