Disney has always been regarded as one of the finest storytellers, able to weave diverse and thrilling worlds filled with interesting characters that tug on the heart strings. The majority of those films have been theatrical productions animation and live-action alike. From princess that started it all Snow White, to the recent live-action adaptation of the classic Jungle Book. The range of Disney’s movies is both expansive and impressive.

But, as fans of the house of mouse know well, not every film that Disney makes graces the big screen. There is also a large collection of films that were made on an OVA format (or if you prefer direct to home release). But the one leg of Disney’s movie sector you rarely hear a lot about is the DCOMs.

DCOMs, better known as Disney Channel Original Movies. have been produced since the late nineties. The very first one being Northern Lights that made its debut on August 23rd of 1997. Since then Disney Channel has been producing countless new films to add to the catalog. Generally the films are either a completely original work of fiction or an adaption of a novel. Yet there have been a few DCOMs that have gone along with ongoing series on the network (Kim Possible, Proud Family, Even Stevens, ect.).

I remember so well just how excited and anticipated it was when a new Disney Channel Original Movie was coming. Not only because ads ran regularly, but also the hype I heard from classmates and the articles in Disney Adventure Magazine (I seriously cannot be the only one that remembers that! I know, showing my age.). It was always looked forward to, and furthermore always recorded on a VHS. And growing-up in the heights of it leads back to quite a few memories.

Even now, years later there is still that excitement. Granted things are far different than nearly two decades ago, more so now with social media outlets. Just look at how massive Descendants became on Twitter when it aired. And now with the mind-blowing one-hundredth film, Adventures in Babysitting, coming up before too long fans are excited.
In celebration of reaching such a land-mark the cast of Adventures in Babysitting are hosting a four-day marathon of DCOMS on Memorial Day weekend.

Here is the current schedule, credit to NickandMore. Take it with a slight grain of salt as things can change, and check your DVRs.

Friday, May 27

10:00AM Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama
11:20AM Read It and Weep
12:55PM Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
2:40PM Jump In!
4:15PM Lemonade Mouth
6:15PM Zapped
8:00PM High School Musical 2
9:55PM The Cheetah Girls 2
11:45PM Zenon the Zequel
1:25AM Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge
2:55AM Twitches Too
4:25AM Alley Cats Strike!

Saturday, May 28

6:25AM You Wish!
8:05AM The Proud Family Movie
9:50AM Quints
11:25AM Horse Sense
1:10PM Cow Belles
2:50PM Twitches
4:30PM The Even Stevens Movie
6:15PM Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie
8:00PM Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
9:50PM Princess Protection Program
11:30PM The Cheetah Girls: One World
1:05AM Zenon: Z3
2:40AM Halloweentown High
4:20AM The Thirteenth Year

Sunday, May 29

6:00AM Right On Track
7:45AM Full-Court Miracle
9:35AM Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off
11:20AM Brink!
1:10PM Double Teamed
2:55PM Rip Girls
4:35PM Motocrossed
6:20PM Cloud 9
8:00PM Teen Beach 2
9:55PM Bad Hair Day
11:40PM How to Build a Better Boy
1:20AM Pixel Perfect
2:55AM The Other Me
4:30AM Genius

Monday, May 30

10:00AM Stuck in the Suburbs
11:30AM Halloweentown
1:05PM Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century
2:55PM Smart House
4:25PM High School Musical
6:15PM Camp Rock
8:00PM Descendants
10:05PM Teen Beach Movie
11:55PM Cadet Kelly
1:50AM The Cheetah Girls
3:35AM Johnny Tsunami

It really does leave me slightly dumbfound to think that DCOMs have come so far, more so when I realize just how many I have seen more times than I can even keep track of.

Last year we got a strong string of returns, and this year looks as if we are going to be celebrating days and stories prolonged. It is so great to see more obscure titles being aired. It gives me some hope that we might get to see some of the older Disney Channel series get the same chance to shine once more.

Join the conversation: Cliché as it is, what is your favorite DCOM?