While some were underwhelmed by the lineup of content coming to Disney+ for its launch on November 12, those who grew up on the Disney Channel had a different reaction. Along with Disney’s backlog of movies, Disney+ will include pretty much all of the Disney Channel Original Movies. Yes, Millennials, Christmas comes early this year.
Now no childhood in the ’90s or ’00s was complete without counting down to the premiere of a Disney Channel Original Movie, rewatching old favorites, and comparing them with friends. It’s a tradition that’s continued with hits like Descendants and its sequels. So dig out your butterfly hair clips and baggy jeans, here are the 10 Best Disney Channel Original Movies Coming to Disney+!
Cadet Kelly (2002)
Artistic Kelly Collins (Hilary Duff) struggles to adapt to the military school life, her new stepfather, and rival Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone (Christy Carlson Romano). When she joins the drill team, Kelly must learn to work with Jennifer and balance old relationships with new ones.
Cadet Kelly gave us Lizzie McGuire-era Hilary Duff, early ’00s fashion, an awkward dance battle, and that empowering “One Girl Revolution” song by Superchick. It is definitely of its era, but Cadet Kelly should be a fun blast from the past.
Motocrossed (2001)
Andrea’s (Alana Austin) father forbids her from riding, but after her twin brother Andrew gets hurt, she pretends to be him at a competition to save the family’s chance to earn a sponsorship. Along the way, she falls for competitor Dean, who believes Andrea’s act and thinks she’s a guy.
Motocrossed was Disney Channel’s version of She’s the Man but with dirt bikes. Also, Andi managed to hold her own in an extreme sport yet still be girly. It was refreshing, relatable, and unfortunately all too rare.
Smart House (1999)
Ben Cooper (Ryan Merriman) enters a contest to win a Smart House for his family after his mother’s death. When he wins the house known as PAT, his father begins dating its creator, Sara. Ben, still grieving his mother, reprograms PAT to be more maternal to eliminate the need for Sara; but PAT quickly gets out of control.
This tech in this house was awesome back in 1999; however, now with today’s technology and home automation systems, this scenario seems more like an actual possibility! Fun Fact: Smart House was directed by LeVar Burton from Roots and Reading Rainbow.
Double Teamed (2002)
Twins Heather and Heidi Burge are forced to attend Palos Verdes High School for a chance at a volleyball scholarship, but they both end up on the basketball team due to their height and their father’s ambitions. Both girls compete against each other and their rich rival, Nicky, all while pretending to be as wealthy as their classmates.
Double Teamed was set in the ’80s before it was cool and explored themes like competition, pressure, and the relationships between sisters and fathers and daughters.
The Color of Friendship (2000)
When an African-American girl from Washington, D.C. hosts a white foreign exchange student from apartheid South Africa, the girls must work through their differences and become friends in the 1970s.
This flick tackled themes like racism, discrimination, and friendship with grace and understanding. While still relevant today, The Color of Friendship is also just a great watch with fun ’70s music and fashion!
Brink! (1998)
Andy “Brink” Brinker and his friends, the Soul Skaters, skate for fun, but when he accepts a corporate sponsorship to help his family financially, his friends feel betrayed.
Team Pup n’ Suds. Baggy pants. Erik von Detten. Today I’m gonna talk, or today I’m gonna skate! This flick is a ’90s time capsule well worth a revisit.
Luck of the Irish (2001)
When lucky basketball star Kyle Johnson (Ryan Merriman, again!) loses his family’s lucky coin investigating his heritage, he discovers he and his family are leprechauns! Kyle must team up with his estranged leprechaun grandfather to get their luck back and return the family to normal.
While a totally weird concept with some strange moments, Luck of the Irish is surprisingly fun with an equally great message about your past, present, and making your own luck.
High School Musical (2006)
Basketball star Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) has a connection with a new student and brainiac Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens). Both want to sing together in the school play, but their respective high school cliques prefer they stick to the status quo.
What team? Wildcats! High School Musical is Romeo & Juliet and Grease, but with basketball and high school theater. Everyone knows it, everyone loves it (they’re lying if they say otherwise), and “Get’cha Head in the Game” is culture.
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
Johnny Tsunami (Brandon Baker) loves spending time with his legendary surfer grandfather in Hawaii; however, when he’s forced to move to Vermont, he takes up snowboard as it’s almost like surfing. Problems ensue when Johnny ends up in the middle of the battle between the private school skiers and public school snowboarders.
Johnny’s struggles fitting in and dealing with his dad were relatable. Also, this movie gave us Lee Thompson Young, that awesome snowboard shop guy, and didn’t everyone want Johnny’s grandpa to be their grandpa?
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
Fearless Zenon Kar (Kirsten Storms) grew up on a space station; but after getting in trouble, her parents ground her on Earth where she struggles to fit in. When Zenon learns a computer virus is set to destroy her beloved space station and everyone aboard, she teams up with new friends and her favorite band to get home and save the day.
Zetus Lapetus! Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century was iconic. She was confident, cool, and had the best expressions and taste in music. Doesn’t every millennial know the lyrics to “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom?”
