Ashley Tisdale is one of those millennial pop-culture icons who’s impossible to reduce to just one thing. Singer, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur, she wants it all (hello, High School Musical reference!)—and she’s done it all. The best part is that she’s never tried to outrun her past and that’s one of her biggest strengths.
To some, Ashley will forever be East High’s pink-clad queen bee, Sharpay Evans; to others, she’ll be a nostalgic reminder of the golden age of mid-2000s Disney shows, or the voice of a red-haired animated icon. And honestly? All those takes are correct! Here are ten of Ashley Tisdale’s best movies and TV shows, and where you can watch them on Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and more. Some of these are genuinely good, some kind of ridiculous (in a sweet way), and some are both; regardless, she’s always entertaining.
Let’s get into it!
10. Donnie Darko (2001)
Starting at #10, we’ve got Donnie Darko. Yes, the movie is a cult classic, but Ashley’s appearance in it is so brief, that most people watching it today might blink and miss her. Still, it’s an interesting footnote in her career, and for Ashley Tisdale historians and film buffs, this movie is a must watch.
What makes Donnie Darko an unexpected entry into Ashley’s filmography isn’t her performance in itself, but the novelty of seeing her in a dark, unsettling, surreal film long before Disney entered the picture. Her role as Kim couldn’t be more different than anything else on this list—no singing, no dancing, no trying to get her brothers in trouble. She’s just…there, amidst the mind-bending plot twists. But for fans, this cameo oddly feels like a matter of “look how far she’s come” pride. If you liked sci-fi thriller films like The Butterfly Effect, you’ll enjoy Donnie Darko.
9. Carol’s Second Act (2019-2020)
Following Carol, a retired teacher who pursues her dream of becoming a doctor later in life, Carol’s Second Act is a warm, light-hearted show full of workplace humor, and is perfect for fans of quirky, character-driven, ensemble comedies, like Superstore or Scrubs, though I think Carol’s Second Act falls slightly short story-wise from them.
Ashley plays Jennifer (Jenny), Carol’s daughter, and while she isn’t the lead, she definitely stands out in a cast full of strong personalities. Her sass, dry sarcasm, and comedic timing makes her character reminiscent of Merry Happy Whatever’s Kayla. While the show struggles a bit with tone and doesn’t fully figure out what it wants to be, and I felt Ashley’s role could have been expanded a bit more, it’s still an enjoyable ride.
8. Hellcats (2010-2011)
If you’ve ever felt like there are some shows that were created a couple of years too early for their own good, then Hellcats falls on that list. If you loved watching Bring It On for its cheerleading chaos or One Tree Hill for its drama, then this short-lived CW drama is the perfect next watch.
Ashley brings her A-game (is the pun too lame?) in her performance as Savannah Monroe, an ambitious teenager attempting to keep her friendships intact while trying to survive the cutthroat world of college cheerleading, which is deliberately so un-Disney like—no villain energy, no heightened sitcom comedy—that the emotional restraint sets her apart. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled and ended on a cliffhanger, but if you’re a fan of messy, high-energy shows with teen ambition and rivalries, then Hellcats provides soap-opera-level drama on a silver plate.
7. Picture This (2008)
Missing those good old low-stakes nostalgic romcoms with makeover montages, bound to end on a happy note? Maybe it's time to give Picture This a rewatch (or just a watch, if you’re hearing about this for the first time.) Ashley carries this movie entirely on her shoulders as the awkward yet funny Mandy, making her character relatable and insecure in a way that makes you want to root for her, all without turning her into a cliché.
Of course, the plot of the movie is predictable, so don’t expect any groundbreaking twists; Ashley’s charm and timing, however, helps turn a pretty basic teen movie into a genuinely fun watch. If you’re a fan of the classic 2000s feel-good teen movies that were extremely easy to binge (think Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen or Wild Child), then add Picture This to the queue to be your next cozy Friday night watch.
6. Young & Hungry (2014-2018)
I have to preface this by saying that I find Young & Hungry weirdly endearing to the point where I’ve accidentally-on-purpose rewatched it quite a few times; however, it takes the 6th spot because this an Ashley Tisdale list and she’s only in a couple of episodes in this show (the horror!)
Young & Hungry is a criminally underrated sitcom that once again ends on a cliffhanger (sigh!) Ashley plays Logan Rawlings, a confident and fashionable magazine editor. She’s what Sharpay would be if she grew up and took her ambition and charisma to San Francisco. I do need to warn you that Gabi (Emily Osment), the show’s lead, can get on your nerves at times because of the way she sticks her nose into others’ business, causing trouble, but it’s still worth watching for Ashley’s dynamic scenes. Fans of fast-paced, hilarious shows featuring fabulous guest stars (I mean, Kylie Minogue and Betty White?) like New Girl, will have a blast with Young & Hungry.
5. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008)
This one is for the Disney Channel purists, plain and simple. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody might be about the trouble-making twins, but let’s be honest, Ashley’s Maddie Fitzpatrick was the character we all wanted to be (or at least I did anyway.) Maddie isn’t loud and theatrical like Sharpay, but rather is effortlessly cool like Logan.
