You know that feeling when a beat drops and you’re suddenly ten years old again, wearing a plastic crown and trying to memorize a rap verse about being "rotten"? Honestly, Disney’s Descendants franchise didn’t just give us a few catchy tunes. It basically rewrote the rulebook for what a "TV movie musical" could sound like.
The music isn't just background noise. It’s the spine of the whole story. From Mal’s angst-filled ballads to Uma’s pirate-pop bangers, all of Descendants songs serve a purpose. They aren't just there to sell soundtracks (though they sold a lot of them). They're there to show us that even the "villains" have a pulse.
Why the Original Soundtrack Still Slaps
The first movie had a mountain to climb. How do you introduce the children of Maleficent, Jafar, the Evil Queen, and Cruella de Vil without it being totally cringeworthy? You start with a heavy electronic beat. "Rotten to the Core" was the world's introduction to the VKs (Villain Kids).
It was gritty. Sorta.
It used these Skrillex-lite dubstep wobbles that were everywhere in 2015. But it worked. It established that these kids weren't their parents. They were something new. Then you have "Evil Like Me." This is where the Broadway royalty comes in. Having Kristin Chenoweth—the original Glinda from Wicked—sing a duet with Dove Cameron was a genius move. It’s theatrical. It’s campy. It’s everything a Disney villain song should be.
Most people forget the "bonus" tracks, but you shouldn't. "Believe" by a then-16-year-old Shawn Mendes was actually on the first soundtrack. It’s wild to think he was part of the Descendants universe before he was a global superstar.
📖 Related: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
The Breakdown of the First Film's Hits
- Rotten to the Core: The anthem. Everyone knows the chorus.
- Evil Like Me: The theatrical powerhouse.
- Did I Mention: Mitchell Hope’s "Prince Ben" moment, which is surprisingly catchy for a song about a love spell.
- If Only: Mal’s internal crisis. This is where Dove Cameron really showed she could carry a ballad.
- Be Our Guest: A hip-hop reimagining that probably made some Disney purists faint.
- Set It Off: The big finale. High energy, synchronized dancing, very "High School Musical" but with more leather.
Descendants 2 and the Arrival of Uma
If the first movie was about finding yourself, the second was about the pressure of staying "good." And honestly, the music got a major upgrade here. This is when China Anne McClain entered the chat as Uma, daughter of Ursula.
"What's My Name" is arguably the best song in the entire franchise. It’s got that Rihanna vibe. It’s confident. When Uma sings, "You can stick your little princess act," you believe her. It shifted the energy from bubblegum pop to something a bit more R&B and rock-fused.
Then there’s "Chillin' Like a Villain." It’s basically a tutorial on how to be cool. Sofia Carson (Evie), Cameron Boyce (Carlos), and Booboo Stewart (Jay) teaching Ben how to blend in on the Isle is peak Descendants comedy-music fusion. The choreography in the music video became a massive TikTok trend years after the movie came out.
The Standouts from the Sequel
- Ways to Be Wicked: The opening number. It’s an earworm that won’t leave.
- What’s My Name: The definitive villain-kid anthem.
- Chillin’ Like a Villain: Fun, funky, and great choreography.
- Space Between: A genuine, tear-jerker duet between Mal and Evie.
- It’s Goin’ Down: The big rap-battle showdown. It’s a bit chaotic, but the energy is through the roof.
- You and Me: The "water dance" finale.
The Emotional Weight of Descendants 3
The third movie is bittersweet for fans. It was the last time we saw the core four together before Cameron Boyce’s passing. Because of that, songs like "Good to Be Bad" and "Break This Down" hit a little differently now.
"Queen of Mean" was the surprise breakout here. Sarah Jeffery, playing Audrey (Sleeping Beauty’s daughter), finally got her villain arc. The song went viral on YouTube, racking up hundreds of millions of views. It tapped into that feeling of being "done" with being the perfect girl.
👉 See also: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
"Night Falls" is another heavy hitter. It’s a combat-style song where the rivals (Mal’s crew and Uma’s crew) have to fight enchanted suits of armor. It’s fast. It’s aggressive. It’s easily one of the most technically impressive dance numbers they ever did.
Entering a New Era: The Rise of Red
Just when we thought it was over, Disney pivoted. Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024) introduced us to Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, played by Kylie Cantrall.
It’s a different vibe. More pop-punk and "alt" influence. "Red" (the title track) is a high-energy rebellion song. Then you have "Love Ain’t It," which features Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts and Brandy returning as Cinderella. Seeing those two legends share a screen—and a song—was a massive "full circle" moment for 90s kids.
The music in Rise of Red feels more modern. It’s polished. It’s designed for the 2024 streaming era. Songs like "Fight of Our Lives" and "Life Is Sweeter" bring back that classic Auradon optimism, but with a sharper edge.
Making Sense of the Numbers
If you're looking for the data, the Descendants soundtracks are juggernauts. The first three albums were all certified Gold by the RIAA. That means over 500,000 units sold for each. In the world of TV movie soundtracks, that’s basically unheard of nowadays.
✨ Don't miss: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
What's My Name and Queen of Mean are the heavyweights in terms of streaming. On Spotify alone, these tracks have hundreds of millions of plays. It’s not just kids listening. It’s a whole generation of Gen Z who grew up with these characters.
How to Experience All of Descendants Songs Today
Look, you can find these on any streaming platform, but there's a certain way to listen if you want the full experience. You have to watch the music videos. The choreography—much of it handled by the legendary Kenny Ortega in the first three films—is half the magic.
- Step 1: Start with the "VK" anthems. "Rotten to the Core," "Ways to Be Wicked," and "Good to Be Bad." It sets the mood.
- Step 2: Dive into the villain solos. "Queen of Mean" and "What's My Name" are non-negotiable.
- Step 3: Don't skip the ballads. "If Only" and "My Once Upon a Time" show the character growth that the upbeat songs sometimes hide.
- Step 4: Check out the Rise of Red soundtrack to see how the sound has evolved for the new generation.
The legacy of these songs isn't just about the charts. It’s about the fact that years later, we still know all the words. It's about how the music made us feel like it was okay to be a little bit "wicked" as long as your heart was in the right place.
To get the most out of your listening session, create a "Descendants Evolution" playlist. Put the songs in chronological order of the movies. You’ll hear the production shift from 2015 EDM-pop to the more organic and genre-blending sounds of the later films. It’s a fascinating trip through a decade of Disney music history.