Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

Last updated

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.jpg
Genre Comedy [1]
Created by Todd J. Greenwald [2]
Based on Wizards of Waverly Place
by Todd J. Greenwald
Developed byJed Elinoff & Scott Thomas [2]
Starring
Theme music composer
  • John Adair
  • Steve Hampton
  • Ryan Elder
  • Brad Hamilton
Opening theme"Everything Is Not What It Seems"
by Janice LeAnn Brown feat. Selena Gomez
ComposerZack Ryan
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes23
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Greg A. Hampson
  • Stefen Maekawa
CinematographyClifford Jones
Editors
  • Paul Coneys
  • Anna Terebelo
  • Dave O'Brien
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time22–27 minutes [3]
Production companies
  • Entertainment Force
  • Potato Monkey Productions
  • July Moon Productions (season 2–present)
  • Novo Inspire (season 2–present)
  • It's a Laugh Productions (season 1)
  • Kenwood TV Productions (season 2–present)
Original release
Network Disney Channel
ReleaseOctober 29, 2024 (2024-10-29) 
present
Related
Wizards of Waverly Place (2007−2012)

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is an American comedy television series developed by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, serving as a sequel to Wizards of Waverly Place . It premiered on October 29, 2024, on Disney Channel. Based on characters created by Todd J. Greenwald, the series stars Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele, Max Matenko, Taylor Cora, Mimi Gianopulos, and David Henrie. Elinoff, Thomas, Selena Gomez, Henrie, and recurring director Andy Fickman executive produce the series alongside Gary Marsh and Jonas Agin.

Contents

In March 2025, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 12, 2025.

Premise

Fifteen years after the events of Wizards of Waverly Place , Justin Russo is living a normal life with his wife and two sons in Staten Island until his sister Alex asks for help with a young wizard-in-training named Billie. He revives his magical skills in order to mentor the young girl while balancing living a normal life and safeguarding the future of the Wizard World.

In season two, now that Roman and Milo have also become wizards as well, Justin now has to train Billie, Roman and Milo to prepare them for the upcoming family wizard competition.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Notable guest stars

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 21October 29, 2024 (2024-10-29)February 28, 2025 (2025-02-28)
2 TBASeptember 12, 2025 (2025-09-12) [12] TBA

Season 1 (2024–25)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [1] Directed byWritten by [2] Original release date [1] Prod.
code [1]
U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Everything Is Not What It Seems" Andy Fickman Jed Elinoff & Scott ThomasOctober 29, 2024 (2024-10-29)1010.14 [13]

Fifteen years after Alex Russo became the family wizard, [a] her brother Justin, now 34 and a non-practicing full wizard, lives a normal life on Staten Island with his wife Giada and their two mortal sons, Milo and Roman. Justin has given up magic after being fired from WizTech. Alex, now 32 and part of the Wizard Tribunal, arrives with a young wizard named Billie and asks Justin to train her. He initially refuses but reconsiders after Billie conjures a "Floogie" monster, prompting Justin to help her defeat it. Without his family's knowledge, Justin resumes magic and agrees to mentor Billie. Justin, Billie, and Alex revisit the old family lair, where Alex reveals a prophecy: Billie is destined to prevent an impending global threat.

Special guest star: Selena Gomez as Alex Russo

Guest star: Dee Bradley Baker as Floogie

Absent: Taylor Cora as Winter
22"Mortal Vibes Only" Jody Margolin Hahn Jed Elinoff & Scott ThomasOctober 29, 2024 (2024-10-29)1020.12 [13]

Billie gets in trouble with Justin for using magic outside the lair and fears being kicked out. When she accidentally reveals Justin’s wizard identity to Milo and Roman, she tries to fix the situation by casting a slowing spell on them and brewing an erasing potion—but it backfires, erasing half of each boy’s body. In the chaos, Giada discovers the truth about magic. Feeling ashamed, Billie runs away, but Justin finds her at the Ghoulhound Bus Stop and apologizes, assuring her that making mistakes is part of growing up. He brings her back home. After they leave, a green ghostly figure—seeking to destroy Billie—appears.

