Honestly, if you told me five years ago that I’d be watching a high-fashion British heiress crank 90s and hit a "Griddy" over a giant banana, I’d have called you crazy. But here we are. The Cruella de Vil Fortnite skin isn't just another random crossover; it's a weirdly perfect collision of Disney nostalgia and the absolute chaos that is modern gaming.
When Epic Games first teased the Disney Villains collection back at D23 in 2024, the chat went feral. People were expecting Maleficent. They were expecting Captain Hook. But Cruella? She sort of felt like the wild card. She doesn't have magic or a hook for a hand. She just has a really great coat and a legendary amount of attitude.
The skin officially dropped during the Fortnitemares 2024 event, specifically hitting the Item Shop on October 18, 2024. Since then, she has rotated back into the shop a few times, most recently appearing around late 2025. If you're looking for her today, you're basically at the mercy of the daily shop reset, though she usually pops up whenever Epic feels like celebrating the "Disney Villains" bundle.
Why the Cruella Skin Actually Hits Different
Most Fortnite skins are bulky. They have capes that block your vision or neon lights that basically scream "SHOOT ME" from across the map. Cruella is different. She's lean. Her silhouette is sharp.
The designers stayed remarkably true to the classic 1961 101 Dalmatians aesthetic rather than the Emma Stone live-action version. You get the iconic half-black, half-white hair, the massive fur coat (which actually has some decent physics), and that permanent "I’m better than you" scowl.
What’s in the Box?
When you buy the Cruella de Vil set, you aren't just getting the character. Usually, she's priced at 1,800 V-Bucks individually, or you can grab the massive Disney Villains Bundle for 3,800 V-Bucks if you want Hook and Maleficent too.
- The Outfit: Cruella de Vil (Includes a LEGO Style for those of you living in LEGO Fortnite).
- Back Bling: The Haute Handbag. It’s stylish, sure, but it’s also surprisingly low-profile, which is great for competitive play.
- Harvesting Tool: The De Vil’s Grille. This is easily the best part. It’s a pickaxe made out of the front grille of her iconic red Panther De Ville car.
It’s kind of funny—and maybe a little dark—to see her harvesting brick and metal with a piece of a car she used to chase puppies. But hey, that's Fortnite for you.
The "Non-Combat" Controversy and 2026 Rumors
There was a lot of talk back in 2024 and 2025 about Disney being "protective" of their IP. You might remember the rumors that certain Disney characters wouldn't be allowed to hold guns. People were worried Cruella would be restricted to Creative modes or the LEGO world.
Thankfully, that didn't happen.
Cruella can carry an RPG. She can drive a dirt bike. She can use a Sniper Rifle. Epic and Disney seems to have reached an agreement: as long as the character is a "villain" or a "combat-ready" hero (like the Incredibles), they’re allowed to participate in the full Battle Royale experience.
Looking ahead into 2026, the partnership is only getting deeper. With the rumored "Disney Persistent Universe" launching inside Fortnite later this year, we expect to see even more specialized interactions for skins like Cruella. We're talking about dedicated Disney-themed POIs (Points of Interest) where these skins might have unique NPC dialogues or even boss fights.
How to Style Cruella (The "Sweaty" Combos)
If you’re going to run Cruella, you can't just use the default set. That’s boring. The "sweaty" players—you know, the ones who build a five-story hotel the second they take 1 damage—have found some pretty slick ways to make her look intimidating.
- The Monochrome Menace: Use the Shadow Seal wrap from Chapter 2. It matches her hair perfectly and keeps the "black and white" theme consistent across your weapons.
- High Society: Pair her with the Goldenbane Taskmaster pickaxe. The gold accents make her look even more like a billionaire who definitely owns several controversial estates.
- The Glider Choice: Honestly, the Lambo or any of the high-end car crossovers look best. Cruella feels wrong on a magical umbrella; she needs something that looks like it costs more than your house.
Is She Worth the V-Bucks in 2026?
With hundreds of skins now in the game, including everyone from Peter Griffin to Godzilla, you have to be picky. Is Cruella worth 1,800 V-Bucks?
If you like "clean" skins with a thin frame, yes. She’s much easier to aim with than the bulky Marvel skins like Hulk or Thanos. Plus, her LEGO style is top-tier. The way they translated her fur coat into LEGO bricks is actually pretty impressive technical work from the Epic team.
The only downside? She doesn't have "Selectable Styles" yet. A lot of fans were hoping for a "Live Action" style based on the 2021 movie, but so far, we’re stuck with the animation look. It's a small gripe, but for 1,800 V-Bucks, a second style would have been nice.
What to Do Next
If you’re waiting for her to come back to the shop, keep an eye on the "Disney Villains" tab. It usually appears every 3-4 months.
In the meantime, make sure your account is linked to your Disney+ ID. Epic has been known to drop "loyalty rewards" or exclusive emotes for subscribers. If you already own her, try experimenting with the Fortnite Festival mode—there is something inherently hilarious about Cruella de Vil shredding a lead guitar solo to a Metallica song.
Pro Tip: If you're short on V-Bucks, don't buy her pickaxe separately. The bundle value is way better, and the "De Vil's Grille" has a unique swinging sound that can be a bit loud if you're trying to play stealthily. Stick to the skin and a quieter pickaxe if you're playing ranked.
👉 See also: Why Most Expensive Cards in Journey Together Are Getting Harder to Find
Next Steps for You: Check the Item Shop today to see if the Disney Villains rotation has started. If not, start saving those Battle Pass V-Bucks now, because when the Disney "Persistent Universe" drops later in 2026, these classic skins are likely to become much harder to get as the shop gets crowded with newer releases.