I loved watching these movies when I was a kid, and I can remember when they premiered and how amazing they were. If only Disney could make original movies like these again. Here's 17 of the best Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM) that literally gave me life:
1. "Halloweentown"
Seriously though, this is a DCOM classic. Every year when October arrived, you KNEW this was going to be at the top of the Halloween movie list (right beside "Hocus Pocus" of course).
2. "Smart House"
After watching "Smart House" as a kid, I always wanted one. I mean who doesn't want a wall that can play music videos?! Although, I'll have to admit she got a little creepy towards the end, but the thought is still cool, right?
3. "Cadet Kelly"
KELLY IS MY GURL. Even though Jennifer called her "maggot" throughout the entire movie, I ended up liking her, too. Especially at the end when they did their dance together.
4. "Johnny Tsunami"
There's nothing better than an underdog story, and if there ever was one for DCOM, it'd be "Johnny Tsunami." Who says you can't surf and snowboard?
5. "Zenon"
Zetus Lupetus! "Zenon" was such a good one, and the actress that played her, Kirsten Storms, was Disney Channel famous. She was in EVERYTHING. I mean, how can you not love good ole' Zenon and her friend Nebula Wade (Raven-Symoné)?
6. "The Thirteenth Year"
I was always afraid this would happen to me when I turned 13.
7. "Double Teamed"
There was nothing better than this dynamic duo, Heather and Heidi. The best part is that this movie is based on a true story, which makes the movie ten times better.
8. "Motorcrossed"
Do I even have to explain?
9. "The Luck of the Irish"
Disney ALWAYS had diverse, cultural movies that were just the best. "This Land is My Land, This Land is Your Land" always reminds me of this movie and its lesson of how our great and diverse cultures mix together.
10. "Pixel Perfect"
This one is seriously my ALL TIME favorite. Not only does the soundtrack of this movie reek of the early 2000's, which is awesome, its overall message is so deep. Sometimes, we get caught up in wanting to change a lot about ourselves, we want to be perfect, and instead of embracing who we are, we end up trying to change ourselves. It's okay to embrace the quirks that make us who we are. We are all different, and we shouldn't try and change who we are. Seriously, it's a great movie.
11. "You Wish"
I always loved this one. Its message is deep, too. Disney should seriously consider replaying these because they seriously are the best.
12. "High School Musical" (All of them)
"It's the start of something new..." But for real, after the first HSM in 2006, it really was the beginning of something big. Rumor has it that Disney will make a fourth one very, very soon.
13. "Get a Clue"
Get a clue! If there's a mystery, Lexi Gold (Lindsay Lohan) will be sure to find it.
14. "Full Court Miracle"
This is probably the most underrated DCOM of them all. It's SO good, but no one seems to know a whole lot about it. It has a great underdog story, and it's inspired by a true story, which again, makes the move ten times better.
15. "Gotta Kick It Up"
I loved the Hispanic heritage in this DCOM. My favorite part of the entire movie is obviously Yolanda Vargas' popping and locking dance moves!
16. "Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off"
This movie always made me hungry, and whatever that purple goo stuff was in this movie, it always looked super tasty. And even though the main character's name was Eddie, it always confused me because the guy that played Eddie's best friend on this movie also played another character named 'Eddie' on "That's So Raven."
17. "Camp Rock"
This one rocks (see what I did there?). I remember counting down the days for this one, and I still listen to its soundtrack. You want to talk about good music? Go listen to the "Camp Rock" soundtrack, ugh it is life.