Fans are invited back into the magical world with The Wizards Return: Alex vs Alex, a reunion special that brings back the original Wizards of Waverly Place cast alongside new faces. The Russo family returns with a fresh slice of magic, and Selena Gomez steps in as executive producer while reprising the role of Alex Russo, now depicted as the Family Wizard guiding the household through new adventures and big family moments.
The original show lived on through quirky humor and dazzling spells, and this special keeps that spirit alive. It opens with Alex and her best friend Harper sharing a playful, homebound moment that feels like a drive-in fantasy coming alive inside their living room. The tone balances nostalgia with new energy, letting fans relive the familiar chaos while meeting fresh personalities.
The narrative unfolds in reverse, with Alex facing the Crystals of Justice as they accuse her of risking the world. The sequence rewinds to reveal the events that sparked the crisis, letting audiences glimpse how choices ripple backward through time and pull the Russo family back into the center of the story.
A newcomer named Dominic arrives with troubling news that Justin will not be coming home. He is drawn to Alex, offering compliments before departing and setting the stage for personal tension that threads through the reunion.
News of a family gathering in Italy reaches the Russos, and Alex conjures a doorway that opens a path from the living room to the Italian landscape. When she cannot recall how to close the portal, relatives tease her about growing up safe and sound. Feeling dismissed, Alex retreats into a shimmering screen and finds Dominic there, praising her and offering a bracelet. Mason arrives with a warm picnic and a home cooked meal, yet Alex conjures a fast food feast with a casual, magical flourish. Both relatives press her to pause the self-criticism and see how her powers fit into family life.
Overwhelmed by the repeated calls to change, Alex talks through things with Harper, who reminds her that authenticity matters. Inspired, Alex crafts a spell to strip away the unwanted parts of herself. A mirror-attuned version, Bad Alex, is imprisoned, but she escapes and slips back through the doorway to Italy. In a whirlwind of chaos, Bad Alex targets the Russo clan in Italy and traps them inside the charm bracelet Dominic had given.
After the bracelet seals everyone inside, Alex returns to confront Dominic and her dark twin in a dramatic showdown inside the family home. The rival versions collide in a tense duel that rattles the walls. Good Alex pockets the bracelet, but later she is pressed to surrender it at the Tower. Dominic hurls the bracelet away, and Alex acts quickly to recover it and free everyone. Mason plays a decisive role by pushing Dominic off the tower, leaving Bad Alex isolated and outmatched.
Good Alex rolls out a decisive spell to neutralize both sides of her power, aiming to banish the evil self for good. The attempt clears the air, and the Crystals of Justice revisit the case. The verdict reverses the prior decision, but her powers do not appear instantly. She accepts the outcome and credits Harper for embracing all parts of who she is. In a final turn, the Crystals reconsider and restore Alex’s magic.
The Wizards Return provides a satisfying end to the series, delivering action, humor, and plenty of magic. The original run may have paused in 2012, yet the Russo family remains a lasting memory for fans. This reunion is welcoming to longtime viewers and to newcomers alike, offering a warm farewell that honors the past while inviting fresh eyes to discover the charm of this world. Source: Wizards of Waverly Place reunion special.