Welcome Back to Disney! I hope you enjoyed reading my post last week where I gave my opinions on the Top Ten Disney Channel Shows. This week I'm going to list and discuss the Top Ten Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs). You will notice that most of these movies are musicals or have music soundtracks placed throughout them, which is because if you didn't already know from reading my past couple posts, I love music and especially music in movies. So, it's no wonder why majority of my favorite DCOM picks are musicals. A year ago or so, I created a list and ranked all of the DCOMs in order from most to least favorite and after doing this top ten list I was surprised to see that my favorites have actually changed a lot. But, these are the DCOMs that I automatically think of when I think Disney Channel. So, let's get into the list of the Top Ten Disney Channel Original Movies.
(From last to first)...
#10 A Ring of Endless Light - This is one of my favorite DCOMs because it is very unique, the setting this movie takes place in is great, the dolphins are fun to watch, the romance is interesting, the positive theme, and best of all the fact that they pray together and mention God in the movie. I am a believer in God, so when a movie has faith content in it it makes me like it even more. Plus, I think it's the only DCOM that does this. This movie came out in 2002, so I really like the older vibes of this movie. The message of the movie which is about believing in yourself and cherishing your relationships. This movie is emotional and sad at moments but it is also really positive. I just think that's what makes it relatable. It is a very feel-good and thought-provoking story with wholesome teen romance, cute dolphins, and strong family bonds. I am very close with my family and I also love dolphins so I love this movie. The only reason this movie ranked the lowest compared to the others is because I didn't really care for the scientific talk, the relationship between the main girl (Vicky) and her boyfriend from summer's past (Zachary) kind of left off weird, and this movie is just more on the sadder side and I prefer movies that make me happy. But, overall it's still a really great movie. I would definitely watch it again, as I've only seen it a couple times.
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#9 Go Figure - This is another one of my favorites because of the ice skating and hockey story line aspect, the characters, the fashion, and even the music that plays throughout the movie. This movie is also one of the more relatable DCOMs, especially for any kid/tween/teen that plays sports. The relationship between the hockey coach (Spencer) and the main character (Katelin) was also interesting and fun to watch. The theme of the movie was great and it was very entertaining. I've watched this movie more times than I can count (and actually just recently) and the lessons and overall theme still hold up today. Again, this movie was released in 2005, so it had those early 2000s vibes that I like. Every time I watch this movie it makes me want to be an ice skater. When a movie can influence you in that way, you know it's good.
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#8 Princess Protection Program - This movie is another big favorite of mine because of the characters, the story line, friendships, relationships, the setting, the message, the music, and hello... "princesses". I used to be obsessed with this movie when I was a teenager. I made sure to watch it every summer. It was one of the best summer movies to watch on the Disney Channel. I really like that the two main characters in the movie who played best friends were actually best friends in real life. It made it seem more real and relatable. This movie is about the power of female friendship. I also like that it brings together two totally different girls from two totally different places and they learn from each other. It's also realistic in that the princess has to learn how to act and live like an ordinary teenager from a small town. The concept of a Princess Protection Program is also a really great and unique idea for a movie and it actually makes sense. I could still watch this movie every day and never get bored. The overall message of the movie is really good as well, which is about giving people a fair chance and inner beauty being more important than outer beauty. A great lesson for anyone at any age. And let's not forget the great song that came out of this movie "One and the Same" (a bop).
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#7 Cow Belles - This is another really great early 2000s DCOM for many reasons. One being how real and relatable it is. This movie teaches anyone watching a few great lessons when the two main characters have to learn the value of a dollar, responsibility, and gaining respect for people that have to actually work important jobs for a living, and not to judge a book by its cover. The sibling relationship between the two sisters in this movie is also really relatable, as well. Coming from someone who has two sisters myself. It is also cool to see that they are actually sisters in real life, too, which made it all the more realistic. The movie is also funny at times, too. It's also entertaining to watch the boyfriend/girlfriend relationships unfold in the movie, as well. It was also nice to see the father/daughter(s) relationship throughout the movie, because I am also really close to my dad. Overall, it's a very nostalgic movie for me (and if you know me you know I love nostalgia). So, I really like this movie and highly recommend you watch it if you haven't seen it.
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#6 Lemonade Mouth - This is another one of my favorites and a very underrated Disney movie, in my opinion. I feel this movie was so good that it deserved a sequel. But, sadly we didn't get one. One of the things that makes this movie so good is the music in this movie, which definitely helped propel itself up this list. My favorite song in the movie being "She's So Gone". The friendship aspect of the movie is great to watch as well. Sticking together as friends being one theme of the movie. The message of "Be Heard. Be Strong. Be Proud" is also a great lesson from the movie for kids and anyone. Other positive messages from the movie include being who you want to be, challenging injustice whenever it arises and having fun while doing it. This movie probably had the most positive messages than any of the other DCOMs in this list.
It is an inspiring movie to see a group of so-called "misfits" and "loners" form and become a huge band performing at Madison Square Garden. Again, telling and showing kids that you can be anything you want to be. The fact that this movie also touches on heavy topics such as absent and/or dead mothers, and fathers who don't understand their kid (until the end of the movie) are explained great for kids. It's not too heavy of a subject. It is also a very re-watchable film. I could watch it many times (as I have) and never get bored.
