From
the late 90s to the 2000s, my brother and I tailored our Friday night schedules
to catch the latest Disney Channel Original Movie, or DCOM for the more hip
youths of the world. Although Disney Channel still releases new DCOMs, the
television movies of the 2010s do not compare to my childhood favorites. If
you’re ever in a nostalgic mood, pop a VHS cassette into your trusty VCR and
revisit these 6 Disney Channel classics.
Zenon:
Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
Zenon Kar is a teenage girl who lives
on a space station in 2049. When she gets into trouble, her parents exile her
to Earth to live with her Aunt Judy. Initially, Zenon has trouble fitting in because
of her spandex-y clothes and stellar slang like Zetus lupetus. Eventually, she
makes friends and, with their help, saves the space station from crashing.
Afterwards, everyone enjoys Protozoa in concert as he sings, “Zoom Zoom Zoom.
Make my heart go boom boom, my supernova girl.” Talk about a DCOM major!
The
Color of Friendship (2000)
This heartwarming movie stands out as
arguably the first DCOM to deal with the reality of racial inequality. The film
focuses on the growing friendship between two girls in 1977, Piper, a black
teen from Washington, DC, and Mahree, a wealthy white teen from apartheid South
Africa. Although initially standoff-ish, Mahree eventually grows close with
Piper and her family, realizing the inherent equality in everyone.
Right
on Track (2003)
This television movie is based on the
true story of Courtney and Erica Enders, two sisters who join the traditionally
male dominated sport of junior drag racing. Towards the end of their teen
years, the Enders sisters come out on top to win the NHRA Junior Dragster
national title. They continue to race throughout high school and college, and
still do so today. If you’re looking for an inspirational story or miss seeing 7th Heaven’s Beverly Mitchell
on the small screen, Right on Track
is the DCOM for you.
The
Cheetah Girls (2003)
In
Disney’s first television musical film, the Cheetah Girls, a teen girl quartet,
try to win their school’s talent show. During the talent show auditions, a
record label producer discovers the signing foursome, which leads to a series
of obstacles for the girls on their road to becoming worldwide superstars. Not
only is the movie filled with cheetah-licious fashion and friendship, but it
also closes with the chart-topping hit “Cheetah Sisters.” What more can a girl
ask for?
High
School Musical (2006)
High School
Musical
tells the story of two high school juniors from rival cliques, Troy Bolton, the
basketball team captain, and Gabriella Montez, a math and science genius. Together,
they try out and land the lead roles in their high school musical. Despite
other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer
pressure and rivalry, inspiring others to do the same, in catchy musical numbers
no less! Not to mention, the film introduced us to Zac Efron, so it will
forever be in my heart.
Camp
Rock (2008)
To
attend a prestigious summer rock camp, teen girl Mitchie has to work in the
kitchen as a cook. When she’s overheard singing, teen pop star Shane Gray falls
head over heals and sets out to find the girl with the beautiful voice. Forever
a jobros fan, my younger self was dancing and singing along to this DCOM gem.
My older self still belts out “This is real, this is me” in the shower, so Camp
Rock, along with these other DCOMs, is a film for all ages.
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