Hey, millennials. Do you remember the Disney Channel Original movies of our youth? Of course you do! DCOMs were a big deal in the mid-90s and early 2000s. Each Friday night, we would pop popcorn, drink Capri Sun by the dozen, and watch these Disney Channel Original Movies—and certain ones give our generation a warm, fuzzy feeling.
From the scary ones that terrified us to the corny ones we couldn't get out of our heads—we've ranked the Disney Channel Original Movies that live rent-free in millennials' minds.
10 Smart House (1999)
Break out the dance parties and on-demand smoothies—Smart House, a DCOM ahead of its time, is about a teen named Ben (Ryan Merriman) who wins his family a fully-automated dream home. But, when the computer controlling the house, PAT (Katey Sagal), begins to develop a motherly love for the family, things get tricky, and it's up to Ben to solve the problem.
Directed by the excellent LeVar Burton, Smart House was released when the technology we know and love today started becoming mainstream. With that in mind, it's incredible how accurately Smart House predicted an over-reliance on technology and how that could cause issues. That's right: we're onto you, Alexa and Siri!
But it's not just the storyline that keeps Smart House stored securely in our memory banks. The movie is unforgettable with its classic cheesy DCOM vibes and talented cast, packing a powerful message into an otherwise innocent tween film.
9 Under Wraps (1997)
It's got a mummy, it's got teenagers, it's got romance—what more could you want from a Disney Channel Original Movie? Plus, Under Wraps has one of the most hilarious, random lines from any DCOM, courtesy of Leonard (Joshua Davis), "ANYONE WANT TO SEE MY SCAB?!?!"
Directed by Greg Beeman, Under Wraps tells the story of Marshall, Gilbert, and Amy (Mario Yedidia, Adam Wylie, Clara Bryant), who find themselves babysitting one very confused mummy (Bill Fagerbakke). But before they can return the mummy to his coffin and reunite him with his lover from 4,500 years ago, our daring trio must undertake a series of risky adventures.
In fact, Under Wraps was so popular with millennials that Disney launched a reboot in 2021, with a second one scheduled for release in 2023. And while the reboot kept the storyline intact and added updates for younger viewers, nothing can replace how we felt when we first saw it in the 90s.
8 Don't Look Under The Bed (1999)
Looking back, we're honestly embarrassed by how scared we got watching Don't Look Under The Bed when it was on the Disney Channel. At the time, we were young enough to believe in monsters lurking under the bed as we slept, so... it's understandable.
Directed by Kenneth Johnson, Don't Look Under the Bed is a Disney Channel Original tale about a no-nonsense teenager named Frances (Erin Chambers) who refuses to believe in the supernatural—until she finds herself face-to-face with the boogeyman under her bed.
In Frances' neighborhood, a series of practical jokes has everyone convinced that she is their culprit. But when the root of her problem turns out to be paranormal—and no one believes it's real except Larry Houdini (Ty Hodges)—she must find a way to prove herself before everything spirals out of control. We love this one because in a list of light-hearted DCOMs, Don't Look Under The Bed is a fantastically frightful flick.
7 Quints (2000)
We're just going to be straight with you: Quints is a Disney Channel Original Movie that will make you cry, but it's worth it. Directed by Bill Corcoran, Quints follows 13-year-old Jamie (Kimberly J. Brown), who has always been an only child, until her mom announces she's pregnant with quintuplets and everything changes.
Suddenly, Jamie is almost forgotten by her family. Instead, the limelight is fixed firmly on the five little wonders who instantly become headline news. But when Jamie gets more upset as her parents miss school meetings, and even her big art show, she turns to her friends Brad (Jake Epstein) and Zoe (Shadia Simmons).
A DCOM about family and not being forgotten, Quints has some of the most heartfelt scenes we've seen on the Disney Channel at our young ages. That makes it memorable, and the only thing that could have made this movie better is more Jake Epstein.
6 Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
There is Star Wars, there is Star Trek, then there is Zenon. Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century is not just a Disney Channel Original Movie that lives rent-free in our heads—it also has a killer soundtrack and a wardrobe that many fashionistas would still totally raid to this day.
