This last June, Disney Channel aired their 100th Original Movie! In this set of articles, I have been writing about all of them. On Friday, October 7th, Disney Channel released their 101st movie. Although there will be more than 100 DCOMs, I will still write this series as if there were only 100. Just in case you haven’t read my other articles, here they are:
Introductory article: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/disney-channel-nostalgia-reminiscing-takes-time
Category list descriptions: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/how-much-do-each-of-the-100-disney-channel-original-movies-have-in-common
DCOM Number 1-10: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-first-10-are-always-the-easiest-to-get-through
DCOM Number 11-20: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/when-life-gives-you-100-disney-channel-original-movies-watch-10-more
DCOM Number 21-30: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-first-30-disney-channel-original-movies-down-70-more-to-go
DCOM Number 31-40: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/when-there-are-still-60-disney-channel-original-movies-left
DCOM Number 41-50: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/feels-good-to-be-through-half-of-the-100-disney-channel-original-movies
So far, I have gone through half of the Disney Channel Original Movies.
After the next 10 movies, this series will be nearing completion!
51. “Stuck in the Suburbs” (2004)
Music movie
Fiction
Brittany thinks her life to be quite boring in the suburbs. Then she befriends Natasha, the trendy new student. Superstar Jordan is in town filming a new music video. But when Brittany and Natasha get a hold of his phone, Jordan’s image becomes whatever the girls choose. Danielle Panabaker stars in her first DCOM, while this is Brenda Song’s second. Taran Killam plays Popstar Jordan Cahill. He would later be cast in “Saturday Night Live” from 2010-2016. I never realized until this summer that Drew Seeley was in this movie. I remember thinking that this movie was the coolest thing. It’s still a classic. Tell the truth to your friends. Don’t put on a face and be who you truly are
52. “Tiger Cruise” (2004)
Realistic fiction: September 11, 2001
When Maddie Dolan participates in the annual Operation Tiger military cruise aboard an aircraft carrier, she attempts to convince her father to come home from his life in the military. But when the events of 9/11 rocks the entire nation, Maddie realizes more than just her family rely on U.S. Navy Commander Gary Dolan. Well-known actress Hayden Panettiere stars as Maddie Dolan. Jansen Panettiere, Hayden’s brother, played Joey. Bill Pullman, who was also President Whitmore in “Independence Day”, plays Maddie’s father. This movie was fantastic. I was very moved. It was quite an emotional movie. Sometimes you have to let go of the ones you love so they can help others.
53. “Halloweentown High” (2004)
Not in the real world: creatures of Halloween in alternate dimension
Sequel to: 4. Halloweentown (1998)
33. Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001)
Sequel: 66. Return to Halloweentown (2006)
After Marnie Cromwell opened up the portal between the mortal world and Halloweentown, she believes it would be a good idea for the students of Halloweentown to experience school on earth. But when the students arrive, mysterious events from an unknown adversary show that they are not welcome. It is up to Marnie to show both Halloweentown and the mortal world that there can be peace. This is Kimberly J. Brown’s fourth and final DCOM appearance. Lucas Grabeel plays Ethan Dalloway in his first ever film. Fellow “High School Musical” star Oleysa Rulin plays Natalie the Pink Troll in her third DCOM appearance. This is a pretty good DCOM. I believe this is my favorite Halloweentown movie. Be proud of your differences. They are want make you beautiful.
54. “Now You See It…” (2005)
Not in the real world: magic, magicians
Ambitious teen producer Allyson Miller is in hopes of becoming part of a new reality TV show. She finds teenage magician Danny Sinclair who seems to have incredible abilities. Danny tells Allyson that he was always different and never fit in or had friends. Danny believes that he has real powers. Allyson seeks to protect Danny from those who would harm him. Can she figure out what is truly real and that which is absolutely false? “Phil of the Future” star Aly Michalka plays Allyson Miller. Actor Frank Langella plays antagonist Max. Fiddlelist Amanda Shaw appears in her second DCOM after “Stuck in the Suburbs.” This movie is definitely in my Top 25. I always enjoy watching it. Trust those who truly care about you. Others may wish only to exploit your abilities.
55. “Buffalo Dreams” (2005)
Fiction
Animals in it: buffalo
Second-nature sports: mountain biking
Josh Townsend moves to New Mexico for his dad’s job. He befriends Thomas Blackhorse, his sister Scout, and their friend Moon. They teach Josh the importance of preserving Navajo traditions and protecting the buffalo. But Josh must truly learn respect for the Navajo’s sacred land after he breaks their trust by trying to impress the disrespectful mountain bike squad. This is Reiley McClendon’s second and last DCOM. Actor Graham Greene also stars. Adrienne Bailon plays the radio host Domino. George Newbern appears as Josh’s dad. He is also the dad of Emily Osment’s character, Melissa Morris, in “Dadnapped.” This is also a very good DCOM. Be respectful of the things that are sacred to others. You may just learn to appreciate them.
