Summary

  • Disney Channel's longest-running shows helped shape a generation with wholesome and entertaining adventures.
  • The end of the "65 Episode Rule" allowed Disney Channel shows to grow larger franchises and launch young stars' careers.
  • From Wizards of Waverly Place to Hannah Montana, these iconic shows provided a mix of music, comedy, and heartwarming stories.

The longest-running Disney shows not only proved huge successes for the Disney Channel but also helped to define a generation of children's television. The Disney Channel has been a staple in children's programming since its inception in the 1980s. Since then, Disney Channel has consistently created some of the most popular live-action sitcoms for children and pre-teens, providing entertaining and funny adventures that maintain a wholesome feel. With so many successful shows under its belt, it might surprise people to know that Disney Channel doesn't have that many long-running shows.

Prior to 2004, Disney Channel had a strict "65 Episode Rule" which meant no show could stay on the air longer than 65 episodes. This is the reason many of Disney Channel's beloved shows were canceled despite having a strong fanbase. Since the ending of the rule, Disney Channel shows have started to stay on air a lot longer than their predecessors once did. The change allowed big franchises to grow on the channel, amassing huge followings, creating beloved franchises, and launching the careers of many young stars, including Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus.

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10 Huge Stars Who Got Their Big Start On Disney Channel Shows
10 of the biggest stars around all got their big break on hit Disney Channel shows, and their careers haven't been the same since.

10 Liv And Maddie (2013-2017)

80 Episodes

Dove Cameron playing LIv and Maddie on Disney Channel

Premiering in July 2013, Liv and Maddie ended its 80 episodes run in March 2017. The series centers on identical twin sisters Liv and Maddie who could not be more different if they tried. While Maddie lives an ordinary high school life and is a star on the basketball team, her twin sister has lived out her days in the world of Hollywood. When Liv returns home, the girls must learn how to interact with each other and their very different worlds.

Liv and Maddie became a fan favorite partially due to Dove Cameron and her ability to play both Liv and Maddie.

Liv and Maddie became a fan favorite partially due to Dove Cameron and her ability to play both Liv and Maddie. She infused each of the characters with their own personality, making them two unique people. Her performance helped the series stand out from other similar projects aimed at a young audience. The show also set itself apart from other Disney Channel comedies by featuring the mockumentary format.

9 Austin & Ally (2011-2016)

87 Episodes

Original cast of Disney Channel's Austin & Ally

Austin & Ally followed the traditional Disney Channel sitcom mold featuring teenagers who are aspiring to be musicians, turning the teen show into a musical with some catchy tunes and dance sequences. The show was set in Miami and followed the outgoing musician and singer Austin and the awkward and soft-spoken songwriter Ally. Despite not being extremely original, the series managed to stay on the air for 87 episodes, ending its run in January 2016.

Much of the show's success rested on the leads Laura Marano and Ross Lynch, both of whom could actually sing with the latter belonging to a band with his siblings. They played their opposite personalities off each other well, showing different aspects of what it means to be a musician. Not only was the show successful but they also put out three albums with original songs created for the show.

8 Kim Possible (2002-2007)

87 Episodes

Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, and Rufus on a mission

Kim Possible has an interesting history with the Disney Channel 65 episode rule. In fact, the series originally ended after it broadcasted 65 episodes with the film Kim Possible: So the Drama serving as the series finale. However, Kim Possible: So the Drama performed so well and the series remained relevant that Disney Channel revived the animated series for a fourth and final season pushing its episode count to 87.

In a lot of ways, Kim Possible is now widely regarded as helping the network end the archaic rule. The popular animated series centered on the young teenager Kim Possible who doubled as a superhero alongside her best friend Ron Stoppable and his naked role mat Rufus. The show was designed to appeal to all audience members thanks to a strong female lead and the action of the series being in the vein of the James Bond movies.

7 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody (2005-2008)

87 Episodes

Cole and Dylan Sprouse in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody

Premiering in March 2005, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody ran until September 2008 where it managed to rack up 87 episodes. Dylan and Cole Sprouse then got a spin-off of the series, The Suite Life on Deck which also brought back many of the original cast members. While the new show was also quite successful on Disney Channel, it did not surpass The Suite Life of Zack & Cody's episode count.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody follows the lives of twin siblings Zack and Cody who find themselves living in The Tipton Hotel after their mother gets a singing job there. The show also featured a couple of future stars in the cast with Brenda Strong and Ashley Tisdale. The Sprouse brothers also managed to move onto successful careers after their time on the Disney Channel.

6 Good Luck Charlie (2010-2014)

97 Episodes

The cast of Good Luck Charlie during its final season

Disney Channel took a different approach when it came to creating Good Luck Charlie. The series centered on the large Duncan clan who unlike some of the other Disney Channel families, were an ordinary, everyday family. The series premiered on Disney Channel in April 2010 and wrapped in February 2014 after 97 episodes and an underrated Disney Channel Original Movie.

