Top 20 Best Disney Channel Movies of All Time

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.

#19: “The Thirteenth Year” (1999)

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Top 10 Best Disney Channel Movies of All Time

Like all adolescent boys, Cody's body starts going through some interesting changes, but he probably wasn't expecting to grow scales and a talefin. Cody was one of the best swimmers on the team, he had a pretty girlfriend, and he had a charmed home life. He had a perfect life until he found out a big secret about himself: he’s adopted. Just kidding. Well, he was adopted, but the big secret is that he’s a freaking mermaid...er, merman. This classic Disney movie is a fun twist on the classic mermaid tale, pun intended. We go along on Cody’s journey as he develops and adapts into his merman form. This movie is funny, exciting, and full of folklore. It’s almost like a superhero origin story.

#18: “Let It Shine” (2012)

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Disney Channel has become famous for its numerous music-themed movies, but this one is a stand out. It steps away from the usual formula, not only by showcasing rap music instead of pop music, but also the story is also unique. Cyrus dreams of being a rapper, and with his drive and optimistic storytelling through songs, he just might have what it takes - even in spite of his disapproving father. But when his best friend, Kris, inadvertently takes his lyrics and goes after the girl of his dreams, Cyrus sees the life he wants slipping away. Cyrus must reclaim his voice, make things right with his friends,wow the world - and his father - with his positive and uplifting lyrics.

#17: “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior” (2006)

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Wendy's privileged life is turned upside down when she finds out she is actually the reincarnation of a Chinese warrior and is destined to fight against evil. That’s because Wendy is more concerned with fighting Jessica Dawson for Homecoming Queen and shopping at the mall. But as she trains in martial arts and learns more about her ancestry, she grows to appreciate her destiny. This one is like a cool combination of a modern action movie and an old school Kung Fu flick. The effects might be a bit cheesy, but the fight scenes are still really kickass.

#16: “Tru Confessions” (2002)

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Disney Channel movies are usually very lighthearted, but this one goes way deep. Tru Walker is an aspiring TV personality and enters a video contest with hopes of getting her own TV show. The subject of her project: her autistic brother, Eddie. Through the lens of Tru’s documentary we see her explore the highs and lows of her brother’s condition. She captures the negative views some people will have towards him, and also the wonderful things that bring their family closer together. This one is a serious tearjerker that’s a bit unexpected from Disney Channel. Also, we get to see a young Shia Labeouf, yes - the - Louis Stevens, in a serious role.

Yet another of Disney Channel’s music movies - sort of. This one is kind of a music, sci-fi combo. Sam’s band, the Zetta Bytes, is trying to make it big, but the members are told they don’t have the it factor to get there. So, Sam’s best friend, Roscoe, creates a virtual frontwoman with the name of Loretta Modern. Although the music sets up the premise for the whole movie, it is not necessarily the main story arc. This film also delves into the philosophy of reality and consciousness. As Loretta questions her purpose as an artificial holographic intelligence, she questions what it means to be real. This movie is asking the real questions. Oh, and the songs are actually awesome too.

From the golden age of Disney Channel, this movie is about Andy Brinker and his friends, also known as soul-skaters. They aspire to win a big contest against a huge sponsored team, also known as their high school bullies. The rivalry is really fun to watch: the pranks are hysterical, the skating stunts are really exciting, and the story is genuinely compelling. Brink has to make some serious decisions about the type of person he wants to be when his family is in need of money, and he starts skating for the sponsored team to earn money. He loses himself, betrays his friends, and forgets why he even started skating in the first place. But he eventually realizes the error of his ways and makes things right.

This one is a totally underrated Disney Channel classic. The Carson family is all about motocross racing - as long as Andrew is the one behind the handlebars. But when he gets hurt before a big competition, Andrea steps up and volunteers to take his place. The Carson kids all think this is a great idea, but their overbearing father makes it clear that motocross is ‘no girls allowed’ and goes off in search of another rider. Andrea does not take this lying down though and disguises herself as her brother in order to compete. She even talks her mom into supporting her with her passion and determination to race. This film tears down gender stereotypes as Andy shows everyone what girl power really means.