Guest stars: Patrick Bristow as Wizardpedia, Dee Bradley Baker as Phantomus

Absent: Taylor Cora as Winter
33"Saved by the Spell"Andy FickmanJed Elinoff & Scott ThomasOctober 30, 2024 (2024-10-30) [b] 1030.12 [15]

On her first day at Greenwald Middle School, Billie tries to impress Roman's best friend, Winter, using magic. Meanwhile, a magical talking frog warns Giada that a Phantomus is loose on Staten Island, prompting her to search for Justin. Jealous of Billie and Winter's growing friendship, Roman steals Billie's wand, leading the Phantomus to mistake him for a wizard and possess him. Billie reveals herself to protect Roman, drawing the Phantomus's attention. Giada and Justin arrive and urge Billie to use a restraining spell, which she successfully casts, trapping the Phantomus in Giada's purse. Billie later apologizes to Winter for using magic to impress her and is forgiven.

Guest stars: Oscar Montoya as Marcus, Dee Bradley Baker as Phantomus, John DiMaggio as Frog
44"Something Wizard This Way Comes" Bob Koherr Molly HaldemanOctober 30, 2024 (2024-10-30) [b] 1040.10 [15]
On Halloween, Billie explains that in the wizarding world, houses without scary decorations risk being eaten by a monster called Pumpkin Belly. When their decorations vanish, Billie and Roman are swallowed by the creature and find Winter inside, who admits she stole the decorations to summon it. Billie uses soda and mints to make the monster vomit them out, but they must be re-eaten to retrieve Winter's forgotten phone. Meanwhile, Justin learns that students plan to egg his house since he's the acting principal.
55"Wizards Just Wand to Have Fun" Victor Gonzalez Brittany Assaly & Danielle CalvertNovember 8, 2024 (2024-11-08) [b] 1050.16 [16]

Frustrated with Billie's irresponsible magic, Justin takes away her wand. To get him to loosen up, Billie orders a prank box from a wizarding store but accidentally gets the wrong one. When Justin opens it at work, he is shrunk. Billie attempts to help with his virtual interview for the principal job, but it goes badly, and the superintendent ends up at the Russo home with Justin still miniature. Although he says Justin didn't get the job, Billie persuades him to give Justin another chance. Meanwhile, Roman uses a muscle suit to win at dodgeball.

Guest stars: Darien Sills-Evans as Superintendent Kowalski
66"The Legend of Creepy Follows"Andy FickmanRick WilliamsNovember 8, 2024 (2024-11-08) [b] 1060.11 [16]

Billie receives a tablet and joins Badgebook, an online school program created by Justin to help students with their work—but it's mostly used for gaining followers. When Billie fails to attract any, she casts a spell to boost her popularity. Her followers begin to appear in real life, and she learns from Wizardpedia that unless the spell is undone, they will destroy her. Billie transfers the spell to Roman, putting him in danger, but she and Giada break the spell by destroying all the tablets. Meanwhile, Milo sneaks into the lair and teaches Wizardpedia how to have fun.

Guest star: Patrick Bristow as Wizardpedia
77"We're Gonna Need a Bigger Float"Andy FickmanRobin M. HenryNovember 15, 2024 (2024-11-15) [b] 107N/A

Billie has been delaying her wizard homework and is forbidden by Justin from attending the Fall Fest Parade until she finishes it. While reading her spellbook, she finds a card for the Spellp-Line, a wizard helpline, and is transported there, where she meets Jerry Russo, Justin's father. She tricks him into giving her a completion spell to finish her homework. Meanwhile, Roman, leading the float decorating committee, bosses everyone away and struggles to finish the float alone. Billie uses the completion spell to complete it, and as the kids carry the float across town, it suddenly begins to float. Justin, grading Billie's quizzes, realizes she used the Spellp-Line and reunites with Jerry, who advises him that every student learns differently. Roman grows tired of the floating float and asks Billie to help land it; she finds a dropping spell, which destroys the float upon landing. Roman apologizes to the committee and enlists their help to rebuild it. Billie admits she must take her homework seriously to become a great wizard. In the end, Roman's float wins against the rival school's.

Special guest star: David DeLuise as Jerry Russo

Absent: Taylor Cora as Winter
88"You Can't Handle the Tooth"Victor GonzalezSandra OyeneyinNovember 15, 2024 (2024-11-15) [b] 111N/A
Justin suffers from a painful wisdom toothache he's long neglected. While he naps, Billie uses a spell to remove his wisdom teeth, which relieves the pain but also removes his wisdom, causing him to act out of character. Meanwhile, Milo and Roman struggle to agree on how to design their clubhouse.
99"Wiz-Taken Identity"Lynda TarrykJorge ThomsonNovember 22, 2024 (2024-11-22) [b] 1080.13 [17]

Billie struggles with a spell, and Roman claims he could do it if he were a wizard. To prove him wrong, Billie uses an hourglass to transfer her powers to Roman for an hour, unaware it's illegal to use on mortals. A ministry member, Bigelow McFigglehorn, arrives to test Billie's abilities, and Roman impersonates her since McFigglehorn hasn't seen Billie's face. When another McFigglehorn appears, the first reveals herself as the evil wizard Morphia Murkshadow, sent to capture Billie. After Billie’s magic returns, she defeats Morphia, who is imprisoned. In prison, a hooded figure appears and sends Morphia through a portal to an unknown place. Meanwhile, Milo tries to win a pickleball tournament against Bella Bianchi with Giada's help.

