Actors who got their start on Disney Channel have starred in many fun films over the years. The talented children's channel is known for producing some notable names in Hollywood, with many of Disney Channel's best-known stars leading successful careers after their time on the channel ended. Having the freedom to branch out as actors, these stars have dabbled in various genres, including heartwarming drama films, standout musicals, and hilarious comedies.
Serious movies like The Iron Claw and The consequencesstarring Zac Efron and Jenna Ortega, respectively, show a different side of the beloved actors which audiences rarely saw while on Disney Channel. This shift in career and public perception isn't always easy to accomplish, but these stars did just that. After their Disney Channel days, these actors played roles in films that are celebrated by audiences and some that impressed critics as well.
10
Mixed (2014)
Starring Bella Thorne
However Mixed is considered Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's worst film together, it still has enough charm to satisfy audiences and features a supporting performance from former Disney Channel star Bella Thorne. The film stars Sandler and Barrymore as two single parents who vow never to see each other again after a blind date goes wrong. However, the two end up at the same resort and are forced to merge their families.
Having starred ShakeThorne gained attention as one half of the series' lovable duo. In MixedThorne plays a role similar to that of Hilary, the eldest daughter of Sandler's character Jim. It is certain that Mixed it's full of overused clichés and doesn't bring anything new to the rom-com subgenre. Yet, Sandler and Barrymore have great chemistry and there's enough humor to make it easy to watch.
9
A Cinderella Story (2004)
Starring Hilary Duff
Telling a modernized version of the classic Cinderella folk tale, A Cinderella story stars Hilary Duff in one of her first major film roles afterLizzie McGuire. In the film, Duff plays Cinderella character Sam, who works at her stepmother's restaurant and finds herself in an anonymous text message relationship with a mysterious boy at her school. Duff fits in well as the girl-next-door character as she faces traditional high school pressures to fit in.
A Cinderella story is set in California, with unique architecture that allows the fairytale elements of the famous story to come to life. Additionally, supporting performances from Jennifer Coolidge, Regina King, and Chad Michael Murray help translate the iconic roles of the evil stepmother and prominent love interest into the framework of a light-hearted romantic comedy. The success of A Cinderella story led to the release of a series of similar films, led by other former Disney Channel stars like Selena Gomez, Sofia Carson and Laura Marano.
8
Crossroads (2002)
Starring Britney Spears
Before Britney Spears was recognized as the “Princess of Pop”, she started out as an actress in The new Mickey Mouse club. About a decade later, Spears outgrew her Disney Channel career and got the opportunity to lead the teen road film Crossroads. Accompanied by Taryn Manning and Zoe Saldaña, Crossroads follows the girls' journey across the country to fulfill wishes they made when they were younger. Although the film was panned by critics, it was a commercial success.
Crossroads continues to be rewatched by audiences today, particularly by the pop singer's fans, as it is Spears' only leading role in a film. Among the critical blows of Crossroads as a whole when it was first released, Spears remained a highlight of the film. Regardless of where the film's plot took her, Spears was committed to playing her character, Lucy, and she radiated much of the same captivating charm that made her such a beloved icon in the first place.
7
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Starring Zac Efron and Zendaya
Despite The greatest showmanDespite the inaccuracies, the biographical musical is still a lot of fun. The film tells a fictional story of how PT Barnum's Barnum & Bailey Circus came to be. Hugh Jackman leads the film as PT Barnum and is supported by a host of talented actors, including two former Disney Channel stars, Zendaya and Zac Efron. In the film, the latter plays a playwright who helps Barnum and his circus gain attention, with Zendaya portraying his love interest and a skilled trapeze artist.
With The greatest showmanIn Disney's musical component, former Disney stars had the opportunity to put into practice their learned musical skills, which often come with acting on the Disney Channel. Zendaya and Efron sing together in the emotional song “Rewrite the Stars”, which shows the two going back and forth about their complicated love story. The film was not well received by critics upon its release, but has continued to be celebrated by audiences who are captivated by its catchy musical sequences.
6
The Aftermath (2021)
Starring Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega's status as scream queen has largely been how her post-Disney Channel career is defined. From films like X and Beetle juice Beetle juiceThere's no denying Ortega's strength in the horror genre. However, another great film with Ortega as the protagonist is The consequences. Alongside Maddie Ziegler, the two actors portray survivors of a school shooting. The consequences handles sensitive matters with great considerationand Ortega and Ziegler deliver moving performances.
