Secret Society of Second Born Royals (2020) User Reviews (117)

Not good but not horrible either

[wms-92741 · 4/10 · 27 September 2020]

This movie follows what has been a very successful formula for Disney. The cast of characters are very familiar to any who have seen Disney's made-for-cable movies, and there is no depth to any of them. The cast is ethnically diverse, so that no one could possibly be offended. The story is thin and forgettable. The "big surprise" in the movie was quite predictable. In short, for most adults this is a waste of time.

However, if you know a girl somewhere between ten and sixteen years old, she might well appreciate seeing it, and perhaps boys of a similar age as well. It is empowering, as Disney movies tend to be. The message, while conveyed by so many other movies in better ways, is a good one. So if you have a child, consider it. If you are an adult fan of superhero movies, pass on this for a rerun of something you like.

If Hallmark made an X-Men movie...

[yellowmarlin · 4/10 · 25 September 2020]

...it would look something like this. It's difficult to be too harsh about this film; it is inoffensive, tries hard and means well. However, it falls short in every aspect of film making: acting, directing, writing, story, location, etc. This movie lived down to all of my expectations, but I didn't hate it.

Bland fun

[kathrynlet · 4/10 · 26 September 2020]

If you ignore the two massive, movie breaking, plot holes it is an okay film.

First plot hole: how powers are given makes no sense if genetic based. The implication of it only existing in the Second born means either gens are able to predict the future of which baby will be born first or they are able to sentiently recognize when the other has been born and then edit the genome of the second kid.

Second plot hole: January and Inmate 34/Edmond have no probability of meeting in any way that makes sense.

A film that had potential and some interesting concepts but under used them while hitting the Disney original movie bingo card. Divers cast? Check. Minority lead? Check. Teen angst? Check. Young teens saving the world? Check. Loving family? Check. Everyone is special? Check.

Niche market Disney for the under 12 yr olds

[roxmewild · 3/10 · 23 October 2020]

I realise that I am not the target audience and with that in mind my review is a mediocre film that may appeal to a very young audience as in not older than 12 as teenagers would like myself be more discerning as to story plot and see plot holes and question them as much as any adult. A perfect example being when Sam breaks into the palace to show January and while in there Sams bff Mike walks in and he accuses Sam of replacing him in their band ( how did he just walk in? When even Sam had to use a secret code to get through the gates!)

Anyway as I said if target under 12 the plot acting etc would not be as important as they will focus on special effects for entertainment unlike older ages who would demand more of which this movie does not deliver Zero story

Pointless movie.

[nautankey · 2/10 · 26 September 2020]

Not sure why Disney+ released this one. There are umpteen feel good movies available for streaming and this one can surely be given a miss.

A cardboard villain, a stereotypical female protagonist with teen angst and a bunch of friends who can be swapped into any Disney movie, that's what we get for being naive and paying for Disney+. The comical part was the villain's apprentice - a teen princess (without training to control her 'powers'), who is able to break into super secure prison. I believe that at some point the writers decided to give up and let it be.

Two stars for having Prince Harry's portrait in the list of decorated operatives.

Thr disturbing part of the movie was they tried to end it like the story had scope for a sequel....please spare us !!!

Schmaltzy, yes. But 1 and 2 star reviews are trolling

[darklyluna · 7/10 · 27 September 2020]

This was not fantastic but there are a few points that are important to point out:

1) It does say it's for ages 8+. A demanding 35+ year old person will definitely find this schmaltzy.

2) It focuses on being 'positive'. I'm not sure why you people are so upset about the movie. They're fine.

3) They don't explain much and the characters go along with things pretty easily. I'd say they don't bother to explain because they'd rather focus on the kids bonding.

I mean, what do people expect? The box alone suggests exactly what you're getting. If you don't want painfully sweet positivity and predictability, you should've stuck to something else.

Boooring..

[maheshaveiro · 3/10 · 25 September 2020]

It's an amazing movie, if you can turn your brain off for a couple of hours and forget logic.

A good flick for what it is.

[ejl2179 · 7/10 · 26 September 2020]

So many here cannot suspend disbelief for the length of a movie meant for kids.

But yet: You can believe a single snap eliminates half the universe. You can travel into another person's dreams. Convince kids to put out milk & cookies for a fictional, benevolent fat guy. You believe politicians, even ones that have lied to you for decades.

