If you’ve just stumbled on the wildly popular Disney Descendants franchise through TikTok clips, fan art, or recommendations from friends, your first question is probably what is the first descendants movie called. The franchise has built a massive global fanbase over the years, blending classic Disney villain nostalgia with modern teen drama, musical numbers, and heartfelt coming-of-age stories. But it’s easy to get confused by the number of spin-offs, short films, and sequels out there, especially if you’re jumping in for the first time. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to start your Descendants watch journey the right way.
What Is The First Descendants Movie Called? Core Background & Release Details
The first entry in the main Descendants film franchise is simply called Descendants, released as a Disney Channel Original Movie back in 2015. Helmed by Kenny Ortega, the same director behind the High School Musical franchise, it was an immediate hit, drawing 6.6 million viewers on its premiere night, making it the fifth most-watched Disney Channel Original Movie of all time at release. It follows the teenage children of some of Disney’s most iconic villains, who are given a chance to leave their isolated prison island to attend a prep school alongside the kids of classic Disney heroes. Many fans still rank it as the strongest entry in the franchise, thanks to its tight writing, catchy original songs, and surprisingly nuanced take on good vs evil.
It’s also worth noting that there were small promotional shorts released before the full film, but none of them are considered part of the main franchise canon, so you don’t need to track them down to understand the core story. The 2015 live-action film is the official starting point for all Descendants content.
Key Characters & Plot Points You Need to Know Before Watching
Before you hit play on the first film, it helps to understand the basic world setup that drives every story in the franchise. The core premise revolves around the Isle of the Lost, a run-down, magic-free prison where all Disney villains were exiled after their final defeats, along with their families. The four lead characters of the first film are the children of the most infamous villains of all time:
- Mal: Daughter of Maleficent, the main antagonist of Sleeping Beauty, and the de facto leader of the villain kid group. She’s sharp, sarcastic, and initially plans to steal the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand to help her mother take over the hero’s kingdom of Auradon.
- Evie: Daughter of the Evil Queen from Snow White. She’s obsessed with proving she’s the fairest in the land at first, but quickly discovers her talent for science, fashion, and friendship over the course of the film.
- Jay: Son of Jafar from Aladdin. He’s a skilled thief and athlete who initially uses his charm to steal whatever he wants, but finds a positive outlet for his skills on Auradon Prep’s tourney team.
- Carlos: Son of Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians. He’s anxious and skittish at first, having been raised to fear dogs, but quickly bonds with Dude, the Auradon Prep campus dog, and becomes the group’s tech expert.
The film follows the four as they navigate life in Auradon, question the values their parents raised them with, and decide if they want to follow the villain path or choose their own happy ending. It’s a surprisingly heartfelt story that doesn’t talk down to its teen audience, and it handles themes of identity and family in a way that resonates with viewers of all ages. You don’t have to be a hardcore Disney fan to enjoy it, either, as it explains all the relevant character backstories clearly for new viewers.
Common Mistakes New Fans Make When Starting the Franchise
One of the biggest mistakes new viewers make is jumping into the sequels or spin-off shorts first, which can leave you confused about character relationships and world rules. For example, the animated short series Descendants: Wicked World was released between the first and second film, but it assumes you already know the core plot of the first movie, so you’ll miss key context if you watch it first. You’ll also miss out on a lot of the emotional weight of character growth if you don’t see their initial journey from the Isle to Auradon.
Another common error is skipping the post-credits scene of the first film, which sets up the main conflict of the sequel Descendants 2 in a big way. Don’t hit exit as soon as the final song ends, or you’ll miss that critical tease. Also, don’t go into the first film expecting a dark, gritty reimagining of Disney villains. It’s a Disney Channel movie first, so it has plenty of upbeat musical numbers and silly teen moments, but that’s part of its charm for most fans. If you go in with an open mind, you’ll likely end up singing along to the soundtrack by the end.
How to Watch the Full Descendants Franchise in Order
Now that you know what is the first descendants movie called, you can plan your full watch order to get the most out of the franchise. After you finish the first Descendants film, you can move to Descendants: Wicked World the animated short series, then Descendants 2, followed by the live-action short Under the Sea: A Descendants Short Story, then Descendants 3. The latest entry, Descendants: The Rise of Red, is a prequel that explores the backstory of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella’s daughter, and it’s best watched after you finish the original three main films so you understand all the callbacks and references.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can also check out the official Descendants book series, which expands on character backstories that don’t get much screen time in the films, like how Mal and her friends grew up on the Isle of the Lost. There are also official graphic novels and even a Descendants mobile game if you want to spend more time in the world after you finish all the films. Just make sure you start with the first live-action film, as it sets up every other piece of content in the franchise.
At the end of the day, the franchise’s massive, loyal fanbase exists for a reason: it’s a fun, heartfelt take on classic Disney characters that feels fresh and modern for young audiences. Now that you know what is the first descendants movie called, you don’t have to waste time scrolling through confusing watch order guides or random spin-off clips to get started. Grab some snacks, hit play on the 2015 original, and you’ll understand why so many people have fallen in love with the world of Auradon and the Isle of the Lost.