As of this last June, 100 Disney Channel Original Movies have aired! In this series, I have been going through each of the DCOMs. If you have not read my other articles, here are the links:
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
So far, I have reviewed 40 of the 100 Disney Channel Original Movies.
After these next 10, I will be halfway done!
41. “The Scream Team” (2002)
Not in the real world: ghosts
When Ian and Claire’s grandfather passes away, Ian believes that his spirit is trying to send him a message. The siblings soon find that ghosts are real. They must utilize the help of three ghosts that cannot yet cross over to the other side in order to save their grandfather whose spirit the looming Zachariah Kull has taken captive. Ian and Claire must then seek out the truth behind the legend of this haunting ghost. Before she was the superstar that she now is, Kat Dennings played the sister, Claire. “Monty Python” actor Eric Idle also makes an appearance as the ghost Coffin Ed. Kathy Najimy plays the ghost Mariah; later she would be The Evil Queen in the 98th DCOM, “Descendants.” When I first watched “The Scream Team,” I was younger and got kind of freaked out. But I really do enjoy this movie. Sometimes the truth is shadowed by the more interesting legend. It means you just have to be more creative in how you find the truth.
42. “You Wish!” (2003)
Not in the real world: coin grants one wish
Based on a book: “If I Had One Wish” (1991) by Jackie French Koller
Alex Lansing loves his little brother, but sometimes Stevie is just too annoying to handle. When Alex’s friend, Larry, gives him a gold coin that can supposedly grant one wish, Alex wishes that he didn’t have a little brother. The next morning, Alex finds that he has a completely different life, and Stevie has turned into a spoiled kid-actor named Terrence Russell McCormack. At school, Alex finds that he is the football quarterback and the most popular guy, but he soon learns that he does not want this new life. “Even Stevens” actor A.J. Trauth plays Alex Lansing. Spencer Breslin stars in his second DCOM as the little brother. “Lizzie McGuire” actress Lalaine plays Abby Ramirez, Alex’s best friend. This was a pretty good movie. I was just glad that the little brother did not disappear altogether. Be careful what you wish for. Your wish may give you what you wanted, but it may leave you with a life you absolutely despise.
43. “Right on Track” (2003)
Sports: drag racing
Based on a true story: sisters Erica (born 1983) and Courtney Enders (born 1986), drag racing, first women to win
A Breaking of the Status Quo
Based on the real life stories of Erica and Courtney Enders, this DCOM looks at the sisters’ junior drag racing careers. The movie mostly focuses on Erica and her drive to get recognized in what was once considered a man’s sport. She must navigate the areas of racing, school, volleyball, and of course guys. Courtney is shown to love the sport no matter what her competitors and critics have to say about a girl participating in drag racing. She is even able to teach her older a sister a thing or two. “7th Heaven” actress Beverley Mitchell plays Erica Enders, now Erica Enders-Stevens. What many would never guess is that “Right on Track” was one of Brie Larson’s first movies. This Oscar-winning actress played the younger sister, Courtney Enders. I absolutely loved this movie. It has to be in my Top 30. When those say you can’t or shouldn’t, prove them wrong and just do it.
44. “The Even Stevens Movie” (2003)
Fiction
Disney Channel Original Series: “Even Stevens” (2000-2003)
Disney Channel artist: Christy Carlson Romano
When the Stevens family “wins” an all-paid luxury vacation to a “recently” charted island, they arrive and are immediately treated as kings and queens. But soon, all goes wrong. Louis, of course, messes up everything. Things only get worse thereafter. In all actuality, the Stevens unknowingly were selected to be on “Family Fakeout,” a reality TV show where all aspects of their stay on the island was a set up. Can the Stevens family stick together till the very end? This movie serves as the series finale to the Disney Channel Original Series “Even Stevens.” It is also the second Disney Channel show to get its own movie. Dave Coulier makes his second DCOM appearance as Miles McDermott’s rival. For most of the original cast in “Even Stevens,” this would be their final Disney Channel role. This is a classic DCOM that I truly enjoy. No matter what happens, stick together as a family. That is the most important thing.
45. “Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off” (2003)
Fiction
Second-nature sports: baseball
A Breaking of the Status Quo
When Eddie Ogden finds a love in cooking, he secretly signs up for a junior cook-off competition. Eddie refuses to tell his friends and dad because he doesn’t want to disappoint them. Eddie’s dad is more concerned about baseball than listening to what his son truly wants. When the Million Dollar Cook-Off and the baseball finals are on the same day, Eddie must choose either his passion or making his dad proud. Orlando Brown plays Frankie, one of Eddie’s best friends. He would later play Eddie in “That’s So Raven.” Mark L. Taylor plays Eddie’s dad. This actor would later be the apprehensive Mr. Fulton in “High School Musical 2.” Honestly, this is one of my favorite Disney Channel Original Movies! When I first watched the movie, it made me want to take Home Economics, food classes, and become a chef. (I am not pursuing that profession anymore, though.) It is also another DCOM that challenged gender roles, which I think is pretty cool. Guys and girls are not limited to certain professions or jobs; they can be whatever they want. Whether a guy wants to be a nurse instead of a doctor or a girl wants to be the CEO instead of the secretary, it doesn’t matter. They should be able to do those professions without being harassed about their life choices.
