15 Classic Black-Led Disney Channel Original Movies

It’s never a bad time to watch a feel-good Disney Channel Original Movie, be it a classic from the ’80s and ’90s, anything from the 2000s golden era or even some of the newer projects released during the current Disney+ era.

One of the pioneering films that made the 2000s stand out was the 2003 fan-favorite musical, The Cheetah Girls. Starring then-teen sensation Raven-Symoné, the movie would go on to produce two successful sequels and a franchise that is still in demand over 20 years later.

Actually, fandom has built so much over the years that it convinced Raven to finally pull out the cheetah print pants one more time for an upcoming fourth film titled The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen.

RELATED: Raven-Symone Turned Down Disney’s Proposal To Make Iconic Character A Lesbian For Raven’s Home

Details are still developing on what to expect from Cheetah Girls 4, but so far we at least know that Adrienne Bailon and Sabrina Bryan are set to reprise their co-starring roles. Kiely Williams however isn’t set to return, which isn’t too surprising given her and Raven’s highly-publicized feud.

More details below via Variety:

“Joining the beloved Disney franchise is Sophia Bush in the role of Jennifré along with Leah Sava’ Jeffries (‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’) as Galleria’s daughter Faith, Carmen Sanchez (‘Electric Bloom’) as Chanel’s sister Dior, Kaileen Chang as Ruby, and Sophie Lennon as Brooklyn. Newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala will play Kendi.

The logline for the film states, ‘The story picks up when Cheetah Girls Galleria (Symoné) and Chanel (Bailon), alongside Galleria’s daughter Faith (Jeffries) and her three friends, travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way, these four teen girls test their friendship, find their voice, and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.'”

Also on board to return are Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter as supportive moms Dorothea and Juanita, respectively. The sheer sight of Raven walking on the set in the shared clip above is enough to get the inner child in many of us excited for the series to be entering the territory of a tetralogy.

Just imagine if we get another “Cinderella” out of it!

The nostalgia it evokes got us really thinking back on the many other Disney Channel Original Movies that featured a Black lead, from singing sistas, superhero families and a dearly missed super spy to deeper subjects on race relations and even a fantastical film that gave us a clever term for “twin witches.”

For those who have a Disney+ account or at least access to a good movie streaming site, we put together a list for your next throwback movie night if you want some family films to watch with added cultural significance. Although they make up a smaller portion of the wider DCOM catalog, they’ve each made a substantial impact on introducing inclusive storytelling, depicting a positive image of Black families and the emphasis of unity amongst us all.

As we wait for more details on the upcoming release of The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, take a look below at some of our favorite Disney Channel Original Movies with Black leads:

Perfect Harmony (1991)

Eugene Byrd shines in this surprising take on racial tensions during the Civil Rights Movement.

The Ernest Green Story (1993)

In one of his earliest roles, Morris Chestnut does the life story of Ernest Green major justice.

Up, Up and Away (2000)

An all-Black family of superheroes? We’re up for it!

The Color of Friendship (2000)

Piper Dellums’ real-life short story, Simunye, made for the perfect plot to this powerful film about race and acceptance.

Alley Cats Strike (2000)

A year before he broke out with One On One, Robert Ri’chard struck gold in this campy-yet-fun bowling film.

Hounded (2001)

Starring the Smart Guy himself, Tahj Mowry and his canine co-star were a perfect pair.

Jett Jackson: The Movie (2001)

The late Lee Thompson Young was amazing as star of The Famous Jett Jackson and its spy-themed film adaptation. We wish he was still here to give us a reboot.

The Poof Point (2001)

Tahj Mowry returning with co-star help from Raquel Lee, Mark Curry and Dawnn Lewis made for a fun family film.

The Cheetah Girls (2003)

We just had to add this one in! Raven helped give Disney Channel one if its peak film franchises.

Twitches (2005)

Taking tips from their younger brother, Tia and Tamera Mowry joined the DCOM fam to make a winning witch film.

Jump In! (2007)

Corbin Bleu and Keke Palmer came together to show us a thing or two about the skill in jump roping.

Let It Shine (2012)

Tyler James Williams, Coco Jones, Trevor Jackson and Brandon Mychal Smith are a dream team in this hip hop-inspired musical.

Zapped 2014)

You can tell Zendaya had fun making this film about being able to control the opposite sex with a tap of an app.

Upside-Down Magic (2020)

If you love the Harry Potter series, this similar fantasy tale led by rising star Izabela Rose is a fun watch for sure.

Sneakerella (2022)

This award-winning spin on the classic tale of Cinderella with a kicking twist is one of the latest examples of Black excellence to arrive on the Disney Channel.