It’s time to go back to camp.

After more than 15 years, The Jonas Brothers have revived one of their most famous franchises with an entertaining entry that knows what it means to rock. In Camp Rock 3, the (literal) band of brothers have found themselves left without an opening act for their major reunion tour. Looking for the next big talent, the men turn their attention to the camp that brought them together: Camp Rock. After giving the campers the opportunity to prove themselves as worthy of touring with their heroes, friendships between the kids tests all their relationships, leading to unexpected alliances, revelations and romances.

Similar to their other musical franchises, Camp Rock 3 remains entertaining and inoffensive kids fare. Perfect for its target audience, the film is simple and fun, with some delightful dance numbers. This style of gleeful musical mayhem has been bread and butter for Disney for decades and, when done well, can be a delightful experience for parents and kids.

CAMP ROCK 3 – (Disney/David Astorga)
KEVIN JONAS, JOE JONAS, NICK JONAS

And, thankfully, Camp Rock 3 is one of those examples.

Nostalgia has always been rocket fuel to Disney. With the return of the Jonas’ to the Disney fold in recent years, Camp Rock 3 feels like a no-brainer. Though they distanced themselves from Mickey and Co for a time, one can’t deny that they seem very comfortable returning to their roots. (“I have to admit it, it’s good to be back,” they admit.) In doing so, Camp Rock feels less like a rebooted franchise and more like a family reunion. As teenagers, the Jonas Brothers were the heart and soul of the series and their arrival makes this homecoming feel official.

But, almost strangely, the invitation to join the fun extends further than merely Camp Rock. Without saying too much, the cast and inclusion of some surprise cameos seem to acknowledge some of the other mega-franchises to come from the House of Mouse in the last two decades. Leading with the Jonas’, the cast is bursting with performers that come from other musical hits such as The Descendants and Z.O.M.B.I.E.S. While that’s not entirely unexpected – after all, Disney loves to work with their own people – it does add a little bit more nostalgia to the party.

Make no mistake, though. Camp Rock 3 may love the past but it’s very much looking towards the future.

 

In a lot of ways, Camp Rock 3 works best because it never allows the characters of old to take over the story. Yes, the Jonas’ are central but the spotlight is firmly on the next generation of Disney youth. (“This isn’t our story anymore. It’s theirs,” we’re told.) Similar to the recent fourth Z.O.M.B.I.E.S. film, Rock manages to properly balance the old with the new, creating a torch-passing moment between generations of stars.

And, frankly, the new kids on the block hold their own. Built upon two of their up-and-coming leads in Malichi Barton and Liamani Segura, Rock has a surprising level of energy and confidence. Fresh off her supporting work in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Segura is allowed to take centre stage here and shows why she has such potential as a rising star. Similarly, recently crowned ‘tween heartthrob Barton also shows growth onscreen, offering a quieter side to his musical performance than his pop-infused work on Z.O.M.B.I.E.S.

However, for these characters, the return to camp becomes a lesson in connection. During their experiences together, the new friends begin to realize that broken people can fit together when they see past their differences. And those are often the moments when they make the best music. It’s a simple exercise in learning but an important lesson for young ‘tweens who tune to the latest Final Jam.

CAMP ROCK 3 – (Disney/David Astorga)
MALACHI BARTON, CASEY TROTTER

Here, everyone can play their part, even when the pieces don’t seem to fit.

In the end, Camp Rock 3 is a high-quality return for Disney into the world of summer musical. It knows what it is and leans into the fun and nostalgia with such enthusiasm that one can’t help but join in the fun.

Camp Rock 3 is available on Disney Channel on August 12th and on Disney+ on August 13th, 2026.