Fan Reactions to 1st Season of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

Twelve years after the beloved series Wizards of Waverly Place the magic has returned with a brand-new sequel, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Here is what fans had to say about the first season!

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place picks up with Justin Russo (David Henrie), now a vice principal living a seemingly normal life on Staten Island. He shares his home with his wife, Giada (Mimi Gianopulos), an ambitious investigative reporter, and their two sons, Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko). Though Justin still possesses his wizarding powers, he’s long since left his magical past behind—and he’s kept this secret from his family. 

That is, until his 34th birthday, when an unexpected visitor turns their world upside down. Enter Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a fiery 12-year-old wizard who shows up at the Russo household, determined to stir things up. With her quick wit and magical abilities, Billie quickly becomes a catalyst for chaos and comedy.

Justin’s sister, Alex (Selena Gomez), shows up unannounced, urgently needing Justin’s assistance. Her arrival throws the Russo household into disarray. While Justin has distanced himself from the world of magic, for Billie, magic is second nature—it’s all she’s ever known.

As Billie settles into the Russo household, the kids naturally begin to mirror the iconic sibling dynamics that defined Justin, Alex, and Max in the original series.

Most of the hype and excitement around this show was due to its nostalgia factor. Many original fans got a piece of their childhood back by seeing old characters like: Selena Gomez (Alex Russo), David Henrie (Justine Russo), Gregg Sulkin (Mason Greyback), Jake T. Austin (Max Russo), David DeLuise (Jerry Russo). 

However, most of the excitement was focused on Selena Gomez, the original show’s main character. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have much screen time in the sequel. 

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place brilliantly captures the spirit of the original series, rekindling much of the charm and magic that made it a fan favorite. Additionally, The sequel has certainly met the expectation of critics and fans according to rotten tomatoes. 

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a fresh, heartwarming, and hilarious continuation of the series, blending nostalgia with exciting new adventures. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original or new to the wizarding world, this sequel promises to capture your heart with its mix of humor, magic, and family.  

While there is yet no news of a 2nd season for the show, fans are hopeful.

You can watch all episodes of season 1 of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place on Disney+!