Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior Disney Channel Original Movies

Ever since Disney Channel started making their own films back in the '80s, they've come to be a staple on the cable channel. However, it wasn't until the late '90s and early 2000s that the term "Disney Channel Original Movie" or "DCOM" was coined to describe these made for television films.

DCOMs really took off in the 2000s with kids and pre-teens hosting watch parties for the release of the latest and greatest DCOM. While DCOMs likeCheetah GirlsandHigh School Musicalwere instant hits, inciting cultural phenomenons, there are a lot of DCOMs that don't get the praise they deserve.

10 Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior (2006)

Brenda Song had spent only one year playing the hilarious London Tipton on the Disney Channel original seriesThe Suite Life of Zack and Codybefore she landed the role of Wendy Wu inWendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.Released in 2006, the film follows Wendy, a teenager hoping to be crowned Homecoming Queen whose life is derailed when she learns she is the reincarnated Yin Warrior, who must save the world.

When it premieredWendy Wu: Homecoming Warriorwas the fifth-highest viewed DCOM in the channel's history and was extremely popular on Disney Channel Japan.

9 Stuck In The Suburbs (2004)

Before Brenda Song was London Tipton and Taran Killam was starring onSaturday Night Live,the pair starred opposite each other and Danielle Panabaker in the Disney Channel Original MovieStuck in the Suburbs.This teen comedy centered around two teenage friends who happen to get a hold of Pop Icon Jordan Cahill's cell phone.

Stuck in the Suburbshas an interesting place in DCOM history because it's one of the first Disney television films that also released its own soundtrack.

8 Cow Belles (2006)

Sisters Aly and AJ Michalka star inCow Belles,a Disney Channel Original Movie that's eerily similar to the premise of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's popular sitcomThe Simple Life.In the film, the Michalka sisters play two spoiled sisters whose father requires them to work at the family dairy factory so they can learn the value of money. While working there, the sisters discover that someone is stealing money from the business and they're determined to solve the case.

Cow Bellesfared well with audiences but is often overlooked because it didn't break any records and the story wasn't as original as some of the other beloved DCOMs.

7 Quints (2000)

Before the explosion of reality TV that gave way to shows about families raising multiple children, the Disney Channel Original Movie The Grover family from the DCOMQuintswere doing all the work. Centered around 13-year-old Jamie, the film follows her and her parents as they adjust to their new life with five new members of their once small family.

Quintswas a tad different than some of the other DCOMs at the time, particularly for Jamie's willingness to break the fourth wall and talk to the audience directly.

6 Motocrossed (2001)

Motocrossed is truly one of Disney Channel's most original DCOMs as its set in the world of motocross. Loosely adapted from William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night,the film follows Andrea Carson, a young woman who dreams of being the best motocross racer but is barred from competition by her family because she's a girl. When her brother gets injured before a big race, Andrea decides to step in and pretend to be him to prove that girls are just as capable as boys.

Motocrossednot only introduced audiences to the world of motocross but its also an incredibly feminist film that encourages girls to pursue their dreams even if their dreams are "boyish."

5 Gotta Kick It Up (2002)

Before America Ferrara was Betty in ABC'sUgly Betty,she was starring as Yolanda in the Disney Channel Original MovieGotta Keep It Up.Unlike theBring it Onfilms which centered on high school cheer teams,Gotta Kick It Upfocused on a middle school dance team who recruits their new biology teacher, who happens to be a Julliard-trained dancer, to help them win.

Aside from being a great dance film,Gotta Kick It Upis also hailed for its diversity both on and off the screen. The film is also based on a true story making it even more interesting.

4 Go Figure (2005)

Released in 2005, Go Figure tells the story of Katelin Kingsford, a young girl who dreams of becoming a champion ice skater. After being discovered at a practice, Katelin has been presented the opportunity to study at a Russian skating school, the only problem is that her family can't afford it. Determined to go, Katelin's coach convinces the hockey team to give Katelin their last hockey scholarship.

Over the course of the film, Katelin juggles ice skating practices with hockey practices as she learns to love both of these ice-related sports.

3 Life is Ruff (2005)

Kyle Massey (That's So Raven, Cory in the House) andMitchel Musso (Hannah Montana) star opposite Kay Panabaker in the 2005 Disney Channel Original FilmLife Is Ruff. The film centers around Calvin (Massey), a 13-year-old who decides to adopt a dog in the hopes of winning a local dog show so he can purchase a rare comic book he collects.

Though Massey and Musso have both become synonymous with Disney Channel,Life is Ruffseems to be always left out of the conversation despite its heartfelt story.

2 Smart House (1999)

The 1999 Disney Channel Original MovieSmart Housewas truly ahead of its time. The basic premise of the film revolves around Ben Cooper, a young teenager, who, in order to stop his dad from dating, creates a computerized system for their house to serve as a mother figure. Of course, things go wrong when PAT becomes too overbearing for the family.

While fans of DCOMs seem to overlookSmart Houseforgetting its heartfelt story, critics have continued to shower the TV film with praise.

1 Minutemen (2008)

In 2008, Disney Channel took on the science-fiction genre with the release ofMinutemen.The film centers on three high school boys who build a time machine that actually works. As they begin traveling back in time to undo embarrassing mistakes more and more students learn about the machine and want their help in fixing their mistakes.

Minutemenwas truly a break from the music-led DCOMs that came before it and deserves to be watched again because it is unique and original while also being wildly entertaining.

NEXT: Disney+: 10 Disney Channel Premiere Films Subscribers Need

Next The 10 Best Performances In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Ranked

About The Author

Danielle Bruncati (254 Articles Published)

Danielle Bruncati was born and raised in Southern California and has been a story-teller for as long as she can remember. She is currently a freelance writer for ScreenRant and is also pursuing a Master's Degree in Television Writing and Producing from a top 10 film school. When she's not writing, Danielle can be found binging the latest sitcom or teen tv series with her dog by her side or walking around Disneyland with a Mickey-shaped snack in hand.

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Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior Disney Channel Original Movies

Source: https://screenrant.com/forgotten-dcom-worth-rewatching-disney/

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