Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat: Celebrate High School Musical’s 20th Anniversary

Return to East High and relive the drama, music, and camaraderie of the 2006 smash hit

“We’re all in this together!” Whether you’re a new fan or tuned in for the Disney Channel debut 20 years ago, let’s celebrate the first installment of the iconic franchise. With behind-the-scenes tidbits and throwbacks to 2000s anthems, we’re giving you all the details you need ahead of your rewatch.

Get To Know High School Musical

It’s time to “get’cha head in the game” and brush up on your knowledge of the Disney Channel Original Movie that became a global sensation.

What is High School Musical about?

When a twist of fate brings basketball star Troy and honors student Gabriella together in a New Year’s duet, their chemistry leads them to discover their mutual love of singing. When Gabriella joins Troy at East High after winter break, they find themselves wanting to audition for the school’s musical, defying their peers’ expectations and ruffling the theater kids’ feathers. Caught between their love for performing and established roles as athlete and academic, Troy and Gabriella face skepticism, pushback, and even attempts at sabotage. Can Troy and Gabriella embrace all parts of themselves and “break free?”

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Where can I watch High School Musical?

High School Musical, its sequels, and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are all streaming on Disney+. The movies even have sing-along versions with lyrics, so you can belt out your favorites together with Troy and the Wildcats. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, relive your favorite hallway harmonies and epic dances from East High with a nonstop High School Musical Stream on Disney+, starting January 7 for a limited time.

When did High School Musical come out on Disney Channel?

The movie premiered on January 20, 2006.

What made High School Musical so popular, and why is it timeless?

The movie captures the best and worst parts of high school, when you’re working out who you really are and the stakes feel high. Add catchy tunes, epic dance routines, and hilarious moments, and you’ve got the ultimate feel-good movie that taught us it’s okay to be more than one thing. You can watch it again and again, as you sing and dance along, get caught up in the drama, and laugh with its lovably earnest characters. Plus, it conjures 2000s nostalgia while exploring enduring themes of belonging and friendship.

How many High School Musical movies are there?

Three, released in 2006, 2007, and 2008, and there’s also a Disney+ original series that ran for four seasons between 2019 and 2023.

High School Musical’s Greatest Songs & Most Iconic Moments

The movie is full of moments to love, big and small. Here are some of the most impactful scenes and biggest hits.

“Bop To The Top”

Sharpay and Ryan show off their chops in their callback audition number, certain they’re a lock as the show’s leads. Featuring an irresistible Latin beat and dance moves, this anthem of ambition is a guaranteed party starter.

“Breaking Free”

Troy and Gabriella triumph as they balance their musical aspirations with their other duties, proving we can all do more than one thing. With inspirational lyrics and heartfelt harmonies, you can truly feel their joy, relief, and passion.

“We’re All In This Together”

In the movie’s finale, the whole school comes together to celebrate the Wildcats with a catchy song. It highlights the importance of being yourself and that no matter which box or clique you’re in, you can find common ground with others.

High School Musical Fun Facts & Behind-The-Scenes Stories

Think you know everything there is to know about High School Musical? Time to test your knowledge.

Where and when is High School Musical set?

The movie is set at the fictional East High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the mid-2000s.

Where was High School Musical filmed?

Though set in New Mexico, it was mostly filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah, at a school that’s really called East High.

What was High School Musical based on?

Inspired by the spirit of classic teen musicals like Grease and West Side Story, High School Musical was an original concept developed for Disney Channel.

Who else auditioned for High School Musical?

Many of the movie’s cast auditioned for different roles than the ones they ended up playing. For example, Lucas Grabeel ended up playing Ryan, but can you imagine him lighting up the basketball court and the stage as Troy?

Meanwhile, Corbin Bleu plays charming jock Chad, but things could have looked very different if he’d gotten the role he initially read for, antagonist Ryan.

Why was the movie called High School Musical?

Originally just a descriptive working title, the team grew fond of it over time and decided to keep it as the official title.

Who created High School Musical?

It took a big team to make this classic come together, including producers Bill Borden, Barry Rosenbush, and Don Schain. Journalist and TV producer Peter Barsocchini wrote the script, and the iconic Kenny Ortega choreographed and directed.

High School Musical Cast & Characters

Roll call for our favorite Wildcats!

Who are the main cast and characters of High School Musical?

Zac Efron as Troy Bolton

Troy is the Wildcats basketball team’s golden boy, loved by his fellow students. But with status comes pressure and expectations, especially from his father and coach, Jack Bolton. After meeting Gabriella, Troy finds that while “[his] head is in the game, [his] heart is in the song.” As Troy makes his newfound passion for singing public, he ends up risking everything for the opportunity to be himself.

Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez

New to East High, Gabriella moves to Albuquerque shortly after her fateful New Year’s duet with Troy. Incredibly intelligent, she quickly joins the school’s Scholastic Decathlon Team. However, seeing Troy again reignites her desire to sing and perform despite her shy nature. Just like Troy, she must weigh her new desires against her existing talents.

Ashley Tisdale French as Sharpay Evans

As queen bee of the East High drama club, Sharpay stands comfortably in the spotlight without challenge. But, when Troy and Gabriella suddenly pose the first real threat to her position at the top, she hatches a scheme to keep them from usurping her.

Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans

Sharpay’s twin brother and stage partner, Ryan, shares his sister’s Broadway ambitions. Technically eight minutes younger than her, he often acts as her sly sidekick.

Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth

Chad is Troy’s best friend and basketball teammate. Unlike Troy, he’s happy with his role in the jock clique, with his focus firmly fixed on basketball. When he notices his team captain and best friend take his eye off the ball, Chad worries what Troy’s new interest will mean for his own hopes and dreams.

Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie

Captain of the Scholastic Decathlon team, Taylor quickly embraces Gabriella after she joins East High. Just like Chad, she worries that her friend’s plan to join the musical will compromise her dedication to her existing commitments.

More High School Musical On Disney+

Discovering or rediscovering the 2006 cult classic is sure to make you hungry for more songs and drama. Find all your High School Musical favorites here.

High School Musical 2

School’s out for summer, and our favorite Wildcats are working at a local country club. As the gang enjoys new freedoms, and some get ready for the club’s talent show, Sharpay once again meddles and risks tearing the group apart once and for all.

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High School Musical 3: Senior Year

As they enter their final year of high school, Troy, Gabriella, and their friends are facing new challenges and big decisions. Amid all this, they prepare for one last show, juggling rehearsals and relationships.

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High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

This mockumentary-style show follows a group of students attending the real East High, where High School Musical was filmed. We see them preparing to stage the school’s first stage production of “High School Musical”, with Olivia Rodrigo’s Nini cast as Gabriella, and Ricky (Joshua Bassett) playing Troy.

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Full List Of High School Musical Songs

Here are all of the songs featured in the first High School Musical movie.

1. “Start of Something New”

2. “Get’cha Head in the Game”

3. “What I’ve Been Looking For”

4. “What I’ve Been Looking For” (Reprise)

5. “Stick to the Status Quo”

6. “When There Was Me and You”

7. “Bop to the Top”

8. “Breaking Free”

9. “We’re All in This Together”

The soundtrack album also includes bonus songs “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You," and an alternative version of “Get’cha Head In the Game” by R&B group B5.

Discover More Disney Channel Classics

High School Musical isn’t the only iconic Disney title celebrating a big birthday this year. Believe it or not, in January 2026, Lizzie McGuire turned 25 and March 2026 marks 20 years since the first episode of Hannah Montana.