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Disney Channel Original Movies , also know as " DCOMs , " were quite the furore in the flush earned run average ofDisney Channel , from the late ' 90s to the mid-2000s . WithDisney+featuring a plenty of the old classic in its roster , there are deal of lesser appreciated ( but not obscure ) single .
Original DCOMs are not ground on Disney shows or franchises that were already established . So films likeThe Even Stevens MovieorKim potential : So The Dramadon’t count as DCOMs , but underrated films likeCadet KellyandAvalon Highare .
Updated on August 17th , 2022 , by Lynn Gibbs : Disney Channel Original Movies were some of Disney ’s well work . These film often premiered on the Disney Channel before bump off ledge months later ( or nowadays , Disney+ ) . Some DCOMs resulted in multiple sequels and soundtrack , but multiple movie are underrated and not sing about well-nigh enough .
Avalon High (2010)
In 2010 , the Disney Channel released a come - of - age tale about Allie Pennington who is discombobulate through a eyelet when her young classmates are n’t who she cogitate . With her parents being old literature instructor who specialized in Medieval times , Allie take in that her young friends were reincarnation of Camelot .
The closer she became to her transmigrate friends , the more she was influence by the period . The movie starred Britt Robertson , Gregg Sulking , and Joey Pollari , and whileAvalon Highwasn’t the best Disney Channel Original Movie , a subsequence could have been made . Because of the storyline and the way the movie end , a subsequence could have been accomplished easy .
Stepsister From Planet Weird (2000)
Stepsister from Planet Weirdwas a fun moving picture for younger TV audience since it expand the thought process of realness . When teenager Megan found out that she and her brother were generate a stepdad and new half-sister , she did everything she could to make certain the marriage did n’t happen .
thing got stranger for Megan when she realized her fresh stepsister was n’t just weird , she was an outlander from another satellite . Because of their dissimilar youths , Megan and her stepsister became foe . As is the case with most Disney movies , thing work out in the remainder and Megan and her sis understand they had more in common than they think . Because of the fun plot line , this motion picture was an underrated one .
Up, Up, And Away! (2000)
Another underrated Disney movie from the other 2000s wasUp , Up , and Away!The fun part about his film was the whimsical storyline that showed what life was like for Scott Marshall .
Scott was bear into a family of superheroes who used their powers on the QT for the enceinte good . What made this film exciting was wondering if Scott was ever go to get his powers to join his family . With his fourteenth birthday on the sensible horizon , if no power come to him , he would be the odd world out . This pic is often leave about but the presence of category and wanting to fit in were relatable .
Cadet Kelly (2002)
Cadet Kellysees season Disney stars Hilary Duff and Christy Carlson Romero bottom heads with each other after Kelly , an artsy spare game daughter , end up in military schooling . Her cadet sea captain Stone immediately dislikes Kelly and her completely rebellious spirit , and besides , Kelly is n’t a fan of the uptight and insensate Stone .
But of course , the two eventually find more common ground with each other despite their competition . The film is decent enough for its target audience , and though it can get a number generic at times , the lead actress manage to carry it . It’sone of the best Disney Channel Original moviesbut does n’t get the credit it merit for a meaningful storyline .
Can Of Worms (1999)
Can of Wormsis not a structured picture or even thebest Disney Channel Movie from the ' 90s . The pic was the first DCOM to boast the ever - levy telecasting - PG paygrade ( as opposed to just " G " ) and that ’s sure as shooting due to the creepy - looking alien creatures .
There ’s a lot of zany stuff going on in this movie , but the gist of it is that a boy thinks he ’s an alien and does n’t feel like he fits in . Then , genuine aliens seem and hijinks ensue . The motion picture is n’t great , but in the personal manner of " so forged , it ’s good , " which is why it ’s underrated . It also helps to have Malcolm McDowell ( Alex fromA Clockwork Orange ) as a talking foreign domestic dog .
Don’t Look Under The Bed (1999)
As the 2d DCOM to get that spooky PG paygrade , Don’t attend Under The Bedwas a photographic film that endeavor to infuse a few more repulsion factor for a very young hearing . At time , it succeeds in that , managing to implement some crafty virtual effects , such as artistry slice or originative set design .
The film concerns a young woman start high school a year early ( due to her gamy intelligence agency ) and follow across an imaginary friend who take the Boogeyman is out to get her . The two have a combative partnership and decide to get to the bottom of what ’s materialize with thisimaginary Disney villain . The movie ’s revelation of the mystery is pretty decent , though a bit lacking in its carrying out . Nevertheless , the film is deserving a vigil to see something divagate away from the common DCOM formula .