Guest stars: Kirsten Vangsness as Bigelow McFigglehorn, JJ Nolan as Morphia Murkshadow, Eleanor Sweeney as Bella Bianchi, Kristin Hensley as Anita Bianchi

Absent: Taylor Cora as Winter
1010"Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" Raven-Symoné Brett MaierNovember 22, 2024 (2024-11-22)1090.12 [17]

Billie's friend Nerissa from Wiz-Tech visits and says Billie has changed. To prove she's still "cool," Billie throws a house party and conjures a shadow-box—a nightmare trap no one lasts five minutes in. When Winter gets trapped inside, Billie rescues her and accepts her own changes. Meanwhile, Milo struggles to grow a sunflower, much to rival Bella's delight. A magical gnome grows it but intentionally switches bodies with Milo, forcing Justin and Giada to find a way to reverse the swap. During the party, Roman meets a Pixie named Iggy and instantly develops a crush.

Guest stars: Mykal-Michelle Harris as Nerissa, Eleanor Sweeney as Bella Bianchi, Sarrie Thompson as Iggy, John DiMaggio as Gnome
1111"Potions Eleven" Danielle Fishel Emily Orr & Ali PeikinJanuary 17, 2025 (2025-01-17)1100.09 [18]
Billie is caught using magic to help Roman be good at sports and Justin grounds them both, telling them both to stay in their rooms. Billie protests and states that Justin must have used magic irresponsibly himself at some point in time. He denies this and heads to work where he is preparing to give an important presentation to the school board. Billie collects some of Justin's personal items to make a potion that will take her & Roman into Justin's mind where she hopes to find his memories to prove that he was irresponsible with magic. When she starts messing around with buttons & levers in Justin's mind, this starts making him act very strangely in the real world and during his presentation, leading to an explosion. Whilst going through Justin's memories, we see some flashbacks from the previous series including Justin's first kiss [c] and him using magic to be good at baseball [d] , the latter of which is Billie's proof of Justin using magic irresponsibly. However, she also discovers something amiss in his memory of 'The Unicorn Incident' (the thing that got him fired from Wiz-Tech). It turns out the person that replaced him as headmaster actually framed him and wiped his memory. Billie discovering this triggers an alert that calls the perpetrator Alistair Goodspeed to Justin's mind, but Billie is able to trap him in one of the DVD cases that store Justin's memories (with Roman's help). Justin now remembers everything! Giada points out that without getting fired from Wiz-Tech he wouldn't have met her or have the life they do now. The Board decided to keep his STEM program, saying that the whole debacle proved that science education is clearly still needed.

