For many Millennials and Gen Z kids, Disney Channel Original Movies — or DCOMs, as they’re affectionately known — defined childhood. Whether you watched them live on a Friday night or wore out your DVR recording, there was a certain magic to those made-for-TV flicks that could make even the cheesiest plotline feel iconic.
While classics like Halloweentown, The Cheetah Girls, and High School Musical are still celebrated today, there are dozens of DCOMs that have slipped through the cracks of pop culture memory. These “forgotten” gems may not have spawned multi-movie franchises or massive tours, but they still hold up — and, in many cases, offer just as much heart, humor, and nostalgia as the hits.
Here are 10 forgotten Disney Channel Original Movies that deserve a rewatch in 2025. Grab some popcorn, cue up Disney+, and prepare to be hit with a wave of childhood memories.
1. Genius (1999)
Plot: Charlie Boyle is a physics prodigy who gets bored with college life and sneaks into a local high school under a fake name. While trying to balance double lives, he also helps the school’s struggling hockey team by bringing science to the rink.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: Genius was one of the earliest DCOMs to blend sci-fi elements with teen drama — and it worked surprisingly well. Trevor Morgan and Emmy Rossum (yes, Shameless Emmy Rossum!) lead a fun and clever story about identity, pressure, and friendship. Think Doogie Howser meets Mighty Ducks.
2. The Poof Point (2001)
Plot: Two teens accidentally cause their scientist parents to regress mentally and physically to younger versions of themselves — including full-blown toddlers. The clock’s ticking to reverse the effect before Mom and Dad disappear completely.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: Featuring Sister, Sister stars Tia and Tamera Mowry, this movie leans heavily into slapstick comedy and sci-fi shenanigans. It’s a fun, chaotic ride with surprisingly emotional beats about family, identity, and growing up — or, in this case, growing back.
3. Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)
Plot: Strange things are happening in a small town, and teen Frances is being framed for them. With the help of an imaginary friend only she can see, she uncovers a battle against the Boogeyman himself.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: Don’t Look Under the Bed is one of the only DCOMs that dares to lean into horror. It was so spooky that Disney pulled back on re-airing it for years due to complaints from frightened kids. But now, it’s a cult classic — eerie, creative, and surprisingly deep in its themes of childhood fear and imagination.
4. Tru Confessions (2002)
Plot: Teenager Tru wants to become a documentary filmmaker and decides to focus her project on her twin brother Eddie, who has a developmental disability. As she captures his struggles, she confronts her own guilt, jealousy, and love for her brother.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: This is arguably the most emotionally grounded DCOM ever made. Shia LaBeouf’s performance as Eddie is one of his best — sincere, respectful, and incredibly moving. This film tackled complex family dynamics and disability with heart and honesty that still resonates.
5. Alley Cats Strike! (2000)
Plot: A group of misfit teens must come together to compete in a bowling tournament that will decide which junior high gets a new school trophy. Sports, sabotage, and self-discovery ensue.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: Alley Cats Strike! is peak early-2000s DCOM, with retro bowling vibes, shaggy haircuts, and cheesy one-liners galore. But beneath the goofiness is a story about underdogs finding their stride and redefining what it means to win. Bonus: It gave us the iconic “slow-motion bowling ball spin” scene.
6. The Scream Team (2002)
Plot: A brother and sister discover their late grandfather’s town is haunted — literally. They join forces with a group of friendly ghosts (and one not-so-friendly one) to solve a mystery and help souls cross over.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: The Scream Team mixes Halloween fun with solid family drama. With a cast that includes Kat Dennings (WandaVision) and Eric Idle (Monty Python), it’s spooky, sweet, and one of Disney’s better attempts at supernatural storytelling.
7. Right on Track (2003)
Plot: Based on a true story, this film follows sisters Erica and Courtney Enders as they break into the male-dominated world of junior drag racing. With grit and determination, they blaze a trail toward championship glory.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: A young Brie Larson stars in this inspiring sports drama that’s all about defying expectations. It’s empowering, exciting, and one of the rare DCOMs to highlight real-life female athletes. It also holds up surprisingly well as a family watch today.
8. Now You See It… (2005)
Plot: Allyson is an ambitious teen producer who enters a reality show competition to find the next great magician. But when she discovers her contestant may have real magical powers, things spiral into danger and mystery.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: Think Now You See It crossed with The Prestige — but for tweens. It’s suspenseful, stylish, and includes one of the more ambitious plots for a DCOM. Plus, it stars Aly Michalka (Phil of the Future) in one of her strongest Disney roles.
9. Going to the Mat (2004)
Plot: Jace, a blind teenager and talented drummer, moves to a new school and struggles to fit in. To prove himself, he joins the school’s wrestling team — despite having no experience.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: This DCOM quietly challenged stereotypes and gave Disney one of its more nuanced depictions of a teen with a disability. It’s uplifting without being preachy, and the wrestling sequences are surprisingly intense. It’s an overlooked gem with a big heart.
10. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)
Plot: At a massive multiplex cinema, strange things start happening on the night of a huge movie premiere. Employees begin to suspect that the elusive “Phantom” haunting the theater may be real.
Why It Deserves a Rewatch: Mixing Scooby-Doo-style mystery with meta movie references, this one is a must-watch for any cinephile. Mickey Rooney adds a touch of old Hollywood magic, and the film is loaded with ‘00s nostalgia. It’s perfect for a late-night throwback movie marathon.
Final Thoughts: Why These DCOMs Still Matter
What made the early Disney Channel Original Movies so special wasn’t just their memorable plots or wacky characters — it was their heart. These movies tackled complex themes like grief, identity, inclusion, and self-worth, all while wrapped in an entertaining, family-friendly format. They spoke directly to the teen experience, flaws and all, and didn’t talk down to their audience.
In a streaming era filled with high-budget content and franchise fatigue, there’s something deeply comforting about revisiting these simple, earnest stories. They remind us of sleepovers, popcorn, and the magic of knowing there would always be a new DCOM waiting on a Friday night.
So fire up Disney+, queue up one of these forgotten treasures, and take a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of made-for-TV magic. Your inner 12-year-old will thank you.
