Top 10 Best Descendants Franchise Moments
#10: Video Chat
“Descendants” (2015)
There are many uplifting moments throughout this franchise, but we’d be remiss, not to mention this more somber one. The VKs may believe that they’re rotten to the core, but this interaction with their parents shows us that all they really want is to impress them. They just wanna be loved! It’s the first time we really see just how horrible the villains are to their kids. The VKs are attempting to engage in some family bonding, but all their parents are concerned with is how far along they are in the plan to steal Fairy God Mother’s wand and break the barrier. With parents this cruel, it’s a wonder they’re able to find good in themselves at all. But more on that later.
#9: Family Talk
“Descendants 2” (2017)
Speaking of family, the VKs formed their own together, but sometimes Mal and Evie exclude the boys, in favor of sister talk. When Mal is having doubts about her life in Auradon, Evie tries to pull her aside to talk it out, but Carlos isn't having it. He tells them they shouldn't always exclude him and Jay from the conversation. They are all family, and whatever’s wrong they should get through it together. He makes them sit down and talk about their feelings. It's really cool to see Carlos stand up for himself when he’s feeling left out. He knows his worth in the group and is owning it. It’s also nice to watch the VKs open up to each other.
#8: Carlos Meets Dude
“Descendants” (2015)
As Cruella de Vil's son, Carlos has been taught that dogs are vicious killers. So, naturally, he grew up with an all consuming fear of them. But when he meets Dude, the school mascot, everything changes. At first he runs away from the dog screaming in horror, but after one look into his puppy-dog eyes, Carlos falls in love and the two become best friends. The moment between them is so sweet. It’s one of the first moments we start to see the VKs turn towards good. But more importantly, it’s the start of one of the most precious relationships in the whole franchise.
#7: Mal & Ben’s First Date
“Descendants” (2015)
It was undeniably magical when Ben proposed to Mal in the third movie. But we can’t forget where it all started. Mal used a love potion on Ben in order to steal the Fairy Godmother's wand. But when they go on their first date she realizes that she’s developing real feelings for him. She sings an epic song about not knowing how to follow her heart because she's never felt love before. And Ben tells Mal again that he loves her, which we find out later was sincere because her potion washed off in the enchanted lake. As far as fairy tale romances go, this is one for the story books.
#6: The Pier Battle
“Descendants 2” (2017)
This fight is epic. With all the fairy tale characters, there are a lot of magic and creatures throughout the film, but this one is a good old fashioned sword fight. The VKs, Ben, and Lonnie join together as a super team to fight Uma and her band of pirates. The fight is really cool, but the scene also serves as a spectacular piece of storytelling and character development. We also learn a lot about Uma during this fight, and see that even though Ben had good intentions with his plan to bring the VKs to Auradon, it had some adverse side effects.
#5: Hades Saves Audrey
“Descendants 3” (2019)
If you thought Maleficent was bad, Hades is supposed to be the worst of the worst. And yet, Hades willingly saves Audrey with his ember. He easily could have used it to fight off the guards and escape once he was unshackled but he doesn't. He also makes the insightful remark to the royals that since Audrey is "one of yours", she will likely face no consequences for her actions, while all the villains get tossed away. For an evil god of the underworld, he does make a solid point. He doesn’t even get anything out of the situation, except maybe finally making up with Mal. The moment even inspires Mal and Ben to finally give Audrey a long overdue apology.
#4: Mal vs. Uma
“Descendants 2” (2017)
In the final battle of the second movie Mal and Uma face off. Uma takes the form of a giant octopus and Mal discovers that she has a dragon form. Nobody puts a love spell on Ben except Mal; not cool Uma. The monster fight is pretty cool, but we also get to see the type of King that Ben really wants to be. He opts for peace and tries to convince Uma to be a part of the solution, and though Uma isn't ready for that, she does choose to walk, or swim, away from the fight. The whole thing is a ton of character development wrapped up in a monster fight.
#3: Mal & Uma vs. Audrey
“Descendants 3” (2019)
They started out as enemies, then reluctant allies, but here they really become friends. After struggling to work together the entire movie, and after the revelation of Mal’s deceit, it didn’t seem like these two would ever be on the same page. But when Audrey captures Celia, the two put their differences aside to help the new VK. Mal uses Hades’ ember and Uma her seashell to overpower Audrey and save Auradon. Though they are both pretty powerful on their own, they discover that they are stronger together.
#2: Taking Down the Barrier
“Descendants 3” (2019)
The decision to take down the barrier for good is the perfect happy ending for this story. When Audrey is so hurt that she turns to evil, and Uma stays to help save Auradon even though Mal lied about releasing the other VKs, Mal realizes that there is good and bad in everyone. Simply locking up the scary people is no solution. Some of the Auradon kids, like Audrey and Chad, are capable of very evil things, and some of the Villain Kids like Uma and Harry Hook can be quite heroic. It fulfills Ben's dream as King, and represents the full circle journey of Mal's character.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
VK Day
“Descendants 3” (2019)
Lonnie Becomes Team Captain
“Descendants 2” (2017)
Carlos Asks Jane to Cotillion
“Descendants 2” (2017)
Doug Stands Up for Evie
“Descendants” (2015)
Dog Talk
“Descendants 2” (2017)
#1: The VKs vs. Maleficent
“Descendants” (2015)
It is an inspiring moment when the VKs choose to be good. Their whole lives, they’ve been told that they were destined to be bad, but they realize that they don't have to follow the same path as their parents. Being rotten to the core isn’t what makes them happy. Being with their friends is what truly fulfills them. The VKs abandon the plot to destroy the barrier so their parents can overrun Auradon, and instead fight together against Maleficent to save their new family. Mal’s speech about love and friendship will bring a tear of joy to your eyes as the Villain Kids become the heroes that were always inside them.
