Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- upbeat
- whimsical
- energetic
- family movie night
- kids sleepover
What critics said
Critics and audiences broadly responded positively to this energetic, family-friendly sequel, especially its musical appeal and expanded villain-focused ensemble.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mal, Uma, Evie, Carlos, and Jay are descendants of iconic villains whose inherited identities shape their rivalry and choices.
The Isle of the Lost is separated from Auradon by a barrier whose possible removal drives Uma's central plan.
The film foregrounds large-scale musical numbers, stylized costumes, and energetic choreography around its teen ensemble.
Uma claims leadership on the Isle and directly contests Mal's place within the villain-kid mythology.
Films like Descendants 2, and why
Descendants
shared family-friendly fantasy, musical storytelling, teen protagonists, and reimagined fairy-tale villains
The Cheetah Girls 2
shared Disney musical fantasy, fairy-tale mythology, colorful adventure, and adolescent identity themes
High School Musical 2
shared family adventure, magical school-world setting, youthful ensemble, and upbeat musical energy
Into the Woods
shared fairy-tale revisionism, villain-centered characters, accessible humor, and colorful fantasy spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Kenny Ortega
- Release Date
- 2017-07-21
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (1835)
Cast
- Dove Cameron
- Sofia Carson
- Cameron Boyce
- Booboo Stewart
- China Anne McClain
- Brenna D'Amico
- Mitchell Hope
- Thomas Doherty
- Dylan Playfair
- Anna Cathcart
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, Disney Plus, fuboTV, DisneyNOW
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Descendants 2 about?
- A colorful Disney fantasy musical pits Mal against Uma as rival heirs confront the expectations attached to their villainous families.
- What is Descendants 2 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Descendants 2 as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Descendants 2 violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Descendants 2.
- What did critics think of Descendants 2?
- Critics and audiences broadly responded positively to this energetic, family-friendly sequel, especially its musical appeal and expanded villain-focused ensemble.
- Which films are like Descendants 2?
- Films with a similar feel include Descendants, The Cheetah Girls 2, High School Musical 2, and Into the Woods.
- How long is Descendants 2?
- Descendants 2 runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Descendants 2?
- In United States, Descendants 2 streams on Hulu, Disney Plus, fuboTV, DisneyNOW.
