The best Descendants merchandise and toys to celebrate the release of the 4th film, Rise of Red

Selection of Descendants merchandise

by Laura Healy |
Updated on

Since it burst onto our screens in 2015 with a vibrant mix of colour, personality and catchy songs, Disney's Descendants has been constantly popular with kids, who love the adventures of the VKs (villains' kids), as they grapple with being bad and good. Available to watch on the Disney Plus channel, Descendants tells the story of the children of Disney's most infamous villains, including Maleficient, Cruella de Ville, Ursula, the Evil Queen, Jafar and now with the imminent release of Descendants 4: Rise of Red, The Queen of Hearts, as they join the children of Disney heroes in Auradon Prep. At first they are 'rotten to the core' but as the movies progress they discover that being good isn't as bad as it first seemed.

If you have a little Descendants fan on your hands, then they will be eager to collect some merchandise to recreate scenes at home, perhaps dress up as their favourite character, or enjoy reading the books. Like all Disney films, which normally have plenty of Disney toys to accompany the movie, there is lots of Descendants merchandise to buy, especially for the new film, Descendants 4: Rise of Red.

When is the 4th Descendants movie released?

The 4th movie in the series, Descendants 4: Rise of Red, will be released on Disney Plus from 12th July 2024.

What is the 4th Descendants movie about?

The BBC says the movie is about Red, the daughter of The Queen of Hearts, who is invited to join Auradon Prep. However, things don't go to plan as her mother takes over the school using her playing card guards. There will be familiar faces appearing, namely, Uma, the daughter of Ursula and Fairy Godmother and Hook. In the first films, Mal, the daughter of Maleficient, was a main character, but she doesn't appear in the trailer for Rise of Red and it is unclear whether she will appear in the film alongside other familiar faces, Evie, Audrey, Ben, Carlos, Jay, Jane, Doug, Chad and Belle.

Who is the cast of Descendants 4: Rise of Red?

Descendants 4: Rise of Red boasts some familiar names, including Rita Ora, who plays The Queen of Hearts. China Anne McClain will be returning to play, Uma, daughter of Ursula, who featured in Descendants 2 and Descendants 3, and Kylie Cantrall will play the lead character of Red. Other cast members include, Malia Baker as Chloe Charming, Joshua Colley as Hook, Brandy as Cinderella, Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother, Jeremy Swift as Merlin and Anthony Pyatt Jr as Hades.

Best Descendants merchandise 2024

Best Rise of Red doll

Red dollSmyths Toys

If your little one wants to play along with the film when it is released on 12th July, then they will love this Red doll. Featuring fiery red curls, the doll is articulated to make play easier and is dressed just like the character in the film, complete with pocket watch. One reviewer said, "Beautiful doll. Bold red theme from hair to outfit, to her bold red lips." Although one mum thought the eyes were too big, saying, "Big, pretty light brown eyes that I wish were a tad smaller as they do give a more Disney princess look." For fans of Disney's Descendants this is a great doll to add to the collection, with detailed accessories, it is suitable for children aged 4+.

Pros

  • Detailed outfit with accessories
  • 11 articulated joints

Cons

  • Some reviewers thought the eyes were too big
Dimensions: 7.62 x 5.08 x 27.94 cm
Age: 4 years +
  • Realistic hair
  • Detailed outfit
  • Articulated joints
  • Pocket watch accessory

Best Descendants book for young readers

Rise of Red bookAmazon
Price: £5.99
Alternative retailers
Target$5.99View offer

This World of Reading: Rise of Red book is a great way to develop your little one's reading skills. It is suitable for early readers from ages 5-8. Plus, we love that it also includes colour photography from the film too. With easy to read language this book makes the story of Red joining Auradon Prep accessible to early readers who also enjoy the films. It has 32-pages and is perfect for children just gaining the confidence to read independently.

At the time of writing this book has not yet been released. It will be released on 16th July 2024.

