Disney Channel Original Movies, DCOMs, are widely known across all age groups for their nostalgic and eye-captivating themes. Personally, DCOMs are some of my favorite movies since they have decently good soundtracks, a slight hint of cringe, and lots of young-teen humor. The main aspect of DCOMs that sets them apart from other movies is their reliability. The Disney Channel brand is catered towards younger audiences; you can turn on one of these movies and not worry about having young children hear something they are not supposed to. Although these movies are catered towards children, adults and teens alike can find nostalgia and great humor, which creates connecting points for families, friends, and general acquaintances. For this upcoming ranking, I will be focusing on the DCOMs from 2000s and 2010s that were just one step ahead of the rest, either through soundtrack, script, or overall character likeability.
Descendants 1, 2, and 3
If there were any movie to describe the 2010s Disney Channel era, it would be Descendants. I only included the first three movies since the fourth movie does not have the original cast. It has a hooking plot, which is enticing for both young children and adults. For a Disney movie, there is unbelievable character growth as well. Mal, the main character who just so happens to be Maleficent’s daughter, is wicked at the beginning and doesn’t care for anyone besides herself. By the end of the movie, however, she is not only thinking of her peer’s feelings, but also trying to understand them. Additionally, there are important lessons to learn throughout the movie. For instance, the theme of “family does not define who you are” is very prevalent with Mal’s character. Because of the many lessons learned and the overall entertainment value, Descendants has to be number one on this list.
Teen Beach Movie
Teen Beach Movie is the definition of a Disney hidden gem. The soundtrack is one of the best in Disney Channel history, which is saying a lot since Disney movies are known for their music. The soundtrack includes songs such as “Falling for Ya,” “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’,” and “Meant to Be.” The basic plot points are pretty predictable and a bit cringy, so that is the main reason why this movie is not higher up on the list. However, the likeable characters, the emphasis on surfing, and the summer vibes are what separates Teen Beach Movie from the others.
Camp Rock
Camp Rock is what comes to many people’s minds when thinking about 2000s Disney Channel. This selection follows Mitchie Torres, played by Demi Lovato, navigating her first year at Camp Rock, the camp known for its astonishing music program. Mitchie meets people along the way, such as her love interest Shane Gray, her best friend Caitlyn Geller, and the antagonist Tess Tyler. As this is a movie about a musical camp, the soundtrack is off the charts with numbers such as “Who Will I Be,” “Too Cool,” and “This is Me.” This movie is not rated any higher due to the movie’s try-hard attempt of getting audiences to like Mitchie.
Zombies
Zombies is a movie with very strong underlying themes. The story follows Addison played by Meg Donnelly and Zed played by Milo Manheim. Zed is a zombie and Addison is a human, but in their small town, Seabrook, there is a separation of zombies from humans due to fear. Addison and Zed fall in love, however, and are tested by their town’s morals. This movie has amazing character development and plot twists. It also touches on difficult topics such as belonging, which puts it a step ahead since many people, including children, struggle with their self-identity.
High School Musical
High School Musical is by far the most popular movie on this list; it is not number one because of how overplayed and overpopular the movie is. Chances are that if you have heard of DCOMs, your mind will eventually go to High School Musical. The plot is satisfactory with the only issue being that this story has been told time and time again. The characters and witty script are what brings this movie onto the list. Sharpay carries this entire movie with her theatrical appearances and dramatic lines.