46. “The Cheetah Girls” (2003)
Musical
Based on a book: “The Cheetah Girls” (1999-2006) by Deborah Gregory
Sequels: 65. The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006)
73. The Cheetah Girls: One World (2008)
One of Disney Channel’s most popular movies, “The Cheetah Girls” follows the life of four cheetahlicious teenage girls living in Manhattan. Galleria, Chanel, Dorinda, and Aquanette are all in of a four-part singing group called The Cheetah Girls who want to make it to the big time stage in music. They audition to sing in their school’s music competition and are heard by a music producer. He promises all of their dreams to come true, but it gets to their heads. They must find each other again or collapse from their once strong friendship. This is Raven-Symoné’s second DCOM appearance. It is the first DCOM that Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan, and Kiely Williams co-star. The first time I watched “The Cheetah Girls” was when I was like ten or twelve. I can’t fully remember. It is a pretty good movie. Stick together as friends. That is the best way to find the success the group has been dreaming and working so hard for.
47. “Full-Court Miracle” (2003)
Sports: basketball
Based on a true story: Lamont Carr, basketball, University of Virginia
The struggling boy’s basketball team at Philadelphia Hebrew Academy find a coach in Lamont Carr, who they learn was once a college basketball star. The main character Alex Schlotsky believes him to be the team’s own Judah Macabee, a leader and warrior of the Jewish people. At first, Lamont is very hard on the boys, but as the team starts to improve, they begin to teach their coach the potential of a life outside a professional basketball career. In the end, they all learn to have a little faith. This is Alex D. Linz’s second and last role in a DCOM. In her first of two DCOM appearances, Sheila McCarthy plays the ever-spying Mrs. Klein. This movie makes it into my Top 35, so it is very good. Discipline and coaching from one unexpected person can lead to an awesome victory.
48. “Pixel Perfect” (2004)
Could this really happen?: boy uses projections to make a pop star through artificial intelligence
Music movie
In order to help his friend Samantha and her band, Roscoe uses his father’s holographic technology to create a projection of his ideal singer/dancer who he names Loretta Modern. With Loretta’s impeccable skills, Sam’s band is given major attention, but all of it goes toward the artificial intelligence of a holographic image. Roscoe starts to get confused by his feelings toward the perfect projection he created and his relationships in the real world. Later, Loretta wonders why she cannot understand her incapacity to feel. This DCOM deals with the theme of what it means to be human. Five months after the release of “Pixel Perfect,” Ricky Ullman would make his first appearance as Phil Diffy in the Disney Channel Original Series “Phil of the Future.” It was a very interesting movie. Let’s just leave it at that. Makes a person think of artificial intelligence and its capacity of being/acting human. One cannot have a true relationship with a projection of the ideal human. People are part of the real world. They are what make life the genuine and blessed thing it truly is.
49. “Going to the Mat” (2004)
Sports: wrestling
A Breaking of the Status Quo
In his fourth and final Disney Channel Original Movie appearance, Andrew Lawrence stars as Jason “Jace” Newfield. Jace and his family moved to Utah from New York City. He loves playing the drums along with participating in sports. There is only one catch. Jace is blind, but he is not the only one in his new high school. His band teacher can relate. Mary Beth Rice, the wrestling coach’s daughter, volunteered to help Jace with his schoolwork. She later tells him to quit being a jerk then people would like him more. In order to fit in, Jace tries out for the school wrestling team with his friend “Fly.” They find that they both have to overcome some obstacles in order to find their own victory. Khleo Thomas starred as Zero in the Disney movie “Holes.” About a year later, he would play Jace’s best friend Fly. Billy Aaron Brown plays the head jock. Previously to this role, he was in three Mary-Kate and Ashley movies. This was another DCOM that I enjoyed quite a bit. Being different is okay, but you don’t have to make fun of yourself in order for people to like you.
50. “Zenon: Z3” (2004)
Could this really happen?: space stations in the future, race to the moon, moon goddess
Based on a book: “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century” (1996) by Marilyn Sadler and Roger Bollen
Sequel to: 5. Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
25. Zenon: The Zequel (2001)
Kirsten Storms stars in her last Zenon movie. This time, Zenon and her friends enter into the Galactic Teen Supreme contest. She, Marjie Hammond, Nebula’s cousin—Maleah—and other competitors race to the moon as the first part of the competition. But there are protests against the colonization of the moon by a guy named Sage Borealis. Proto Zoa is back, but he is not as popular as he once was. In the last movie, Commander Plank and Aunt Judy got married. Now, they have taken in a foster child named Dasha who absolutely adores Zenon. During the race to the moon, Zenon finds that Dasha has run away from home because she believes that she is not wanted. Later, Zenon starts having visions of the moon goddess Selena. It is up to Zenon to save everyone from the goddess’ fury against the disturbers of her perfect moon. Raven-Symoné is back as Nebula Wade. Ben Easter plays the protestor Sage Borealis. Ben also is in some Mary-Kate and Ashley productions. Sadly, Phillip Rhys does not return as the super amazing Rock Star Proto Zoa. Honestly, the first time I watched this movie, it was not my most favorite thing in the world. But the second time I watched it, I liked this DCOM much more. No matter how cool, the next big idea will not always be the right path to follow.
From ghosts, drag racing, cooking, and artificial intelligence to the first DCOM musical, these 10 movies showcase a variety of ideas. Half of the Disney Channel Original Movies down. Now, only 50 more to go!