The Luck Of The Irish (2001)
There are so many films that have harness Irish civilisation or mythos in some way , but there ’s nothing as freaky asThe Luck of the Irish . For those conversant withHalloweentown , the premise is queerly conversant . But rather than have a family keep their secret enchantress heritage secret , the moving picture deals with a boy detect out about his secret leprechaun heritage .
It ’s a entirely wacky premise , but it has its moments , and oddly enough , some pretty impressive gist for a television receiver film made in 2001 — make it underestimate . It ’s one of thoseforgotten Disney Channel Original moviesthat deserve a rewatch . It also has the incentive of Timothy Omundson ( well known forPsychandGalavant ) in its cast .
Descendants (2015)
Descendantsis a quasi - cheat entry on this listing , as it is technically based on established characters . That being said , the premiss is unique , and the account is original . The plot concerns the kids of several prominent - name Disney baddie going to school and being give a chance to exist out their lives while their nefarious parents are in prison house . However , the child settle to wear out of their parents by slip the Fairy Godmother ’s wand .
The pic swear heavy on nostalgia baiting and big names , but it ’s moderately challenging and there was an endeavour being pour in . It was decently pop and pull off to pull together a few sequels . While many Millennials and Generation Z - ers are likely more conversant with the other debut on this tilt , Descendantswas much more recent . devotee who felt the movie should have been tot to Disney+ got their indirect request because it can now be pullulate there .
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
Johnny Tsunamideals with the tale of Johnny Kapahaala , a young surfer and grandson of a Hawaiian surfriding fable . Johnny ends up actuate to Vermont because of his rigorous daddy ’s line of work and has to adjust his skills in browse to the snow .
Naturally , it top to snowboard . The film is a typical Pisces - out - of - water story , but it is imbrue so heavily in the DCOM formula to the point that it ’s charming . It ’s a goofy DCOM , but fansstill make love it today .
Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century (1999)
Zenon : Girl of the 21st Centuryis a little cheesy , and was originally envisioned as a pilot light for a Disney Channel TV show . It did n’t make it , but the movie did do decently enough and garnered two sequels ( nickname " Zequels " ) .
The story follows a girl live on in 2049 ( an era that is suspiciously warm of ' 90s tropes ) , and her life on a quad station , who come down to visit Earth . Zenonis about as corny and silly as DCOMs get , but that does n’t mean it ’s a bad prison term . Nowadays , ' 90s viewers have a good clip rewatchingZenonto see what themovie get right about the future .
High School Musical 2 (2007)
High School Musicalhas attention thrown its way of life systematically . It was the big DCOM that garnered enough attention to seal itself as a sort of papa - ethnical icon , contribute the world with Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens . It even managed to get a theatrically released " threequel , " but what about its sequel ? Oddly enough , High School melodious 2is arguably the better film and certainly overlooked . The moving picture follows the events of the late cinema , taking billet during summer holiday at a country social club .
It had a vainglorious budget increase and it is shot well . The original pic does feel like a made - for - goggle box melodic , almost like a play . Zac Efron ’s song were even better than in the original motion picture , ca-ca it one of the Disney Channel ’s in force musical comedy .
Smart House (1999)
Smart Househas attain a bit of traction in recent geezerhood , and for good reason . It star Katey Sagal ( best known for her role inSons of AnarchyandFuturama ) as an A.I. computerized house that helps out a family in their habitation , who lost their mother some while back . The A.I. , be intimate as " Pat , " pulls a HAL 9000 and gets pretty ability - hungry , becoming an imperious and check presence .
The picture show has some truly heartwarming moments and is n’t groundbreaking in its approach to portraying A.I. in media , but still has some interesting ideas to it . It manages to compact a lot in just 82 minutes , and the movie ’s genuine moments combine nicely with the unintentionally goofy ones , make for a highly entertaining ride .
The Color Of Friendship (2000)
The Color Of Friendshipis a jolly mature DCOM . Written and directed by Black talent in an overwhelmingly White manufacture , the film tackles racial unfairness in both the United States and South Africa , dealing with systematic racism in both countries . It take home in the seventies and showcases the friendship of two unseasoned girls in a foreign exchange political program who are unaware of the culture and account of racialism in each country .
The film treats its young consultation maturely , without getting too aggressive about the scope and scourge of such frightful topic . It also throws in some big - name real - life figure like Ron Dellums and Steve Biko , and the shock of their work . It ’s always refreshing to see a naturalistic Disney film manage to handle these topic well for a young audience and to help cast off in some existent history .
NEXT:10 Most Realistic Disney Channel Original Movies , Ranked
