Earlier this year, Disney Channel announced that it would be running a four-day marathon of Disney Channel Original Movies (also known as DCOMs), to usher in the premiere of the 100th DCOM, Adventures in Babysitting. If you're like me, some of your favorite movies were left off of that list of movies running. On Tuesday, Buzzfeed exclusively announced that the DCOMs not airing this weekend will air throughout the month of June. In honor of this weekend's upcoming marathon of Disney Channel Original Movies, I've compiled a definitive ranking of the 12 "black DCOMs." For the sake of this list, I've defined a "black DCOM" as a Disney Channel Original Movie with a primarily black main cast.
So let's have a nostalgic look back:
12. Let it Shine
This movie didn't rank high because it wasn't in the golden generation of DCOMs (my childhood). However, Coco Jones has a killer voice and Tyler James Williams and Trevor Jackson have done amazing things so far. It also prominently featured the black church. This doesn't stop them from coming in at #12 on this list though. Air Date: Monday, June 20 at 12:00 a.m.
11. The Proud Family Movie
Photo: Giphy I'll admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of the Proud Family Movie. Don't judge me, but I didn't feel like it captured the essence of the beloved series. Not to mention those peanut-head little creatures really creeped me out. Air Date: Saturday, May 28 at 8:05 a.m.
10. Hounded
The first of Tahj's Mowry's DCOMs features a crazed dog and former actor-turned-lawyer Craig Kirkwood as his brother. Air Date: Saturday, June 11 at 2:00 a.m.
9. The Poof Point
Tahj Mowry in his second DCOM. Mark Curry acting like a toddler still might be the most hilarious thing I've seen in a while. Air Date: Saturday, June 10 at 12:00 am.
8. Twitches Too
Photo: TheLaLa Twitches Too was fun, but a major recast and the involvement of unnecessary new characters kind of brought it down. Still a great film, though. Air Date: Friday, May 27 at 2:55 a.m.
7. Jett Jackson: The Movie
Phto: Giphy Before K.C., there was Jett. We need The Famous Jett Jackson series on Netflix, stat. R.I.P. Lee Thompson Young. Air Date: Wednesday, June 8 at 2:00 a.m.
6. Twitches
Photo: MTV I'm still confused how we bought the idea that Tia and Tamera were high schoolers when they are actually full grown women, but I dig black witches. Air Date: Saturday, May 28 at 2:50 p.m.
5. The Cheetah Girls
Photo: Giphy This female empowerment film ushered in a new era of Disney Channel fronted by Raven herself, and was the first major musical franchise for the network, setting the standard for High School Musical,
Camp Rock and Teen Beach Movie.
Put some respek on their name. Air Date: Monday, May 30 at 1:50 a.m.
4. The Color of Friendship
Photo: Tumblr This movie proved to be a little bit too real for my naive, elementary school self. However, years later I learned that this flick was way before its time, and I think now more than ever Disney needs to do something like this again. Plus, it's the first and only time we are going the hear "the word" on youth programming. Air Date: Tuesday, June 14 at 12:00 a.m.
3. The Cheetah Girls 2
Photo: Tumblr The first sequel to the original film ranks higher on this list because the Spain scenery was dope and admittedly the music was just as good. We also need to act like the third film didn't happen. Air Date: Friday, May 27 at 9:55 p.m.
2. Up, Up and Away
Black superheroes!? Can we not forget how epic this movie was? Black Panther who? Okay, I'm reaching, but you get the point. This was also the first black DCOM. Air Date: Friday, June 10 at 2:00 a.m.
1. Jump In!
Don't debate me, Jump In! is the quintessential black Disney Channel Original Movie. We didn't know how important defying gender stereotypes were back when Corbin Bleu still had an afro. Air Date: Friday , May 27 at 2:40 p.m. Now that we've ranked them for you, sit back for the next month and enjoy!
What do you think of the list? Comment below and let us know your favorites!