This is a Disney movie. You know that going in. Just watch and enjoy.

Friends don't let friends save the word by themselves

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 13 October 2020]

The premise is bad. The second born of the royal bloodline (whatever that is) has a special superpower they develop in their early teens. Their job is to stop the bad guys without anyone knowing. The script centers on Samantha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee ) whose sister is about to become Queen of Illyria, a fictional nation near Denmark. There are four others with her in training. While in training at Starfleet, a Klingon destroys Vulcan and they have to save the galaxy, not that we haven't seen this plot before.

I won't fault the actors for such a horrible script, but they should all find new agents.

For the audience it is intended for, KIDS, it is good...and a good movie for a family night.

[katies-40465 · 8/10 · 6 October 2020]

I do not understand all of these bad reviews by what seem to be adults?? Just an FYI the movie isn't meant for you. My KIDS, ages 8 and 12, both liked it. I am trying to figure out why people, especially those that the movie is not geared towards are taking issue with an obvious fantasy movie about kids with super powers and calling it unrealistic. I am just going to point out if a movie has anyone with super powers in a movie it is unrealistic, it is just for fun. I have seen many movies based on comic books...Hello Marvel movies and other movies based in fiction and not reality....but when I watch them I don't ask if Captain America or Black Panther are realistic, because they are not in the real world, they are in a movie and they are darn entertaining to watch. Now, back to the real question for which the rating should be given, is it entertaining for the audience it is intended for? The answer is YES. Was I, as an adult able to guess what would more than likely happen knowing the general kid movie formula, yes, but the the movie is not intended for people in their late 30's/early 40's. It was a nice movie to curl up as a family and watch together, my kids enjoyment and our together time is really all I want out of a movie like this.

Basic, but good.

[malhartman · 7/10 · 21 October 2020]

I grew up on Disney. Sky High, iCarly, I've been through it all. One thing that I've learned is... PEOPLE ALWAYS FIND SOME WAY TO RUIN THE MOVIE! The movie is very basic, much like sky high. Starts off with the main character, and an introduction by a narrator. They both have powers and go to a school to train for them. They both have big events in them, a villain they thought wasn't alive and a friend who betrayed them. But people don't get that THIS.IS.THE.PLOT.OF.EVERY.HIGH.SCHOOL.MOVIE! I think it was good. The storyline made sense, we had details, and moments where people let their feelings out. To me, the only problem is how it is incredibly predictable, you see the empty frame, you know the person who used to be in that frame will be coming back. Hope you found this helpful! :)

Andi Mack Was Fine, This Is Not

[jhuebel · 3/10 · 26 September 2020]

As a child actress in Andi Mack, Peyton Elizabeth Lee was bright and refreshing. In this, they try to put an edge on her. It doesn't work. It just makes her annoying.

I'll admit I can't speak for most of the movie. I made it about 15 minutes into it and couldn't continue. But I think I saw enough to understand the tone that the movie wanted to set.

It was cringeworthy.

I think I was being generous with 3 stars.

Far from the best Disney could do

[william-520 · 4/10 · 28 September 2020]

But it's not really the worse, either. I was eager to see this movie when it dropped on Disney+, and watched it the first weekend it was available. As the title of the movie states, it's about the second born royal, which I've always wondered how they really feel about their role, and with their older sibling the one that will become King/Queen someday. And this address that int he beginning, but in what seems to be a really exaggerated way. But as the movie continues on, they find out what their real (or fictionally real) role in the monarchy really is, and train for that role.

The actors I feel did a pretty good job for the role they had, and if I was to rate them on their performance alone, I would go with a 6.5. But there is only so much they could do with the script they had to work off of. And I feel the selection of the actors for the royal family could have been better. No disrespect to the actors they did select, but they were a family, but they were far from looking like a family. Think of Tom Hanks and Will Ferrell playing brothers, and Sean Connery playing their father. Unless there is some backstory about one being a half sister or adopted, it was far from believable.

The story itself is where the real problem was. It was a very common story told with just minor changes to it. I feel the movie could have been improved using that same tried and true story if they had made more significant changes to the details to make it look more original.

