It’s one of those days where you just scroll through your television channels to see what could ease the boredom you feel after everything’s been said and done. Flip, flip, flip. Nope nothing that catches my fancy. But then one of the kids comes in and ‘poof’ the channel magically switches to the Disney Channel. Usually, I would have them retreat to another room of the house to watch one of their shows, but they weren’t showing their usual shows. No, we were able to sit back, snack and watch one of those famous Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM), which was called “Zapped” by the way.
For over 30 years Disney has produced extremely amazing movies, the early times being created as Disney Channel Premiere Films or Premears. Around 1997, Disney went forward and began posting their newest films under Disney Channel Original Movies, which by the way have become simply fantastic since then. Of course, you can’t go wrong with plenty of old-fashioned Disney films like “Heidi”, “The Parent Trap” trilogy, “Escape to Witch Mountain”, “Susie Q”, “The Paper Brigade” and a lot more!
But even with the good being seen in such old-school Disney, many of the DCOMs that have come out in the past 15 years or so hit an all-time high of greatness, at least to me and some children I had the pleasure of talking with. Of course I asked the easy question, “What would you say is your favorite Disney Channel Original Movies?” However, many came up with saying things like “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Mulan”, etc. Sure they’re all great movies, but what about these fun, live-action movies like the recently seen “Descendants”? That’s when the brains started buzzing and I was able to get fun answers from my kids and their friends with a big nod of agreement from myself.
Honestly, there’s nothing like being able to sit down when a new movie premieres. It means family time and more time with the kids. Especially when we all have a love for Disney. Sometimes though, we’ll find ourselves solo watching them as well. It’s fact that not everybody will find themselves enamored with the newest movie thrill from Disney. It’ll happen with kids sometime when you put in one of your old VHS tapes and they’re like, “Uh, what’s this supposed to be? Looks interesting.” Unfortunately for me, my explanations about old films result in it going from “Looks interesting” to “Ugh, never mind. I’m gonna play outside.” Do you hear the sound of a heart breaking? Yeah, that’s mine.
Though I may have an old-fashioned, old school mind even when it comes to Disney, around the time the millennium hit and I was a teenager, the movies Disney began making, premiering on the Disney Channel, was one of my happy days to look forward to. Sure, some say the movies are suited for children’s viewing, but what nobody seems to understand is that everybody, child and adult alike have a passion for Disney movies that will never tire. And mine grew even more with Disney’s awesome-packed original movies for the past 15 or so years! Trust me when I say I calculated all my favorite movies from being top of my list to number 1,000! (Okay, that number’s way overboard, but you get the point right?)
So, what are the top ten Disney Channel Original Movies have been the best out of 15+ years? Just continue reading to find out:
“Twitches” (2005) – How thrilled would you be if you found you had a twin sibling with matching witchy powers? That’s basically the storyline in this DCOM where these two sisters, played by Tia and Tamara Mowry, find one another on their 21st birthday, reveal their magic powers and head on a journey to save their birth home from something called the “Darkness”. A great movie to watch around fall, perhaps even Halloween.
“Brink!” (1998) – Skaters are bound to love this DCOM! A group of young skaters, referring to themselves as Soul-Skaters, clash with a professional group of bladers causing a bit of chaos to unfold when Brink is forced to choose between helping his family financially and being true to himself and friends as a Soul Skater- skating for fun, not money. Basically, this movie can teach you a real good deal about the value of friendship, one of the reasons I love it!
“Lemonade Mouth” (2011) – Anybody who hasn’t seen Lemonade Mouth, I feel for you! This movie tells the story of how a band called “Lemonade Mouth” was created, from beginning to when all five teens were locked away in detention in the music room to their gig at the dance to a new music hall sponsored by their favorite lemonade manufacturer! I’m not a big fan of lemonade the drink, but give me Lemonade Mouth music any day!
“Halloweentown” (1998) – This four part movie set has bewitched many from its first premiere in 1998. Following the tale of a girl named Marney and her two younger siblings, Dylan and Sophie, they work together to find out the secret of their grandmother who they find is a witch living in an alternate world known as Halloweentown. Meet many ghosts, skeletons, witches, warlocks, goblins, etc. It’s definitely the perfect Halloween fun to watch! My family looks forward to them all every year.
“Avalon High” (2010) – A modern day film retelling (sort of) the story about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. A couple students are set to work together on a paper only to come across a prophecy speaking about King Arthur’s return. Many events take place in the modern era almost just as in the past. With this movie, I’ve learned a new thing or two about King Arthur’s history and a new take on the legend. History definitely repeats itself when necessary.
“Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior” (2006) – A popular teenager finds herself in the midst of a furious battle that has waged on for centuries. A young monk teaches her the ways of those who came before her and bring her legacy to life. I’ve always been a sucker for those old kung-fu movies and this one gave a fun take on a modern version. Good defeating evil, it’s always a good day.
“Under Wraps” (1997) – After the passing of an old neighbor, a boy and his friends venture inside the house his mother is set to sell and find several strange antiques in the basement. Inside they find a sarcophagus with a mummy. Another trip to the house finds the mummy brought to life and a whole comedic, fun adventure begins. Honestly, this movie is good for around fall or Halloween and makes my family and I laugh every time.
“The Color Of Friendship” (2000) – In a time during the years of the apartheid in the 70s, a young girl raised in Africa joins a program to study in the U.S.. A colored family is set to meet their temporary family member only to find out she was….white. Thought to be a misunderstanding, the two different girls learn to live with one another, face the problems that come with living in a segregated community and find the color of the friendship they share. To me this movie was an eye opener sharing the story of a past I was never born in, but wish to learn more about.
“Cadet Kelly” (2002) – “Sir, yes, sir!” Meet Kelly, a bubbly, bouncy middle school student whose mother recently remarried the new head of a cadet academy. This extreme girly-girl is pulled in to the academy with a slim possibility of ever being her unique self. She clashes with the cadet captain on several occasions, but soon learns the meaning behind the uniform and amazingly rocks it as her old self during an academy competition. Not really much for military movies, but seriously, you gotta love this take on cadets!
“Camp Rock” (2008) – School’s out for summer and it’s time to rock! Camp Rock, that is! Mickie is able to partake in a summer of fun thanks to her mother who was hired to work the kitchen at the famous camp. She keeps her identity and family secret from everybody, even from the camp owner’s nephew, a famous singer. Things happen and she is unable to lie any longer. Basically, I get from these movies is that you need to be true to yourself “This is real, this is me.” Definitely a good motto. Plus, you get some awesome, new tunes to dance to.
So, what about you? What are you top favorite Disney movies? I bet at least one of them is on this list!
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