What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDescendants 2
Kenny Ortega · Film · 2017
If you loved Descendants 2, start with A Series of Unfortunate Events (Barry Sonnenfeld, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Descendants 2 across media.
If you loved Descendants 2, you crave stories where young protagonists navigate the heavy burden of legacy, expectation, and moral complexity.
Books on the same thread
A Wizard of Earthsea
Ursula K. Le Guin · Book · 2012
Shares 2 threads with Descendants 2: identity, good vs evil.
Like Mal in Descendants 2, the protagonist here grapples with the consequences of his own power and the weight of personal identity while navigating a demanding magical education.
The Tombs of Atuan
Ursula K. Le Guin · Book · 2012
Shares 2 threads with Descendants 2: redemption, good vs evil.
This story mirrors the intense self-discovery found in Descendants 2, focusing on a young person caught between their assigned role and the desire for true personal agency.
Ozma of Oz
Lyman Frank Baum · Book · 2003
Shares a thread with Descendants 2: Good vs Evil.
If the royal dynamics of Descendants 2 hooked you, this journey through fairy lands offers a similar exploration of duty, enchantment, and the challenge of navigating magical royalty.
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2008
Shares a thread with Descendants 2: Good vs Evil.
Much like Descendants 2, this adventure highlights the struggle of being a young person with a complicated heritage who must balance expectations with the need for personal growth.
Series on the same thread
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Descendants 2: Good vs Evil.
This series captures the same tension between good and evil that defines Descendants 2, focusing on young characters who must constantly outsmart the adults who threaten them.
The Queen of Flow
Andrés Salgado · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with Descendants 2: Redemption.
Fans of the musicality and high-stakes drama in Descendants 2 will appreciate this story of a talented individual fighting to reclaim her identity after years of wrongful hardship.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Lauren Faust · Series · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Magic, Teamwork.
The emphasis on friendship and teamwork as a core mechanism for growth in this series echoes the central bonds that help the characters survive in Descendants 2.
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with Descendants 2: Redemption.
This show mirrors the themes of redemption and identity found in Descendants 2, following a young hero who must step into a legacy while learning to control power.
Podcasts on the same thread
SV2
Podcast
Explores: Football highlights, Sports analysis, Team coverage.
While this is a podcast, it captures the spirit of adventure and group dynamics that make the journey of the characters in Descendants 2 so engaging and memorable.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This actual play series captures the same sense of high-stakes, character-driven adventure found in Descendants 2, focusing on a group working together to overcome the challenges ahead.
Common questions
Is Descendants 2 a sequel to the original film?
Yes, Descendants 2 continues the story of Mal after she struggles with the pressure of royal life. This 2017 film directed by Kenny Ortega follows her return to the Isle of the Lost to confront Uma, the daughter of Ursula, who has taken over as the self-proclaimed queen.
What happens to Mal in Descendants 2?
In Descendants 2, Mal finds the pressure of being royal to be too much for her to handle. As a result, she chooses to leave the kingdom and returns to the Isle of the Lost, where she discovers that her archenemy Uma has claimed the position of queen.
Who is the main antagonist in Descendants 2?
The main antagonist in Descendants 2 is Uma. She is the daughter of Ursula and serves as Mal's archenemy. After Mal leaves the royal life behind, she finds that Uma has taken her spot as the self-proclaimed queen of the Isle of the Lost.
Where does the story of Descendants 2 take place?
Descendants 2 takes place across two primary locations. The story begins with Mal dealing with the pressures of royal life before she travels back to the Isle of the Lost. This island is where Uma has established herself as the new queen and where the central conflict unfolds.