The Color of Friendship is easily one of the greatest classic Disney Channel Original Movies. It was the first movie that really opened my eyes to the reality of systemic racism and oppression. Honestly, it taught me way more than other race-centered movies like The Help ever did. I just wish Disney had continued creating content with this level of honesty, heart, and real education.

Cadet Kelly was so good, it made me enlist in the U.S. military.

Okay, okay, that wasn’t the actual reason I enlisted. But, every time my training instructor screamed at me, I couldn’t help but imagine it was Captain Stone calling me a maggot, which somehow made it feel less scary and more… entertaining? Although maggot sounds a lot like…

I just learned Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board is a sequel to possibly one of the best Disney Channel Original Movies ever made.

Johnny Tsunami gave us everything: snowboarding, Hawaii, solving segregation, and ending generational family problems. What more could you want? It is truly iconic and deserves more credit for how much heart and adventure it packed into one movie. I had a blast!

If you talk to any millennial or older Gen Z about DCOMs, I guarantee Brink! will come up. It really is just that good. The music, the slang, the style — everything about it is iconic. There is nothing quite like a late 90s or early 2000s kids movie about sports. I might even pull out my rollerblades after watching this!

You know…I was kinda hungry. But then, I smelled something stinky. It must have been…

THE BIG CHEESE!!!!

Honestly, Gwen growing up in a town full of excellent Pacific Northwest gay witch vibes and then deciding to raise her kids as boring American humans is worse than any crime Kalabar ever committed.

I cannot believe I had no idea this movie even existed or that it counts as a DCOM, but I am so happy I found it! I absolutely loved it! Casting Mandy Moore as Rapunzel was one of the best decisions Disney has ever made. She brings so much heart and magic to the character, and it just makes me adore Rapunzel even more. The vibes are absolutely immaculate and I was cheesing the entire time!

This movie was so much fun! The outfits were amazing, the music choices were perfect, and the chaos of the plot, with its slightly inappropriate teacher-student relationships, somehow made it even more entertaining. Lindsay and Brenda were total highlights, and even though the story didn’t always make complete sense, I was hooked the entire time.

I completely forgot how fun this movie is!

Upon rewatching Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place), I have come to the mature and disappointing realization that I am, without a doubt, Justin Russo. Someone’s gotta keep the chaos in check and unfortunately, it’s me.

Also, a heartfelt thank you to Selena Gomez for single-handedly being the foundation of my lifelong love for hot witches. Alex Russo walked so Wanda and Agatha could run.

Smart House was so ahead of its time. I think about it every single time someone tells their Alexa to turn off the lights or asks Siri a question. Honestly, my high-ish rating is probably fueled by pure nostalgia, but I really don’t care. The storyline is so fun, the futuristic tech was way cooler than anything we had back then (I wasn’t even alive lol), and the chaotic energy of the house taking over is still iconic.

I just learned that the class is called Home Economics because it was originally created to teach women how to provide for the home. That’s why there’s so much cooking and sewing involved.

And somehow, that is not the most sexist thing in this movie.

Thank you for breaking gender norms with your purple BBQ sauce, Eddie. You really paved the way.

While it’s technically a white savior story, it’s iconic that Belle/Meg (Susan Egan) got to play the “white savior” role!

The real story is about these girls excelling without their coach. Young, underprivileged, and determined, they worked hard together to shine in dance. I loved watching such an empowering Latina movie!

How is Marnie both so smart and so dumb at the same time? It’s like she learned nothing from the first movie and keeps rushing into problems. Meanwhile, Sophie is still out here with her genius ideas, begging someone to listen. She deserves way more credit.

Dylan’s voice drop was a pleasant surprise. He’s much more tolerable now, though still annoying. I absolutely love the character’s quirks and Debbie Reynolds will simply always be a slay!

Disney makes a movie about how being a child star isn’t glamorous and can even be harmful… ironic.

However, at its heart, You Wish! is really about appreciating the siblings, family, and friends you already have instead of wishing for what others have. It’s a surprisingly sweet and relatable message.

I have so much nostalgia wrapped up in The Cheetah Girls, though I’ve always had beef with the way Galleria treats the other girls.