The ending does leave it open for a sequel or a series, so if one of those happen, I would recommend watching the movie so you're caught up on the story. Otherwise, if a sequel or series never comes out, you won't be missing anything from skipping this one.

It's a kids movie. Don't expect much.

[darthsteele-39338 · 2/10 · 28 September 2020]

Disney just churning out another subpar kids movie with the stereotypical angsty teen and her quirky cohorts. All displaying insincere emotions and forced sass. I cannot rate it too harshly though because it is what it is. It's meant for kids. Inclusivity and diversity are well represented although not relevant to the story. It's got a not so terrifying vanilla villain and a predictable story. Truthfully The Descendants franchise is much better! Or if you want teenagers with superpowers just watch X-Men, supergirl, the flash, sharkboy and lavagirl, sky high or Harry Potter!.... Seriously every other movie and show that this film stole its ideas from is better than this forgettable little picture.

Definitely for little kids.

[huntergirl-13189 · 4/10 · 2 July 2021]

What is with the accents in this movie? They are all over the place.

Family Fun and plenty of it

[bjelleybean-364-553679 · 7/10 · 27 September 2020]

This is classic Disney family fare taking the princess theme in a different direction. There is plenty of excitement for everyone here. In a world where cynicism rules this movie is actually a breath of fresh air.

Good concept but...

[ashleighscott-44644 · 2/10 · 21 January 2021]

The idea behind the narrative is honestly very interesting, however, Disney's execution did not live up to its expectations. Extremely 2-dimensional characters with stereotypical character arcs. self-obsessed, pretty, popular girl is actually nice and considerate. the nerdy boy is fun, cute and ends up making friends & a girlfriend. An unbelievably annoying and self-centred protagonist! Seemingly everything she did was aggravating, not to mention her extremely boring superpower (which she hardly ever used throughout the entire plot). Feels like they were trying so hard to make her character stand out and be 'cool' but it just didn't land. The only thing likeable about the protagonist was her taste for certain bands, which are visually represented through bag patches and posters.

Best part of the entire film was watching a 15 year old girl get absolutely flattened by a very large tree, while another teen (with absolutely no strength-like abilities) effortlessly lifts said tree to help her friend. All the while, a fully grown man gets pushed over, thus injuring him so much that he is hospitalised for the rest of the film. Probably the most entertaining scene I've watched in a while so i do give them credit for that.

Royal Supes

[alyssagreen · 7/10 · 25 September 2020]

I think this is a nice coming of age movie. I don't understand the low rating. Although it's not the best, it's not that bad either.

Disney made this movie for just slacking off.

[MK_Movie_Reviews · 2/10 · 24 August 2021]

After watching tons of short movies, I felt like wasting one and a half hours. I just couldn't get into the story, so I don't think I'll watch it again.

Fun movie for the kids

[aaroncrouch-2 · 8/10 · 26 September 2020]

I enjoyed watching it with my kids (ages 6-12). They all loved it. Was it believable, no. Was it innocent and fun, yes.

Not as bad as people say.

[josch-83620 · 7/10 · 26 September 2020]

I see a lot of negative reviews, but I honestly enjoyed it! I guess it was a little predictable, but it's a Disney kids movie. The actors were pretty good, and I had a pretty favorable time watching it.

This is not a comedy film! Not laughable, and full of annoying overuse scene! Bored to freaking death!

[kwenchow · 1/10 · 8 April 2021]

This film start with the narrator talking about the second born royal girl "Sam", and Sam walking with a boy with music instrument on their hand scene! As turnout, this film is about Sam need to take down her teammate "January", and her uncle "Edmond" to save the world! Entire film full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Such as, overuse of the walking scene, overuse of the dining scene, overuse of the staring scene, overuse of the flashbacks scene, overuse of the training scene, overuse of the searching scene, overuse of the calling names scene, overuse of the partying scene, and overuse of the arguing scene! Make the film unwatchable! All the action scene also not intense, and messy! Make the film frustrated to watch! At the end, Sam need to capture January with her teammates by plane! That's it! Wasting time to watch!

Boring

[dullardandy · 1/10 · 26 November 2021]

What a boring, drab film filled with the worst possible actors that Disney could assemble. Instead of trying to please the woke generation, why not get actors who can really act and writers who can really write a good story?