100 Disney Channel Original Movies have aired as of this last June! In this series, I have been taking a look at all of them. If you have not yet checked out my other articles, here are some quick links to them:
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
As you can see, I have gotten through 30 of the 100 DCOMs.
Now, here are the next 10: Number 31-40!
31. “Jumping Ship” (2001)
Fiction
Sequel to: “Horse Sense” (1999)
Michael and his cousin Tommy developed a much stronger relationship by the end of the last movie, so now they go on a real vacation to Australia. While on a fishing charter, pirates pursue the boat in order to hold the wealthier cousin for ransom. Michael and Tommy must rely on their guide, Jake Hunter, to survive the uninhabited island they land on in order to escape the pirates. Michael must still learn some humility, though. Brothers Joey, Matthew, and Andrew Lawrence star in this DCOM. Since most of this movie took place in the jungle, there were some snakes, which I did not really appreciate. Otherwise, I did enjoy this movie. Be careful about flaunting your cash; someone might just try to hold you for ransom. It is best to swallow your pride and rely on those who are there to help you.
32. “The Poof Point” (2001)
Could this really happen?: parents become younger through science experiment for time travel
Based on a book: “The Poof Point” (1992) by Ellen Weiss and Mel Friedman
Siblings Eddie and Marie Ballard are constantly annoyed and embarrassed by their parents’ obsession with science. The lab is in the basement of their house, and experiments constantly shake the neighborhood. But when a test for time travel goes very wrong, Norton and Marigold start unaging until they reach, what is called, “the poof point” where they will cease to exist. Eddie and Marie will have to use their wits and smarts to save their parents. Tahj Mowry plays the brother. Less than a year later, he would voice tech-genius Wade in Disney Channel’s “Kim Possible.” It was pretty funny to see adults acting as college students, hormonal teenagers, and then toddlers. Be grateful for your parents even if they are kind of over the top in their profession.
33. “Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge” (2001)
Not in the real world: creatures of Halloween in alternate dimension
Sequel to: 33. “Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge” (2001)
Sequels: 53. “Halloweentown High” (2004)
66. “Return to Halloweentown” (2006)
Marnie returns in this sequel to the fourth DCOM. On Halloween night, she and her grandmother Aggie travel to Halloweentown. But once there, they find that all of the creatures have been turned into humans in a black-and-white version of Halloweentown. Marnie must find a way to save the creatures along with all those back in the mortal world from the son of an old enemy. I really enjoyed this movie. When watching DVDs of other Disney movies, I can still remember clips of this DCOM pop up in the trailers. Be cautious of the new people that come into your life, especially if it is on Halloween night. Sometimes even the simplest of thoughts is the solution all along.
34. “‘Twas the Night” (2002)
Not in the real world: Santa Claus
When Santa comes to Danny’s house on Christmas Eve, his troublesome uncle, Nick, decides to tie up the guy. They use Santa’s freezing time and shrinking gadget to “accomplish” his “job.” All this time, two other guys, Bill and Harry, are tracking down Nick because he stole their money. Once Danny’s siblings—Kaitlin and Peter—untie Santa, the three also attempt to track down the two troublemakers. The second of three DCOM Christmas movies, “‘Twas the Night” was really cute. There were some really funny parts, like Santa driving down a dark alleyway and becoming BFFs with a bunch of gangsters. Sometimes, you can’t always look up to your relatives, but you can teach them how to be good for Santa.
35. “Double Teamed” (2002)
Sports: basketball
Based on true story: Heather and Heidi Burge (born 1971), professional basketball players
Heather and Heidi Burge love sports. In order to get noticed by college scouts, their dad transfers them to a bigger school. Everyone takes notice of them right away because of the twins’ height. Heidi starts playing basketball, while Heidi joins the school play, but her dad makes her quit the play and join basketball. The sisters are an immediate sensation, but they have to learn to rely on each other and their team to be triumphant. In real life, both sisters would join the WNBA, Heidi for the Los Angeles Sparks and Heather for the Sacramento Monarchs. The actor who plays the coach, Joey Miyashima, also was the principal in “High School Musical.” I really did enjoy this movie. It definitely makes my Top 30. It’s a good thing to work together with your twin. You can make a great team and help lead everyone to victory.