Maddie is Ashley’s most realistic character; she’s the smart, witty hotel candy-counter worker that keeps the show grounded amidst all the antics the twins get up to in every episode. She’s also the complete opposite of Brenda Song’s character, London Tipton; where the former is a hard worker, London is the kind, yet spoiled rich girl. The one criticism I had was how the show faded Maddie out. Once Ashley leaves, the dynamic shifts noticeably, but not in the best way. It does feel as though Maddie was the glue keeping the show together, and without her, the show lost a bit of its appeal for me. Viewers of zany shows full of ridiculous hijinks, or fans of other iconic Disney Channel shows like Good Luck Charlie, look no further!
4. Phineas and Ferb (2007-Present)
I feel like an entire generation grew up watching Phineas and Ferb, but in case you’re someone who doesn’t keep up with kids’ animated shows, then allow me to give you a summary. The series follows the inventive titular stepbrothers as they turn every day of their summer vacation into a wild adventure, while their overdramatic older sister Candace tries to ‘bust’ them (to little success!)
Ashley Tisdale voices Candace with the kind of commitment that makes you truly believe you’re watching a 16-year-old girl desperate to be taken seriously by her mom. She’s loud, frantic, and perpetually ignored, but has just enough grit and self-awareness to keep trying despite the fact that she fails to get her brothers in trouble at the end of each episode. Anyone who loves colorful shows with a huge personality, adorned with foot-tapping musical numbers will enjoy this. Personally for me, the best part of the series isn’t just the inventions, but the lovable villain Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Candace’s will-they-won’t-they relationship with her crush, Jeremy. In 2025, the show was back by popular demand, and even with 10 years in between the last time it aired and now, it still feels timeless.
3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
If you’re like me and your first crush in the movies was Zac Efron’s Troy Bolton, or if you’ve unironically sang “We’re All In This Together” out loud, then welcome! The High School Musical trilogy is a cult classic, because of the fact that it’s literally for anyone who loves a good musical with excellent choreography, friendship, drama, and romance thrown in. It’s where Sharpay Evans got her start as the popular, fashionable, talented, and snooty ‘antagonist.’ In my humble opinion, the third movie’s the best, and I stand firmly by it. Everything is dialed up to a 10–the stakes, the drama, the romance, and of course, Sharpay’s villainy, all amidst the impending graduation.
Ashley channels Sharpay like the future Broadway star that she is, refusing to fit herself in a box just to make others comfortable. The movies never try to soften her to make her likable (except at the end of each film, where she suddenly becomes nice and then resets in every consecutive film.) No other role of Ashley’s ever comes close to the kind of cultural impact Sharpay had. Yes, the writing paints her as the villain, but as you grow up, you really just see her as someone who’s objectively working harder than everyone else. Could she have tried less to break Troy and Gabriella up? Sure. But it’s her ruthless ambition that I admire, as it was something that stayed constant throughout. Today, the trilogy doesn’t just hold up; it’s foundational, and Ashley Tisdale’s Sharpay is a massive reason why.
2. Merry Happy Whatever (2019)
Want a holiday-themed show you can watch anytime around the year? Merry Happy Whatever delivers it in a carefully wrapped present. The show follows a family helmed by a patriarch, as they navigate misunderstandings, love, and awkward holiday traditions, in the days leading up to the New Year. Ashley plays Kayla, a real estate agent with a secret. Though it's an ensemble comedy, and Ashley is one of the many leads, she lights up the screen with her signature sass, bite, and confusion, making her impossible to ignore.
Even though the show is light-hearted and full of jokes, it also highlights a lot of very real problems like infertility, job loss, grief, and sexual identity, all in eight episodes, which is why it’s #2 on this list. Where Kayla struggles to come to terms with her sexual identity, Logan owns it proudly, and goes after what she wants. Because of the length of the show, it does seem a bit rushed at times, leading to quick resolutions, but I’ll be frank, I binged this in one night. If you enjoy watching family dramedies, and characters who oscillate between being hilarious and exasperating, then give Merry Happy Whatever a whirl. It’s festive and over-the-top in all the right ways, making this a perfectly designed show to watch with hot chocolate and cozy blankets.
1. Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure (2011)
This one's for the Sharpay Evans defenders (it’s me, I’m the defender) who firmly believed she deserved her own redemption-adjacent spinoff that’s all about her (and she gets the guy in this one!) Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure traces Sharpay’s journey post-graduation as she heads to NYC to pursue her dream of being a Broadway star. It’s an over-the-top, fun musical romp that is equal parts glamorous and heartfelt. If you like watching movies with a confident female lead and secretly like cheering for the one everyone else loves to hate, then you’re in the right place.
Ashley fully embodies Sharpay once again with her signature diva energy and unapologetic ambition, but with moments of true vulnerability that weren't shown in the HSM films. She struggles not because she isn’t talented, but because adulthood doesn’t care about how much you peaked in high school. She’s also not trying to steal Troy from Gabriella or competing with her, giving her full permission to focus on herself and her dreams. If you liked light-hearted movies like Legally Blonde, this is its Disney-style cousin. Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure exists because Ashley Tisdale made Sharpay Evans too magnetic to stay a villain, and the movie knows it, hence the #1 ranking.
