It’s the essence of school spirit. It’s pink. It’s full of hit songs. It’s a High School Musical.
In 2006, High School Musical was released. The first of its trilogy, HSM features a slew of young stars, such as Zac Effron, Vanesa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale, who star in the movie. If you have not viewed the drama-filled high school-esc musical, be warned, you will want to sing along. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, high schoolers kick off their junior year with a new student in town. Drama sets in as two unlikely students are cast as the lead roles in the school’s spring musical. Order must be restored… but how? By who?
For excited tweens and teens around the world, two more movies would be made. This elevated franchise provided a gateway for more individuals to enjoy musicals. Targeted at children, the franchise became a huge hit, still to this day remaining a staple in Gen Z and Millenial’s movie rotations. The fabulous first movie was such a hit that the soundtrack became the most sought-after CD of 2006.
A true masterpiece featuring tracks such as “Start of Something New,” “Stick to the Status Quo,” and “Break Free” the first movie alone showcases the absolute strength that these collections of movies bring and their significance to the early 2000s and 2010s.