The new Disney Channel and Disney+ movie follows the descendants of iconic sidekicks as they train to become partners to heroes.
Disney is putting its most trusted sidekicks in the spotlight with “Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story,” a new music-driven movie officially greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+.
The latest chapter in the popular “Descendants” franchise will move beyond the children of Disney’s famous heroes and villains. This time, the story follows the descendants of the characters who helped those icons complete their greatest adventures.
“Hidden Heroes” will feature characters connected to “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Production is scheduled to begin next week, although Disney has not announced a premiere date.
What Is Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story About?
Hidden within the center of every fairy tale is a portal leading to a secret training facility known as Sidekick Academy. The descendants of legendary Disney sidekicks travel there to develop their abilities and compete for a place among the elite partners assigned to future heroes.
However, their training becomes a fight for survival when a villainous duo arrives at the academy. A group of new recruits must work together to protect the entire fairy-tale realm.
Without heroes or parents available to save them, the students must rely on one another and the skills they have only recently started learning.
Like the previous “Descendants” movies, “Hidden Heroes” will combine fantasy, comedy, music, and large-scale dance sequences. The Sidekick Academy setting also gives the franchise a new collection of Disney characters and family legacies to explore.
Hidden Heroes Cast Introduces Disney’s Next Generation
Dior Goodjohn, Momona Tamada, Jacob Rodriguez, Eva Fossaceca Smedley, and Harry Jones will lead the ensemble cast.
Goodjohn, known for “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and “Poser,” will play Jennie, the daughter of Genie from “Aladdin.”
Tamada, who starred in “The Baby-Sitters Club,” will play Zara, the daughter of Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove.”
Rodriguez, known for “Tell Me Lies,” joins the movie as Kronk Jr., the son of Yzma’s lovable former henchman, Kronk.
Smedley, who appeared in “Welcome to Flatch,” will play Meri, the daughter of Merryweather from “Sleeping Beauty.”
Jones, known for “Bury Your Nephew,” will portray Lou, the son of Lumiere from “Beauty and the Beast.”
Rhys Dawkins, Connor Wong, and Kyra Wong have also joined the cast as the Potts Siblings, expanding the movie’s connection to “Beauty and the Beast.”
Who Is Directing the New Descendants Movie?
Jude Weng will direct “Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story.” Weng’s previous credits include “Only Murders in the Building” and the Netflix adventure movie “Finding ‘Ohana.”
Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye, and Emma Fletcher wrote the screenplay. Chestna also serves as an executive producer after previously executive-producing “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.”
Mark Ordesky and Jane Fleming, who worked on “ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires,” are executive producing alongside Gary Marsh and Chestna. Louise Hradsky and Jeffrey Mortensen will oversee the movie’s choreography.
Disney Kids & Family is producing the project.
“One of the things that has always made ‘Descendants’ so special is the way it invites audiences to experience familiar Disney stories through an entirely new perspective,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said in a statement.
“With ‘Hidden Heroes,’ we’re finally putting the sidekicks center stage, because they’ve always been an essential part of Disney’s greatest adventures. It’s a fun, surprising new chapter that expands the ‘Descendants’ universe with all the music, dance, and heart fans love and expect from the franchise.”
The Descendants Franchise Continues Growing
Disney’s greenlight follows the successful launch of “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland,” which ranked as the No. 1 movie on Disney+ globally based on views recorded from July 17 through July 27.
The premiere also delivered a major boost to the previous four movies. According to Disney, hours streamed across the rest of the franchise increased by 400% during the week of July 20.
The “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland Soundtrack” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Soundtracks chart and has generated more than 50.8 million global streams. “Perfect Princess,” “Dancing with the Enemy,” and “Mad-Wicked Wonderland” emerged as its standout songs.
The franchise began with the first “Descendants” movie in 2015. Each of the original three installments became the most-watched cable movie of its respective year. Together, the movies have generated nearly 1 billion viewing hours across television and streaming in the United States.
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” continued that success in 2024, debuting as Disney+’s most-watched original movie among kids and girls ages 6 to 11. Disney also reports that the movie has inspired more than 9 billion lifetime views across digital platforms.
The franchise expanded into arenas with the “Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special” and a tour that played to sold-out crowds across more than 40 North American venues in 2025.
Disney’s “Worlds Collide Concert Tour” returns Sept. 25, 2026, with its opening performance in Palm Springs, California. The new production will feature 60 shows across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Its cast includes Malachi Barton, Liamani Segura, Dara Reneé, Mekonnen Knife, Hudson Stone, Swayam Bhatia, Kiara Romero, and Alexandro Byrd.
The European portion begins Feb. 6, 2027, in Dublin, Ireland.
When Will Hidden Heroes Premiere?
Disney has not announced an official release date or window for “Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story.” The movie will begin production next week before eventually premiering on Disney Channel and Disney+.
All previous “Descendants” movies and “The Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special” are currently streaming on Disney+.
“Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story” stars Dior Goodjohn, Momona Tamada, Jacob Rodriguez, Eva Fossaceca Smedley, Harry Jones, Rhys Dawkins, Connor Wong, and Kyra Wong. Jude Weng directs from a screenplay by Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye, and Emma Fletcher.
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