Sweet Niblets! Hannah Montana Is Celebrating Its 20th Birthday With A Hannahversary Special
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
March 23, 2026
We’re celebrating Miley Cyrus’ Disney Channel debut with iconic moments, a “pop” quiz, and details on how to watch the anniversary special
Who knew a blonde wig was all it takes to hide your secret identity from your friends? As Hannah Montana turns 20, find out how to watch the special anniversary event, and reacquaint yourself with the unforgettable bops and bangers, over-the-top fashion, and memorable zingers that made the show a global hit.
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special Is Streaming Now On Disney+
Watch Miley Cyrus sit down with Hannah Montana super-fan and Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper to discuss the impact of the show two decades later. With guest appearances by other key cast members, behind-the-scenes stories, clips, and musical performances, the Hannahversary special event, released on March 24, is a must-watch for all Hannah Montana fans.
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Get To Know Hannah Montana
What is Hannah Montana about?
The show centers on seemingly regular teenage girl, Miley Stewart, her family, and friends. But when she’s not at school, Miley’s playing to sold-out stadiums as pop sensation Hannah Montana. Having seen her dad navigate fame as a “honkytonk heartthrob,” Miley has decided to split her life in two to maintain normalcy offstage and get “The Best of Both Worlds.”
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Where can I watch Hannah Montana?
You can stream all episodes of Hannah Montana on Disney+.
When did Hannah Montana premiere on Disney Channel, and when did it end?
The first episode titled, “Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?” aired on Friday, March 24, 2006. The two-part series finale, “Wherever I Go,” was broadcast on Sunday, January 16, 2011.
What made Hannah Montana so popular and timeless?
The idea that anyone, no matter how ordinary they appear, has the potential to be a star taps into a classic teen dream. With a perfect blend of fantasy and reality, you get to see both the glitz and glamour of Hannah’s superstar life and the everyday teen drama of Miley’s life. The farcical mix-ups that come with being a secret popstar, combined with touching moments with friends and family, define the show’s entertaining and endearing tone.
The show’s songs still hold up as sing-along bops, and because no one really ages out of the dream of becoming a pop star, the show continues to resonate across generations.
How many seasons did Hannah Montana have?
The series ran for four seasons and had a total of 101 episodes.
How does the show tie into Hannah Montana: The Movie?
Robby Ray worries that Miley’s getting too caught up in Hannah Montana’s celebrity lifestyle and decides to take her on a trip to their Tennessee hometown. As Miley puts her alter ego on pause to return to her roots, she once again wonders if she can be both Miley and Hannah.
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Hannah Montana’s Most Iconic Moments
From shocking reveals to larger-than-life guest stars, this show really had it all.
Miley’s First Reveal To Lilly
In the series premiere, titled “Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?,” we’re introduced to Miley’s life and how she keeps her pop star identity under wraps. When her best friend, Lilly, insists they go to a Hannah Montana concert, Miley is put in a tight spot. Lilly goes alone but sneaks backstage to meet Hannah. Despite Miley’s best efforts (including using a pie to hide her face), her secret comes out, and Lilly becomes the first person outside Miley’s family to know the truth.
The Bone Dance
In “Get Down, Study-Udy-Udy” (season 2, episode 4), Hannah Montana’s European tour interferes with Miley’s school work. While studying for a biology test, Miley (or Robby Ray, if you ask Snowball, the parrot) realizes she can use her singing and dancing talents to help her. Miley comes up with a catchy song and dance to help her remember all the bones of the body, and during the test, she can’t help but put on a show. The whole class joins in for a moment worthy of some “metacarpal love.”
Miley’s Reveal To Jake
“Achy Jakey Heart Part 1” (season 2, episode 9) marks the return of Miley’s on-again, off-again love interest, Jake. A famous teen actor, Jake isn’t keeping his identity a secret. As he and Miley rekindle their romance, Jake shares a secret with her. This prompts Miley to reveal her own secret, putting on the Hannah Montana wig as Jake looks on in shock, realizing who she really is.
Dolly’s Heist
Dolly Parton (Miley Cyrus’s real-life godmother) makes several appearances as Miley Stewart’s godmother, Aunt Dolly. But her most notable appearance might be her first one in, “Good Golly, Miss Dolly” (season 1, episode 16). She serves up insightful sayings, like, “Being a teenage girl is harder than walking through a balloon shop with a porcupine purse,” and cooks up a plot to steal back an embarrassing tape from Jake. During the heist, Dolly commits fully to the bit, showcasing incredible acrobatics, picking a lock with her fingernail, and posing as a janitor to pull it all off.
Miley’s Public Reveal
Miley reveals her identity to her boyfriend Jesse in “I’ll Always Remember You Part 1” (season 4, episode 9). In Part 2, she decides, after some soul searching and reminiscing about Hannah Montana’s best moments, to take it one step further. She goes on The Jay Leno Show to share her news in the most dramatic fashion. While on stage, Hannah Montana whips off her wig, revealing her true, brunette identity as Miley Stewart. It’s the emotional climax the entire series has been leading up to, as Miley and Hannah become one.
Hannah Montana Fun Facts & Behind-The-Scenes Stories
Where and when is Hannah Montana set?
The series is set in the mid-to-late 2000s in Malibu, CA, where Miley and her family live, having moved there from Tennessee.
Where was Hannah Montana filmed?
Many episodes were filmed in front of a live studio audience in California. The exterior of the Stewart home is a real beach house located in Malibu, CA.
Pop Quiz! What’s significant about the episode names?
It’s time to test your knowledge! Did you know that these episode titles are twists on famous song names? Can you guess the songs that inspired the episode titles? Find out the answers at the bottom of this article.
