- 7 weeks ago
Relive your childhood with a trip down memory lane! We're celebrating the most iconic ensembles from the Disney Channel Original Movie era that instantly transport you back to simpler times. From musical phenomenon to supernatural adventures, these performers created unforgettable characters that defined a generation of viewers. Get ready to feel all the feels as we revisit the faces that made DCOMs legendary.
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00:00When I was singing with you, I just felt like a girl.
00:04You even looked like one, too.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most iconic casts from throwback Disney Channel original movies that are sure to bring back memories.
00:15Your cat is the first time traveler in history.
00:19We did it!
00:22Number 10. Xenon, Girl of the 21st Century
00:25Based on a children's picture book, this science fiction film is set in the year 2049.
00:32What if your tether broke while you were out there? What if we got bombarded by a sudden meteor shower?
00:36I can handle myself. I'm 13.
00:39Then you better start acting like it.
00:41Kirsten Storms, who you may have also seen in another Disney Channel original movie, Johnny Tsunami, plays the title character who moves from a space station to Earth.
00:51We're grounding you.
00:52I understand that.
00:53No, see, I mean, we're really grounding you.
01:01What?
01:02Also starring in Xenon, Girl of the 21st Century is one of the most iconic Disney Channel actresses, Raven, who would go on to star in That's So Raven, which debuted four years after this 1999 film.
01:15Xenon, Girl of the 21st Century was followed by the first ever sequel to a Disney Channel original movie in 2001, though Raven was not in that one.
01:24Margie, this isn't some stupid, silly field trip.
01:27I came down here to try and stop your dad from slicing up my home like salami.
01:32She was back for the third film, though.
01:34Number 9. Smart House
01:36Ryan Merriman, who you may also know from the 2001 Disney Channel original movie, The Luck of the Irish, plays a teenage technological whiz in Smart House.
01:57Kevin Kilner plays his widowed father, whose love interest is played by Jessica Steen.
02:03May I be excused, please?
02:04Oh, wait.
02:05Don't you want to stick around for fresh-baked peach cobbler?
02:07No, thanks.
02:08Ben, I asked Sarah to make it specifically because I know how much you love it.
02:12No, I love mom's peach cobbler.
02:14There's a huge difference.
02:15And then there's the famous Katie Seagal, who plays the computerized smart house that Steen's character created.
02:21Seagal's character is called Pat, short for Personalized Applied Technology, as in AI.
02:27Merriman's character, still mourning his mother's death, programs Pat to be more than just a virtual assistant.
02:33She becomes a maternal figure.
02:35Don't come back.
02:37Oh, and Ryan, if you ever feel like coming after my Ben again, know this.
02:44He may end up at the doctor, but it's you who's gonna get a house call.
02:48With AI's prevalence nowadays, it's interesting to reflect on how these actors portrayed the idea of a futuristic home
02:55and whether a computer can replace a human in certain ways.
02:58Number 8. Jump In
03:00Anybody can jump some rope.
03:02Hey, shoot.
03:03My little sister's free.
03:04If it's so easy, you do it.
03:08Come on with the come on.
03:10For those who have seen this movie, it's probably the first and perhaps only film about jump roping that comes to mind.
03:16So that's part of why we feel so nostalgic for it.
03:19But it also has to do with the memorable performances that Corbin Blue and Kiki Palmer put in as Izzy and Mary, respectively.
03:26Did you know that Blue's father in the movie is his actual father?
03:30Is this the reason your mind's not been in the ring?
03:33Talk to me, Izzy.
03:36Why didn't you tell me about this?
03:39Because.
03:39You want to elaborate on that?
03:42Because you wouldn't have heard me unless I was talking about boxing.
03:44Also in Jump In is Shanika Knowles, who was a recurring cast member in Disney Channel's Hannah Montana.
03:50She plays Mary's best friend and a member of their competitive double-dutch team.
03:55We would definitely get it if you want to jump back in for a rewatch of this Disney Channel original movie.
04:00I'm so proud of you.
04:04And I know your mom would be too.
04:07I just want to be your champion.
04:10You are.
04:127.
04:13The Even Stevens Movie
04:14Lewis, how could you total our house?
04:17It totaled itself, I swear that's what happened!
04:20Yeah, congratulations, Lewis.
04:21You did it again.
04:21Everything that's nice and decent, you just end up ruining it!
04:23This, of course, is based on the Y2K Disney Channel series Even Stevens, which aired from 2000 to 2003.
04:31The movie served as the finale.
04:33All the actors who portrayed members of the Stevens family in the series resumed their roles.
04:38Shia LaBeouf, Christy Carlson Romano, Nick Spano, Tom Virtue, and Donna Pescal.
