Ahead, see our definitive ranking of the 40 best Disney Channel Original Movies.
(1998), and the message of celebrating the importance of friendship in…well, every DCOM.
Disney, taking advantage of that, created a somewhat memorable tale about the bogeyman.
From left: Zac Efron, Charles Klapow, Vanessa Hudgens, and Chris Warren Jr. in ‘High School Musical 2’; Kirsten Storms in ‘Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century’; Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato in ‘Camp Rock’.Credit:Fred Hayes/Disney Channel/courtesy Everett; John Medland/Disney Channel/courtesy Everett; Disney Channel
Would we rewatch it if it were on?
While quite predictable and unbearably cliche, the flick radiates that classic DCOM charm with infectious music and choreography.
This one is nothing but net.
Lindy Booth and Lee Thompson Young in ‘Jett Jackson: The Movie’.Disney Channel
(Bonus points for a special appearance by a pre-ParenthoodErika Christensen.)M.D.
with far more problems than just being dead.
That’s no problem it’s all in a day’s work for the galaxy’s coolest teen.
Camilla Belle and Jeanne Mori in ‘Rip Girls’.Disney Channel
We give it two and a half zooms out of three.
(Notable difference:ZequelswapsRaven-Symonefor Shadia Simmons as Zenon’s trusty BFF, Nebula Wade.
But don’t worry, Raven-Symone returns for the final installment,Zenon: Z3.)M.D.
From left: Henry Feagins, Courtnee Draper, Tom Wright, and Tamara Hope in ‘Stepsister From Planet Weird’.Disney Channel
In this context, it’s fun to rememberUp, Up, and Away.
It also showed that Disney Channel could portray a different kind of family with tact and heart.A.B.
and you have a solid sisterly movie appealing to the big sister of five babies in all of us.
From left: Erin Chambers, Ty Hodges, and Jake Sakson in ‘Don’t Look Under the Bed’.Buena Vista Pictures/Disney Channel
There’sKimberly J. Brownagain, this time playing an only child whose world is SPOILER!
IT WAS 2000, JAMIE!
(Although who wasn’t a little worried for Louis with that moment on the cliff?)M.D.
From left: Orlando Brown, Reiley McClendon, and Taylor Ball in ‘Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off’.Disney Channel
Where to watchMotorcrossed: Disney+
22.Gotta Kick It Up!
(2002)
All of the classic DCOM ingredients are present: A team sport (cheerleading!
), an encouraging catchphrase (“Si, se puede!
Milo Manheim (center) in ‘Zombies’.John Medland/Disney Channel/Courtesy: Everett
“), a true story (about a middle school dance troupe training for the big competition!
Yes, we can!M.S.
Where to watchGotta Kick It Up!
Poppi Monroe and Annie McElwain in ‘Double Teamed’.Disney Channel
So, nostalgia and fun win this round!J.M.
No wonder Santa had his suit stolen in a DCOM a year later.)
Delightfully cheery and cheesy,The Ultimate Christmas Presentis one of the more adorable but ultimately uplifting holiday-themed DCOMs.J.D.
From left: Joey Zimmerman, Debbie Reynolds, Judith Hoag, Emily Roeske, and Kimberly J. Brown in ‘Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge’.Disney Channel
), and overall a more cohesive, dramatic story.
And perhaps its biggest achievement of all?
It made musical theater kids like basketball.M.S.
Three aliens in ‘Can of Worms’.Disney Channel
Where to watchThe Luck of the Irish: Disney+
4.Brink!
(1998)
“Let’s blade, brah.”
Has there ever been a more perfectly ’90s construction of words?
Bill Fagerbakke in ‘Under Wraps’.Disney Channel
In the end, we all learn what it truly means to be a Soul Skater.D.K.
Brown, a staple of “Who’s that girl?”
familiarity who ravaged her way through Disney Channel Original Movies like Minnie Mouse through a mascara sample sale.
Kirsten Storms in ‘Zenon: The Zequel’.Disney Channel
And that’s the perfect example of howZenonnever takes itself too seriously.
It has ridiculous language, ridiculous clothes, and is ridiculously fun.
It will forever be one of the most addictive things Disney’s ever done.S.H.
Clockwise from left: Alex Datcher, Kasan Butcher, Robert Townsend, and Michael J. Pagan in ‘Up, Up, and Away’.Disney Channel
Plus,Katey Sagal’s turn as the good-gone-evil-gone-good resident hologram is nothing short of iconic.A.B.
Where to watchSmart House: Disney+
Related content:
From left: Meaghan Martin, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato, Kevin Jonas, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Jasmine Richards, and Alyson Stoner in ‘Camp Rock’.Disney
Shia LaBeouf in ‘Tru Confessions’.Disney Channel
Kimberly J. Brown in ‘Quints’.Disney Channel
Shia LaBeouf and Christy Carlson Romano in ‘The Even Stevens Movie’.Disney Channel
Lindsey Haun and Shadia Simmons in ‘The Color of Friendship’.Disney Channel
From left: Riley Smith, Trevor O’Brien, Alana Austin, and Michael Cunio in ‘Motorcrossed’.Disney Channel
From left: Johanna Flores, Sabrina Wiener, Camille Guaty, Sulima Rodriguez, and America Ferrera in ‘Gotta Kick It Up!'.Disney Channel
From left: Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Dove Cameron, and Cameron Boyce in ‘Descendants’.Jeff Weddell/Disney Channel via Getty
The cast of ‘Teen Beach Movie’.Francisco Roman/Disney Channel/courtesy Everett
Danielle Panabaker and Brenda Song in ‘Stuck in the Suburbs’.Disney Channel
Brenda Song in ‘Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior’.Everett Collection
From left: John Salley, Brenda Song, John B. Lowe, and Halle Hirsh in ‘The Ultimate Christmas Present’.Disney Channel
Clockwise from left: Caitlin Wachs, Mickey Rooney, Jacob Smith, and Taylor Handley in ‘Phantom of the Megaplex’.Disney Channel
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Brandon Baker in ‘Johnny Tsunami’.Disney Channel
From left: Hayley Kiyoko, Adam Hicks, Bridgit Mendler, Blake Michael, and Naomi Scott in ‘Lemonade Mouth’.Coleen Hayes/Disney Channel/Courtesy: Everett
Hilary Duff in ‘Cadet Kelly’.Disney Channel
Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry-Housley in ‘Twitches’ 2005.Everett Collection
Lindsay Lohan and Brenda Song in ‘Get a Clue’.Disney Channel
Chez Starbuck in ‘The Thirteenth Year’.Disney Channel
David Henrie and Selena Gomez in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie’.Disney Channel
From left: Raven-Symoné, Sabrina Bryan, Kiely Williams, and Adrienne Bailon in ‘The Cheetah Girls 2’ (2006).Disney Channel/Courtesy: Everett
From left: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and Lucas Grabeel in ‘High School Musical’.Fred Hayes/Disney Channel
From left: Lucas Gabreel, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, Monique Coleman, and Corbin Bleu in ‘High School Musical 2’.Disney
Alexis Lopez and Ryan Merriman in ‘The Luck of the Irish’.Everett Collection
From left: Patrick Levis, Christina Vidal, Erik von Detten, and Sam Horrigan in ‘Brink!'.Disney Channel
From left: Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske, Kimberly J. Brown, and Debbie Reynolds in ‘Halloweentown’.Disney Channel
Raven-Symoné and Kirsten Storms in ‘Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century’.Disney Channel
Clockwise from left: Jessica Sten, Kevin Kilner, Ryan Merriman, and Katie Volding in ‘Smart House’.Disney Channel
