18 totally nostalgic Disney Channel original movies to stream

This 1999 Disney Channel original stars Katey Sagal as Pat, a virtual caretaker who manages a home of the future. When Ben Cooper, a 13-year-old who's trying to keep his family happy after the death of his mother, moves in, things immediately go awry. Stream on Disney+. 

Based on the children's book of the same name, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century" follows the titular character, Zenon, as she lives her life aboard a space station. That is, of course, until she gets sent to Earth after getting in trouble in space and finds herself — and the space station! — in even more trouble. Stream on Disney+. 

While it isn't technically a Disney Channel original, there are few Disney films that were more long-awaited than "Hocus Pocus 2." The sequel to the original, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, was an instant hit when it was released on Disney+ in 2022. 

Starring Hilary Duff of "Lizzie Maguire" fame, "Cadet Kelly" is about a free-spirited girl who finds herself at a seriously strict military school run by her new stepfather. It was Duff's second film role and remains a cult-favorite Disney Channel Original. Stream on Disney+. 

Starring Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas, "Camp Rock" is packed with Disney talent, and tons of catchy songs. Released in 2002, the film is set at a summer music camp, where both the "haves" and "have-nots" are trying to make their way to musical fame. Stream on Disney+. 

At the height of the X-Games phenomenon, "Brink" follows a kid named Andy "Brink" Brinker as he enters the world of aggressive inline skating to help his family with financial troubles. Stream on Disney+. 

Released in 1999, "Johnny Tsunami" is arguably among the most memorable Disney Channel originals. It follows Hawaiian surfer kid Johnny Kapahala as his family moves to Vermont, a place not exactly known for its massive waves, and confronts the legacy of his grandfather, a legendary surfer. Stream on Disney+. 

Inspired by actual events in apartheid-era South Africa, "The Color of Friendship" earned an Emmy Award, among other accolades, in 2000. Critics praised its handling of racism in both the United States and South Africa through the lens of friendship between two teen girls from totally different worlds. Stream on Disney+. 

Inspired by a series of books written by Deborah Gregory, "The Cheetah Girls" is a Disney Channel original with a serious cult following. The film was expanded into a TV show, live tours, and merch after being the first musical film to air on the channel in 2003. A sequel followed in 2006. 

Speaking of musicals, arguably the most iconic of all the Disney Channel Original movies is "High School Musical," which is a pretty self-explanatory franchise. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens star as teenage theatre kids with a penchant for breaking out into song, inspiring multiple spin-offs, and a legion of young fans. Stream on Disney+. 

This 1999 Disney Channel original is all about a magical place called Halloweentown, where, you guessed it, it's Halloween all year long. Starring Debbie Reynolds, it's both funny and a solid reminder that it's always best to be yourself — especially if you descend from a powerful line of witches. Stream on Disney+. 

This goofball comedy about a group of kids who stumble upon a real-life modern mummy stars Bill Fagerbakke, famous for voicing the role of Patrick on "SpongeBob SquarePants." Stream it on Disney+. 

Yet another entry in the Disney Channel extreme sports canon, "Motocrossed" is based on Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," and tells the story of a girl who's out to prove that she's just as good at motocross as the boys. Stream on Disney+. 

Imagine being in a family full of superheroes, only to find out that you don't have any cool superpowers of your own. That's exactly the plot of "Up, Up, and Away," in which a regular kid has to figure out how to save the world — and find out his own powers along the way. Stream on Disney+. 

In this Disney Channel original, surfer girl Sydney Miller returns to Hawaii and learns about her family's long surfing history while fighting real estate developers who are looking to turn her family's land into a resort and finding her own way out on the waves. Stream on Disney+. 

Released in 2005, "The Proud Family Movie" follows the groundbreaking animated Disney series centered around Penny Proud and her often-embarrassing family. Stream the whole series, then watch "The Proud Family Movie" on Disney+. 

Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez star in this 2009 Disney Channel original about a princess in the fictional country of Costa Luna who's dumped in rural Louisiana after a coup displaces her family from power. There, she meets her new best friend, Carter, and the two team up to help Carter navigate high school — and Princess Rosalinda back to her rightful home. Stream on Disney+. 

Based on the Kathy Mackel book of the same name, "Can of Worms" is a goofy sci-fi flick about a teenage boy who believes that he has to be an alien instead of the jock he is on Earth. After a strange series of events, he ends up having to save the world — and deal with a slew of weird aliens. Stream on Disney+.