There are countless Disney Channel Original Movies that are memorable because of their music. A soundtrack can be everything, and film scores are of central importance. A number of movies take music to another level by directly involving it in the lives of characters.
In addition to instrumental scoring or inclusion of licensed music, lots of Disney Channel Original Movies, or DCOMS, feature characters who sing, dance, or play instruments within the context of the movie. Here are ten of the greatest music-related movies Disney Channel has done, from 1999 to 2013. They are all on Disney+. Wondering where The Lizzie McGuire Movie and Hannah Montana: The Movie are? Remember that those were theatrical releases, not DCOMs!
Teen Beach Movie (2013)
It's Frankie and Annette-meets Grease-meets DCOM! The first and second Teen Beach Movies pay homage to the 1960s with original music meant to sound like that of a day gone by.
In the first movie, characters get trapped in a 1960s beach musical (called Wet Side Story, no less) where they sing and dance the day away.
Let it Shine (2012)
Let it Shine was very similar to the movie Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Jeremy Jordan, and Keke Palmer. Coincidentally, both movies are from 2012.
Tyler James Williams, Brandon Mychal Smith, Trevor Jackson, and Coco Jones were at the forefront of Let it Shine, a DCOM infused with Black Gospel and hip-hop.
Starstruck (2010)
Starstruck may be an unlikely story (two teenage girls stalk a pop star, and the girl who likes him the least falls in love with him), but where music is concerned, the movie is a hit. Sterling Knight plays Christopher Wilde, a teen heartthrob who throws down some pretty good tunes like "Hero" and the title track "Starstruck."
The song "Something About the Sunshine" sung by Anna Margaret, helps the love story unfold: "There's something about the sunshine, baby. I'm seeing you in a whole new light."
Camp Rock (2008)
Okay, so the plot of Camp Rock is not great. But Disney Channel history wouldn't be the same without this movie. Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers, Alyson Stoner, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Jasmine Denise Richards, Roshon Fegan, Meghan Martin, and more talented kids filled the screen with music and dancing.
The movie led to a sequel and to continued success for many of its stars. "You're the voice I hear inside my head, the reason that I'm singing. I need to find you, I gotta find you" is an iconic lyric from the movie. If you remember nothing else from the film, there's that.
Read It and Weep (2006)
This mid-2000s DCOM is based on Julia DeVillers' novel, How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller. The book's title basically sums up the movie, and music may not seem central.
However, it is good to note that there's sometimes an underdog sibling in the shadows of the DCOM. In this case, it is Lenny Bartlett, brother of Jamie Bartlett. When Jamie becomes famous over her accidentally published journal, she starts to change and lose sight of what is important. She really hurts Lenny's feelings by scorning his interest in playing the guitar. But in true DCOM fashion, everything works out, Jamie's feet hit the ground again, and Lenny plays his hit at the school dance: "whenever you need me, I will be around." The song is a crucial part of the movie's denouement.
High School Musical (2006)
High School Musical started out as one movie, but it turned into a universal language and a story that is still being written. It is now one of the most celebrated musical DCOMs, especially with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
The Wildcats of East High encouraged viewers to break social barriers and go after hidden dreams. The music of the movie trilogy still feels fresh and continues to be quotable.
Stuck in the Suburbs (2004)
Stuck in the Suburbs follows Danielle Panabaker and Brenda Song as they embark on their own version of celebrity stalking. It starts out innocently enough when a phone mix-up lands pop star Jordan Cahill's (Taran Killam) Palm Pilot into the hands of a teenage girl.
Things get a little manipulative, but Jordan's music is an excellent addition to the Disney music library with hits like "More than Me," "Make a Wish," and "On Top of the World."
The Cheetah Girls (2003)
Let us not forget the Cheetah sisters who made you "strut like you mean it" and show your "girl power." Galleria, Aqua, Chanel, and Dorinda are characters from The Cheetah Girls book series by Deborah Gregory.
Played by Raven Symone, Kiely Williams, Adrienne Bailon Houghton, and Sabrina Bryan, respectively, the Cheetahs wowed viewers with great music and choreography. They also celebrated diversity and personality in the early 2000s world. This is really the first music-centric DCOM in existence, and it spawned two more movies.
Gotta Kick it Up! (2002)
Gotta Kick it Up! is based on a real middle school dance team. Without music, the film would be totally different. The dance team's mash-up tracks at competitions and rehearsals are bouncy, poppy, and inspiring.
As they bond with their new coach, the young women on Marshall's team add their own flair by incorporating dances related to each girl's family heritage.
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
While music is not the only thing of importance in the Zenon movies, it is a big piece of the first one! Zenon Kar makes a model figure of her favorite singer of all time, Protozoa. Her creation is so awesome that she wins his contest and will get to dance with him at his big concert on her space station.
The problem is, Zenon gets herself into some trouble trying to fight the bad guy, so she gets grounded all the way to planet Earth! Kirsten Storms is fabulous in this role for all three movies, but the first one introduces fans to the iconic bop: "Zoom, zoom, zoom! Make my heart go boom, boom. My supernova girl!" Zenon lets her bestie, Nebula (played by Raven Symone), take the dance with Protozoa at the end.