We all like to look at our childhoods with rose-colored glasses and claim that the television and movies of the time are far superior to anything that is available today, but there was something truly special about children’s programming in the aughts. Several of these shows were later turned into movies and lots of them hold up today. If you haven’t yet introduced your children to these Disney Channel shows from the 2000s, you need to STAT.
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
Starring twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody was humorous and heartwarming, and it depicted the dream of many a kid: life in a five-star hotel. A bit of a modern take on Eloise, The Suite Life is definitely aimed toward kids, but it’s not so intolerable that parents can’t stand to watch it. And given that the two boys are raised by a single mom, it’s a fairly realistic depiction of a modern family (fairly being the operative word – they do live in a hotel after all).
Hannah Montana
If we hadn’t had Hannah Montana, we wouldn’t have had “Flowers.” Miley Cyrus‘s introduction into pop culture was by way of Hannah Montana, the 2000s Disney hit about a teenager named Miley Stewart doubling as a mega pop star named Hannah Montana. The show ran for 100 episodes and had a feature film that aired in theaters, so there’s plenty of content to binge if your kids just can’t get enough of fictional teen idols.
Lizzie McGuire
Another Disney show with a feature film, Lizzie McGuire follows a pre-teen girl as she navigates family, friends, and crushes as a middle schooler. Lizzie McGuire basically invented bitmojis, and its holiday episodes – the Aaron Carter Christmas special and the frightening Halloween scene – are some of the best that Disney Channel has to offer. Oh, and she goes to Italy in the movie. Enough said.
Even Stevens
Shia LaBeouf has been through a lot. But before he was a controversial figure publicly watching a marathon of his own movies, he was just a goofy kid on a Disney show. Even Stevens is the perfect show to watch with your kids if they like silly humor. And if your kids, for some strange reason, need to know the exact year we first sent a man to the moon and absolutely nothing else about the moon landing, Even Stevens has a musical number to help them remember.
Each of these shows is streaming now on Disney+.