Guest stars: Oscar Montoya as Marcus, Amir Talai as Alistair Goodspeed

Absent: Max Matenko as Milo Russo
1212"Battle of the Wands" Robbie Countryman Brittany Assaly & Danielle CalvertJanuary 17, 2025 (2025-01-17)1120.09 [18]
Billie is studying at the weekend and when Justin asks why, she admits to wanting to enter the "Battle of the Wands". Justin forbids her from doing so. Winter helps her realize that she's going to go anyway and they ask Roman to cover for them. He asks to come along instead, hoping his Pixie crush Iggy will be there. They agree and ask Milo to cover for them instead. All Milo wants in return is a blue ice-pop. Billie spends most of her time at "Battle of the Wands" trying to get herself a spot in the contest as it is all booked up, including trying to get a hand to sign her up (Winter succeeds at this by waiting for the hand to give her a high-five). Billie meets the 2007 Battle of the Wands champion- Nigel Dragonberry, and his son Xander who tells her she will always be the screw-up who couldn't make it at Wiz-Tech. Milo makes a valiant effort to pretend Billie & Roman are still there, but Justin and Giada rumble him quickly by suggesting they all go to "Pasta Palace". Justin tracks Billie to the "Battle of the Wands" and tells her that just because she screwed up doesn't mean she's a screw-up. Once he realizes that everyone just calls him "Alex's brother" as stated by Nigel, he relents and agrees to help Billie take the Dragonberry's down. The contest has rules that the spells cast must all start with the last word of the previous spell. Billie manages to outsmart the Dragonberry's by ending her spell with the word "fantastic", which Xander says as "Xantastic" (his catchphrase). Justin & Billie win, but Billie gives the trophy to Xander after hearing Nigel call him a disappointment for using his catchphrase in spellcasting. Winter helps Roman have a sort-of conversation with Iggy, who says she likes him too and gives him her number. Though Justin punishes Billie and Roman for disobeying his orders to not go to the "Battle of the Wands", he gets disappointed that Giada took Milo to "Pasta Palace" without him. Guest stars: Adam Chambers as Nigel Dragonberry, Sarrie Thompson as Iggy, Yuvi Hecht as Xander Dragonberry, Britt Chandler Johnson as Emcee, Austin Brady as The Hand
1313"There's Something About the Russos" Leonard R. Garner Jr. Molly HaldemanJanuary 24, 2025 (2025-01-24)1130.09 [19]
Billie helps all the various members of the Russo family with their 'emergencies' using magic, but is caught by their neighbour Bella (who Milo knew was there while looking for the casserole dish that Giada borrowed from her mother and was trying to warn Billie about). It is Justin & Giada's 15 year anniversary and through a series of mis-understandings, they each think the other has gotten them a much better gift. Giada gets Billie to let her into the lair to try and find her gift, and Justin tries to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant. Bella confronts Billie & Milo about the magic, and just as Billie was about to wipe her memory, Milo pushes Bella through the magic mirror into the lair, which he then accidentally breaks with his lacrosse stick. Giada tries to keep her from seeing anything magical in the lair, and she just about convinces her, when Roman walks through the portal, having been to the Wizard World for his first date with Iggy. Justin finds out about all of this and reveals that the mirror can only be fixed from inside the lair. He calls his brother Max to find out if the freezer from their families old sub-shop is still a portal to the lair. It turns out it is, but Max sold it to the most exclusive restaurant in town- 'Chez Pretenshoo.' Justin & Billie go down there to try and sneak into the kitchen so they can go through the freezer to enter the lair, but they are not successful at getting in, until Winter pretends to be an influencer with 300 million followers. Billie then has to use some clever magic to turn her and Justin into food on plates so they won't be seen. This gets them into the kitchen and they go through the freezer and enter the lair just in time to save Bella from the tentacle in the sarcophagus. Justin fixes the mirror while Billie gets everyone out of the lair & wipes Bella's memory (with the spell that they could only use for an hour, which they had 30 seconds left on). Bella leaves, but unbeknownst to anyone else, she had taken an orb from a shelf in the lair, which she pulls out of her pocket and then it glows, leaving her still suspicious about the Russo's. Guest star: Eleanor Sweeney as Bella Bianchi
1414"Ready Player Wand"Danielle FishelEmily Orr & Ali PeikinJanuary 24, 2025 (2025-01-24)1170.08 [19]
Justin suggests a family game night, which everyone is up for. But once Billie finds out that Roman calls himself "The Game-Master" and wins every game, she becomes determined to beat him at something. This involves finding a wizard game in the lair that Roman won't have played before. Roman keeps interrupting Giada on her call to try and fix the wi-fi, with 'emergencies' such as not being able to find his Game-Master Robe, and then there being a spider on it. Justin comes home with a lot of work to do, but Billie accidentally starts them playing the game "Mystery Mansion" which because its a wizard game, sucks them all into it. They can only get out by solving the puzzle, so they have to find all the clues in each room and put them together. They split into 2 teams of 3 to investigate different areas, and Billie & Roman are trying to out-do each other by finding the clues first. Milo has to learn the clarinet for school, but he's very bad at it (until he sneezes into it). The spider that had been on the game-board is now inside the game as a giant version of itself, and it webs up everybody except Roman, who comes back in to attack the spider with a rake, freeing Milo to then get everyone else out of the web. They then all have to work together to solve the puzzle, which they do. Since they all solved it together, there is no game-master. Billie realizes the family game night was always about having fun together and Justin suggests they make it a weekly thing. Guest stars: John DiMaggio as Technician, Ivy Perkins as Automated Voice
1515"Quest Birthday Ever!"Bob KoherrBrett Maier and Jorge ThomsonJanuary 31, 2025 (2025-01-31)1150.12 [20]

It's Billie's 13th birthday which, as a wizard, means she has to go on a quest as a rite of passage. Justin sets one up for her, but an unknown wizard sabotages it and replaces it with another, which transports Billie into a cave with multiple dangers. Roman and Milo, avoiding decorating for the party, end up in Billie's quest and help her find and claim the prize at the end, an amulet. Meanwhile, Justin and Giada try to set up the party, and hire a party planner, who bonds with Giada. When they take the amulet, the cave collapses, but they are saved by Justin, who brings them to the party. Afterward, Billie is revealed to have secretly kept the amulet, which glows when she goes to sleep.