Pros

  • Includes colour photography from the film
  • Easy to read language

Cons

  • Might be too simple for older Descendants fans
Number of pages: 32
Age range: 5 - 8 years
  • Easy to read language
  • Photographs
  • 32 pages

Best Descendants nightwear

What's better than snuggling down to watch Descendants 4 dressed in this Rise of Red nightdress? Featuring the main character, Red, it's perfect for fans of the film. Made from polyester, it is breathable and soft to ensure a peaceful night's sleep after the excitement of the film. We also love the cute ruffled sleeves. Plus, it is machine washable so even better! Suitable for girls aged 6 - 11 years, this will be a popular nightie this summer.

Pros

  • Soft and breathable
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Not available for children under 6 years old
Age range: 6 - 11 years
Material: 95% polyester, 5% elastane
  • Features the character of Red
  • Soft and breathable
  • Cute ruffled sleeves

Best descendants necklace

Mal dragon necklaceLaura Healy

For fans of Mal, the main character and daughter of Maleficent, in the first three films, this necklace is lovely. It features two intertwined dragons because Mal, when threatened, turns into a dragon, and it is on a purple cord. Our Commercial Content Writer, Laura Healy, says, "my daughter has this necklace because she is big fan of Mal and of dragons. It is a cute necklace with the pendant about the size of a 2p, so it stands out nicely when she wears it. It is also not too heavy so it is comfortable for her to wear." We also love that it comes packaged in a lovely organza bag to make it the perfect gift for a Descendants' fan. However, the cord, at 18inches, is too short to slip the necklace on and off which means the clasp has been done up and undone each time your little one wants to take it on and off.

Pros

  • Packaged in an organza bag
  • Lightweight for comfort

Cons

  • The cord is too short to go over a child's head and the catch is quite fiddly for them to do up and undo.
Cord length: 18 inches
  • Purple cord
  • Organza bag included

Best descendants book for older readers

Mal's SpellbookLaura Healy
Price: £22.25
Alternative retailers
Target$12.99View offer
Macy's$12.99View offer

This is a great book for older readers who love Disney's Descendants. It is styled to look like it has scribbled out notes, and jokes which have been shared amongst the characters in the films and once it was Maleficient's spellbook but has now been passed down to her daughter, Mal. Our Commercial Content Writer, Laura Healy, says, "my 8 year old daughter loves this book. She walks round the house with it under her arm pretending to cast spells just like Mal in the film. Plus it has some great illustrations and includes many of the characters from the movie."

With 192 pages it is quite a bulky book and the language would be tricky for younger readers. However, reviewers commented how impressed they were with it. "It's a hard back of a very good quality and is not just Mal's spells but the 4 main characters have written on the pages too, having casual conversations,teasing each other and the occasional play argument which I could hear my Daughter giggling over as she read every page of it." However, some reviewers were disappointed that "it didn’t come with all the spells from the movie."

Pros

  • Great illustrations
  • Includes notes from all characters as well as Mal

Cons

  • Doesn't include every spell used in the movie
Age range:6 - 9 years
Number of pages: 192
  • 192 pages
  • Includes jokes, notes and spells
  • Lovely illustrations

Best Disney's descendants cosmetics bag

Disney Descendants make up bagAmazon

Rrp: £15.89

Price: £14.89

If your little one has lots of Descendants' accessories, they will love storing them in this cosmetic bag. Made from cotton canvas it features the phrase, 'Rotten to the Core,' from the film, along with the image of a poison apple, synonymous with Snow White. One reviewer, Tara, said, "my daughter loved it she is a big fan of descendants!!! Very good quality she said she loves it!!!" We love that iy can double up as a clutch bag for trips to the cinema or to carry any precious bits and pieces when out. However, one reviewer did find the zip a bit stiff.

Pros

  • Doubles as a clutch bag
  • Good quality cotton canvas material

Cons

  • Zip can be a bit stiff
Dimensions: 22.99 x 16.99 x 0.64 cm
Material: Cotton canvas
  • Bold design
  • Doubles as a clutch bag

Best Descendants fancy dress costume

Mal fancy dress costumeLaura Healy

A great fancy dress costume for any fans of Mal. The set includes a jacket, top, trousers and purple gloves. It is great quality and features lots of details from the outfit Mal wears in the film. Laura Healy, Commercial Content Writer at Mother&Baby, says, "we bought this for our daughter's birthday party because she wanted to dress up as Mal, and she loves it. In fact, she dresses up as Mal most weekends now. The set is great quality, with thick material and lots of detail. It comes up quite big, but that makes it comfortable to wear because the fabric is quite clingy." With a 3D effect print, it looks very realistic and will delight any fans of the film who want to dress up as Mal, plus it is also machine washable.