I couldn’t stop laughing when the officer said, “Dog in a hole? That’s bad.”

It’s a movie that’s equal parts dramatic and hilarious, and I love it for that.

All I have to say is Zenon was way too forgiving of her parents. I get that they were trying to wrap up the movie with a nice family moment, but it felt like she deserved a bit more of a moment to process everything.

Still, Zenon is a total icon. She was way ahead of her time in terms of fashion, technology, and attitude. The queen of Y2K. I think we all could’ve used a little more Zenon in our lives.

I’ve seen The Even Stevens Movie so many times and always have a blast watching it with my siblings. I never cared that I already knew the plot twist.

Beans will always be one of those characters I love to hate, and that just makes the movie even more fun.

I don’t care what anyone says, Zenon is that girl!

Honestly, it’s beyond me why no one learned their lesson about her genius in the first movie. She’s literally saving the day again, and yet somehow still underrated by everyone around her. She’s ahead of her time, unbothered by the chaos, and always ready to break the rules for the greater good. How can you not love her?

Thank you, my space queen 🫡. I’ll forever stand by your ingenuity.

I was honestly expecting this movie to be awful, but I was pleasantly surprised! It turned out to be quite entertaining, and the actors were very good. The storyline is solid, and there’s a genuine sense of heart throughout it. I also have to shout out the main character’s growth.

And let’s not forget our… anti-capitalist queen!!! The film definitely challenges the system and shows that nature and community come before profit. Love that energy.

Another movie where nostalgia has me convinced it’s amazing, but when I watch it now, I realize it’s actually not that great at all.

The Irish culture references? I’m not even sure they’re accurate, and the whole thing just feels a bit off and goofy. The magic, the leprechauns, the shamrock chaos. It’s all just a little too much and not enough at the same time.

This is what happens when you don’t vaccinate your kids.

I had never heard of this movie before today, but I ended up really enjoying it. It’s a fun mix of classic teen drama and supernatural elements.

Trying to figure out who you really are while dealing with fishy powers? Relatable.

It’s got that awkward, coming-of-age charm that makes you laugh and cringe at the same time.

The first DCOM. From the perspective of 23-year-old me, Under Wraps wasn’t exactly groundbreaking, but I can definitely see how it would’ve been a favorite if I were a kid.

You’ve got the classic trio of friends, which always hits the mark, a goofy Halloween character that’s the voice of Patrick Star, and of course, the emotional undercurrent of a late 90s kid dealing with his parents’ divorce. It’s a familiar setup, but there’s a charm to it that stands the test of time.

I’ve read a lot of reviews calling Tru a “brat,” but I really just think she’s 15, navigating life, family, and her own needs. Her brother naturally requires a lot of attention, but Tru wants attention too, which feels very realistic and relatable. My only critique is that at times she seems to exploit her twin brother’s disability, which doesn’t sit well with me.

I really appreciate that Disney took a risk making a movie about real, complex family issues.

Sofia Carson’s ability to consistently play the cringiest character you’ve ever laid your eyes upon really needs to be studied.

I went into this expecting to be horrified by the over-the-top antics and cheesy moments, but much to my surprise, I actually found it to be pretty fun and cute! The chaos, the comedy, the random adventures is a great mix that keeps you entertained without trying too hard.

She just kept tricking me! And her parents? They suck!!

This movie was basically Jon and Kate before Jon and Kate. It’s a chaotic family dynamic where the parents were definitely not prepared for all the babies. And how do they pay for them? By getting them sponsorships and a TV show.

It was kind of hard not to watch and think, “How could they be this unprepared?” But, honestly, I kind of liked how “bad” it was.

This movie was buried so deep in my memories, but as soon as I started watching, everything came rushing back! That said, it lost a star the moment I saw their costumes. I mean, what the?

However, a superhero story with an environmentalism message? Pretty slay, honestly!

Definitely not perfect, but the overall vibe was cool and unique, and I can appreciate that.

I’m honestly just glad the movie he watched at the beginning was so accurate. If it hadn’t been, how would he have known how to fight the vampire? Crazy coincidence!