Guest star: Miguel Pinzon as Martim
1616"While You Were Sleepcasting"Robbie CountrymanChloe Mathieu & Rick WilliamsJanuary 31, 2025 (2025-01-31)1160.10 [20]
Billie and Winter are surprised and excited when an eighth grader begins talking to them, and they start hanging out with her. This leads to Billie inviting her over and Giada inviting her to stay for a sleepover. Winter is excited but Billie doesn't seem to be. Billie reveals that this is because she has to wear weird-looking headgear when she sleeps, otherwise she casts spells in her sleep, and she's worried about Eva seeing her in it and making fun of her (which happened to her at WizTech, giving her the name "Braceface Billie"), but also worried about exposing magic if she doesn't wear it. She and Winter try multiple ways to cancel the sleepover, but Giada ensures it goes ahead. The girls have fun, but Billie makes herself a "stink-root" tea to try and keep herself awake which is working until Giada throws it away. Meanwhile, Justin takes Roman & Milo on a 'boys night' but he takes them to things they used to enjoy when younger and they are not having fun. Eventually, Justin admits he's struggling to adjust to them growing up, but takes them centaur tipping to make up for it. Billie ends up falling asleep, and Winter cannot wake her, which is a problem because of the sleep-casting. Justin has to reverse all the magic Billie is casting whilst Giada goes into Billie's dream to try and wake her up, helping her to come to terms with and move past the bullying in the process. In the final scene, Justin gets a visit at his house by the same centaur who delivers payback by tipping him. Guest stars: Camila Rodriguez as Eva Morales, Kingslei Michelle Love as Lucy, Rory Keane as Centaur
1717"Abraca-Disaster!"Jody Margolin HahnAaron Mervis & Robin M. HenryFebruary 7, 2025 (2025-02-07)1140.16 [21]

Winter has been practicing magic tricks for a month, but she's terrible at them. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, Billie instead uses magic to help her impress the President of their school's magic club, which then gets Winter into both the club and that evening's show. Roman has started work for the school paper, and his friend is the photographer. He accidentally captured Billie using magic on camera, so Roman goes to great lengths to get hold of the camera so he can delete the photo. Billie uses her magic to help Winter during the show and Winter gets upset. She tells Billie that she should have just told her rather than making her think she was good at something she wasn't. They both end up in a Tank that is slowly filling with water, and Billie doesn't have her wand so can't use magic to get them out. Meanwhile, Milo wants to see a new horror film- 'Bucket of Guts 2', but when his parents tell him he's too young, he calls them uncool. This gets in their heads and they both separately take him to see the film, which he really wasn't ready for.

Guest stars: Caroline Valencia as Sage, Jaeden White as Parker
1818"Hit Me With Your Best Bot"Victor GonzalezMolly Haldeman and Brittany Assaly & Danielle CalvertFebruary 7, 2025 (2025-02-07)1180.10 [21]
Winter & Roman have teamed up to build a robot for their schools 'Robot Rumble.' Billie tries to help them with magic, but they refuse. She teams up with Milo instead and they throw a bunch of stuff into a cauldron, which Billie then casts a spell over. Their robot comes out of the cauldron, he's huge, they name him 'Boltron'. Billie gives him a command- 'Destroy the Competition, specifically Roman & Winter.' Billie & Milo win the Robot Rumble (Milo only entered due to a fake ID as he doesn't attend that school!) but Boltron takes his command too far and starts chasing Roman & Winter. Billie's magic doesn't work on him, due to the forcefield she added to the cauldron. All 4 of them team up to build a 'Superbot' that is able to defeat Boltron. Billie apologizes for using magic for everything, explaining that it was the way she was raised. Meanwhile, Justin needs to go to the wizard market to get some new Serpent Scale (a potion ingredient), Giada accompanies him. Whilst there, he repeatedly accidentally offends a Cyclops, who then refuses to sell him the Serpent Scale. Giada applies some 'Fairy Lotion' to her skin, but it turns her into a troll for an hour. This actually helps Justin though as Trolls and Cyclopes are mortal enemies, so Giada pretends to attack the Cyclops so Justin can play the hero and gets the serpent scale. Guest stars: Deron J. Powell as Cyclops, John DiMaggio as Boltron
1919"Raiders of the Locked Archive"Jody Margolin HahnRobin M. Henry and Rick WilliamsFebruary 14, 2025 (2025-02-14)1190.11 [22]
Billie takes to wearing the amulet she found in the Cave Quest. Justin gets offered a place on the Wizard Tribunal, so the entire family go along. Billie's amulet glows at certain things, leading her to the Archive where she finds a painting with a prophecy about her written in Ancient Elfish. Whilst the translator spell works on it, Milo and Roman have to contend with the guard of the Archive. Justin and Giada successfully convince the Gnome and the Centaur that Justin had encounters with to go home and not speak to the Tribunal about his character, but they don't get a chance to do so with the Cyclops from the wizard market. Justin begins to make his case, when he realizes the children are missing and runs off to save them from the Guard. This, combined with Giada's impassioned speech on his behalf, earns him his place on the Tribunal. Justin rescues the kids as McFigglehorn reprimands the guard for trying to send the kids to the Dimension of No Return. The kids are all grounded, but Milo managed to get the prophecy for Billie which states that a powerful wizard girl will "end the world".

