🎩 Descendants 5: Wicked Wonderland hits Disney+ & Disney Channel in 2026! ❤️🌹 Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker are back as Red and Chloe, diving into a magical, time-twisting adventure in Wonderland! 🚨 New villains, epic dances, and a Red-Chloe duet you’ll be singing all summer! 🎶 Join the Kingdom Cup chaos and see who saves the day! ❣️

Descendants 5: Wicked Wonderland (2026): A Magical Dive into Time’s Consequences

Introduction

Since its inception in 2015, Disney’s Descendants franchise has enchanted audiences with its vibrant blend of music, dance, and fairy-tale-inspired drama, focusing on the teenage offspring of Disney’s iconic heroes and villains. From the original trilogy’s exploration of the Isle of the Lost to Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), which introduced a time-travel adventure in Wonderland, the series has evolved while maintaining its signature charm. Descendants 5: Wicked Wonderland, set to premiere on Disney+ and Disney Channel in summer 2026, promises to escalate the stakes with a deeper dive into Wonderland’s magic and the repercussions of altering time. Starring Kylie Cantrall as Red and Malia Baker as Chloe Charming, this fifth installment, directed by Kimmy Gatewood, is poised to deliver dazzling performances and new twists. This article explores the fictional plot, cast, and how the film builds on the franchise’s legacy.

Recap of Previous Films

The Descendants franchise began with Descendants (2015), introducing Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Jay (Booboo Stewart), and Carlos (Cameron Boyce), the teenage children of Disney villains invited to Auradon Prep by Prince Ben (Mitchell Hope). The trio of films (Descendants 2 in 2017 and Descendants 3 in 2019) followed their journey from villainy to heroism, tackling themes of identity and redemption, with Uma (China Anne McClain) emerging as a key figure. The animated series Descendants: Wicked World and specials like Descendants: The Royal Wedding expanded the universe.

Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024) shifted focus to Red, daughter of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), and Chloe Charming, daughter of Cinderella (Brandy) and King Charming (Paolo Montalban). After the Queen of Hearts incites a coup in Auradon, Red and Chloe travel back in time to prevent a traumatic event that turned young Bridget (Ruby Rose Turner) into the villainous Queen. With help from Maddox Hatter (Leonardo Nam) and Fairy Godmother (Melanie Paxson), they alter the past, turning the Queen good but triggering Uma’s warning: “There are consequences when you alter the fabric of time.” The film’s record-breaking 6.7 million views in its first three days on Disney+ solidified its success, setting the stage for Wicked Wonderland.

Plot Summary: Descendants 5: Wicked Wonderland

Set in summer 2026, Descendants 5: Wicked Wonderland picks up shortly after The Rise of Red, with Red and Chloe grappling with the fallout of their time-travel adventure. Directed by Kimmy Gatewood and written by Tamara Chestna, Dan Frey, and Ru Sommer, the film unfolds in present-day Wonderland, a whimsical yet perilous realm hosting Auradon’s Kingdom Cup Games, a magical athletic competition. The story explores the consequences of altering time, introducing a new villain who threatens Wonderland’s magic.

The plot centers on Red and Chloe, now close friends, as they return to Auradon Prep. When Wonderland hosts the Kingdom Cup, they’re drawn into a crisis when a mysterious villain, Nyx (Sabrina Carpenter), a rogue sorceress and descendant of Maleficent, seeks to harness the Obsidian Veil, a time-altering artifact hidden in Wonderland’s depths. Nyx’s plan to rewrite history for her own gain endangers both Auradon and Wonderland, forcing Red and Chloe to team up with new descendants, including Red’s younger sister, Pink (Liamani Segura), and Max Hatter (Brendon Tremblay).

The narrative weaves high-energy musical numbers with action-packed sequences, including a chase through Wonderland’s oversized mushroom forests and a dance-off at the Kingdom Cup’s opening ceremony. Red struggles with her mother’s newfound kindness, while Chloe faces pressure from her parents to uphold their “perfect” legacy. Subplots involve Robbie Hood (Joel Oulette), who uncovers a family secret, and Hazel Hook (Kiara Romero), whose loyalty to Nyx creates tension. Maddox Hatter mentors the group, but his own past mistakes with time travel come to light.

A key moment occurs when Red and Chloe, using the Fairy Godmother’s wand, accidentally unleash shadow creatures from the Veil, escalating the stakes. The climax unfolds at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, reimagined as a battleground where the team confronts Nyx. Red must decide whether to destroy the Veil, risking further temporal chaos, or use it to fix their mistakes. The season delivers emotional depth—Red’s bond with Pink, Chloe’s growth beyond perfectionism—and iconic Wonderland references, like the Queen of Hearts’ “Off with her head!” line, despite her reformed nature. Expect dazzling choreography by Emmy-winner Emilio Dosal and a soundtrack featuring a Red-Chloe duet, as teased by Cantrall.

Cast

Kylie Cantrall as Red: The rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts, navigating her leadership role and sisterly bond with Pink. Cantrall’s charisma drives Red’s arc.

Malia Baker as Chloe Charming: Cinderella’s perfectionist daughter, balancing duty and friendship. Baker shines in Chloe’s emotional growth.

Leonardo Nam as Maddox Hatter: The Mad Hatter’s son and Red’s quirky mentor, grappling with his past.

Liamani Segura as Pink: Red’s spirited younger sister, adding mischief and heart.

Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter: Maddox’s son and a tech-savvy descendant of the Mad Hatter.

Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook: Captain Hook’s daughter, torn between loyalty and redemption.

Joel Oulette as Robbie Hood: Robin Hood’s son, uncovering family secrets.

Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal: Luisa Madrigal’s son from Encanto, bringing strength and humor.

Zavien Garrett as Felix Facilier: Dr. Facilier’s son, a cunning ally.

Ryan McEwen and Dayton Paradis as Squirmy and Squeaky Smee: Mr. Smee’s twins, adding comic relief.

Rita Ora as Queen of Hearts: Red and Pink’s reformed mother, delivering iconic lines.

Brandy as Cinderella and Paolo Montalban as King Charming: Chloe’s supportive parents.

Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother: The only actor in all five films, guiding the heroes.

Sabrina Carpenter as Nyx (New): A rogue sorceress and Maleficent’s descendant, the season’s villain.

Returning Cast: China Anne McClain as Uma, Auradon Prep’s headmistress.

Potential Cameos: Dove Cameron as Mal or Sofia Carson as Evie, hinted at for a surprise appearance.

Conclusion

Descendants 5: Wicked Wonderland promises to be a magical, music-filled adventure that builds on the franchise’s legacy while introducing new characters and a darker exploration of time’s consequences. With Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker leading a talented cast, the film delivers the signature Descendants mix of heart, humor, and high-stakes drama. Set to release in summer 2026, likely July, on Disney+ and Disney Channel, the film will captivate fans with its Wonderland setting, emotional depth, and dazzling performances. Whether you’re Team Red or cheering for Chloe, Wicked Wonderland is poised to be a wickedly delightful addition to the Descendants saga.