Disney Branded Television has officially confirmed the return of the beloved Descendants franchise with a currently untitled fifth instalment, set to premiere on Disney Channel and Disney+. The film’s official title will be announced at a later date.
Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker Return as Red and Chloe in ‘Descendants 5’
Following the success of Descendants: The Rise of Red, stars Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker will reprise their roles as Princesses Red and Chloe – the daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella. The upcoming film will continue their story as they navigate the challenges of “happily ever after.”
Set primarily in present-day Wonderland, the new film delves into the consequences of altering the fabric of time. Returning to the franchise is Leonardo Nam as Maddox Hatter, while new characters include Liamani Segura as Red’s sister, Pink; Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter; Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal; and Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook. Additional casting announcements are expected soon.
“The love for the ‘Descendants’ franchise runs deep, and the incredible response to Descendants: The Rise of Red last year proved just how much fans are invested in these characters and their stories,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “Our next movie will build on that legacy and deliver even more of the magic, music and heart that make Descendants so special — brought to life by an amazing cast and creative team who continue to elevate this world in new and exciting ways.”
Initial Crew Announced for ‘Descendants 5’
Kimmy Gatewood (The Baby-sitters Club, Girls5eva) will direct, with a script by Tamara Chestna (Sneakerella) and Dan Frey and Ru Sommer (Descendants: The Rise of Red). Franchise veterans Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh will serve as executive producers, while Emmy-winning choreographer Emilio Dosal (Wicked, Sneakerella) will create the signature music-and-dance sequences that have become a hallmark of the beloved film series.
A powerhouse franchise in youth entertainment, each premiere telecast of the first three Descendants movies ranks as the most-watched cable movie of the year (2015, 2017 and 2019) among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. The latest instalment, Descendants: The Rise of Red, debuted on Disney+ in July and was last year’s most-watched original movie across all streaming among Kids 6-11 and Girls 6-11. Following the release of Descendants: The Rise of Red, the franchise’s social media accounts reached over 10 billion impressions and gained more than 11 million followers across platforms, while Red was the top-selling Halloween costume of 2024. Music from the films has also enjoyed success, with the first two soundtracks certified gold and the third and fourth topping Billboard’s Soundtrack and Children’s Album charts.
The franchise has also spawned the upcoming tour “Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour”, a one-of-a-kind interactive live concert experience coming to arenas across North America in Summer 2025. The tour will feature Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife. Kicking off in San Diego, CA on July 17, the arena tour will celebrate the chart-topping music from Disney’s “Descendants” and “Zombies” movie franchises, inspiring families and fans of all ages to dance, sing, and engage with their favorite stars. Tickets are on sale now.
All the Descendants films are now streaming on Disney+.