As far as DCOMs go, the holiday ones are always so classic and special. Sure, it’s cheesy, but that’s part of the fun.

As Kendrick said, “Sh*t gets crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious.”

I must say, this was my first time being edged by a bowling ball.

It’s honestly a unique experience. I didn’t realize how intense the world of competitive bowling could be until I watched these teens turn it into an all-out sport of strategy and rivalry. The town was going to fall apart because of bowling. The tension between them and the dramatic slow-motion shots with the bowling balls? Classic.

I tried to think of how I would have liked this movie when I was a kid, and my conclusion is that I would have been terrified of this cheesy movie! The boogeyman (or should I say, boogeyperson?) was so creepy and gross.

But I will say, Larry Houdini was sick as hell though. His whole magical persona brought some much-needed flair and humor to this wild, spooky movie.

I watched this in March, so I’ll admit, the Christmas vibes were nonexistent.

Honestly, there was something really unsettling about the way Santa and Mrs. Claus spoke to each other. I don’t even know what the implications were supposed to be.

The main character was pretty selfish and dramatic, but hey, I still had fun with it! Little Brenda killed it.

Six seconds left on the clock, Heather has the ball AND a broken ankle… and yet, somehow, 25 seconds later, she finally passes it to Heidi, who shoots and wins the game. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. Pure cinematic genius. 👏🏻

Then, we fast forward to years in the future where the girls are now in the WNBA, and, for some reason, the SpongeBob Jellyfish Song is BUMPIN’. Talk about a vibe!

These actresses were also 20 and 28 years old playing high school twins. HUH?!

I had never heard of Jett Jackson, but wow, what a name! The kind of name that makes you think he’s destined for greatness.

I had a blast watching this movie, even though it’s honestly really bad. Lots of laughs at the chaos.

But seriously, why the actual HECK is this not on Disney+? It’s a DCOM, and it’s not there?? That’s DUMB!

Disney Channel has always been great at Halloween!

The movie was unbelievably cringe, but I was entertained the whole time and it mostly held my attention. It was especially adorable to see a young Kat Dennings in one of her early roles.

Not awful, but not great either. The script feels a bit too immature, even for Disney Channel, which was a little disappointing. It just didn’t have the same charm as the original.

That said, there were a few things I genuinely enjoyed, mostly because of the nods to the original. The standout for me was how much more they explored Marshall’s struggle with his mom’s new relationship. It added a layer of depth to his character that the original didn’t touch on as much.

She never fooled me. I knew she was a girl the WHOLE time.

A fair attempt at an empowering movie where a girl proves herself in a world that’s not exactly welcoming to girls in motocross. Also, very slay of the mother to support her and go against her dumb, sexist husband.

“Your mother was an extraordinary bubble.”

If that’s not one of the most iconic lines in DCOM history, I don’t know what is. This movie is a mix of weird alien family drama, and teen angst.

The blend of science fiction and high school struggles somehow works, and honestly, it’s a nostalgic treasure as a Disney Channel movie lover.

“To my favorite naughty boy… love, Santa” is CRAZY and honestly made me laugh out loud.

But for real, Bryan Cranston in a DCOM? Live, laugh, LOVE that. He made it feel like the most ridiculous plot could actually work, which is a true talent.

Kaitlin, though? ICONIC. The little genius hacker had all the cool moves.

This didn’t feel as Disney as most DCOMs and I had no clue it even existed prior to tonight.

I almost thought this was a decent movie with its heartwarming underdog story, but then they showed a HEAVEN FULL OF PEOPLE IN WHEEL CHAIRS! Uh, what? It completely threw me off.

The scene felt out of place and forced, as if the filmmakers were trying too hard to add a deep, spiritual layer that didn’t fit with the rest of the story. I just wanted to cheer on this little dude and his soap-box cart racing.

If Miracle in Lane 2 and Motocrossed had a baby, it would be Right on Track.

The movie definitely had some great female empowerment moments, but honestly, I was mostly bored and struggled to stay fully engaged.

Pixel Perfect was fun, but Loretta moves way too much! Her nonstop energy made it hard to focus, but it definitely kept the movie lively. I honestly never would have believed she was human.

