The Cheetah Girls : Next Gen greenlit by Disney+

Twenty years after the original films first aired on Disney Channel, the Cheetah Girls franchise is officially making a comeback. Disney announced on July 8, 2026, the greenlight of The Cheetah Girls : Next Gen, a brand-new movie heading to both Disney Channel and Disney+. For anyone tracking what's arriving on streaming platforms, this is one of the most significant Disney+ originals announced this year.

A new generation steps into the Cheetah spirit

The story follows Galleria and Chanel, two of the original Cheetah Girls, as they travel to a wildlife sanctuary in Africa alongside Galleria's daughter Faith and three of her friends. The trip starts as a volunteer mission. It quickly becomes something much bigger : four teenage girls learning to trust each other, find their voice, and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls. The Africa setting, combined with the music-driven storyline, gives the project a fresh energy that goes well beyond simple nostalgia.

Raven-Symoné returns as Galleria and also steps into the role of executive producer, alongside veteran producer Debra Martin Chase, who already produced all three original Cheetah Girls films, including the 2003 Disney Channel classic. Adrienne Bailon is back as Chanel and serves as co-producer. Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter reprise their roles as Dorothea and Juanita respectively. Sabrina Bryan makes a special appearance as Dorinda, and Sophia Bush joins the cast in a supporting role as Jennifré.

Here is a quick overview of the key creative roles behind the film :

• Director and co-producer : Bille Woodruff, known for his work on Bridgerton
• Screenwriters : Kara Holden, Sarah Watson, and Deborah Swisher
• Choreography : Kyle Hanagami
• Executive producers : Debra Martin Chase and Raven-Symoné
• Production unit : Disney Kids & Family

Production kicked off in South Africa this month, July 2026, which means the film is already in the making. The books by Deborah Gregory, on which the entire franchise is based, provide the creative backbone for this new chapter.

The young cast bringing the Next Gen story to life

Leah Sava' Jeffries, recognizable from her role in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, leads the new cast as Faith, Galleria's daughter. Carmen Sanchez from Electric Bloom plays Dior, Chanel's sister. Kaileen Chang takes on the role of Ruby, and Sophie Lennon plays Brooklyn. The fifth member of the group is Kendi, played by Kamogelo Ramashala, a South African newcomer discovered through Disney's global open casting call. That casting decision, reaching out to local talent rather than defaulting to established names, says a lot about the direction Disney is taking with this project.

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, framed the project clearly : "The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music, and empowering young people to use their voice. That spirit connected deeply with a generation of fans, and it still resonates today." The franchise's ability to stay relevant two decades later is not accidental. The original trilogy built a loyal fanbase that has grown up but never entirely moved on.

Disney's nostalgia strategy and what it means for streaming

Disney has been systematically reviving its most beloved Disney Channel Original Movie franchises. Camp Rock, Descendants, High School Musical : each of these came back in a new form for Disney+. The Cheetah Girls : Next Gen fits squarely into that pattern, but with one important difference. Rather than simply banking on the original cast, Disney is building a new ensemble of young actresses capable of carrying the franchise forward independently. That dual approach, keeping legacy characters while introducing a next generation, is a smart commercial bet.

We keep a close eye on what gets greenlit for Disney+, and this announcement stands out. The platform has been investing heavily in original productions with cultural weight, including international projects. If you're curious about that broader trend, our coverage of Disney+ Canadian originals : groundbreaking new shows gives a useful sense of how Disney is expanding its original content beyond the US market.

The three original films, The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2, and The Cheetah Girls : One World, are already available to stream on Disney+. That gives new viewers a chance to catch up before Next Gen arrives, and gives longtime fans a reason to revisit what made the franchise matter in the first place. With production underway in South Africa and a team that clearly understands both the legacy and the opportunity, The Cheetah Girls : Next Gen has real potential to do something the best franchise reboots manage : honor the original while standing on its own.