Disney Descendants: The Rise of Red

Disney Descendants: The Rise of Red is the fourth film in the Descendants franchise. The film was released on Disney+ on July 12, 2024 and made its debut on Disney Channel on August 9, 2024.

Following the events of Descendants: The Royal Wedding, former Villain Kid Uma, daughter of Ursula, is now the headmistress of Auradon Prep. She invites Princess Red from Wonderland, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts, to join the school. After the Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, Red must team up with Cinderella’s perfectionist daughter Chloe and travel back in time to try to undo the traumatic event that set Red’s mother down her villainous path.

Today, Shuffle of Love: A Descendants Short Story, an extra scene from Descendants: The Rise of Red premieres on Disney+ and Disney Channel. In this extra scene, Bridget, a young Queen of Hearts, follows her dream of spreading love and joy to all through her dance, the “Shuffle of Love.” Red and Chloe see how important the dance is to Bridget and offer to help perfect it in time to debut the dance at Merlin Academy’s biggest event, Castlecoming. In the euphoria of perfecting her dance for all to see, Bridget’s imagination runs wild, and her dance explodes beyond her wildest dreams… or so she thinks. You can stream this now on Disney+.

Background and Development

Disney confirmed the fourth Descendants installment on September 21, 2021, initially called “The Pocketwatch.” Director Jennifer Phang brought a fresh perspective, with Dan Frey and Russell Sommer writing the screenplay. Mark Hofeling returned for set design.

Filming began in Atlanta in early 2023. China Anne McClain reprised her role as Uma, while Kylie Cantrall and Dara Reneé joined as Red, daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Uliana, younger sister of Ursula and aunt of Uma. Brandy Norwood returned as Cinderella from the 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical television special.

The production aimed for continuity within the franchise while introducing new elements. Emilio Sosa’s costumes played a key role in shaping character identities. Director Jennifer Phang referenced Alice in Wonderland to capture Wonderland’s fantastical essence.

Descendants: The Rise of Red balanced tradition and innovation, delivering a mix of friendship, mischief, and plot twists.

Disney Descendants The Rise of Red - Queen of Hearts Cards

Plot and Themes

Descendants: The Rise of Red centers on Red, the Queen of Hearts’ daughter, who receives an invitation to Auradon Prep from Uma, now the headmistress of Auradon Prep. Red and Chloe Charming, Cinderella’s daughter, embark on a time-travel quest to change a pivotal historical event at Merlin Academy, the original name of Auradon Prep.

The film explores themes of redemption, personal growth and unexpected alliances. It questions whether the past can be altered to improve futures once thought dark. The story blends fantasy and reality, promoting empathy and self-discovery.

The Rise of Red expands the Descendants franchise while maintaining its core qualities, inviting audiences to explore an evolving magical world.

Disney Descendants The Rise of Red - The Girls

Disney Descendants The Rise of Red - The Boys

Cast and Characters

Kylie Cantrall stars as Red, capturing her rebellious spirit and internal struggles. Malia Baker plays Chloe Charming, providing a steadying influence. China Anne McClain returns as Uma, now Auradon Prep’s headmistress.

Rita Ora portrays the Queen of Hearts, while Brandy Norwood and Paolo Montalban reprise their roles from the 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical television special as Cinderella and King Charming. Dara Reneé plays Uliana, Ursula’s younger sister.

Supporting cast includes:

Ruby Rose Turner as Bridget, the young Queen of Hearts
Morgan Dudley as Ella, the young Cinderella

Joshua Colley as young Hook, a member of Uliana’s gang of Villain Kids and eventual father of Harry Hook
Melanie Paxson as the Fairy Godmother
Jeremy Swift as Merlin, principal of Merlin Academy

Levin Valayil as Aladdin
Shazia Pascal as Jasmine
Anthony Pyatt as young Hades

The original stars of the Descendants movies, Dove Cameron, Mitchell Hope, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart and Cameron Boyce only appear in archive footage scenes during the film’s introduction as Mal, Ben, Evie, Jay and Carlos.

Reception and Impact

Descendants: The Rise of Red received mixed reactions from critics and audiences. It broke records on Disney+, becoming Disney Branded Television’s most-watched premiere with 6.7 million views in its first three days. The film quickly became the top-streamed live-action original movie on Disney+ since Hocus Pocus 2.

Critical reviews were mixed, with a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie earned praise for its positive messages, choreography, visuals and music.

Critics commended the performances, especially the chemistry between Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker.

The film’s success in viewership and social media engagement demonstrated the franchise’s enduring appeal. Its ability to combine nostalgia with fresh stories contributed to its reach, reinforcing the strength of the Descendants franchise.

Merchandise and Spin-Offs

Descendants: The Rise of Red expanded into merchandise and spin-off ventures. Mattel released a popular “Rise of Red” doll collection, featuring detailed recreations of characters and costumes. Special edition dolls with interactive features and accessories like the Sorcerer’s Cookbook were also introduced.

The film’s soundtrack gained traction on social media platforms, with songs inspiring fan dance challenges on TikTok and Instagram. These tracks remained popular even after the film’s release with music videos on Disney+ and appearances by the cast on Disney television specials.

Discussions for a potential follow-up film have been confirmed, with the possibility of exploring consequences of time travel in future installments. These developments establish The Rise of Red as an integral part of the Descendants saga, promising continued growth and engagement for fans.

Descendants: The Rise of Red effectively combines familiar elements with new stories, enriching the saga and laying groundwork for future tales in its magical universe.

“I will say that I will be making a trip back to Wonderland very soon. Time travel’s messy, so I’m sure that we’re gonna have to do some cleanup — and some new fun characters are gonna be joining as well.”

Kylie Cantrall, Interview with J-14 Magazine

Kylie Cantrall, the star of the film, has hinted at a sequel, suggesting that fans can expect more adventures in Wonderland with Red and Chloe. The success of The Rise of Red has also paved the way for a joint Descendants & ZOMBIES tour in this year, featuring iconic songs from both franchises and promising an exciting experience for fans across 43 cities.

After the film’s release, Suzanne Todd confirmed that Disney is “definitely working on and thinking about a follow-up movie,” saying that after the end of Descendants: The Rise of Red and the consequences of time travel, in the sequel “there will be future good and evil turns for sure.”