The two have great on-screen chemistry and each emphasizes the fact that responses to traumatic situations are different for everyone. Ortega, in particular, gained a lot of attention from critics, with many citing Vada's role as her breakthrough. The consequencespremiering on HBO Max, it became the most-watched original film in the United States and received several critical nominations.
5
Emília Pérez (2024)
Starring Selena Gomez
Gaining both backlash and critical comments, Netflix Emilia Pérez fuses a multitude of genres to tell an emotional trans story. The French film stars Zoe Saldaña as a lawyer wanted by a cartel leader who wants to transform into a woman (Karla Sofía Gascón). On paper, the gritty theme doesn't seem to pair well with lavish musical numbers, but in execution, the stark contrast makes for a unique viewing experience.
In the film, the wife of the cartel leader is played by Selena Gomez. Much of the emotional weight of the story told in Emilia Pérez falls on the shoulders of Saldaña and Gascón, but Gomez still plays a significant role as a wife who struggles with her ex-husband's decisions. It's unlike any other character she's played so far, and for her performance, Gomez received a Golden Globe nomination.
4
Real Women Have Curves (2002)
Starring America Ferrera
The same year that America Ferrera made her television film debut in the Disney Channel Original Movie, I have to get the ball rolling!She made her film debut in Real women have curves. The film combines humor and heart to tell the coming-of-age story of a Mexican-American teenager (Ferrera) who struggles against her family's expectations while at the same time trying to carve her own path in life.
The film received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from critics and is often considered one of Ferrera's best films. Ferrera is involved with everyone the film's heavy themes, which primarily seek to highlight the Mexican-American experience and themes about self-acceptance. Through it all, Ferrera remains genuine and relatable in her performance, radiating a similar charm present throughout much of her early career.
3
The Iron Claw (2023)
Starring Zac Efron
Based on the true story of the Von Erichs wrestling family, The Iron Claw sees Zac Efron in one of his most dramatic roles yet. Efron plays Kevin Von Erich, the family's last surviving son. The film is largely told through Kevin's perspective and follows the family's lives during the height of their professional careers, detailing the pressures they felt to succeed under the guidance of their commanding father (Holt McCallany).
Although there are some real-life details left out The Iron Clawthe film doesn't hesitate to paint a tragic picture of the Von Erichs' lives. There's a lot of emotional weight placed on Efron as the protagonistbut he handles it gracefully. Many critics and audiences consider Efron's performance to be the best of his career, and it's impressive to see how far he's come as an actor since his Disney Channel days.
2
Challengers (2024)
Starring Zendaya
Following Zendaya's stint on Disney Channel, the actor starred in a number of projects, from the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming and its science fiction film sequels Dune and Dune: Part Two. One of his most recent films is Luca Guadagnino Challengerswhere Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a promising tennis player turned coach. Challengers sets its melodramatic story in the world of tennis and details the drama that unfolds off the court between Tashi and two current tennis players, Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O'Connor).
Tashi is a significantly different character than the ones Zendaya played on Disney Channel. However, having worked as an actress in the aforementioned films and the HBO series EuphoriaZendaya's performance in Challengers it is more than effective. The film currently holds an 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Zendaya recently received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
1
Barbie (2023)
Starring Ryan Gosling
A huge box office success in 2023, Barbie was widely celebrated by audiences and critics for its storytelling, humor, and memorable performances, one of which came from former Disney Channel star Ryan Gosling. The film details the journey of self-discovery of two of Mattel's greatest dolls, Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Gosling). In the early 90s, Gosling began his career in The new Mickey Mouse clubshowcasing various talents of yours, getting a similar opportunity in Barbie.
As Ken, Gosling showcases his comedic and musical talents as his character discovers patriarchal ideology and sets out to place himself and the other Kens in leadership roles within Barbieland. One of Gosling's most memorable contributions to film is his performance in “I'm Just Ken”, a humorous song inspired by the power ballads of the 80s. Alongside it Barbie co-stars, Gosling received high levels of critical acclaim for his performance and received numerous nominations for his supporting role.