Noah Kaye Bentley
Burple (voice)
Overview
When a musical dragon with a beautiful voice hypnotizes the dragons and people of Huttsgalor, the Rescue Riders have to find a way to break the spell.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Song That Stuck in My Throat
I’ll admit it: I wasn’t prepared for a 46-minute musical about dragons who sing. Not because I’m above children’s animation—far from it—but because I’ve seen this trick before. A franchise, sensing the need to stretch its legs, suddenly remembers it has a soundtrack and decides to turn its characters into Broadway hopefuls.
The result is usually a film that feels like it’s trying to distract you from its own thinness with a relentless parade of show tunes. Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing is no exception, but it’s also something more interesting: a story about the power of voice, both literal and metaphorical, and the quiet violence of being silenced.
The setup is simple enough. A mysterious dragon named Melodia (voiced by Renée Elise Goldsberry, whose voice is as rich as you’d expect) arrives in Huttsgalor with a song so enchanting it can hypnotize anyone who hears it. The Rescue Riders—Dak, Leyla, and their dragon pals—are immune, but only because they’ve got earplugs (a detail that feels like a meta-commentary on the film’s own musical ambitions).
The problem isn’t just that Melodia’s song is irresistible; it’s that she doesn’t seem to know her own power. She’s lonely, desperate for connection, and her voice becomes a weapon she wields without understanding the consequences. It’s a premise that could’ve been heavy-handed, but the film treats it with surprising nuance.
This isn’t a villain origin story. It’s a story about someone who never learned how to use her gift without hurting others.
That’s where the music comes in—or, more accurately, where it tries to come in. The songs in Secrets of the Songwing are a mixed bag, and not just because some of them feel like they were written by committee. There’s a genuine attempt to tie the lyrics to the themes of self-worth and belonging.
In “Nothing Quite Like Home,” the Riders croon about the comfort of their village, and the melody is warm, familiar, almost like a lullaby. But then the film undercuts itself. The song is reprised so often it starts to feel like filler, a way to pad out the runtime when the plot runs thin.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 5.0/10
"A lighthearted, family-friendly adventure with a musical twist that charms younger audiences but lacks depth for older viewers."
Viewers appreciate the film’s colorful animation and the fun premise of a musical dragon hypnotizing the town, which adds a playful element to the *Dragons: Rescue Riders* series. However, the story is seen as predictable and thin, with some noting it feels more like an extended episode than a standalone movie. The target audience—young children—enjoys the humor and adventure, latestnetflix.com maintains, but older viewers find it too simplistic.
What viewers praise
- Engaging for kids Younger audiences enjoy the bright animation, humor, and musical elements, making it a fun watch for its target age group.
- Fun musical twist The concept of a dragon with a hypnotic singing voice adds a unique and entertaining layer to the story.
- Colorful animation The visuals are vibrant and appealing, fitting well with the playful tone of the film.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar tropes and lacks surprises, making it feel formulaic.
- Lacks depth Older viewers find the film too simplistic and shallow, with little to engage beyond its target audience.
- Short runtime Some viewers note the film feels more like an extended episode than a full movie, limiting its impact.
Recommended for
Young children Fans of *Dragons: Rescue Riders* Lighthearted animation lovers Musical adventure seekers Family movie nights
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing—A Musical Twist on the Beloved Series
Netflix’s 2020 animated adventure Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing delivered a fresh chapter for the Rescue Riders franchise, blending the show’s signature humor with a musical mystery. Directed by Steve Evangelatos, the 46-minute special expanded the world of Dragons: Rescue Riders with a new dragon species, a catchy soundtrack, and a star-studded voice cast. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know about the making of this family-friendly flick.
A Standalone Musical Adventure
Secrets of the Songwing marked a departure from the series’ usual episodic format, offering a self-contained story with higher stakes and a musical twist. The plot centers on the Rescue Riders—Dak, Leyla, and their dragon companions—as they encounter the Songwing, a rare dragon whose enchanted singing can manipulate emotions. When the Songwing’s powers fall into the wrong hands, the team must race to recover it before chaos erupts in Huttsgalor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucc6XUhro6Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn4P1IYdQuU
Trailers teased the film’s musical elements, showcasing the Songwing’s hypnotic melodies and the cast’s vocal performances. While the Rescue Riders series (2019–2022) 
typically relied on episodic storytelling, Secrets of the Songwing leaned into a more cinematic structure, complete with a clear three-act narrative and a climactic showdown.
Voice Cast and Character Dynamics
The special retained the core cast from the Dragons: Rescue Riders series, including Noah Kaye Bentley (Dak), Brennley Brown (Leyla), and Zach Callison (Burple). However, it also introduced new characters, like the Songwing itself, voiced by a yet-to-be-confirmed performer (rumors suggest a guest star, but Netflix hasn’t released details).
Notable additions to the ensemble included Skai Jackson (Jessie, Raven’s Home) and Marsai Martin (Little), who joined the franchise for this special [TMDB]. Their roles—likely supporting characters given the film’s runtime—added fresh energy to the familiar dynamic between the Rescue Riders and their dragons.
The film’s trailer highlighted the comedic chemistry between the cast, particularly the bickering between Dak and his dragon, Winger. The special also gave more screen time to Leyla, whose leadership skills were tested as the team navigated the Songwing’s unpredictable powers.
Behind the Scenes: Animation and Production
Secrets of the Songwing was produced by DreamWorks Animation Television, the studio behind the Rescue Riders series. While the series was praised for its vibrant animation and kid-friendly humor, the special aimed to elevate the visuals with more detailed dragon designs and dynamic action sequences.
Director Steve Evangelatos, who helmed several episodes of the series, brought a cohesive vision to the project. The film’s runtime—46 minutes—placed it in the "TV special" category, longer than a standard episode (20 minutes) but shorter than a feature film. This format allowed for deeper world-building without the pressure of a full theatrical release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vfPWG98onc
The musical numbers, a first for the Rescue Riders franchise, were a key focus. Clips from the film revealed the Songwing’s ethereal singing, which was designed to contrast with the series’ usual slapstick tone. While the composers remain uncredited in the available evidence, the soundtrack’s blend of whimsical melodies and adventurous themes aligned with the franchise’s lighthearted appeal.
Reception and Legacy
Secrets of the Songwing premiered on Netflix in 2020, capitalizing on the platform’s growing library of animated originals. While the Rescue Riders series held a modest 5.6/10 rating on SensCritique, the special was positioned as a holiday or event release, targeting fans of the show and younger audiences.
The film’s standalone nature made it accessible to newcomers, though its ties to the series—such as recurring characters and inside jokes—likely rewarded long-time viewers. Despite its limited runtime, Secrets of the Songwing expanded the franchise’s lore, introducing a new dragon species and exploring themes of trust and teamwork.
As of now, there’s no confirmation of a sequel or follow-up special, but the film’s musical format left room for future experiments. For fans of Dragons: Rescue Riders, it remains a fun, if brief, addition to the series’ mythology.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.