56. “Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama” (2005)
Disney Channel Original Series: “Kim Possible” (2002-2007)
Animated Disney Channel Original Series: “Kim Possible” (2002-2007)
Disney Channel artist: Christy Carlson Romano
When Dr. Drakken attempts to take over the world, again, through the use of toys and advanced androids, Kim Possible must once again stop him. However, Kim meets Erik, the new guy in school, and immediately likes him, while Ron becomes the third wheel. Will Dr. Drakken and Shego finally fulfill a plan, or will Kim Possible use her really cool Wade-made new suit to defeat the villains? This is the first animated DCOM to be based off of an animated Disney Channel Original Series. It was also first supposed to serve as the finale for the series, but Disney decided to give the hit TV series a fourth season. The voice cast of “Kim Possible” returns for the third DCOM based off of a Disney Channel Original Series. “Phil of the Future” star Ricky Ullman joins the cast as Erik. Kim Possible will always have a special place in my love for Disney Channel. Be careful of the new people in your life. He or she may just be a robot created by your arch nemesis.
57. “Go Figure” (2005)
Sports: ice-skating, hockey
A Breaking of the Status Quo
Katelin Kingsford loves to ice skate, but in order to be trained by a famous skating coach, she must also participate in the girls’ hockey team to afford her new private school. Katelin must juggle the practices of two competitive sports, along with school. At one point, she wants to quit but decides to stick with it. She then puts everything she has into each area of her life. Katelin comes to find that she also really loves hockey. Brittany Curran plays mean girl Pamela; she would also play this type of character in “Legally Blondes.” Actress Tania Gunadi plays Mojo. U.S. figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi makes a cameo appearance. This is Jake Abel’s first credited role; he plays Spencer. “Go Figure” is a great movie, but I am still not quite so sure how the main character was able to handle school, hockey, and figure skating. Just ice-skating and school would be difficult to get through. Work hard and be proud of what you do. You won’t regret it.
58. “Life Is Ruff” (2005)
Animals: dogs
Fiction
Calvin Wheeler loves two things: scheming for cash and comic books. In order to buy a rare issue, Calvin adopts Tyco, a Labrador retriever, in order to enter into a dog show. But when stuck-up and jealous rich kid Preston Price hires people to pretend to be Tyco’s family, Calvin and his friends, Raymond Figg and Emily Watson, must save their lovable companion. This is Kyle Massey’s only DCOM appearance. This is both Mitchell Musso’s and Kay Panabaker’s first DCOM role. Kay’s sister, Danielle Panabaker, also starred in her first DCOM just a year prior, almost to the exact date. “Stuck in the Suburbs” was released on July 16, 2004, while “Life Is Ruff” premiered on July 15, 2005. I would say this is a pretty good DCOM. Don’t try to get through life by scamming and cheating; make it worth something. Those you care about will love you much more.
59. “The Proud Family Movie” (2005)
Disney Channel Original Series: “The Proud Family” (2001-2005)
Animated Disney Channel Original Series: “The Proud Family” (2001-2005)
The Proud Family receives an all-exclusive paid vacation to Legume Island, which is inhabited by talking peanut creatures. Penny is still mad because her over-protective father would not let her be a part of 15 Cent’s dance group. While on the island, Dr. Carver attempts to acquire a formula created by Oscar, but everything goes wrong when Oscar refuses. It is up to Penny and her friends to save Penny’s family and the world from Dr. Carver’s Super G-nomes. Within five months, Disney Channel aired two DCOMs based off of an animated Disney Channel Original Series, which were the third and fourth Disney Channel shows to get their own movie. Most of the voice cast in “The Proud Family” return. However, Comedian Arsenio Hall replaced Cedric the Entertainer as Bobby Proud. He also voiced Dr. Carver. This DCOM serves as the series finale to the popular Disney Channel show. After many years, it was good to see all of these characters. Listen to your dad but also show him that you are growing up.
60. “Twitches” (2005)
Not in the real world: magic, witches, magicians
Based on a book: “T*Witches” (2001-2004) by H. B. Gilmour and Randi Reisfeld
Sequel: 70. “Twitches Too” (2007)
When Alex Fielding and Camryn Barnes first meet, they realize that they are twins with magical powers. It also happens to be Halloween, which is their 21st birthday. The girls soon learn that they are from another dimension called Coventry. They were separated and taken to Earth in order to be saved from an evil power called the Darkness. They soon learn from Ileana and Karsh, the protectors of the twins, that their birth mother, Miranda, is still alive. But when the Darkness once again attempts to destroy Coventry, the sisters must overcome their differences and rely on each other to save the magical realm. “Twitches” is the 60th movie in the Disney Channel Original Movie line-up. It is also the last of seven DCOMs to be aired in 2005. Identical twins Tia and Tamera Mowry star as Alex and Camryn respectively. Patrick Fabian plays the deceitful Thantos in his first of three DCOM roles. He would also play the dad of Kayla Morgan in “Cloud 9.” I really love Tia and Tamera Mowry. Their sitcom “Sister, Sister” (1994-1999) was pretty funny. I also really liked this movie, which is their first DCOM. If you find your long-lost identical twin, stay together no matter what.
These last 10 movies had everything from Cute Popstars, good witches, and competitive figure skaters to important traditions and realistic events. Number 51-60 of the Disney Channel Original Movies will make a person smile, frown, laugh, and even cry. That just makes them some good movies.