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#5 Cheetah Girls 2 - Another great DCOM and musical. Cheetah Girls 2 is a great movie about friendship, love, and music. All reasons that make this a great movie, along with the fashion. Out of all three of the Cheetah Girls movies the second one is the best simply because of the setting in Barcelona, Spain. Everything in the second movie is bigger and better than the first. This movie is all about sticking together as friends and not letting anything get in the way of that, trusting people, and knowing that you and your friend can have the same dream but have different ways of doing it, and if your friends don't like the same thing that you do you shouldn't hate them for it, which are all great lessons to learn. This movie is also one of the more diverse DCOMs which gives everyone something or someone to relate to. The songs are also very catchy and overall the movie is highly entertaining.
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#4 Starstruck - This is one of the greatest DCOMs of all time and one of my favorites because of the beach/summer setting, the music, the characters, the story line, the drama, the sad scenes, the happy scenes, the relationships, the friendships, and just everything. There is nothing that I don't like about this movie, except maybe how all over the place the main characters' emotions are, but honestly that just made the movie all the more funny and relatable. The fun adventures they go on to hide from the paparazzi is really entertaining to watch. The vibes I get watching this movie are great, as well. It's a real, feel-good movie, especially for the summer and I love a good DCOM summer movie. Just because it's kind of a typical "girl meets superstar" story and nothing new in that way is the only reason it is not my number one favorite DCOM. Other than that I love this movie and could watch it every day if I could. The music makes the movie all the more great as it's very good and catchy. The story also promotes a strong message to viewers about honesty, humility, self-acceptance, and strength of character. All great things to know and learn.
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#3 Camp Rock - Camp Rock is another great musical DCOM and my third favorite DCOM of all time. I love that this is the only DCOM that takes place at camp, which makes for a great story line and overall nice vibes throughout the movie. Again, the music in this movie makes it rank very high on my list. All the songs are very catchy and really great songs (some more than others) for a Disney movie. Again, I like that this movie takes place over summer break. This was another movie that I made sure to watch every summer when school ended. It's a really cute and fun movie full of positive messages, such as staying true to yourself and being proud of who you are. The plot of Camp Rock is simple, but very eye-catching and enjoyable. As someone who has always had a dream to be a singer and perform on stage but let's my shyness sometimes get in the way of chasing that dream, I really can relate to the main character (Mitchie) in the movie. This is just another childhood favorite movie that came out during the best era of Disney Channel. Plus, nothing in the sequel reaches the musical heights of "This Is Me". Overall, I highly recommend this movie for the music, the drama, the romance, the friendships, and even the comedy.
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#2 High School Musical - This movie changed the game when it comes to DCOMs. There is no DCOM, in my opinion, like High School Musical. I feel like it's the first movie that made an impact on an entire generation. This is another musical movie full of great songs that are very catchy and un-skippable. I mean every song in this movie is good. I also feel like this movie had one of the best messages out of any of the DCOMs. The message about embracing who you are and not being swayed by your peers or your parents to do things you truly weren't meant to do just because they want you to. This is a very prominent message in the movie and very moving to watch. The relationship between the two main characters, Troy and Gabriela, is truly one of the best "ships" to come from the Disney Channel. I love watching their relationship unfold in this movie. The setting takes place at a high school which also makes it really relatable to kids/teens watching. Overall, this is another one of my childhood favorites. I still remember the first time I saw it on TV. I've seen it more times than I can count since then. The lessons still hold true to this day and this movie really was the movie that started the Disney musical craze.
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#1 High School Musical 2 - Finally, my favorite DCOM of all time is High School Musical 2. Although, I really liked the first High School Musical the second one is just a little bit better due to the fact that it takes place during the summer at a country club. As I said before, movies set during the summer are always the best, and the vibes of this movie were just that. This movie has everything you like about the first one but everything is bigger and better. Even the characters' choreography improved from the first one. The original "ships" are further explored in this movie and the friendships are tested. But all things end well for everyone in the end. It is a very fun, energy-packed movie and it seems to go by so fast when your watching it probably because no scene is boring and you get excited for the next scene each time. The movie also has plenty of positive messages about being true to yourself, valuing true friendship, and following your own path in life. Lessons that still hold up today. This is another must watch DCOM, preferably in the summer, but you can watch it year-round and it never gets old. The whole High School Musical trilogy makes kids/teens and anyone watching want to get up and learn to dance with the cast, which is also a great thing about this movie. It gets people to want to be active. Overall, this is the best DCOM, because when I think of DCOMs I automatically think of High School Musical 2. It is fun for people of all ages to watch.
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Well, that is all for my list of the Top Ten Disney Channel Original Movies. Creating this list was a little difficult because I really like majority of all the movies that come from Disney Channel. But if I had to choose only a few, these would be my top ten favorites (oh no, I'm already second guessing myself). I feel all of these movies define Disney Channel well and shows the eclectic selection of movies and genres that DCOMs offer and the many different lessons and topics they cover. Let me know what you think of my picks in the comment section below and feel free to list your Top Ten Disney Channel Original Movies in the comments, as well. See you next week with another post on Back to Disney!
~Alyssa C.
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