"Disney Channel Original Movies—aka DCOMs if you’re a true Disney adult like I am—are, simply put, iconic. Dating back to 1997 (over 25 years ago, if you can believe it!), the first DCOM, Under Wraps, would kick off a long-standing tradition of unique-to-Disney-Channel feature films. The recipe for the best Disney Channel Original Movies is simple: a young cast, a killer soundtrack, and an idyllic neighborhood, plus some family-friendly messaging to tie it all together.
Whether you’re seeking that warm and fuzzy nostalgia feeling reminiscent of simpler times or are gearing up to introduce Disney Channel Original Movies to the next generation, you can’t go wrong with revisiting these lighthearted, well-written movies that all have an indescribable touch of Disney magic. Here are 16 DCOMs that stand the test of time, every damn time.
1. Cadet Kelly (2002)
This movie is just one of many amazing Hillary Duff Disney films that gives us some serious nostalgia. When easy-going teenager Kelly Collins (Duff) is enrolled in military school due to her new stepfather, a straight-laced ex-military man hellbent on teaching her discipline, Kelly struggles to adjust to the demands of her new environment while facing the abuse of her commanding officer. She’s clumsy, can’t seem to get on the good side of any of her teachers, and to top it all off, she has a new half-sibling on the way. Kelly almost drops out—until she falls for a hunky classmate (Shawn Ashmore) and decides to join the drill team.
2. Brink! (1998)
Growing up, this movie had *quite* the effect on me, and chances are it did for you, too—or at least, Erik von Detten and his perfectly parted hair did. The movie is centered around Andy “Brink” (von Detten) and his super-cool skater buddies. When Brink’s family stumbles into financial problems, he considers joining X-Blades, a competitive skating team that earns money. His morals and values are tested, along with his friendships and love of the sport. ‘Brink!’ has an awesome soundtrack and a great takeaway message.
3. Camp Rock (2008)
One of the great things about watching Disney Channel originals is seeing some of today’s biggest stars when they were younger. With ‘Camp Rock,’ we follow shy young singer Mitchie (Demi Lovato) as she navigates a summer camp for talented performers. Mitchie struggles to fit in, but develops a bond with the camp’s celebrity guest instructor, Shane (Joe Jonas). Shane is the arrogant star of a pop trio (the rest of which are portrayed by the rest of the JoBros, naturally). Demi and Joe both flash their talents through a series of musical numbers, culminating in a duet for the ages.
4. The Cheetah Girls (2003)
Along with some pretty epic fashion of the early aughts, ‘The Cheetah Girls’ follows four best friends who form a pop group, become huge stars, and navigate all that comes with it. Starring Galleria (Raven-Symoné), Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), Aqua (Kiely Williams), and Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan), The Cheetah Girls have their friendships tested and dreams come true at the same time. Ultimately, it’s a feel-good story that drives home messaging about staying true to yourself while being a loyal friend.
5. Halloweentown (1998)
Enjoyable any time of year but a *must-watch* leading up to Halloween, ‘Halloweentown’ is a beloved holiday-themed film about a young girl discovering her witchy heritage. Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) had always been drawn to the spooky and strange without knowing that she was actually a witch. Marnie’s grandmother, Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds), reveals that their family actually hails from Halloweentown, a hidden realm where witches, goblins, and other magical creatures live. As most curious kids would do, Marnie and her siblings secretly follow Aggie to Halloweentown, only to find the town in danger from a dark force. Marnie embraces her new powers to help her family save Halloweentown before it’s too late.
6. High School Musical (2006)
A modern classic about high school students discovering their passions, ‘High School Musical’ follows Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), the school’s basketball golden boy, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), the brainy new girl, as they unexpectedly bond over a love for singing. This unlikely duo stirs things up when they decide to audition for the school musical, much to the dismay of their friends. With a mix of catchy songs, high-energy dance moves, and plenty of high school drama, Efron and Hudgens steal the show. It’s the perfect feel-good trip down memory lane.
7. Smart House (1999)
In 1999, this movie almost seemed too good to be true—a house that operates on artificial intelligence that can handle household tasks, cooking, cleaning, and more. Now, none of that seems so far off at all. The movie begins with Ben Cooper (Ryan Merriman), a super tech-savvy teen who wins a contest landing his fam in an AI-operated home named PAT (Katey Sagal). At first, everything goes right, until it doesn’t. PAT gains more and more control over the family, and Ben needs to work with the rest of the Coopers to make sure they’re the ones running the house. This movie is full of laughs, twists, and family bonding moments.
8. The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
‘Lizzie McGuire,’ the TV show, made us all fall in love with Hilary Duff, and ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie’ only further solidified her spot in our hearts. An extension of the show featuring an epic European adventure, ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie’ takes our favorite characters to Rome, where a case of mistaken identity confuses Lizzie for the famous pop star, Isabella. She easily gets swept up in the hype and meets Paolo, Isabella’s singing partner, and soon, she’s living a double life. Thankfully, Lizzie learns to be herself and delivers to us the masterpiece pop song, “What Dreams Are Made Of.”
9. Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
This futuristic film starring Kirsten Storms introduces us to Zenon Kar, a fashion-forward and spirited teen living in a space station. It isn’t long before Zenon and her best friend Nebula (Raven-Symoné) uncover a plot to sabotage her home. When she tries to warn the others on the station, Zenon is instead sent back down to Earth, where she struggles to fit in while still trying to alert others about the impending disaster. Eventually, she partners with pop star (and teen heartthrob) Proto Zoa (Phillip Rhys) to thwart the scheme, save Zenon’s family, and on a deeper level, prove that teens have power, too.
10. The Even Stevens Movie (2003)
Based on the hit-TV series starring Louis Stevens (Shia LaBeouf) and his overachieving sister, Ren Stevens (Christy Carlson Romano), ‘The Even Stevens Movie’ follows the family on a dream (or what was a dream) vacation. The trip quickly takes a turn when, without their knowledge, The Stevens becomes part of a reality TV show. Complete with hidden camera shenanigans, booby traps, and sibling antics, the fam is faced with ridiculous and hilarious challenges that will keep you smiling and laughing as you watch.
11. Johnny Tsunami (1999)
When a surfer moves to a town known for its snow, drama is bound to happen—which is exactly the case in ‘Johnny Tsunami.’ Johnny Kapahala (Brandon Baker) is forced to trade in his surfboard for a snowboard when his family moves from Hawaii to Vermont. As any teen might, he struggles to fit in and can’t figure out where he belongs—is he preppy? Or is he a snowboarder? He makes a new friend, Sam (Lee Thompson Young), who helps him adjust and even embrace his environment with the help of some sage advice from his famous ex-surfer grandpa, Johnny “Tsunami.” The movie combines lots of laughs with action and a reverberating message about the importance of staying true to yourself while riding the wave of life.
12. Gotta Kick It Up (2002)
Sports comedy dramas are at the heart of Disney Channel Original movies, and ‘Gotta Kick It Up’ is one that stands the test of time decades later. At a SoCal middle school with a largely Latin-American student population, Yolanda (America Ferrera) and Daisy (Camille Guaty) convince the new biology teacher to become the coach of their dance team. But after the girls sneak off and perform in an intramural competition without their coach’s knowledge, the two sides of the dance team must find middle ground.
13. Get a Clue (2002)
Of course, we can’t include a roundup of Disney movies without our girl Lindsay Lohan. Lexy (Lohan) is a spoiled rich kid who loves to get the best stories for her school’s gossip column, but a pic she publishes of her teachers triggers a strange course of events, and one of the teachers goes missing. With her friend Jack, she decides to investigate and finds herself caught in a web of action and adventure. The investigation becomes pretty high-stakes for a fairly average teen, and Lexy and Jack end up chasing down a diamond brooch worth $10,000 when all they were really trying to do was find their teacher.
14. Pixel Perfect (2004)
If you’re looking for a little sci-fi touch for your next Disney movie rewatch, this one’s for you! When Samantha’s band isn’t gaining any recognition, her friend Roscoe uses his father’s technology to create a sensational lead singer who’s really a hologram. They call her Loretta Modern, and she’s a huge success even when people find out she’s not real. However, Samantha starts to get jealous, and eventually, Loretta has to leave, although Sam’s not as good at fronting the band. What will happen to the group? The premise of ‘Pixel Perfect’ has aged strangely well—I mean, if my cute bandmate had a crush on an AI hologram in 2024, I’d be pretty upset, too.
15. Luck of the Irish (2001)
In proximity to St. Patrick’s Day or not, “Luck of the Irish” is a hilarious must-watch year round. When junior high basketball star Kyle Johnson questions his heritage, he discovers that his mother is actually a leprechaun, and he is starting to change into one, too, all because someone stole his gold Celtic good luck coin. To get it back and keep him and his family human, Kyle has to ward off an evil, step-dancing leprechaun, Seamus McTiernan, and challenge him to a contest.
16. Twitches (2005)
Superstar twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry star as “twitches,” twin witches who were separated at birth. On their 21st birthday, Alex (Tia) and Camryn (Tamera) unexpectedly reunite and discover that their unusual powers double in strength when they work together. When they discover that they are prophesized to be the only witches who are capable of defeating an evil force called the Darkness, Alex and Camryn must learn how to use their gifts to help each other. Get caught in their spell as they work their magic to save everyone they love and fulfill their destiny.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin Nicole Celletti, Contributing Writer
Erin is an NYC-based writer with a BA in Journalism from Quinnipiac University and two masters in education. She currently freelances as a lifestyle, beauty, wellness, and trends reports writer. Beyond The Everygirl, Erin’s editorial work has been featured in publications like Allure, Byrdie, TeenVogue, BRIDES, SundayEdit, The Everymom, and TODAY, among others.