Zombies 5 Officially Greenlit by Disney+ as Mermaids Shake Up the Hit Franchise

Disney confirms Zombies 5 with returning cast and new mermaid twist.

Disney is heading back to Seabrook. Zombies 5 is officially happening, with Disney+ and Disney Channel greenlighting the fifth installment of the wildly popular musical franchise. The new movie brings back Victor and Nova while introducing a brand-new supernatural threat. This time, mermaids are making waves.

Malachi Barton and Freya Skye return as Victor and Nova after breaking out in Zombies 4. Franchise stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly step behind the scenes as executive producers. Trevor Tordjman also returns as Bucky, the beloved cheer captain and Addison’s cousin from the original trilogy. Production begins this spring in New Zealand, and an official title will be announced later.

What Is Zombies 5 About?

Following the events of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, peace between the Daywalkers and Vampires finally seemed possible. However, that fragile harmony faces a new test when a fierce group of mermaids arrives in Rayburn.

The mysterious newcomers use a persuasive siren song to lure new allies. As tensions rise, Victor and Nova must unite their groups once again. They need to uncover what the mermaids truly want before the unity they fought for collapses.

Disney is clearly raising the stakes with Zombies 5. Mermaids introduce a completely different power dynamic, and the mythology of the franchise continues to expand beyond zombies, werewolves, and vampires.

Zombies 5 Cast: Who Is Returning and Who Is New?

The returning cast for Zombies 5 includes:

• Malachi Barton as Victor
• Freya Skye as Nova
• Swayam Bhatia as Vera
• Julian Lerner as Ray
• Mekonnen Knife as Vargas

New to the franchise are three mysterious mermaids:

• Diaana Babnicova as Pearl
• Taylor Oliver as Fin
• Olive Mortimer as Sandy

Emily Costtrici joins the cast as zombie Izzy, Zed’s cousin and a new transfer student who is sure to stir things up.

Zombies 5 Production Details

DGA Award winner Paul Hoen returns to direct and executive produce. Hoen has directed every film in the franchise, shaping its signature mix of heart, humor, and high-energy choreography.

Executive producers Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Joseph Raso, and David Light are back, along with producer Skot Bright. Manheim and Donnelly expand their creative roles behind the scenes for this installment.

The movie features new dance sequences choreographed by Dondraico Johnson and an original score composed by Tom Howe. Writers Chris Hazzard, Michael Fontana, and Eydie Faye are crafting the next chapter.

While Disney has not revealed a release date for Zombies 5, a late 2026 debut appears likely given the production timeline.

Zombies Franchise Success Continues

The ZOMBIES franchise has become one of Disney Channel’s most successful original properties. Cable premieres of the first three films ranked No. 1 among Kids 6 to 11 and Tweens 9 to 14 in their debut years.

Across linear and streaming platforms, the franchise has generated 385 million hours watched in the United States. The summer 2024 premiere of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires pulled in 9.3 million global views in its first nine days on Disney+. Within six months, that number reached 43 million views.

All previous installments, including Zombies, Zombies 2, Zombies 3, and Zombies: The Re-Animated Series, are streaming now on Disney+ in the dedicated collection.

A Big Year for Disney Channel Fans

The Zombies 5 greenlight arrives during a milestone year for Disney Channel. In 2026, the network celebrates major anniversaries for High School Musical and Hannah Montana. New installments, including Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3, are also set to premiere this summer.

Last summer’s Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide Tour became a smash hit, and the concert special is now streaming on Disney+. The tour will return this year with talent from the Descendants, ZOMBIES, and Camp Rock franchises.

Zombies 5 Is Expanding the Musical Monsterverse

With mermaids entering the picture, Zombies 5 pushes the franchise into new territory. At its core, the series continues to explore themes of unity, acceptance, and belonging through music and high-energy dance.

Disney has built a multi-platform powerhouse around Zombies. Now, with Zombies 5 officially in motion, Rayburn’s next chapter promises bigger mythology, louder musical numbers, and a fresh wave of supernatural drama.

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