This October will mark the 20th anniversary of the millennial childhood staple that is Disney Channel Original Movies. As I weep into my laptop over how quickly time flew by, I thought I would take a trip down memory lane to rank the best originals that Disney had to offer.
Prepare for the ultimate nostalgia trip and start getting ready for the DCOM marathon this weekend that this list will surely inspire:
45. "Jumping Ship"
To be honest, I barely remember what this movie is about. All I cared about when I was younger was that it starred ALL THREE Lawrence brothers, and they're shirtless a lot. This movie is a sequel to the DCOM "Horse Sense," another one that I remember little about, but the sequel was much better because it added Matthew Lawrence, who everyone knows is the hot one.
44. "Brink!"
43. "Read It and Weep"
Loved the Panabaker sisters (Danielle was also in "Stuck in the Suburbs" and Kay was on "Phil of the Future"). They were so cute together, and the book that this was based on was great too.
42. "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior"
Brenda Song is amazing in everything she's in, period. Especially when she's a badass warrior literally saving the world.
41. "Motorcrossed"
Andi was so inspiring as an athlete who kills the game despite being told she's "just a girl." Plus she killed that haircut.
40. "The Other Me"
I honestly remember very little that happens in this movie other than this scene, but that's all you need to know, honestly.
39. "The Poof Point"
I feel bad for anyone who didn't realize how amazing Tia and Tamara's younger brother Tahj Mowry was. This movie was definitely one of the best things he did with Disney.38. "Tru Confessions"
Shia LaBeouf gets a lot of flack, but the guy is an awesome actor, and the proof is there even early on in his career.37. "You Wish!"'
Ah, the age-old dilemma of wishing that you weren't related to your younger brother, thus making him a child star. What a cast with this one -- Lalaine repping "Lizzie McGuire" and AJ Trauth and Spencer Breslin from "Even Stevens."36. "Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge"
Not as good as the first or third film of the series, but it was still a ton of fun to watch every October growing up. Plus we get these great awkward flirting scene35. "The Cheetah Girls 2"
I'm sure many of you will think this should be higher up on the list, but I'm not a huge fan of sequels and never thought this did the original justice. The music still was great, though, especially "Strut."
34. "Tiger Cruise"
33. "Johnny Tsunami"
Johnny gets points just for the awesome name (not his real name in the movie, but might as well be). The crazy snowboarding AND surfing scenes were pretty cool, too.32. "Camp Rock"
I'm going to be honest, I hated Joe and Kevin's hair in this movie so much that it made me ill to look at them, really taking away from the enjoyment of the movie. Luckily Demi, Nick, and the great music pulled me through.
31. "Right on Track"
Baby Brie Larson alert! This movie, based on a true story, was so inspiring and Larson and Beverly Mitchell were goals as badass drag racing sisters.29. "Halloweentown High"
The third in the series was so much better than the sequel, making every kid want to attend a haunted high school so bad. Also, Finn Wittrock of "American Horror Story" is the love interest!28. "Quints"
This was the first time Disney channel fans were introduced to Halloweentown's very own Kimberly J. Brown, and what better way than to meet her than through a movie that's really laying on the don't-get-pregnant-ever vibes to its likely pre teen audience via a teenage protagonist babysitting her five infant siblings.27. "Princess Protection Program"
OG Selena and Demi are the best Selena and Demi. Look at those smiles! Someone make them become best friends again!
26. "A Ring of Endless Light"
Baby Mischa Barton! Baby Jared Padalecki! And Disney Channel-frequenter Ryan Merriman! Plus adorable dolphins!!! What more could anyone ask for in a movie?25. "Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire"
24. "Cadet Kelly"
Everything Hilary Duff does is perfect. This movie was originally going to be up way higher on the list, though, until I rewatched the final competition scene. In my memory, Duff and Christy Carlson Romano kicked butt and delivered this amazing performance, but, well...watch for yourself... They still tried, though!
23. "Twas the Night"
Baby Bryan Cranston! Well, not a baby, but not Walter White or even Hal! Who knew we've been watching him our whole lives?!22. "Phantom of the Megaplex"
This was one of the most terrifying movies for me growing up and made me convinced that my local movie theater was haunted too.21. "Miracle in Lane 2"
Frankie Muniz made us cry in "My Dog Skip" and then he went and made us do it again. Muniz was seriously the most adorable child ever and made this sad yet inspiring story even more tear-jerking.20. "Pixel Perfect"
The music in this movie was seriously great, and Roscoe and Samantha were so cute together. Although looking back, the whole premise of the movie -- a hologram begins thinking for herself, ends up possessing a body, then dies but still hangs around as a ghost -- is kind of more like a ultra creepy version of "The Matrix" than a feel-good rom com for pre teens...but, yeah, the music was awesome!
