Aside from live-action sitcoms and animated shows, the Disney Channel also produces made-for-television films aimed at kids, teens, and young adults, which were called Disney Channel Original Movies or DCOMs for short.
Those who were kids in the 2000s probably have fond memories of looking forward to the premiere of the latest DCOM. While mainstream theatrical releases get most of the attention when people talk about the greatest Disney films ever made, several DCOMs were also hit in their own right. The 2000s, in particular, was a great decade for DCOMs. They were so well-received by audiences during this time that the Disney Channel began producing about six a year. These movies were responsible for launching the Hollywood careers of numerous stars. Zac Efron, who made his career breakthrough after starring in High School Musical, is the most notable example.
Join us as we take a look at some of the greatest DCOMs that made being a kid in the 2000s truly awesome!
While the Disney Channel is known for producing movies and television shows that are more light-hearted, they also tackle deeper and more meaningful subjects from time to time. The Color of Friendship, set in the 1970s, dwells on the subject of racism from the perspective of Piper, an African American girl whose father is a prominent anti-apartheid US congressman, and Mahree, a white South African exchange student. This film was based on Simunye, a short story inspired by actual events, written by American writer Piper Dellums.
Among all DCOMs that premiered in the 2000s, Cadet Kelly was one of the most well-received, with over 7.8 million viewers. This movie tells the story of 8th grader Kelly Collins, who is forced to attend military school after her mother marries Brigadier General Joe Maxwell. This heartwarming story about overcoming expectations and defying the odds featured two popular Disney Channel stars at the time – Hilary Duff (of Lizzie McGuire) and Christy Carlson Romano (of Kim Possible and Even Stevens).
In Twitches, twins Tia and Tamara Mowry play Alexandra Fielding and Camryn Barnes, twin sisters with magical powers who are separated at birth. They bump into each other for the first time on their 21st birthday, and they eventually learn about their past. The Mowry twins, who rose to prominence in the 1990s sitcom Sister, Sister, reprised their roles in the 2007 sequel Twitches Too.
The Cheetah Girls, which stars Disney diva Raven Symone, Sabrina Bryan, and former 3LW members Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon, tells the story of four friends from New York whose singing and dancing group called “The Cheetah Girls” is discovered by a famous record producer named Jackal Johnson. The film was a hit thanks to its story about friendship and girl power, resulting in two sequels and a real-life formation of the group. The Cheetah Girls released three studio albums, three national tours, and a clothing line.
When talking about DCOMs, it’s impossible to ignore High School Musical, which premiered in 2006. This movie was a total game-changer for Disney – it changed the way DCOMs were made and marketed and started the trend of launching branded merchandise to promote the film. The movie is also credited for launching the careers of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, who only had a few acting roles prior to its release. The film’s immense popularity resulted in two sequels, numerous spin-offs, and a concert tour.