04:43Can somebody put a stop to the madness, please?
04:46Well, I guess it's unanimous.
04:48We're going to Mandolino.
04:50Yes!
04:51Excellent.
04:53Well, we better start packing.
04:54We don't want to forget anything.
04:55Especially me.
04:56Others, like Stephen Anthony Lawrence, Margot Harshman, and A.J. Trouth did the same.
05:01In the film, the Stevens family goes on an all-expenses vacation.
05:06But surprise, surprise, things don't quite go so swimmingly.
05:10Something wrong?
05:11Okay, we're tired, we're hungry, and we just got attacked by a killer squirrel!
05:17Not only was this the last we saw of the Stevens family,
05:20but it's one of the earliest instances of a Disney Channel original series ending with a movie.
05:25Number 6.
05:27Wizards of Waverly Place, The Movie
05:28I'm Alex.
05:30I'm your little sister.
05:31I taunt you and I tease you and I make your life miserable, but you love me anyway.
05:38You're everything that I've ever wanted to be.
05:40The series was a hit.
05:42In the middle of it, between seasons 2 and 3, there was a film that aired on Disney Channel as well.
05:47No dating, no parties, no magic.
05:50Mom!
05:50Add another word, I've had it.
05:52Now put that stuff away.
05:59I hate you!
06:01I wish you and dad had never even met!
06:03Wizards of Waverly Place, The Movie, attracted 11.4 million viewers at its premiere.
06:09All the familiar faces from many kids' favorite Disney Channel series appeared in the movie,
06:14including obviously your favorite 2000s Disney Channel Teenage Witch, played by Selena Gomez,
06:19her siblings, played by David Henry and Jake T. Austin,
06:23as well as their parents, played by Maria Canals Barrera and David DeLuise.
06:27Did dad just call me dude?
06:34Dibs!
06:35Why are mom and dad acting like they don't know each other?
06:38A theme from the movie is be careful what you wish for.
06:41And well, what more can we ask for from this iconic cast?
06:44Number 5, Cadet Kelly.
06:47We had to include a Hilary Duff Disney Channel movie,
06:50because few give off early 2000s Disney Channel vibes quite like her.
06:54Everything here is by the book.
06:56Thanks for the warning, Carla, but I'd really like to try and retain my individuality around here.
07:01In the midst of her Lizzie McGuire run from 2001 to 2004,
07:05she starred in the comedy Cadet Kelly, in which her character attends military school.
07:10You must be Captain Stone.
07:13Hmm.
07:14You're on my list.
07:17Maggot.
07:20You'd be on mine if I had a list.
07:23Its premiere was the most successful of all Disney Channel original movies released in 2002,
07:28and one of the best performing of the entire decade.
07:31Duff's co-star, who plays the role of a cadet, is another well-known Disney name,
07:36Christy Carlson Romano.
07:37But I do have one wish for you, cadet.
07:41That you become a platoon leader.
07:44You're gonna have to deal with a little maggot.
07:49Just like you.
07:51You may also remember Gary Cole's performance as the sir who heads the Academy.
07:56But obviously, Duff as the lead brings back the most throwback vibes.
08:00Number 4.
08:01Camp Rock.
08:02This movie took us along for a musical ride with Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers, and others.
08:07Camp Rock came out one year before the start of Lovato's starring performance in the Disney Channel series Sunny with a Chance,
08:24and one year before the series Jonas.
08:26It's nostalgic to think back to a film that showcased Lovato and the Jonas Brothers' musical talent so early in their careers,
08:34given the success they've had since then.
08:36Now I about who I am, there's no way to hold it in.
08:41No more hiding who I want to be.
08:46This is me.
08:49Oh yeah, and remember Maria Canals-Berrera from Wizards of Waverly Place?
08:53Sure you do.
08:54She's also in Camp Rock as Lovato's character's mother.
08:58Alison Stoner from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Phineas and Ferb plays a significant role as well.
09:03This is rich, but apparently you're not.
09:06So what are you waiting for, huh?
09:09Run.
09:10Go tell everybody.
09:11Maybe I should.
09:12Number 3.
09:13The Cheetah Girls.
09:15You know what, if he can't respect my art, he can't have my heart.
09:18Whatever.
09:19Luric mom.
09:20Based on a book series, this film was an instant hit with 6.5 million viewers at its premiere,
09:26a record for Disney Channel at the time.
09:28The Cheetah Girls came out the same year as That's So Raven.
09:31Raven, of course, plays the role of Galleria, the leader of the Cheetah Girls.
09:35Didn't you like what we just did?
09:38I loved it.
09:39It was great.
09:40But, uh, that's not what we sold to Wrecker Company.