Pros

  • Great detail and quality
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Fabric quite clingy
Age range: 4 - 12 years
Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
  • Detailed costume with 3D effect print
  • Includes gloves and jacket
  • Good range of sizes

Best descendants party decorations

Descendants birthday decorationsLaura Healy

Throwing a party to celebrate the release of Descents 4? Or perhaps you are having a birthday party for a Descendants fan? This pack of party decorations includes everything you need including cake toppers, balloons and a birthday banner. Plus, it even includes the ribbon you need to string it all together. Laura Healy, Commercial Content Writer at Mother&Baby, says, "we were throwing a Descendants birthday party for our daughter's 8th birthday and got this pack to decorate the house. She was so excited, not only does it include cake toppers for little cup cakes, but also a larger one for the main cake. Plus the balloons are a variety of colours with different designs printed on them. The banner is a little fiddly to string together, but once done, looks great, very striking!" The cake toppers and banner are made of fairly thick card and so can easily be reused, or shared, for another party.

Pros

  • Can be reused for another party due to high quality card
  • Includes everything you need including ribbon

Cons

  • Banner is fiddly to put together
Number of pieces: 12 cupcake toppers, 1 big cake topper, 1 banner, 18 Balloons
Size of banner:  7.6" x 6.4"
  • Includes cake toppers, balloons and banner
  • Reusable
  • Ribbon included

Best Descendants tattoo set

To really get in the swing of things, especially to be like those from the Isle of the Lost, we love this 200 piece tattoo set, which even includes the sponge for application. With a wide variety of tattoos, your little one will have fun choosing different designs or their favourite character to adorn their arms. Reviewers commented that the product is "excellent", although some did say that they don't last long with one reviewer saying, "after they had been applied to both our girls correctly I might add, they peeled off the minute they changed for bed."

Pros

  • 200 tattoos to choose from
  • Includes the sponge for easy application

Cons

  • Reviewers said they don't last long
Number of pieces: 200
Age: 3 years +
  • 200 designs to choose from
  • Includes sponge

Best descendants blanket

Descendants personalised blanketEtsy

What better way to watch the new Descendants 4 movie than snuggled under your own personalised Descendants blanket? Available in a range of sizes, it is made from a soft flannel fabric to keep you cosy and warm. We love that it can be personalised with your little Descendants' fan's name too. Do be warned that some reviewers thought it was smaller than expected, however, it is fade and crinkle resistant so will always look smart.

Pros

  • Can be personalised
  • Made with warm flannel fabric

Cons

  • Some reviewers were disappointed with the size
Size: <br>75x90cm<br>100x150cm<br>130x150cm<br>150x180cm<br>150x200cm
Material: Flannel
  • Can be personalised
  • Soft flannel fabric
  • Crinkle and fade resistant

What age is Disney's Descendants suitable for?

Disney Plus rate Descendants as 9+, however, Common Sense Media say that it is "family fare." It does say that the "energetic Disney movie's villains make likable role models," with one parent reviewer believing the characters are great role models, commenting, "Mal and her friends wrestle with their parents' expectations of evil and their growing desire to be good. Maleficent tries to force her beliefs on her daughter, but she suffers consequences for it. Ben's determination to see past stereotypes is what sets these positive changes in motion," which is very encouraging, although the movie doesn't claim to have any educational value.

However, while there is nothing which can be considered violent, and there is no bad language or nudity, the storylines maybe too complicated for younger children and there is a scene with a (quite) ferocious dragon in the first three films. Although younger children might struggle to grasp the storylines, there are some catchy songs and it is visually very captivating with bright colours and costumes.

Does Descendants merchandise make a good gift?

With a wide variety of products to purchase from Descendants clothes, to books, and accessories, as well as Descendants toys, there is likely to be the perfect gift for any age Descendants fan. Kids love gifts from their favourite TV show or movie and if they are eagerly anticipating Descendants 4, they will love receiving Descendants merchandise as a gift.

Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.

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