8 Reasons Why If You Loved The Original "High School Musical," You Need To Watch "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" ASAP

WHAT TEAM?!

Hot Topic

🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Disney

Hi! My name is Chelsea and I am a proud member of the High School Musical generation: I knew the dance to "We're All In This Together," I had a wall full of J-14 posters, and "Gotta Go My Own Way" was my first experience with heartbreak.

Chelsea Totten

That's me in the white, and this is some delicious 2008 proof of my High School Musical love in the form of a red and white Wildcats-themed birthday party.

Now, you may have heard about the new Disney+ original series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and thought, "Wow, that sounds insane. I'm just going to re-watch Lizzie McGuire."

Disney Channel

Honestly, that is exactly what my first reaction was too! Then I gave it a shot and I promise — if you're from the original Wildcat generation you will love this show.

Disney+

First, you should know it isn't a re-make or an updated take on the original High School Musical characters.

Disney Channel

The series actually focuses on a drama teacher (who was an extra in the original movie) who is appalled that the actual East High where the movie was filmed has never put on the stage version of High School Musical, so she decides to put on a production of it herself!

Hot Topic

Obsessed with all things Disney? Join our fan community where you'll find hot topic discussions, quizzes, movie news, and more!

See our Disney Discussions

If that isn't enough to convince you yet, here are eight other reasons anyone who loved High School Musical should give High School Musical: The Musical: The Series a try.

1. The original songs you know and love are back!

Disney+ / Fred Hayes

So many songs from the original High School Musical make an appearance in the show since the students are rehearsing and performing the musical themselves. It means you'll get to hear iconic hits like "What I've Been Looking For" and "Breaking Free" and get transported right back to 2006!

2. The nods to the original movies.

Disney Channel, Disney+ / Fred Hayes

The drama teacher in the show, Miss Jenn, is a big fan of High School Musical herself so the show makes a bunch of references to it. That includes Miss Jenn ordering Vanessa Hudgens' cell phone from the movie online for good luck during rehearsals!

Real Wildcats might even recognize less obvious references hidden within the show, like the camel that is never explained backstage when Troy is sneaking around the theatre making an appearance too!

3. The High School Musical cameos!

Disney+ / Fred Hayes

That's right. A couple of the original cast members make an appearance in the series, including Ryan Evans and everyone's favorite pop-lock-jam-and-breaker Martha Cox!

4. The show's new songs are ridiculously good.

DisneyMusicVevo / YouTube

The series is full of original High School Musical songs, but it also jam packed with gorgeous ballads, catchy dance numbers, and everything in between.

My personal favorite songs are "Wondering" (a masterpiece, quite frankly, and the song Mrs. Darbus truly deserved in the movie) and "Just For A Moment," which was written by two stars of the series Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo. It's seriously incredible.

5. The amazing female friendships.

Disney+ / Fred Hayes

What was really refreshing about the series was the powerful female friendships between all the young ladies. They weren't all friends before the musical, and some of them were even competing for the same roles, but they'd always end up supporting and encouraging each other in the end. It was just really wholesome and lovely to see!

6. The set! (It's the real East High, guys!)

Disney+ / John Fleenor, Disney Channel

The whole series takes place at East High and it's so cool to see all of the places and little details you'll remember from the movies. That includes the front of the school that makes you want to grab your friends and sing about summer vacation, the iconic cafeteria where Gabriella accidentally cheese-fried Sharpay, and don't forget the gym where Troy Bolton and his team got their heads in the game!

7. The show's mockumentary style.

Disney+

The series is shot with interview-like segments and characters reacting to the camera almost like it's The Office or a documentary about the students putting on their show. It's a fresh perspective on the story and makes you feel a part of it yourself!

8. The cast is incredible.

Disney+ / John Fleenor

I'm serious. I know the High School Musical original cast were also insanely talented (you too, Drew Seely!) but these kids are crazy good. The singing, the dancing, the comedic timing — there is a character in this show for everyone to love.

(Then, when you're done with the series, you can watch the Behind The Scenes episode and take your obsession to a whole new level!)

Hot Topic

🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Disney