Guest stars: Kirsten Vangsness as Bigelow McFigglehorn, Deron J. Powell as Cyclops, Matthew Willig as Archive Guard, John DiMaggio as Gnome, Rory Keane as Centaur

Absent: Taylor Cora as Winter
2020"When You Wish Upon A Squonk"Jody Margolin HahnJed Elinoff & Scott ThomasFebruary 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)1200.16 [23]
Justin's parents are in town for a visit to celebrate his new position. Theresa helps around the house, despite Giada's claims that it's not necessary. Billie is so concerned about the prophecy that she has stopped using magic altogether. The kids are studying for an Earth Science Test and Milo & Bella have to do a project together that involves building a model volcano. On Justin's first day, there is an alert to unexplained instances of magic in Staten Island (such as a mysterious blizzard) which he immediately goes back and lectures Billie for. Jerry helps her try to find out who is actually doing the magic. It turns out to be Bella with the orb she stole from the Lair from a previous episode. It can summon a "Squonk" who grants wishes. He turns Jerry and Winter into tortoises. Justin and Billie have a chat about the prophecy (which he accidentally reveals he knew about), and she uses a truth detector to prove she hasn't been using magic. Justin finally realizes a squonk was behind all the magic, and Bella wishes him back into his ball, Justin is then able to turn Jerry and Winter back to themselves. Jerry and Theresa leave after revealing the squonk ball belonged to Jerry all along. Billie hears Roman and Winter discussing the prophecy and their fears for her and runs away, summoning a portal. Roman follows her into it. Justin and Giada realize that Billie and Roman are missing, and Justin uses a spell to see what happened and where they went. Justin says that the prophecy says Billie will "save" the world, not end it.

Special guest stars: Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo, David DeLuise as Jerry Russo

Guest stars: Kirsten Vangsness as Bigelow McFigglehorn, Eleanor Sweeney as Bella Bianchi, Ian Gary as Wishing Squonk
2121"Nigh is Now!"Andy FickmanJed Elinoff & Scott ThomasFebruary 28, 2025 (2025-02-28) [e] 1210.21 [25]
Following the events of the previous episode, Justin, Giada, Milo and Winter ponder where Billie and Roman may have gone. Justin guesses that Billie and Roman are at the Ghoulhound Bus Stop, where he found Billie in the second episode. Giada suggests that Justin contact Alex, who appears on her own accord shortly after. Alex asks Justin and Giada how Billie is, but Justin is evasive; Giada tells Alex that Billie is missing outside of Justin's presence. When Justin arrives at the Ghoulhound Bus Stop, he finds a frozen-like copy of Billie, which disintegrates. Alex arrives on the scene and confronts Justin about why he didn't tell her Billie is missing. Justin explains that he didn't want to let Alex down. They have a heartfelt brother-sister moment. Billie and Roman take a Wuber carriage ride to the Mountain Fortress of Solitarious. Billie goes in, but is joined by Roman because the full moon came out and the driver turned into a werewolf. They are confronted by a hooded robed figure who identifies himself as Silas Evilini, the son of the villainous Dr. Evilini. [f] Silas reveals that Billie's amulet has the power to free his mother after she was imprisoned for her plan many years ago to (unsuccessfully) drain Justin of his wizard powers and become the most powerful wizard ever. [g] Before Silas can use Billie to free Dr. Evilini, Justin and Alex arrive and Silas introduces himself to them. Justin and Alex get the better of Silas and he retreats. When they all get home, Giada and Milo are being held captive by Silas. Silas again attempts to use Billie's powers on the amulet, but is again foiled when Roman and Milo block the spell path. Roman and Milo absorb the magic and unintentionally gain wizard powers, which they use to stop Silas along with the family, Billie, and Winter as Silas is imprisoned in the same amulet as his mother. Later in the kitchen, Roman and Milo come to terms with their new powers and Minister Bigelow McFigglehorn visits the house. McFigglehorn explains that as there are now multiple wizards in the household, the competition to determine the Family Wizard must eventually take place, with Justin as Roman, Milo, and Billie's teacher. Alex jokes that Justin is now "officially dad" (Jerry was Justin, Alex and Max's long-time wizard teacher for their Family Wizard competition in of Waverly Place). McFigglehorn asks Alex if she has the amulet, which she does, and McFigglehorn takes it, saying she will "take very good care of it". Despite this assurance, as McFigglehorn turns away, her eyes glow red, seemingly under the control (willingly or unwillingly) of an evil force.

