There’s more to DCOMs than The Cheetah Girls.
When one hears the term “Disney Channel Original Movie,” a few movies come to mind. The Cheetah Girls, for example, is a very popular DCOM.
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Or you think, “Man, High School Musical is a classic!” And, don’t get me wrong, it totally is.
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But you do know there are sooooo many forgotten DCOMs, right? Let’s take it from the top.
ABC
Under Wraps
Released: 1997
Why it’s underrated: This is Disney’s first official DCOM. And it features ~spooky~ monsters and takes place on the best holiday ever — Halloween. Case closed.
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Don’t Look Under the Bed
Released: 1999
Why it’s underrated: This movie is one of the only movies to feature monsters that are really fucking terrifying. So much so that it actually caught slack for being too scary.
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The Color of Friendship
Released: 2000
Why it’s underrated: This movie touches base on some serious issues that haven’t been touched on in a DCOM since. It follows the real story of the friendship between Mahree Bok, an exhange student from South Africa and Piper Dellums, the daughter of a congressman in D.C. It’s on TV every now and then, so watch it if you haven’t seen it yet.
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Susie Q
Released: 1996
Why it’s underrated: It’s the least scariest ghost story to ever grace the small screen and ~technically~ came out a few years before the first official DCOM. This movie does NOT get the credit it deserves.
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Rip Girls
Released: 2000
Why it’s underrated: This movie basically taught kids they can do whatever they put their mind to, regardless of age. And it also features some killer views of Hawaii. Win-win.
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Can of Worms
Released: 1999
Why it’s underrated: Alien comedy at it’s finest. And it features a young Erika Christensen!
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Hounded
Released: 2001
Why it’s underrated: It’s Like Cujo, only for kids, and the dog is much, much smaller.
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Quints
Released: 2000
Why it’s underrated: A high schooler’s life is turned upside down when she suddenly becomes the sibling of eight brothers and sisters. This idea is so bizarre and it didn’t get nearly as much attention as it should have.
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Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire
Released: 2000
Why it’s underrated: A mom goes on a date with a vampire and everything you’d expect to happen, happens.
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Phantom of the Megaplex
Released: 2000
Why it’s underrated: It’s Disney’s take on The Phantom of the Opera. Done and done.
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The Ultimate Christmas Present
Released: 2000
Why it’s underrated: A girl stumbles upon a toy that can change the weather. And it snows. IN HER ROOM. If this didn’t get you excited for Christmas, nothing will.
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The Jennie Project
Released: 2001
Why it’s underrated: It’s literally about a chimpanzee who talks. As if that wasn’t enough to win you over, he helps bring a disconnected family back together. Cuteness. Overload.
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Full-Court Miracle
Released: 2003
Why it’s underrated: Another DCOM based on a true story about University of Virginia basketball star Lamont Carr. He coaches a team of Jewish basketball players and leads them to victory. This movie was seriously intense.
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Tru Confessions
Released: 2002
Why it’s underrated: A story about a teenager following her own dream while dealing with the everyday trials and tribulations of having an autistic twin.
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Right on Track
Released: 2003
Why it’s underrated: A true story about the badass Enders sisters who make a name for themselves in the world of competitive drag racing. This movie made us all want to try it out, but our parents definitely said no.
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Going to the Mat
Released: 2004
Why it’s underrated: One of the more serious DCOMS, this movie also tells kids they can do whatever they set their mind to, regardless of what obstacles get in the way.
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The Poof Point
Released: 2001
Why it’s underrated: Parents turn into kids, causing the kids to ~grow up~. It’s early ’00s Disney gold.
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