Premiered: July 27, 2022

On: Disney+

Starring: Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Kate Reinders, Saylor Bell Curda, Adrian Lyles, Jason Earles, Corbin Bleu, Ben Stillwell, Meg Donnelly, Aria Brooks, Liamani Segura & Olivia Rodrigo

Although the third season of High School Musical – The Musical: The Series may be more meta and more disjointed than the previous two seasons, there’s something about it that makes it even more fun.

E. J. (Matt Cornett) convinces several of his fellow Wildcats to attend Camp Shallow Lake for the summer. Celebrity guest Corbin Bleu (playing a fictionalized version of himself) announces that the camp is going to be host to a documentary filming the first student production of Frozen the Musical.

Like the second season, you stop rooting for the main characters and realize the supporting ones have better story arcs. Ashlyn’s (Julia Lester) sexual identity, Carlos’ (Frankie Rodriguez) body issues and Kourtney’s (Dara Reneé) anxiety are all much better handled than the main love triangle.

Final say: Summertime allows for growth – for most. ★★★☆☆