However, using your best friend as the mold for Loretta but editing her to be more “perfect” is weird, and Roscoe deserved more flack for doing it.

Disney made me work to find this movie.

The Other Me is a movie that walked so Kenny Ortega’s choreography could run!

Honestly, I don’t have much to say. It wasn’t great, but it was watchable. Some moments were so bad they were entertaining, which made it a bit of a guilty pleasure.

This was worse than I remembered.

Jake T. Austin’s character was way more annoying than he ever needed to be – seriously, I wanted to slap the kid every time he threw a fit!

However, the mountain boarding montage set to the Jonas Brothers’ “Hold On” was iconic. That moment was definitely the highlight of the movie.

Ready to Run didn’t quite hit the mark.

The racehorse isn’t exactly impressive if he’s constantly distracted and moody about everything, especially when his big breakthrough comes from wearing headphones that aren’t even on properly. It’s hard to buy into the whole “transformation” when the solution feels so ridiculous.

You Lucky Dog has one of the funniest scenes I’ve ever seen: pulling a gun in a courtroom after being accused of murder. Truly wild.

This movie was insane from start to finish, and while I can’t say I’m a better person for watching it, I definitely was entertained.

Movie Mason and Brian carried this movie. 

I get that it was meant to be a love letter to cinema while also being a kid’s version of The Phantom of the Opera, but it was just so bad. The acting was terrible, the million characters all had ridiculous nicknames, and the plot was pure insanity. Honestly, I’m not convinced I would’ve enjoyed this movie even as a child.

One thing I’ll always appreciate about Disney Channel movies is the b*tchy little sister who never lets up, even when her brother is clearly going through it.

Can of Worms had that dynamic, and it made me laugh more than it probably should have. The sibling banter was definitely one of the more entertaining parts of the film. Otherwise, it was a hard watch.

As a huge fan of Parenthood, it was cute to see a younger Erika Christensen.

This movie felt like it just kept going without much direction. The plot was pretty thin. Basically, a group of Jewish kids read a Bible story, and somehow that inspires their hopeless basketball team to become good. It’s a wild leap, and not exactly the most convincing transformation. The premise had potential, but it never really came together in a meaningful way.

Hounded claiming we wouldn’t have art without the military because it protects our “freedom” is insane!

Even more insane is that the largest terrorist attack in America happened just five months after this military propaganda movie was released. Coincidence? I think not!

This is what happens when you don’t take a kid to Disneyland.

I had never heard of this movie prior to watching it tonight, however, it seems (looking ahead at future DCOMs) Disney was working hard to get those Lawrence brothers famous.

Ahh! There’s another Lawrence brother? I honestly think I would’ve been just fine not knowing Disney was trying to create a franchise with the Lawrence brothers by writing some of the worst movies I’ve ever seen.

I did not enjoy this movie at all, but I finished it, so I guess that says something.

Bad writing, bad acting, and boring storyline.

MRS. BARBARA HOWARD? Slayyy! She really brought some life to the movie.

Otherwise, though, it was pretty boring. The whole storyline dragged, and the father and husband character was incredibly neglectful and toxic—honestly, hard to watch. And what’s up with another DCOM not being on Disney+?

Seriously, what the hell? However, I can totally see why they’re trying to act like this one never happened.

The movie was really hard to get through and didn’t hold my attention at all. The pacing was painfully slow, the plot felt scattered, and I never felt invested in the characters or their struggles. Even the supposedly dramatic or emotional moments fell flat, and the dialogue often sounded awkward or forced. Overall, it was one of the most boring and disengaging Disney movies I’ve seen.

Kim Possible took me three separate days to finish because it was so bad. It honestly felt like a chore to get through.

The only redeeming part was when Christy Carlson Romano, the original voice of Kim, made a cameo, which gave me a little nostalgia boost.

However, Shego’s casting was way off, and I just couldn’t buy into her portrayal.

The only good thing about this movie was seeing little Kelsi Nielsen before her High School Musical piano days 🥹.

Everything else? Absolutely torture to watch. I kept hoping it would get better, but it never did. By the end, I was just relieved it was over. I don’t know how I made it through!