Get’cha head in the game wildcats! It’s been 16 years since High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel on January 20th, 2006. 7.7 million people tuned in to watch when it first debuted, making it one of the biggest Disney Channel premiers of all time.
The film built a franchise, with two more movies, High School Musical 2 (2007) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). For children, teens, and young adults alike, the movie forever altered the landscape of movie musicals.
Join us as we take celebrate 16 years of High School Musical!
Fans share their memories with High School Musical
High School Musical was a defining moment for Disney Channel. While the network had experimented with throwing pop music into their films like The Cheetah Girls, there was no proper movie musical where each song would carry the plot along. With the talents of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, the rest of the cast, and the magic of Kenny Ortega, the film became a big hit.
I can remember sitting in my living room, at 7 years old, watching in awe at this new format of movie musicals. I memorized every lyric and dance move to perform in front of my family each weekend. I rewatched with friends as we continued to fight over what character we’d want to be. Shocker— we all wanted to be Gabriella because we loved Troy Bolton. High School Musical brought people together for a good time. Twitter users have shared their nostalgic memories of the film throughout the years.
Introducing my youngest to High School Musical. Brings back memories of my eldest being tiny. Secret guilty pleasure 😳 #notsorry pic.twitter.com/Kkl8cTbtbS
— Matt Aitchison (@matt_aitchison) April 13, 2021
Even adults love it!
Disney Channel is playing High School Musical. I have so many memories around the High School Musicals. I had a High School Musical themed-sleepover party when I turned 10, and we watched the premiere of High School Musical 2. Also, I was going to grow up and marry Corbin Bleu. pic.twitter.com/TaM0UMSJDo
— Deirdre “Jonese” Austin (@DeirdreJonese) July 6, 2020
I think we all thought we would marry Corbin Bleu.
Watching high school musical yesterday brought out my childhood memories. I could remember all the songs and had all “high school musical products”. 🥰
— Ifedolapo (@Dollypizzle) April 5, 2020
Does anyone remember the themed lunchboxes?
tomorrow is 16 years of high school musical and im not okay 😭😭
— n. 💌 (@noellewes123) January 19, 2022
Hand us the tissues.
High School Musical brought the funniest memes
Since the rise of social media, HSM has been one of the many hilarious victims of memes. Fans have taken certain scenes from the film out of context to create social media content connecting fans.
Did they ever even thank him? #HSM10 pic.twitter.com/v8myaelw01
— Wonho’s Ami ⋈ (@hyukmarked) July 17, 2016
This man is the real hero of the movie.
— U (@usxma) November 24, 2020
Troy captures our feelings perfectly in 2022.
the movie villain the actual villains pic.twitter.com/6w9tsU6l5u
— chu (@chuuzus) May 20, 2020
I think it’s time we have that conversation.
Remember how Troy Bolton was accepted to Juilliard
— Gabs (@gabbijordynb) December 16, 2018
We still don’t really know how.
Relive High School Musical’s 10th year anniversary
In 2016, cast members Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman reunited to celebrate the film’s 10th anniversary. Sitting in the original gym from the movie, the cast recounted all the special memories from the casting process and filming. While Zac Efron was not in attendance, he did pop in with a pre-taped message.
“It is so surreal being here,” Vanessa Hudgens said in the special. “It is crazy to me that ten years has gone by, and I see this cast and I feel like it was yesterday. I still love them so much, from the bottom of my heart. It was such a whirlwind – it’s just the best memories.”
Toast with a High School Musical drinking game
For fans 21 and over, celebrate the 16th anniversary with an HSM-inspired drinking game. Invite some friends over and stream the first film on Disney+! At Hollywood.com, we’ve comprised a drinking game to make your High School Musical rewatch even more enjoyable.
Here are the rules. Make sure to drink responsibly!
Take a sip every time:
- Someone screams “Wildcats!”
- You notice Chad carrying around his basketball
- You spot those iconic 2000’s cell phones
- Gabriella gets stage fright
- Troy talks or sings about being at a crossroads: Singing and dancing? Or basketball?
- Sharpay gets involved in everyone’s business
- Ryan murders the dance floor with his crazy moves
- Someone bursts into song
Thank you for the 16 years High School Musical. We’ll have a karaoke dance party in your honor.
