Excitement continues to overflow for the vast slates of projects Disney is fostering, like Marvel Phase 4, the Star Wars Universe, and all the live-action releases. Disney+ also provides an avenue for reviving beloved classics like The Proud Family and launching sequels like Hocus Pocus 2.
While this reboot and remake wave continues, there are some fondly remembered Disney Channel Original Movies that deserve a new chance life. Though there are many DCOMs with lasting legacies, a handful stand out above the rest for having fun premises, great casts, and a lot of heart, all of which would make them resonate with audiences today.
Jump In! (2007)
Starring Corbin Bleu and Lightyear and Nope’s star Keke Palmer, Jump In! is a coming-of-age tale about following your heart. Izzy Daniels must choose to follow his father’s dreams of becoming a professional boxer or following his passion for double Dutch jump roping.
The stellar cast elevates this simple tale with emotional and sweet performances. Not only are the core themes universal that can resonate with any generation, but there’s plenty of potential for building on conversations about unnecessary gendering in sports. Developing the characters of the other jumpers and competing teams could broaden the scope of the story. Whether through a sequel or a reboot, it would be fun to see a new chapter of Jump In!
Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century (1999)
Spawning two sequels and many a fond fan, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century is due for a comeback. Featuring an early performance from Raven-Symoné and a few bops by the in-universe artist Prota Zoa and his band Microbe, the first Zenon movie is one of the most beloved DCOMs.
When the titular protagonist gets in trouble on the space station she lives on with her family, they “ground” her by sending her to live with her aunt back on planet Earth. When she uncovers a plot that could put the whole space station at risk, she must do whatever she can to get back home and save the day. Everything from the fun and creative premise to the zany lengths the heroine goes to makes Zenon a goofy Disney Channel fan favorite. Bringing Zenon back now, when space travel is becoming more and more common, would mean all new types of adventures to dream up.
The Scream Team (2002)
One of the few Disney Channel Originals to feature some genuine attempts at fright, The Scream Team is a movie about misunderstandings, revelations, and making amends. Brother and sister duo Ian and Claire must team up with a troupe of ghosts known as the Soul Patrol to track down an evil spirit that has stolen their recently deceased grandfather’s soul and torments their new town.
The original cast is stacked with great performers and it would be exciting to see them reunite for another mystery. The ghost world built in the movie is playful and eerie, and the small-town mystery is a perfect way to bring an audience into this universe. A sequel that elaborates on ghost lore and gives the crew a new mystery to solve could be very enjoyable.
Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006)
Wendy Wu loves shopping, her boyfriend, and her besties. She’s running for homecoming queen against her arch-nemesis, and she does not have time to save the world. But Wendy is also the newly reincarnated Yin Warrior destined to defeat Yan-Lo, who wants to destroy the world.
This DCOM could be an action-packed ride if made again. Brenda Song, known for the Disney Channel series Suite Life of Zack and Cody, shines in this fun and feisty role. Though no one could fill Brenda Song’s shoes as Wendy herself, it would be great to see this reimagined with a more thoughtful take on the culture and mythology and a deeper understanding of the characters.
Pixel Perfect (2004)
When his friend’s band is in need of a hook to make them stand out, Roscoe creates a holographic lead singer, Loretta, to front the band. The band explodes in popularity, but corporate interests threaten Loretta’s autonomy, and her friends must work to save her.
There are rich thematic layers, like unexpectedly heavy debates about what constitutes humanity and the right to make independent choices in life. This is another remake that could benefit from the technological advancements that have occurred since the original was released, especially in the realm of digital performers.
Don’t Look Under The Bed (1999)
Hijinks plague Frances McCausland’s town, and she’s being framed as the culprit. The only way to stop it is by teaming up with her younger brother’s former imaginary friend to defeat the Boogeyman causing all the chaos.
To re-imagine this tale would be a treasure for artists and audiences alike— from imaginative set designs for all the “under the bed” locations to Boogeyman designs and new town-wide pranks, there’s plenty of fun to be had. As with most DCOMs, under the comedy and adventure is a heartfelt tale; Don’t Look Under The Bed reminds everyone how important child-like wonder is, even into adulthood, and that imagination is as much a source of joy as reality can be.
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
When his dad’s new job forces Johnny Kapahala and his family to relocate from Hawaii to Vermont, he finds himself at the center of a decades-long battle between the skiing Skies and the snowboarding Urchins. With the help of his grandfather, legendary surfer Johnny Tsunami, young Johnny resolves conflicts between his father and himself, as well as between skiers and boarders.
A fish-out-of-water tale is always compelling, and the extreme contrast of Johnny’s predicaments makes for a lot of comedic antics. This DCOM did get a sequel, but a more modern retelling could flourish as long as they maintain the wholesome heart-to-heart resolution style at the center of the original (and feature some cameos by the iconic original cast).
Smart House (1999)
After the death of his mother, Ben has become the de facto caretaker of his father and little sister. Wishing for more time to be a kid, he enters a competition and wins his family a new home equipped with smart features to take care of the family.
Though much of Smart House is pure fantasy, it gets a few things right, like friendly names and a soothing semi-human voice for tech. With all of the real-world smart home technology that exists now, it would be fun to see how they could push this concept further or the ways they could play with our modern realities. As a Disney property, it could dabble in worries of technology gone awry, but the story of a family coming together through loss provides a warm heart to the tale.
The Luck Of The Irish (2001)
Kyle has been lucky his whole life, but when he loses a treasured family heirloom (a lucky gold coin) at an Irish festival, he learns the truth of his heritage: he’s half leprechaun. He must work with his family to deafeat the evil leprechaun Seamus (one of the best DCOM villains) who stole their luck.
The message of the film is simple on the surface; you can’t rely on luck. But there are some beautiful moments of family reconnecting between Kyle’s mom and his grandfather. A remake could take advantage of all the comedic possibilities while highlighting the emotional through-lines of the original. This wacky story could also make for a great St Patricks Day treat.
Gotta Kick It Up! (2002)
When their dance coach leaves, the girls of Marshall Middle School are worried their favorite after-school activity is out the window, but a new teacher with some dance experience steps up to the task.
The support between the girls and their coach is the heart of this movie. With the simple plot of competing against all odds, the characters and their personal struggles shine through. This fantastic ensemble cast, including emotional performances from America Ferreira and Camille Guaty, teaches its audience to get through tough times with the support of friends and a “sí, se puede” attitude. Yes, we can!
