Five DCOMs That Raised Zillennials (And Still Hold Up)

If you were born in the 1990’s or early 2000s, then odds are you were either a Disney Channel or Nickelodeon watcher. Early mornings and after school spent in front of the TV, waiting for new episodes and movies to premiere.

Every Disney Channel original movie, or DCOMs, as fans nicknamed them, had a premiere that felt like a red-carpet event. High School Musical 2’s premiere drew in 17.2 million viewers!

But aside from the obvious ones, there are so many popular and underrated D-COMS that every Zillennial should watch.

Starstruck

2010, Director: Michael Grossman Starstruck was released when Justin Bieber blew up, but Christopher Wilde (Sterling Knight) was a dream come true for D-COM girlies. The movie follows Jessica Olson (Danielle Campbell) on vacation in Hollywood as she ends up accidentally meeting Chris and going on a wilde (no pun intended) ride with him across the city to escape paparazzi. When pictures of the two leaks, he denies knowing her and must make it up to her.

Everyone should see this movie because it’s like a Wattpad fanfiction come to life. Normal girl meets pop star, she’s uninterested, they develop feelings. The end!

High School Musical 2

2007, Director: Kenny Ortega High School Musical 2 is widely considered the best in the trilogy, combining character development, summer escapism, and memorable scenes. (Anyone remember the pool dance and the pot banging?) The film follows the Wildcats as they take jobs at the exclusive Lava Springs country club, where tensions build when Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) attempts to pull Troy (Zac Efron) away from his friends and girlfriend Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) with new opportunities.

It’s a summer essential that perfectly captures that hopeful feeling, while delivering songs that still hold up nearly 20 years later. I Don’t Dance is still unapparelled.

Lemonade Mouth

2011, Director: Patricia Riggen Lemonade Mouth is an underrated DCOM that blends classic teen themes like music, friendship, angst, and romance. In a The Breakfast Club-style setup, five teenagers meet in detention, form a band, and enter the Rising Star competition. When Olivia (Bridget Mendler) struggles with stage fright, a rival dubs her “Lemonade Mouth,” a name the group ultimately embraces.

What sets the film apart is its focus on heavier themes, including insecurity, anxiety, and complex family dynamics. This added depth makes it one of the more grounded and impactful Disney Channel films of its era.

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

2009, Director: Lev L. Spiro Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie is one of Disney Channel’s most emotional films, following the Russo family on a Caribbean holiday. After a heated argument, Alex (Selena Gomez) makes a reckless wish that her parents never met, putting her family at risk.

Alex and Justin must race to reverse the spell using the Stone of Dreams before they disappear forever. The film explores family, consequences, and growing up, with strong performances and a heartfelt story that expands the show’s wizard lore.

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century

1999, Director: Kenneth Johnson Picture this: you’re 13, grounded, and sent to Earth as punishment. That’s exactly what happens to Zenon Kar (Kristen Storms), a girl raised on a space station who must adjust to life on Earth while uncovering a plot to destroy her home.

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century is a quirky, early DCOM that leans into turn-of-the-century futurism and campy storytelling. Even if some Zillennials were too young when it first aired, it still captures a nostalgic era when Disney Channel embraced more experimental, offbeat films.