In 2016, Disney Channel celebrated the release of it’s one-hundredth Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM). In the spirit of Her Campus Laurier’s nostalgia week, I thought I would remind everyone of some notable DCOMs from over the years, ordered by released date. Enjoy!
The Thirteenth Year (1999)
I’m pretty sure I had the flu the first time I saw this, so I thought I hallucinated the whole thing until I finally heard someone else talking about it. Since then, I’ve referred to it as “the one where the kid turns into the fish — oh, and Joey from Full House is in it.” Either way, I thought it deserved a mention.
Cadet Kelly (2002)
Essentially, Hilary Duff’s character is forced to transfer to military school when her mother marries the commandant. While there’s drama between the two female leads, they work it out in the end and the movie features women doing military drills with their male counterparts — while also managing to be hilarious and relatable. Totally badass.
I think this show should have stuck with just a TV series. I recall something about an island, reality show and a crazy squirrel? I don’t even want to dive any further into this one. However, I don’t think Even Stevens as a show got the credit it deserved.
This movie is SO underrated. Starring Hayden Panettiere, her character, Maddie, participates in a cruise for military families, with the aim to convince her father to abandon his military career and come home. The movie becomes intertwined with the real-life events of 9/11, where Maddie realizes the importance of her father’s position.
High School Musical (2006)
The first time I saw High School Musical I was staying in a motel on my way to Florida and it has remained a very important part of my life ever since. I still know all the words to every song. EVERY SINGLE SONG. Plus, it kickstarted my life-long crush on Zac Efron.
Cow Belles (2006)
When I think of this movie, all I remember is milk plus Aly and AJ. Essentially, two rich sisters are put to work in the family dairy business to learn responsibility. The girls must save the day when money is stolen from the company.
The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006)
While the first Cheetah Girls is obviously iconic, all I really remember besides the music is the dog getting stuck in the sewer. But Cheetah Girls 2 had drama, singing, dancing, humour, was the last of the trilogy to feature Raven AND was set in Barcelona: “We gotta strut down these streets like they’re runways and let Barcelona know the Cheetahs have arrived.” So. Many. Bangers.
Yes, both High School Musical and High School Musical 2 deserve to be on this list. I’d put the third on here too, but it technically doesn’t count because it premiered in theatres. Between “Fabulous,” “Gotta go my own way” and “Bet on it,” we really went through a whirlwind of emotions in this installment. And we can’t forget the baseball/dance number with Chad and Ryan. Also, that scene where Gabriella went OFF on Sharpay? Why don’t we talk about that more? This also happens to be the highest rated Disney Channel original movie of all time.Minutemen (2008)
I sometimes think I imagined this movie too, but it’s definitely real. Three friends invent a time machine to help classmates avoid embarrassing moments like they had themselves. The FBI soon arrives to inform the teens that they have damaged the space-time continuum and created a black hole, and that they must close it (Seriously, is this real?).
Camp Rock (2008)
Demi Lovato’s killer voice AND the Jonas Brothers? AT CAMP? This movie is an endless classic, and Demi points out that the scene by the lake is when she fell for Joe in real life. Did you know the movie was filmed in Ontario? I also distinctly remember that the music video for “Burnin’ Up” played right after the premiere. So overall, a very important day in history.
Princess Protection Program (2009)
As I re-read the summary for this movie, I realized how crazy it sounds — and is. But when it’s Selena and Demi, somehow it just works. Selena Gomez plays Carter, a teen whose father works for the Princess Protection Program. When Princess Rosalinda Montoya Fiore (Demi Lovato) is attacked, she is taken-in to masquerade as Rosie, Carter’s “cousin.” They soon become friends and teach each other some important life lessons. Plus, remember that song “One and the Same”? Totally under-appreciated.
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009)
You know when they say, “be careful what you wish for”? That’s basically what happens here. Out of anger, Alex wishes that her parents never met, so that’s what happens. Theresa and Jerry can’t remember each other or their children. What starts off as a light and funny movie in typical Wizards fashion, quickly becomes drama-filled, as Alex and Justin must compete to become a full wizard in order to reverse the spell. I still get a little choked up when Alex tries to remind Justin that he’s her big brother (cries).
Starstruck (2010)
Sterling Knight plays a teen idol who captures the heart of Danielle Campbell while attempting to avoid the paparazzi. Drama ensues, happy ending. Basically the story of every fan-fic ever. Campbell is cute as a button though, and Disney even once played the movie with a “nose scrunch” tracker, counting the amount of times she made a cute scrunchy face!
So there you have it, a few of my top Disney channel original movies. Do you remember all of these DCOMs? What were your favourites?