New Chapter of the 'Descendants' Franchise in the Works for Disney Channel and Disney+

Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker will be reprising their roles of Red and Chloe in the new fifth Descendants movie. Credit to Disney.

Los Angeles, California (February 28, 2025)- Exciting news for Descendants fans: Disney Branded Television has confirmed that the next chapter of the popular franchise is officially in the works. The fifth movie in the Descendants series is set to begin production soon and will premiere on both Disney Channel and Disney+. This new Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) will continue the story of the teenage children of some of Disney’s most iconic characters and villains, featuring the signature music-and-dance sequences that fans have come to love.

Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker will be back as Red and Chloe, the daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, respectively. The movie picks up right after the events of Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), and follows Red and Chloe as they figure out what “happily ever after” really looks like after their time-traveling adventures. This sequel, set primarily in Wonderland, will explore the consequences of tampering with time—a warning given at the end of the last film.

Along with the returning leads, Leonardo Nam will reprise his role as Maddox Hatter. The film also introduces several new characters, including Liamani Segura as Red’s sister Pink, Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter, Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal, and Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook. Stay tuned for more casting announcements as production progresses.

Kimmy Gatewood, known for her work on The Babysitter's Club and Girls5eva, will direct this next Descendants installment. The script is written by Tamara Chestna (Sneakerella), Dan Frey, and Ru Sommer (Descendants: The Rise of Red). Returning executive producers Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh are set to continue their work on the franchise, with Gatewood also serving as a co-producer. And of course, no Descendants movie would be complete without the unforgettable music and dance sequences, with Emilio Dosal (Wicked, Sneakerella) returning to choreograph these show-stopping numbers.

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, shared her excitement about the new movie: “The love for the Descendants franchise runs deep, and the incredible response to Descendants: The Rise of Red last year showed just how invested fans are in these characters and their stories. Our next movie will build on that legacy and deliver even more of the magic, music, and heart that make Descendants so special—thanks to an amazing cast and creative team.”

The Descendants films have become a powerhouse in youth entertainment. The first three movies were the most-watched cable movies of their premiere years among kids and tweens. Descendants: The Rise of Red made waves on Disney+ in 2024, becoming the most-watched original movie on the platform among kids and girls 6-11. Following the release, the Descendants social media accounts racked up over 10 billion impressions and gained more than 11 million followers across platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Beyond the films, the Descendants franchise has had a significant presence in music and merchandise. The soundtracks for the first two films are certified gold, and the third and fourth movies’ soundtracks topped both the Billboard Soundtrack chart and Children’s Album chart. In addition, over 57 books inspired by the Descendants universe have been published, including a four-time New York Times bestselling series.

To celebrate the franchise’s continued success, Disney is also launching the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour this summer, bringing together fans of both Descendants and Zombies for an exciting live concert experience.

Fans can already catch up on all things Descendants with Descendants: The Rise of Red, the first three films, the animated series Descendants: Wicked World, the animated special Descendants: The Royal Wedding, and several Descendants-inspired music videos, all available for streaming on Disney+.

With a returning cast, a talented team behind the scenes, and the magic that fans love, this new installment promises to be another exciting chapter in the Descendants franchise. Get ready for more adventures, more music, and more of the characters you’ve come to know and love as Red and Chloe face the consequences of their time-traveling adventures. Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming movie!