36. “Cadet Kelly” (2002)
Fiction
When Kelly’s mom marries the Commandant of the George Washington Military Academy, she has to leave her carefree life in New York to the authoritative demands of military school. At first, Kelly attempts to push back on the rules and inadvertently finds a rival in Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone. Through many obstacles and infractions, Kelly is sentenced to shine the drill team’s uniforms. Soon after, she finds that she can tolerate the military, even with the strict policies. Hilary Duff stars in her first and only DCOM alongside fellow Disney Channel actress Christy Carlson Romano. The Commandant, played by Gary Cole, voices Kim Possible dad in the Original Disney Channel show. X-Men’s very own Bobby Drake/Iceman, played by Shawn Ashore, also makes an appearance as the charming Cadet Major Brad Rigby. I really do love this DCOM. It is a classic, and Disney Channel premiered this movie on my fifth birthday! The army will probably not let you stand out as a free-spirited butterfly, but you can always succeed when many think you will fail.
37. “Tru Confessions” (2002)
Realistic fiction: autism, oxygen deprivation at birth
Based on a book: “Tru Confessions” (1997) by Janet Tashjian
In this touching and realistic DCOM, Trudy “Tru” Walker films a documentary about her twin brother who has autism. She shows the highs and lows that her brother and family go through each day. Tru loves her brother, but sometimes she gets very annoyed with the way he acts. Her mother and father both have a different approach in handling Eddie’s autistic behavior. Tru becomes very defensive of her brother when others try to take advantage of him. Overall, Disney Channel puts forth an amazing movie. Both Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf make an outstanding performance in their second DCOM appearance. I absolutely loved, loved, loved this movie. I believe this is one of Disney Channel’s best Original Movies. I am pretty sure I cried at some point. We need to love all of those who are different, for our differences make us who we are. And that is a very good thing.
38. “Get a Clue” (2002)
Fiction
Lexy Gold loves getting the scoop on other people’s private lives. She writes about two of her teachers: Mr. Walker and Ms. Dawson. The day after Lexy’s article lands in a New York newspaper, Mr. Walker goes missing. It is up to Lexy and her friends—Jen, Jack, and Gabe—to solve the mystery of their teacher’s disappearance. Complete with a secret love affair, stolen diamonds, and a phony detective, “Get a Clue” is a Disney Channel Original Movie classic. This is Lindsay Lohan’s only DCOM appearance, while this is Brenda Song’s second. Ian Gomez, from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” plays the missing Mr. Walker, while Amanda Plummer, the same actress as Wiress in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, plays Ms. Dawson. Charles Shaughnessy is the antagonist for the second time in the DCOM line-up. When I was younger, I remember watching the scene where everyone is looking cool in their sleek black trench coats. It is quite an entertaining movie. Don’t automatically think the worst of people. You just may be surprised in finding out with who they truly are.
39. “Gotta Kick It Up!” (2002)
Sports: dance team
Based on a true story
When the new teacher, Heather Bartlett, is asked to coach the school’s dance team, the girls know they could be one of the best at competition. But their coach must face her own insecurities in order to truly challenge the girls in their dance routine. They must also learn discipline and respect in order to succeed. In turn, they grow as a team and as individuals. Well-known actress, America Ferrera, plays Yolanda “Yoli” Vargas. I kept thinking the Principal looked very familiar. Then, I found that the actor Miguel Sandoval plays the soccer coach in “Air Bud 3: World Pup.” This was a movie that I also really enjoyed. Be respectful of those in authority but make sure you show them all that you can do.
40. “A Ring of Endless Light” (2002)
Could this really happen?: girl can communicate with dolphins
Animals: dolphins
Based on a book: “A Ring of Endless Light” (1980) by Madeleine L’Engle
Vicky Austin is an intelligent and bright girl who loves to write. She and her two younger siblings—Suzy and Rob—visit their Grandfather over the summer. Vicky meets Adam, an intern at the local dolphin research center. She volunteers to help Adam with his research project. Amazingly, Vicky finds that she can communicate telepathically with the dolphins. An amazing movie based on the novel of the same name. Disney Channel’s 40th Original Movie comes with its very own love triangle, baby dolphin, and sad ending. Mischa Barton, Marissa Cooper from “The O.C.,” plays Vicky. Ryan Merriman makes his third and final DCOM appearance as Adam Eddington. And “Supernatural’s” very own Jared Padalecki plays Zachary Gray, the troubled young man vying for Vicky’s affections. This was another DCOM that I really, really loved. Without a doubt, it makes my Top 25. Appreciate every moment you have with your loved ones. You never know how much time you will have left with them. And sometimes, you may just learn, without knowing why, how to communicate with those you would never think possible.
Modern-day pirates, unaging parents, military school, missing teachers, and a love triangle have all been a part of these 10 DCOMs. A couple of them even make it into my personal favorites list. Next time, we will be half of the way done!
