Secret Society of Second-Born Royals (2020)

Secret Society of Second-Born Royals is a fizzy, crowd-pleasing mash-up of princess drama and teen-superhero training, the kind of movie that knows exactly what it wants to be: breezy, funny, and unapologetically fun. Peyton Elizabeth Lee gives Sam a likable rebel spark, and the film wisely leans into the team dynamic, letting each young royal’s personality (and power) bounce off the others with sitcom snap and comic-book energy. The vibe is light and kinetic—part coming-of-age, part covert academy—with enough action to keep things moving and enough heart to make the friendships feel earned. It won’t convert viewers looking for a darker, more original superhero story, but if you want family-friendly adventure with charm, jokes, and a playful fantasy twist, this one goes down easy.

Secret Society of Second-Born Royals is clearly aiming for a breezy, teen-friendly superhero origin story with a princess twist, built around found-family training montages and light comedy. The problem is it often feels like a rough draft: the worldbuilding is thin, the action lacks punch, and the effects and staging can look more “Disney Channel special” than big-screen adventure. If you’re hoping for sharp stakes, inventive powers, or the momentum of a real superhero movie, this may come off dull and oddly low-energy. That said, Peyton Elizabeth Lee is likable, the cast has decent chemistry, and if you just want a simple, low-violence fantasy romp to half-watch, it can do the job.