In this DCOM sci-fi masterpiece, directed by Kenneth Johnson, our main character and troublemaker Zenon (Kirsten Storms) has much to worry about. She lives on a space station with her family—but she may lose everything when she is sent back to Earth for her wild behavior. Plus, she'll miss a concert from her favorite pop star, Prota Zoa (Phillip Rhys), too! Cetus lupeedus, what's a girl to do?!
With the help of her quirky aunt Judy (Holly Fulger), her space-side friend Nebula (Raven-Symoné), and a cute Earth boy named Mark (Greg Thirloway), it's up to Zenon to save her home and her favorite pop star. Weird and wholesome, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century is an adaptation of a beloved children's book with a fun DCOM twist. This classic adaptation of the "girl who cries wolf" story takes viewers on a journey out of this world!
5 Brink (1998)
Sometimes, the most important thing in life is to follow your heart—even if that means skating without a sponsor. That's the message of Brink, a Disney Channel Original Movie about a group of kids who meet at an inline skating rink and form a tight-knit community.
But, when one of their own (Erik von Detten) has to join a corporate-sponsored team against his will, he learns that some things are more important than money: friendship, family, and having fun. Released in 1998 and also directed by Beeman, this classic DCOM is still as relevant today as it was back then—and we promise it'll have you all ready to hit the streets once you get home!
4 Rip Girls (2000)
Rip Girls is a Disney Channel Original Movie about preserving Hawaii. However, ironically enough, it was filmed in Australia—a fact that reminds us of the numerous cultural blunders in Rip Girls.
This DCOM, directed by Joyce Chopra, follows the story of Sydney (Camilla Belle) and her father, who are returning to their homeland of Hawaii. Our heroine learns why her Dad brought her back: they're inheriting a massive plot of land on an island and discover it's threatened by a hotel chain wanting to buy it. She also learns how to surf, as one can guess by the title.
Looking back, Rip Girls wasn't perfect and pretty problematic. Should this family be inheriting this huge plot of indigenous land? One thing the controversial DCOM succeeded in was instilling a greater appreciation for Hawaii's natural beauty and making millennials aware of how big corporations can endanger that.
3 Miracle in Lane 2 (2000)
Frankie Muniz starred as a young boy with an incurable illness in Miracle in Lane 2. Yet another entry directed by Beeman, this Disney Channel Original Movie is a perfect example of why we love the Malcolm in the Middle star so much: It's fun, touching, and full of heart-pounding action!
Miracle in Lane 2 tells the story of Justin, a boy who wants to be as good at sports as his athletic older brother Patrick. Even though Justin uses a wheelchair because he has cerebral palsy and is disabled—he works hard and earns himself a trophy by participating in the Soap Box Derby with other kids.
This sweet DCOM is an excellent reminder of how far we've come regarding disability representation on screen—and it's also just a charming story about family and friendship!
2 Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)
Get your popcorn ready; Phantom of the Megaplex is a seriously spooky DCOM that still haunts us today.
This Disney Channel Original Movie follows 17-year-old Pete Riley (Taylor Handley), who lands a part-time job at a multiplex in his community. He and his friends are excited when the theater announces that the theater will play host to the premier of a major motion picture—with several Hollywood celebrities in attendance. However, when the big night comes, Pete has to contend with disappearing staff, malfunctioning equipment, and horrors he'd never have imagined.
Phantom of the Megaplex is an homage to Phantom of the Opera, the horror classic from which it gets its name; the movie was directed by Blair Treu—who later went on to direct The Last Days of Summer on Nickelodeon.
1 Stepsister from Planet Weird (2000)
Everyone thinks their siblings are weird enough to be from another planet. But what would you do if your sibling actually was?
That happens in this quirky and adorable DCOM, Stepsister from Planet Weird. This movie follows Megan (Courtnee Draper) and her little brother (Myles Jeffrey) as they adjust to having a stepfather (Lance Guest) and stepsister (Tamara Hope) move in with them. The problem is that these new additions are not just bizarre—they're from another planet! Megan must learn how to live with her new family and find her place in it all while trying to stop the wedding between her mother (Khrystyne Haje) and stepfather from happening.
Directed by Steve Boyum, Step Sister from Planet Weird is another turn-of-the-millennium DCOM that teaches us about being inclusion, handling family that's a little different than you, and love.