Special guest star: Selena Gomez as Alex Russo

Guest stars: Kirsten Vangsness as Bigelow McFigglehorn, Ramon Reed as Silas Evilini

Season 2 (2025)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [1] Directed byWritten by [26] Original release date [1] [27] Prod.
code [1] [27]
U.S. viewers
(millions)
221"Curse Me Baby One More Time" Andy Fickman Jed Elinoff & Scott ThomasSeptember 12, 2025 (2025-09-12)201TBD
Guest stars: Kirsten Vangsness as Bigelow McFigglehorn, Tobias Jelinek as Lord Morsus
232"Ooze!...I Did It Again"Andy FickmanScott Taylor & Wesley Jermaine JohnsonSeptember 12, 2025 (2025-09-12)202TBD
Guest stars: Freya Skye as Piper, Patrick Bristow as Wiz M.D.
243"Howdy with a Trance of Gumballs"TBARick WilliamsSeptember 19, 2025 (2025-09-19)203TBD
254"Don't Go Changeling My Heart"TBABrittany Assaly & Danielle CalvertSeptember 26, 2025 (2025-09-26)204TBD

Production

Development

On January 18, 2024, it was announced that Disney had ordered a pilot for a sequel television series of Wizards of Waverly Place . [28] Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, who developed Raven's Home , the sequel to That's So Raven , wrote the pilot episode. [29] It was directed by Andy Fickman. [30] Elinoff, Thomas, and Fickman executive produce the series alongside stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie, as well as Gary Marsh, a former television executive, and Jonas Agin. [31] The pilot was filmed on February 1, 2024, with Gomez guest starring and reprising her role as Alex Russo. [32] In the series, Henrie's character is set to have given up his wizard powers to live like a normal human. [33] [34] On March 22, 2024, it was announced that Disney Channel had ordered the pilot to series. [35] Production began in Los Angeles in April 2024. [36] Wizards was used as the working title during early filming [37] until its official title, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, was announced in May 2024. [38] Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel directed episodes. [14] Andy Fickman also directed additional episodes outside of the pilot. [39] The first season consists of 21 episodes. [40]

On March 31, 2025, the series was renewed for a second season. [41]

Casting

David Henrie reprises his role as Justin Russo, while Selena Gomez guest-stars as Alex Russo. [42] Mimi Gianopulos was cast to portray Giada, Justin's wife, and Alkaio Thiele plays their older son Roman. [43] Additionally, Janice LeAnn Brown stars as Billie, a young wizard seeking Justin's assistance in wizard training. [44] At the time it was ordered to series, it was reported that Max Matenko was cast as Milo, Justin's younger son. [45] Taylor Cora also appears as Winter, Billie and Roman's best friend. [46] It was later announced that David DeLuise would reprise his role as Justin's father Jerry. [47]

Release

The trailer for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place amassed 69 million viewers in 10 days across all social media platforms. It became Disney Channel's most-watched trailer for a comedy series of all time. [48] The series premiered on October 29, 2024, on Disney Channel. The first nine episodes became available to stream on Disney+ the following day, with episodes 3–9 being released prior to their televised premieres. [14] Episodes 10–21 were released on Disney+ on February 28, 2025, with episode 21 being released prior to its televised premiere. [24] The second season premiered on September 12, 2025 on Disney Channel, with two episodes. All episodes of the second season are slated to be released on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets on October 8. [12]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 89% approval rating with an average rating of 7.7/10, based on 9 critic reviews. [49] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 78 out of 100 based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [50]

