Do you remember how excited you used to get every weeknight at 8pm when the “I’m _____, and you’re watching Disney Channel,” commercial played? I’d have to beg my mom to be able to watch the whole movie, because it usually finished around 10 and my bedtime was at 9. When you saw the screen go blue and teenagers started doing jumps out of the film roll, you automatically knew that this was prefacing a Disney Channel original movie. So now, here I am, attesting to the fact that yes, I am 20 years old, and Disney Channel movies are still some of my favorites.
1. "Halloweentown"
With fall upon us and Halloween right around the corner, my first movie shout out has to go to the "Halloweentown" series. I am shamelessly confessing that a perfect October night consists of chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate, and watching Marnie make her way to the top!
2. "Cowbelles"
Next on the coveted list is "Cowbelles". Do you remember your heart beating so fast when the towel caught on fire? Or what about crushing on the cute farmer boy that fell in love with Courtney Callum?
3. "Life-size"
This movie goes down in history. Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan were such a cohesive pair. And let’s not forget that ending scene when they sing “Shine bright, shine far.” Ugh, the feels.
4. "Cadet Kelly"
We all know that Hillary Duff was the queen of Disney Channel back in the day. I know she’s usually associated with Lizzie Mcguire, but Kelly’s persona in this movie is just as good. I remember actually feeling proud of Kelly after she completely changed her attitude about military school by the end of the movie.
5. "Cheetah Girls"
Confession time: you know there have been several road trips where you listen to the Cheetah Girls soundtrack with your friends and sing it at the top of your lungs. You’ve also considered being the Cheetah girls for Halloween because they’re that monumental.
6. Zenon
After watching this movie, you a. wanted to go to space b. wanted their cool outfits and c. wanted to eat lunch in that futuristic lunchroom that made your school lunchroom seem even lamer than it already was.
7. "Holes"
I wish I could pinpoint what it is about this movie that makes it such a classic. Whether it’s the legends throughout the whole movie, or the fact that you start resonating with the characters, there’s something special about this one.
8. "Luck of the Irish"
Oldie but goodie! Lets not forget when Kyle Johnson finds out he has a 200 year old grandpa, or when he finds out that he’s half a leprechaun due to this magic coin that has been stolen by the evil leprechaun. Casual.
9. "The Even Stevens Movie"
One of Disney’s most loved families, the Stevens! This crazy family was everything but ordinary, which is one of the reasons why they kept us laughing the whole time.
10. "Pixel Perfect"
Never forgotten! Not only was it an entertaining movie, it also touched the subject on inner beauty, rather than just the outer beauty.
11. "Stuck in the Suburbs"
We’re yall just as in love with Jordan Cahill as I was? He made living in the suburbs look dreamy—not to mention he was musically talented.
12. Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
It’s obvious that Brenda Song was a power house when it came to Disney movies. Wendy Wu showed us that being a badass could be done in style; that fight scene at the end was quite impressive.
13. High School Musical
Last, but certainly not least, HSM. These characters made it on binders and school supplies, ya’ll. That’s when you know its monumental.