19. "Stepsister from Planet Weird"
For some reason, this movie completely freaked me out when I was younger (like, they aliens are literally just bubbles?), but I was still obsessed with it. Who doesn't want a cool alien step-sister that you can fight other evil aliens with?18. "The Even Stevens Movie"
This show was a masterpiece and the movie was a great way to cap it off. I still feel for Ren not being able to pour syrup all over the jerk who broke up with her.17. "Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama"
Nothing matters other than Kim and Ron finally get together!!!!!!16. "Go Figure"
Katelin is seriously goals -- she masters hockey, a crazy difficult sport, just so she can follow her dreams and become a figure skater, another crazy difficult sport, AT THE SAME TIME SHE'S TRAINING FOR HOCKEY. And she was dealing with school work on top of all that! Plus, side note, check out this movie's soundtrack for some awesome early 2000s pop throwbacks.
15. "The Proud Family Movie"
I remember very little about what happened in this movie because the one scene above is all that my brain could possibly take in. Seriously. What. Is. Happening. Only the Proud Family gang could ever get away with something so hilariously insane.
14. "The Thirteenth Year"
I first watched this movie in elementary school and was then so totally convinced that I was going to turn into a mermaid on my 13th birthday too. Sadly, I did not, but I still had this gem to go back to.13. "The Ultimate Christmas Present"
This is the greatest Christmas movie that Disney ever did and potentially one of the greatest of all time. It seriously does not get enough credit. Snow days for everyone!12. "Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off"
So many cute boys in baseball uniforms for one movie! Plus, Bobby Freaking Flay is in this movie. I really don't need to present any more evidence.11. "Double Teamed"
This came out during the height of the Mary-Kate and Ashley craze, so any movie with twins was going to be a slam-dunk (I'm sorry, I know I'm the worst). Heather and Heidi Burge are strong, inspiring women and Disney did them justice.10. "Get a Clue"
9. "The Luck of the Irish"
Only Disney could make a movie about a kid turning into a leprechaun cool, proving that a DCOM can be made for literally any holiday ever.8. "Halloweentown"
7. "Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century"
Look me in the eyes and try to tell me that Zenon is not the coolest 13-year-old you have ever met. Those clothes! That technology! That bizarre yet cool music! We only have 32 years to go until we're truly living in the 21st century.6. "The Color of Friendship"
This movie made elementary-schooler me #woke for the first time in my life. It took place in the 1970s, but sadly I think everyone could use another watch.5. "Smart House"
I can only dream of being rich enough to live in such a cool freaking house. Katey Segal was fantastic and can terrorize me all she wants if I can throw a house party like the one above.
4. "Stuck in the Suburbs"
This movie does not get enough credit for being as absolutely amazing as it is. First of all, Danielle Panabaker and Brenda Strong are DCOM queens and should have starred in every single movie on this list. Secondly, Taran Killam is so talented and hilarious that it's unreal. Finally, this movie has the best music of any DCOM ever, save for the next three on the list...
3. "The Cheetah Girls"
As I write this, I know "Cheetah Sisters" will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day, so sorry for passing that along. But this ultimate tale of girl power should be mandatory watching for all young girls and mandatory listening for all people with ears. This movie only narrowly lost the #2 spot, but sadly it's not...
2. "High School Musical"
"High School Musical" will haunt us for the rest of our lives. Even 80 years from now, on our death beds, someone could mention "Wildcats" in passing and we will all be able to break into "We're All In This Together" in unison. Along with the countless other songs in this movie whose lyrics will never, ever leave my subconscious, this movie will forever be a classic.
1. "Gotta Kick It Up"
I understand that this may be a controversial choice for greatest DCOM of all time. It didn't get beaten to death in a never-ending franchise of sequels, albums, dolls, lunch boxes, and whatever else a kid could possibly blow their allowance on. It wasn't based off a beloved, popular sitcom already airing on the Disney Channel. It didn't have any well-known stars in it (at the time -- I see you, America Ferrara). I can't even tell you the names of the characters off the top of my head.
But I can tell you "Si se puede," the most inspiring phrase ever uttered. This movie is about finding yourself and believing in your dreams, no matter what difficulties life throws at you. That could be said for every other movie on this list, you say? Well, this one is just better! The music and dancing are awe-inspiring, the cast was perfect and relatable, and the acting was phenomenal. I loved this movie just as much now as I did when I was watching the premiere as a seven-year-old, if not even more. Si se puede!
Disagree with my rankings for the "Halloweentown" movies? Think my rating of "Camp Rock" over the Jonas Brothers' hairstyles is ridiculous? Just now realizing that I left "High School Musical 2" off the list and want to tell me how wrong I am? Let me know in the comments below!