"Smells Like Teen Sellout" (season 1, episode 25)
"Bad Moose Rising" (season 1, episode 26)
“Me and Rico Down by the Schoolyard” (season 2, episode 1)
"I Am Hannah, Hear Me Croak" (season 2, episode 5)
"I Will Always Loathe You" (season 2, episode 20)
"Hannah in the Streets with Diamonds" (season 2, episode 25)
"We're All on This Date Together" (season 2, episode 29)
"Papa's Got a Brand New Friend" (season 2, episode 9)
"Come Fail Away" (season 3, episode 26)
"California Screamin’” (season 4, episode 3)
Did Hannah Montana have any crossovers?
Yes! Hannah and the gang made appearances on other Disney Channel favorites.
“That’s so Suite Life of Hannah Montana”
During Hannah Montana’s first season, there was a three-episode crossover event, where characters from Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and That’s So Raven appeared on each other’s shows. The episode “On the Road Again?” (season 1, episode 12) features an appearance by Maddie Fitzpatrick (Ashley Tisdale French) from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, who befriends Hannah when she and her family stay at The Tipton hotel.
As part of the event, Hannah Montana appeared in an episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody titled "That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana" (season 2, episode 20). While characters from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody appeared in the episode "Checkin' Out" (That’s So Raven, season 4, episode 11), characters from Hannah Montana did not.
“Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana”
“(Super)Stitious Girl” (season 3, episode 20) was part of a second crossover event, this time featuring Wizards of Waverly Place and The Suite Life on Deck. Aboard the SS Tipton, Miley meets The Suite Life on Deck characters, including London Tipton (Brenda Song), Zack and Cody Martin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse), and Bailey Picket (Debby Ryan).
Hannah Montana and Lilly both appeared on The Suite Life on Deck in “Double-Crossed” (season 1, episode 21) as part of the event. “Cast-Away (To Another Show)” (Wizards of Waverly Place, season 2, episode 25) was also part of the crossover, but only guest stars from The Suite Life on Deck appeared.
“Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas”
Not quite a crossover, but certainly worth a call-out, the Jonas Brothers appeared as themselves in “Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas” (season 2, episode 16). Hannah is excited when she runs into them at a recording studio, but soon becomes frustrated when she realizes they’re mostly interested in her dad, Robby Ray. After some shenanigans from Miley and Lilly, everybody makes up, and we’re given the pop-rock banger “We Got the Party.”
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Hannah Montana Cast & Characters
Miley Stewart, a.k.a Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus)
Miley Stewart is a typical, sweet-natured teenage girl with a big secret.
Lilly Truscott (Emily Osment)
Miley’s best friend and Hannah Montana’s number one fan.
Jackson Stewart (Jason Earles)
Jackson is Miley’s older brother who’s always cooking up schemes and causing chaos.
Robby Ray Stewart (Billy Ray Cyrus)
The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and Miley Cyrus’s real-life father plays Miley / Hannah’s dad. A former country star himself, he guides Hannah in her career and Miley in her personal life.
Oliver Oken (Mitchel Musso)
One of Miley and Lilly’s best friends, Oliver is goofy and kindhearted.
Rico Suave (Moisés Arias)
Rico runs a beach shack near the Stewart home. Though younger than Jackson, Rico often calls the shots in their machinations.
Hannah Montana’s Greatest Songs
There’s no shame in still bopping along to these fan-favorite classics 20 years later. Of course, the list could go on and on, but here are four that you just might know all of the words to…
“The Best Of Both Worlds”
The show’s theme song is an undeniable banger you can’t help but sing along to.
“This Is The Life”
The first song we see Hannah perform in “Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?” (season 1, episode 1), is a perfect mix of melodic and anthemic.
“Nobody’s Perfect”
Featured in “Get Down, Study-Udy-Udy” (season 2, episode 4), this song comes with a catchy beat and rock-forward sound. It was also Miley’s inspiration for the iconic “Bone Dance” song, which uses the same melody.
“The Other Side Of Me”
A fun, upbeat pop song with Hannah’s signature catchy hook. It captures Miley’s frustration at having to hide parts of herself in “I Can’t Make You Love Hannah If You Don’t” (season 1, episode 4).
Discover More Disney Channel Classics
Alongside new releases and exclusive originals, Disney+ is the go-to hub for nostalgic comfort-viewing. And 2026 is packed with milestone anniversaries: High School Musical turns 20, while Lizzie McGuire turns 25. If you grew up on the Disney Channel, this is your sign to rewatch all of your favorites.
Answers To The Episode “Pop” Quiz
"Smells Like Teen Sellout" (season 1, episode 25) was inspired by, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Nirvana
"Bad Moose Rising" (season 1, episode 26) was inspired by, “Bad Moon Rising,” Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Me and Rico Down by the Schoolyard” (season 2, episode 1) was inspired by, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” Paul Simon
"I Am Hannah, Hear Me Croak" (season 2, episode 5) was inspired by, “I Am Woman (Hear Me Roar),” Helen Reddy.
"I Will Always Loathe You" (season 2, episode 20) was inspired by, “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton
"Hannah in the Streets with Diamonds" (season 2, episode 25) was inspired by, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," The Beatles
"We're All on This Date Together" (season 2, episode 29) was inspired by, “We’re All in This Together,” High School Musical
"Papa's Got a Brand New Friend" (season 2, episode 9) was inspired by, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” James Brown
"Come Fail Away" (season 3, episode 26) was inspired by, “Come Sail Away,” Styx
"California Screamin” (season 4, episode 3) was inspired by, “California Dreamin’,” The Mamas & the Papas
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