09:43Well, I'm sorry.
09:44We can't change the Cheetah Girls.
09:46With her, plus Adrienne Bailona as Chanel,
09:49Kelly Williams as Aqua, and Sabrina Bryan as Dorinda,
09:52the Cheetah Girls not only shined on screen, but off it.
09:56The film's soundtrack reached number 33 on the Billboard 200
09:59and was certified double platinum.
10:02Our spots are different, different colors.
10:07We make each other stronger than they ever gonna change.
10:13We're Cheetah Girls, Cheetah Siska.
10:16They crushed it so much on screen
10:18that Disney developed them into a real-life recording group.
10:21Number 2.
10:22Halloween Town.
10:24For many kids who grew up in the 90s and 2000s,
10:26this is not only one of the most nostalgic
10:29Disney Channel original movies,
10:30but one of the most nostalgic Halloween movies.
10:33Do you think that your magic is any match for mine?
10:38Hmm, no.
10:40Let's see, my powers and my mom's
10:43and my grandmother's and my sister's
10:45and my brother's might do it.
10:49For some, it's become a yearly October watch.
10:52The first installment of the Halloween Town film series
10:55came out in 1998.
10:57Halloween is cool, nature boy.
11:00I mean, it's exciting, strange, and ancient.
11:04Plus, mom and dad met on Halloween.
11:07Kimberly J. Brown nailed it in the role of Marnie Piper,
11:10a young witch who discovers a magical place
11:13filled with supernatural beings like ghosts,
11:15ghouls, goblins, witches, and werewolves.
11:18And of course, there's Grandma Aggie,
11:20a Halloween Town native played by the legendary Debbie Reynolds.
11:24Shout out to the whole Piper fam.
11:26The charming, supernatural, magical aura
11:28of Halloween Town lives on.
11:30I can have a normal life here.
11:32They can have a normal life here.
11:33Oh, being normal is vastly overrated.
11:36Before we unveil our top pick,
11:38here are a few honorable mentions.
11:41Princess Protection Program
11:42stars two Disney Channel icons
11:44in Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.
11:47I am blending.
11:48Speaking fluent French in class
11:50and eating hamburger like you're having tea with the queen.
11:53Well, how else should it be?
11:54Like this.
11:56It works.
12:01There you go.
12:02Dadnapped.
12:03Familiar Disney Channel faces like Emily Osment,
12:06David Henry, Jason Earls, and Phil Lewis.
12:09I think there's been a little misunderstanding.
12:11Underwraps, the first Disney Channel original movie.
12:29I'm going to keep him.
12:32Hmm.
12:33You can't keep him.
12:34Well, we can't turn him in.
12:36We'll take him somewhere and experiment on him.
12:38What do you mean experiment?
12:40Cut him open.
12:41Dissect him.
12:42Pack him in formaldehyde.
12:44They will?
12:45Of course.
12:46Didn't you see E.T.?
12:47Get a clue.
12:48Stars Lindsay Lohan,
12:50whose best friend in the film is played by Brenda Song.
12:53Get a clue.
12:54He likes you.
12:54That's why he treats you like a reject in the outlet mall.
12:56Oh, thanks.
12:58Oh, come on.
12:59I think he's kind of cute.
13:00He's tall, mysterious.
13:02Just your type.
13:03That's not possible, Jen.
13:04I don't have a type.
13:05Twitches,
13:06the most successful 2005 Disney Channel original movie starring Tia and Tamara Morey.
13:12Go Twitches!
13:13Go Twitches!
13:14I don't know why.
13:14I've been thinking about that all day.
13:16Twin?
13:17Riches!
13:18Exactly!
13:19Let's look at some more spells now.
13:21Okay.
13:22Go Twitches.
13:23Go Twitches.
13:24Go Twitches.
13:24Before we continue,
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13:41Number 1.
13:42High School Musical.
13:43Are we all in this together when it comes to agreeing that High School Musical has the
14:00most nostalgic cast of any Disney Channel original movie?
14:03Like, seriously, this is super 2000s vibes.
14:07Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabio, Alison Reed, Corbin Blue, and
14:13Monique Coleman really did something special.
14:16So, you're going with me to the after party, right?
14:19Like on a date?
14:20Oh, it must be your lucky day.
14:21After High School Musical captured the hearts of countless youngsters growing up in the 2000s,
14:26the sequel followed suit, becoming the highest-rated premiere by far of any Disney Channel original movie.
14:33Through song, dance, basketball, romance, and more,
14:36this cast gave us some really memorable moments that have become positively nostalgic.
14:41What are your top three favorite Disney Channel original movies?
14:56Let us know in the comments!
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