MY Top 10 Disney Channel Movies

 

The other night my wife and I sat down with our daughter for a movie night, looking through Disney + and some of the favorites we grew up on. We started talking about the best Disney Channel original movies, back in the 90's and 2000's the Disney Channel dropped some gems of movies. Sure they are low budget and cheesy, but many of them still are very good today. I decided to share my list of the top ten Disney Channel Movies 

10. Zenon Girl of The 21st Century

I'll admit I did not watch Zenon Girl of the 21st Century until recently, when it debuted in 1999 I was 13 years old and didn't have time to watch a movie for girls. However, looking at it now it is a very quirky and good movie. It follows Zenon played by Kirsten Storms, and her best friend Nebula played by Raven-Symone. They live on a space station in the year 2049 (geez only 25 years from now), anyway after some mischief Zenon is sent to Earth as punishment. Having a hard time fitting in, she soon learns of a plot to upload the space station with a virus and crash it to collect the insurance money. Using her wit she set's out to save the day.

9. Brink

Brink! is a late 90's movie that capitalized on the extreme sports movement of the 90's. Namely skateboarding, rollerblading, and wild bike tricks. Main character Brink (Erik Von Detten) leads a group of roller bladers dubbed The Soul Skaters, they reject corporate sponsorship in favor of having fun and are enemies with corporate backed group Team X-Bladz led by Val (Sam Horrigan aka Spike from Little Giants). When Brink learns his family has some financial troubles, he has to go against his morals for his family, even if it means losing his friends. 

8. Smart House

Smart House was ahead of it's time, which considering it was a kid themed film is an amazing feat. A young boy named Ben (Ryan Merriman), still grieving his mothers passing enters into a contest to win a smart home. When he win's he alongside his father and sister move into the smart house, ran by virtual assistant PAT who is very territorial, they adjust to life being simpler. Until Ben decides to program PAT to have the characteristics of a traditional 1950's mom, and PAT (Katey Segal) becomes overbearing eventually aiming to take over the house and family completely. 

7. Phantom Of The Megaplex

Based on the traditional Phantom Of The Opera story, the film follows teenage movie theater assistant manager Pete (Taylor Handley). Taylor is spending the summer getting the theater together for the premiere of a big Hollywood production to be held at the theater. Suddenly random occurrences happen at the theater, broken equipment, mishaps during showings and everything in between. Pete, his younger siblings, and friends work to determine if this all by coincide, or the rumored Phantom a haunted ghost of the building is behind these efforts.  

6. Up Up And Away

Up, Up, and Away is a 2000 superhero film, but superhero's really took off and what it makes it even more special is it features a family of Black superheroes. Robert Townsend starred and directed this film, he leads the family of superheroes who's teenage son has yet to acquire his powers. He soon starts to develop them as a group of eco-criminals descend upon town using CD disc to brainwash residents into performing criminal task on their behalf. The film has an important underlying message about things will come to you, when the time is right. 

5.Don't look under The Bed

To be honest this is one scary ass movie, the fact that is made for kids can be more terrifying. Teenage Frances (Erin Chambers)  has been noticing some strange Eerie, Indiana type stuff going on in her town. She soon encounters a young man named Larry Houdini, who only she and other children can see who starts putting her on to what is going on. He lets her know The Boogeyman is framing her and coming after her. The Boogeyman in this film is scary as hell, and the film is simply scary as hell. Just watch it.

4. Let It Shine

Let It Shine debuted in 2012 which means I was well into my 20's when it premiered. However, my younger cousins would watch it all the time, I had no choice but to sit down and watch it. And damn it honestly is a good movie, starring Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris, Abbott Elementary), CoCo Jones, Courtney B. Vance, and Trevor Jackson (Grown-ish). Tyler stars as Cyrus also known as Truth who raps under a low profile because his father who is a preacher doesnt approve. Meanwhile childhood friend and now music sensation Roxie (Coco Jones) mistakes Kris (Trevor Jackson) as Truth. They must keep the rust going, while Cyrus battles revealing the truth to Roxie and his dad. 

The movie has some bangers for songs by the way.

3. Jett Jackson: The Movie

                                 

The Famous Jett Jackson was my TV show especially because it focused on a young boy who was a TV star filming in his hometown. Since I've always been infatuated with the filmmaking process the show just resonated with me. A couple years after it's premiere, Disney released a movie with the plot being Jett Jackson get's sucked into the world of his TV series SilverStone and Silverstone take's Jett's place in the real world. A typical switch-o-roo where both learn to appreciate what they have, but man what a fun ride in the process.

2. Halloweentown

Halloweentown is still revered 26 years later which is a testament to how good of a film it is. I'll admit I was very late to the Halloweentown party, but I still appreciate it for the classic it is. Marnie, and her two siblings Dylan and Sophie look forward to Halloween every year, while their mom not so much. Upon a visit from their grandmother Gwen, they soon learn about a place called Halloweentown and that they come from a line of witches and warlocks. Soon they are transported to Halloweentown and must save the town and their family from Kabblar. 

It's a must watch every spooky season, so if you were late to the party like me get on board. 

1.Johnny Tsunami

If you ask most 90's kids Johnny Tsunami is the apex of Disney channel movies. In fact you may side eye a 90's kid if they admit they have never seen it. The film follows young Hawaiian surfer Johnny Kapulaha, he has already mastered the waves at the young age of 13. However, he must master a new skill when his father's job send's them to Vermont. He take's on snowboarding, as well as culture and wealth clashes alongside his new friend Sam (Lee Thompson Young), and his crush Emily (Kristen Storm).  The film is one cool movie that still holds up today.