This Memorial Day weekend, the Disney Channel is rolling out a marathon of 51 of the network's original movies. Yes, the slate includes that one that kept you up for a whole month in third grade. And the one where the kid goes from surfing to snowboarding. And the one where the girl wants to learn to surf, but she has to keep it hidden because her mom died surfing.
Basically, it's time to cancel your cookout plans, buy your favorite childhood candy in bulk, and prepare for a weekend of binge-watching during which half your sentences will start with, "Whatever happened to the guy who played...?"
But just in case you don't want to devote your entire long weekend to Disney Channel Original Movies (you're making a mistake, though), there are a few essential films you should definitely make the time for. The classics that you've actually pulled up on YouTube on a rainy Saturday really withstand the test of time — like the one that taught you the delights of dog and cat people doing aerobics, or that one about fish puberty.
To make sure you don't miss out on the must-watch list, we've rounded up the best DCOMs of all time. Now go ahead, start singing the lead-in theme song.
Escape to Witch Mountain(1995)
It's hard to pick a favorite moment in this sci-fi remake starring baby Peggy Olsen and the kid from Brink! Is it when a social worker tells the pre-teen orphan looking for his family, "Well, according to this file, you don't have a family?" The magic flying car that seems to be powered by blacklight?
Wish Upon a Star (1996)
This sibling edition of Freaky Friday is one of the best snapshots of '90s teen fashion captured on film. And that dominatrix cafeteria dance shaped a whole generation's idea of what exactly high school lunch would look like.
Brink!(1998)
I know the movie that made middle schoolers everywhere fall in love with Erik von Detten was supposed to teach kids about the value of friendship, but I chose to see it as a very literal cautionary tale against the corruption of corporate sponsorship.
Halloweentown (1998)
The Disney Channel movie you've sought out every October, regardless of age. And if you happen to find it while channel-surfing, you will sit down and watch the entire thing, regardless of the season.
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century(1999)
The average '90s kid has a better handle on the lyrics of "Supernova Girl" than the Preamble, and I'm kind of okay with that. I'm also glad that futuristic fashion never really took off.
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
Alternately titled "The Coolest Grandpa, Ever." Serious question, though — why does he wear his new hat on top of his old hat? Is his head that cold?
The Thirteenth Year(1999)
This movie struck fear in the hearts of kids on the cusp of puberty everywhere. Also, for your trivia-night needs — Kristen Stewart can be spotted as an uncredited extra in her first-ever film role.
Smart House (1999)
This is the Disney Channel movie most likely to make you cry and yell at Siri, "If you're so great, why can't you make a cupcake appear on the counter?"
The Color of Friendship (2000)
Not only is this a great history lesson, it's a pretty great way to teach kids about empathy and how myopic one's point of view can be. It won an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program.
Stepsister From the Planet Weird(2000)
This is absurdist cinema at its finest — just so intensely weird. If you've blocked it out, it's about a teenage alien who's most comfortable as a pink bubble, and an evil ruler who can be destroyed by a leaf-blower.
Motocrossed(2001)
This is the film that inspired 100 pixie cuts, and even more grand plans to land motocross lessons. Plus, it'll help you brush up on your Shakespeare with its Twelfth Night vibes.
Gotta Kick It Up! (2002)
What other movie gives you America Ferrera break-dancing and a heartwarming story about teenagers following their dreams?
Cadet Kelly (2002)
This is peak Hilary Duff, a movie perfect for kids into high fashion who also like the idea of throwing rifles in the air. Seriously, though, the drill team routine is still amazing.
Get a Clue (2002)
The Lindsay Lohan movie came with its own catchy theme song and enough outfit inspiration to sustain a kid through all of middle school. It can't touch the perfection that is Life-Size, but still.
High School Musical(2006)
There's a reason your little cousins were obsessed with this one; those songs are catchy. And really, the plot isn't that different from your classic John Hughes flick: Can teens from warring cliques ever really be together?
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