Top 10 Best Disney Channel Movies of All Time

Top 10 Disney Channel Original Movies of All Time

For this list, we’ll be looking at the greatest and most memorable Disney Channel Original Movies ever made. Let the DCOM nostalgia begin!

#10: "Stuck in the Suburbs" (2004)

Brittany and Natasha, played by Disney Channel veterans Danielle Panabaker and Brenda Song, are bored of their suburban lives. So, when they accidentally come into possession of a pop star's phone, they take it as an opportunity to shake things up. They mess with Jordan Cahill’s life by changing up his image, which actually gives him the courage to confess his desire to write his own lyrics and be himself, instead of his fake pop star persona. A soundtrack was released alongside the movie – which was new for Disney Channel at the time – and due to its success, we can't help but understand why so many of its later films involve musical numbers.

#9: “The Luck of the Irish” (2001)

And we thought puberty was hard for us...When Kyle loses his family's treasured gold coin, his hair turns orange and his ears become pointy. He finds out he's descended from Leprechauns–in case the cringy Irish accent didn't give it away– and that without the coin, his relatives can no longer pass for ordinary humans. Even though Kyle just wants to play basketball and fit in at school, he has to embrace his heritage and awkward new look in order to protect his family. Of course, most DCOM movies are about identity and acceptance – because what teen can't relate to that? But this film in particular deals with the realistic issue of identity and ethnicity, something many young viewers can understand and appreciate.

#8: "Horse Sense" (1999)

Starring two of the three always-adorable Lawrence brothers, Michael and Tommy are cousins from two very different walks of life. Tommy lives on a ranch and works hard despite his young age, whereas Michael mooches off his parents wealth in L.A. After mistreating his little cousin during his last visit to the city, Michael is punished for his careless and selfish behavior, by being sent to work at his cousin’s ranch in Montana. Tommy initially seeks revenge, since he promised to “return the favor” after being neglected by his cousin, but as you would expect in a DCOM, there’s a happy ending. Michael comes to respect Tommy and farm life, while learning about the values of hard work and family along the way.

#7: "The Cheetah Girls" (2003)

If a movie about a group of teenage girls reaching for their dreams of musical stardom sounds like your cup of tea, then you're in for a treat. These four girls with some of the oddest names you've ever heard–Galleria, Chanel, Dorinda, and Aquanette– join up to compete in their performing arts school's talent show, but are also offered a deal with a record label. The movie wouldn't be interesting without some drama between the friends, so there’s plenty going on in each of their personal lives, causing some temporary falling-outs. But of course, the girls reunite and all is well, when they literally sing a dog out of a manhole. Never underestimate the power of the Cheetah Girls!

#6: "Gotta Kick It Up!" (2002)

Sí se puede! Here's another Disney Channel movie that addresses real social issues like cultural diversity. In this one, we have a group of Latina girls – including a young America Ferrera – finding themselves through dance when they convince their biology teacher to take over as the coach of their dance team. Like The Cheetah Girls, it conveys a strong message about self-confidence and empowerment to its viewers. Not only that, but since the female characters are also minorities, the message becomes all the more powerful. DCOM continues to create great movies, but we still can't help but miss the days when films for younger viewers had as much substance as this one.

#5: "Cadet Kelly" (2002)

Early 2000’s Hilary Duff makes everything better. There's just something endearing about her characters' peppy can-do attitude and tendency to fall down and run into things– especially in this classic film, where she's transferred to a military school after her mom marries a General. Undoubtedly, Hilary's character finds it hard to relate to her new stepfather and peers, but in time comes to develop an interest in the school's drill team. Watching her perfect the art of spinning and throwing guns around is fascinating, to say the least. And the dance off between Hilary and her on-screen enemy, played by Christy Carlson Romano, is clearly the best part. We could watch it again and again.

#4: "The Even Stevens Movie" (2003)

Whenever a TV show comes out with its own movie, you might be someone who thinks “ugh, just stick to television.” But if Disney Channel had been that close-minded, we never would have gotten the glory that is The Even Stevens Movie. The film follows the Stevens family as they vacation on a tropical island, unaware that they're actually taking part in a hidden camera reality show. Louis – played by Shia LaBeouf back when he was still a goofy pre-teen – gets into about as much trouble as you would expect him to, and obviously, hilarity ensues. Don’t worry, the family eventually realizes the vacation is a set up and gets back at the host of Family Fakeout.

#3: "Camp Rock" (2008)

*Sigh* 2008 was a simpler time: a time when Demi Lovato was just a fresh-faced Disney star and the Jonas Brothers were pop-rock perfection in skinny jeans. Camp Rock brought together a star-studded cast of current and future Disney stars in this movie about a music camp. A twist on the classic tale of Cinderella, Shane Gray, lead singer of Connect 3, searches to match a face to the voice of a girl he overheard singing one day. Despite the overwhelming amount of teen drama that inevitably goes hand in hand with a group of aspiring musicians at summer camp, the underlying message about staying true to yourself is an important one for viewers. Not to mention you'll be singing the songs in your head long after the movie ends.

#2: "Halloweentown" (1998)

If you don't squeal with excitement every October when this movie pops up on your TV and you hear the familiar opening music, you clearly don't know what you're missing. Halloweentown explores what the world would be like if there were another dimension hidden to mortals, where supernatural creatures lived together in a perpetual state of Halloween. Marnie and her siblings overhear from their grandmother one Halloween that they come from a long line of witches, so they follow her back to her dimension. This is a holiday movie that isn't at all scary; it's fun – and funny – throughout, and makes you wish that there was magic in the world for real.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

"Johnny Tsunami" (1999)

"Teen Beach Movie" (2013)

"Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century" (1999)

"Pixel Perfect" (2004)

"Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior" (2006)

"Phantom of the Megaplex" (2000)

#1: "High School Musical" (2006)

Did you expect anything else? There’s no denying the franchise's popularity, success, and enormous influence. In fact, a fourth film is currently in the works, with some of the original cast members set to return. But back to the original that started it all, where basketball star Troy Bolton and shy newcomer Gabriella Montez shake up the status quo by auditioning for their school’s musical. The songs are catchy, and the actors have great chemistry; not to mention the film’s sequel could have easily been a flop, but many agree it was even better than the first, holding the record for the highest-rated Disney Channel movie ever. Whether you're obsessed with Troy and Gabriella, share Sharpay's ambition, or admire Ryan's many hats, there's something in this classic for everyone.


Do you agree with our list? What's your go-to Disney Channel original movie? For more nostalgic top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.