#12: “Halloweentown” (1998)

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If you don't squeal with excitement when this movie pops up on your TV every October 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.

The songs aren't as good as some other DCOMs, but the story is interesting and the antics are fun. Like many DCOMs, it is about two people from different worlds coming together and finding common ground. But this one also shines a light on the struggles of being a celebrity. Don’t worry, the movie doesn’t ring the poor little rich kid bell too hard. Jessica calls out Christopher on his privileged behavior every chance she gets. But the movie also expresses the hardships that come with fame, fortune and dealing with the terror of constantly being in the spotlight. The premise is a bit outstanding, but the growing relationship between Christopher and Jessica feels genuine even as they keep finding new ways of getting themselves into trouble.

#10: “The Even Stevens Movie” (2003)

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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.

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.

#8: “Lemonade Mouth” (2011)

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This one is a little bit of The Breakfast Club, a little bit of High School Musical. Five strangers meet in detention and become a band. They are first brought together by the music, but eventually forge an unbreakable bond when they realize that they are giving a voice to the disenfranchised in a school that glorifies sports and pretty much ignores everything else. The songs are so fun and entertaining you’ll wish that you were there in-person at their big concert at the Madison Square Garden. But this film is about more than just a band trying to make it big. Lemonade Mouth stands up for the little guy and takes on their corrupt school principal with the power of their music.

This futuristic movie is unforgettable. It introduced us to new stellar dialogue, Raven before she was Raven, and, of course, the out of this world artist, Prota Zoa. Zenon is a popular girl on her space station, but has to readjust when she is figuratively and literally grounded. After her parents send her down to Earth as a punishment for her rebellious behavior, she has to learn to make friends from different walks of life - all this while trying to get back to her space station and save it from an evil plot. This film is a fun, high stakes, space adventure.

#6: “Camp Rock” (2008)

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*Sigh* 2008 was a simpler 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.

#5: “Descendants” (2015)

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This one has become a bit bittersweet considering the untimely passing of Cameron Boyce. But his performance throughout this franchise as Carlos, the son of Cruella De Ville, still lives on. This movie puts a twist on Disney’s own classic fairy tales by telling a new story from the point of view of the descendants of the villains. Carlos and his friends Mal, Maleficent’s daughter, Evie, Evil Queen’s daughter, and Jay, Jafar’s son, are destined to grow up just like their parents. But they discover that they can choose their own destiny. The story is very interesting and the singing and dancing are pretty spectacular.

Early 2000s’ 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.

#3: “The Cheetah Girls” (2003)

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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!

#2: “The Color of Friendship” (2000)

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As much as we love Disney Channel movies, they can be a bit formulaic. This is one of the few that breaks the mold. Piper and Mahree become unlikely friends when Mahree, a white South African during the time of Apartheid, joins Piper, a Black American and her family in the US for a student exchange program. Mahree and Piper teach each other about their different worlds and learn lessons about tolerance and acceptance during the troubling time. It’s kind of out of character for Disney Channel to focus a story so heavily on race relations, as it usually plays things more safely. But this film dives in unafraid, and tackles the issue of racism in a way that is still very relevant today. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Twitches” (2005) Separated-at-Birth Twins Who Discover They’re Witches That Must Vanquish the Darkness Upon Turning Legal “Smart House” (1999) Featuring a House with ‘Maternal’ Qualities “Read It and Weep” (2006) When a High School Student’s Private Thoughts Accidentally Go Public “Geek Charming” (2011) A Look at High School Popularity Through the Eyes of a Diva & a Film Geek “Johnny Tsunami” (1999) From Hawaii to Vermont: A Young Surfer Learns to Adapt to the Snow & the Mountains When Their Family Is Forced to Move

#1: “High School Musical” (2006)

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Did you expect anything else? There’s no denying the franchise's popularity, success, and enormous influence. In fact, a mockumentary TV show called “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” set at the same school that the first flick was filmed made its debut in 2019 on Disney+. Speaking of the original that started it all though: this was when basketball star Troy Bolton and shy newcomer Gabriella Montez shook 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.