Good Luck Charlie episodes were anchored by eldest daughter Teddy Duncan's (Bridgit Mendler) video diaries where she gave advice to her younger sister Charlie (Mia Talerico). The sweet concept made for a heartwarming show with the intent of appealing to families as a whole rather than the Disney Channel's typical children's audience. However, it also made for a smart coming-of-age story with the experiences of kids being something that they can pass down to younger siblings.

5 Jessie (2011-2015)

98 Episodes

Original cast of Jessie

Disney Channel decided they didn't want to stop working with Debby Ryan and this created a new show for her to star in.

After appearing on The Suite Life on Deck, Disney Channel decided they didn't want to stop working with Debby Ryan and this created a new show for her to star in. Jessie follows Jessie, a young teenager from a small town with dreams of finding a more exciting and extravagant life. This leads her to walk away from her strict father and take a job as a nanny for the wealthy Ross family in New York.

Jessie premiered on Disney Channel in September 2011 and completed 98 episodes before the series ended in October 2015. The series was so successful that several of the younger stars, like Karan Brar and Skai Jackson, managed to land their own spin-off, Bunk'd. The show also has several crossover episodes with other long-ruinning Disney Channel shows like Good Luck Charlie and Austin & Ally.

4 Hannah Montana (2006-2011)

98 Episodes

Emily Osment and Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana

Always among Disney Channel's most popular shows, Hannah Montana stayed on the air for four seasons, racking up 98 episodes during that time. Like many other hits, the series also earned its own Disney film based on the show. Hannah Montana followed the life of Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), an ordinary teenager by day and international pop sensation Hannah Montana by night.

Cyrus became a breakout star on the Disney Channel with the series providing a great avenue for her acting and comedic skills as well as her talents as a singer. The duality of the main character also made for some very fun moments. She even went on tour as Hannah in real life for a time. The series was extremely successful and profitable for the Disney brand and also helped launch Miley Cyrus's singing career.

3 That's So Raven (2003-2007)

100 Episodes

Original cast of That's So Raven-Eddie, Chelsea, and Raven at school

That's So Raven premiered on Disney Channel in 2003 and stayed on the air until November 2007 when it did the impossible and hit the 100-episode mark. The series was highly successful and is credited for being the first Disney Channel series to earn more than 3 million views. That's So Raven stars Raven-Symone as Raven Baxter, a young teenager who just so happens to be able to see into the future. Though she tries to use her visions for good, they often end up getting her and her friends into trouble.

Raven-Symoné was already an established television star by the time she took on the lead role in the show with her career going back to her early scene-stealing roles on The Cosby Show. However, she truly shined in this series, which led to a spinoff sequel in 2017 with Raven's Home.

2 Wizards Of Waverly Place (2007-2012)

106 Episodes

The cast of Wizards Of Waverly Place sit on a sofa and smile

Though Hannah Montana might get the credit for being one of the greatest Disney Channel shows of the 2000s, Wizards of Waverly Place actually aired longer and earned more episodes. The series premiered in October 2007 and wrapped in January 2012 with a total of 106 episodes and a DCOM.

Wizards of Waverly Place centered on the Russo family's three children who happen to have inherited magical powers from their father. With their dad's help, the siblings must learn how to manage their magical powers in order to be prepared for the day when they will one day compete to see which sibling gets to keep the powers into adulthood. The series helped to launch Selena Gomez's career which led to roles like Only Murders in the Building. However, Gomez is now set to return to her early famous role with the upcoming Wizards of Waverly Place sequel.

1 Phineas And Ferb (2007-2015)

222 Episodes

Phineas and Ferb sitting under a tree with Perry the Platapus

Phineas and Ferb made their Disney Channel debut in August 2007 and managed to stay on the air until June 2015 racking up a total of 222 episodes during its historic run. Despite not being on air anymore, the series continues to be popular with a brand new Phineas and Ferb film premiering on Disney+ in 2020. The show has also been nominated for six Daytime Emmy Awards, winning two.

The series centers on stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb who are determined to have the best summer vacation ever.

The series centers on stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb who are determined to have the best summer vacation ever. With the help of their friends, the two go on wild adventures while their older sister Candance tries to rat them out. The show was a mix of comedy, music, and adventure while also being a celebration of the imagination of young kids and their ability to get the most fun out of any situation.

Channel Show

Episodes

Liv And Maddie (2013-2017)

80

Austin & Ally (2011-2016)

87

Kim Possible (2002-2007)

87

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody (2005-2008)

87

Good Luck Charlie (2010-2014)

97

Jessie (2011-2015)

98

Hannah Montana (2006-2011)

98

That's So Raven (2003-2007)

100

Wizards Of Waverly Place (2007-2012)

106

Phineas And Ferb (2007-2015)

222