17 Of The Most Underrated Disney Channel Original Movies That You Should Watch

Put these on your to-watch list.

1. The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

It's a cute festive movie that features a baby-faced Brenda Song. The film follows two friends who find a small machine that controls the weather. They use it to make it snow in LA for Christmas which in turn causes disastrous results.

2. Up, Up and Away (2000)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

Before Black Lightning, this was the first family of black superheroes I saw on TV. Plus, the storyline about a computer programme brainwashing children was one of Disney's most original.

3. Stepsister from Planet Weird (2000)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

This film follows the life of Megan Larson, a girl whose world is turned upside down when her mum falls in love with a man who turns out to be an alien. The quirky characters and dual points of view from Megan and Ariel really sets this apart from any other Disney Channel movie.

4. Gotta Kick It Up! (2002)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

It's a film about a group of young Latina girls who find success as a dance troupe, with the help of the new dance coach, who also happens to be their biology teacher. This is so underrated.

5. Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off (2003)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

It's about a boy who has to decide whether to please his dad and pursue a career in baseball, or follow his passion for cooking.

6. Full-Court Miracle (2003)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

Based on a true story, this film is about a coach who helps a struggling high school basketball team become a winning team. This film shows that there's always more than meets the eye.

7. Pixel Perfect (2004)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

One of the best things about Disney movies is how creative they get with each of their storylines. This film about a digitised pop star is one of them. I guess Phil really is from the future. Did you see what I did there?

8. Stuck in the Suburbs (2004)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

What happens when you switch phones with a pop star? Watch this film and find out. Plus, shout out to the layering and bright outfits, aka classic Disney style.

9. Go Figure (2005)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

This film is about a talented ice skater who wants to go to a prestigious boarding school that's known for its ice skating coaches. The only problem is, she can't afford to, so she pretends to be a hockey player in order to get a scholarship.

10. Now You See It... (2005)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

Aly Michalka stars in this film as a budding TV producer who works on a reality show in search of the best teen magician. She soon uncovers much more than she expected to.

11. Life is Ruff (2005)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

Dog lovers will love this film. Kyle Massey stars as Calvin, a boy who adopts a dog named Tyco. At first, he's only interested in winning money from a dog show, but later he learns what it means to be a good dog owner.

12. Read It And Weep (2006)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

A girl has a journal full of her inner-most thoughts. One day that journal accidentally gets submitted as an essay for English class, wins a writing competition, then becomes a bestseller. You can imagine what happens next.

13. Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

Brenda Song stars as Wendy Wu, a girl who suddenly learns that she is the reincarnation of an ancient female warrior. She's the only one capable of saving the world from a powerful evil spirit but before she can do that she needs to practice. A lot.

14. Cow Belles (2006)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

If The Simple Life were a Disney movie it would be this. In the film, Aly & AJ play sisters who have to work at their father's dairy factory in order to learn the value of hard work and what it means to earn a living.

15. Den Brother (2010)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

This film is about a naturally gifted hockey player who reluctantly helps supervise his younger sister's Bumble Bee team to get his crush's attention. Even though he thinks he's doing them a favour, he ends up learning a lot from them, like how to be selfless and considerate.

16. Avalon High (2012)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

Imagine the legend of King Arthur but set in a high school. This film follows the life of Allie Pennington, who is a new student at Avalon High. Without giving away any spoilers, the film does a great job of retelling a legend with the modern twists of a teen movie.

17. Invisible Sister (2015)

Disney Channel

Why you should watch it?

It wouldn't be Disney if they didn't make a movie about a sibling becoming invisible. Which is exactly what happens in this film starring Rowan Blanchard.

So there you have it! A little nostalgia and some much deserved recognition for these underrated DCOMs.

Disney Channel / Via youtube.com