Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute adventure series brings dragon magic to younger crowd.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dragons: Rescue Riders
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Parents say this show is a delightful, wholesome program that captivates children with its positive role models and engaging storylines, catering to families with kids of varying ages. However, it has garnered some critique for its representation of diverse characters, particularly highlighting one character as a stereotypical trope, which may detract from its overall appeal for some viewers.
- wholesome family show
- positive role models
- fun for ages
- critique on representation
- engaging storylines
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 4 kid reviews
What's the Story?
DRAGONS: RESCUE RIDERS introduces orphan twins Dak (voiced by Nicolas Cantu) and Leyla (Brennley Brown), who were adopted and raised by dragons as babies and so can talk with and understand the creatures. Now older and on their own, the siblings team up with their dragon friends -- Burple (Noah Kaye Bentley), Winger (Zach Callison), Summer (Skai Jackson), and Cutter (Andre Robinson) -- to rescue other dragons in need. But when a fateful rescue earns them a new friend in Chief Duggard (Carlos Alazraqui), he invites the group back to his home village of Huttsgalor, where the townsfolk urge them to stay, giving Dak and Leyla the home they've long wanted.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet series brings a tamer, less intimidating dragon cast and action to a younger crowd than the How to Train Your Dragon franchise originally targeted. The dragons of Dragons: Rescue Riders are adorable and friendly, and their persistent helpfulness endears them to everyone who gets to know them. Likewise, there's very little friction among the human characters in the show, with stories focusing more on accidental trouble and subsequent rescues than on anything truly nefarious.
One factor that can be distracting to Dragons: Rescue Riders' otherwise smooth presentation is the matter of talking dragons whom only Dak and Leyla can understand. In scenes with additional characters around, it may be a bit confusing for young kids to hear the dragons speak for themselves and then be interpreted for the sake of the non-dragon-speaking people around. Overall the series does well to keep these instances to a minimum, but kids may wonder why it's happening some times and not others.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dragons: Rescue Riders' Dak, Leyla, and their dragon friends go from being misfits to truly belonging in Huttsgalor. How do they work to make the transition a good one? What steps do the townsfolk take to help? Kids: When have you been a newcomer? Who helped you adjust?
In what ways does Dragons: Rescue Riders encourage you to think outside the box about what defines a family? Who would Dak and Leyla count among their family members even though they aren't biologically related?
What examples of teamwork and cooperation stand out in the characters' actions? In what ways is Dak a good role model? Leyla? How do they learn to take influence from others around them and use it in positive ways?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 27, 2019
- Cast : Nicolas Cantu , Skai Jackson , Brennley Brown
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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