Aramide Tinubu of Variety said Wizards Beyond Waverly Place successfully blends nostalgia with fresh content. She praised the performances of both returning cast members like David Henrie and Selena Gomez, and newcomers such as Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele, and Max Matenko. Tinubu found the enhanced special effects and comedic timing of the child actors particularly impressive. She stated that the series retains the charm of the original, with its focus on family and magic, while introducing new adventures. She appreciated the show's lively and fun atmosphere, saying it appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. [51] Joel Keller of Decider noted that Wizards Beyond Waverly Place captures the silliness and family vibe of the original show, but observed a difference in Selena Gomez's performance. He praised her more subtle comedic timing, saying it may be influenced by her work on Only Murders in the Building , contrasting with the more exaggerated sitcom-like acting from the rest of the cast. Keller appreciated her nuanced portrayal of Alex Russo, balancing the childlike antics around her. He also highlighted the show's focus on Billie's integration into the mortal world and the return of original cast members, expecting the series to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new younger audiences. [52]

Abigail Stevens of Screen Rant found Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to be a funny and heartwarming sequel that successfully captures the essence of its predecessor. She praised David Henrie and Selena Gomez for reprising their roles, noting their strong dynamic, while complimenting the performances of the new cast members. Stevens appreciated how the show mirrors the original family structure without feeling like a direct copy, maintaining unique characterizations. She stated that the series introduces darker emotional storylines, hinting at deeper themes of family and self-worth. [53] Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media rated Wizards Beyond Waverly Place four out of five stars. She complimented the show's comedic tone and found the moderate scariness of the wizards' encounters with monsters to be lighthearted and not overly alarming. Moulton appreciated the positive messages about perseverance and self-belief, while noting that the main character Billie is a complex role model, showing both rebelliousness and personal growth. She also found Justin Russo to be a good role model, while the relationship between brothers Milo and Roman was seen as affectionate despite typical sibling rivalry. [54]

Ratings

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place debuted with 3.2 million views globally in its first 12 days on Disney+, making it the most-watched series premiere on the platform for Disney Channel. The show ranked as the top streaming series in the U.S. among Kids 6—11, Girls 6—11, Teens, and Adults 18—24 during its first five days. The release of the full first episode on YouTube attracted 1.1 million views, marking the channel's best performance for a new full episode since 2017. Social media activity generated over 125 million impressions and 13 million engagements on platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. [55] [56]

Viewership and ratings per season of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
SeasonEpisodesFirst airedLast airedAvg. viewers
(millions)
DateViewers
(millions)
DateViewers
(millions)
1 21October 29, 2024 (2024-10-29)0.14 [13] February 28, 2025 (2025-02-28)0.21 [25] 0.12

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild February 15, 2025 Best Makeup in Children and Teen Programming Melissa Sandora, Sarah Benjamin Hall, Koji OhmuraNominated [57]
Best Hair Styling in Children and Teen Programming Dwayne Ross, Tamara TrippNominated
Art Directors Guild Awards February 15, 2025 Excellence in Production Design for a Multi-Camera Series Kelly Hogan (for "Saved by the Spell" and "Something Wizard this Way Comes")Nominated [58]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards June 21, 2025 Favorite TV Show Wizards Beyond Waverly PlaceNominated [59]
Favorite Male TV Star – Kids Show David Henrie Nominated
Favorite Female TV Star – Kids Show Janice LeAnn BrownNominated
TCA Awards August 20, 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming Wizards Beyond Waverly PlaceNominated [60]
Imagen Awards August 22, 2025Best Young ActorTaylor CoraNominated [61]
Propery Masters Guild AwardsSeptember 13, 2025Half-Hour Multi-Camera Television SeriesLindsay Tomlinson ForrestWon [62]

In other media

On August 12, 2025, it was announced that Janice LeAnn Brown would reprise her role as Billie in the Disney Channel series Vampirina: Teenage Vampire in a crossover episode. [63]

Notes

  1. As seen in the Wizards of Waverly Place episode "Who Will Be the Family Wizard?"
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This episode was first released on Disney+ on October 30, 2024. [14]
  3. As seen in the Wizards of Waverly Place episode "First Kiss".
  4. As seen in the Wizards of Waverly Place episode "The Supernatural".
  5. This episode was first released on Disney+ on February 28, 2025. [24]
  6. Dr. Evilini was previously seen in the two-part Wizards of Waverly Place episode "Wizard School".
  7. This backstory was the main plot in the two-part Wizards of Waverly Place episode "Wizard School".

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