Officially, this is the first "Disney Channel Original Movie". However, the channel had shown original movies over a decade earlier, such as The Parent Trap II (1986), Parent Trap III (1989), and Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon (1989). Original movies made prior to the channel's 1997 rebrand were labeled as "Disney Channel Premiere Films."
Marshall mentions three movies that Harold watches including, Ghost (1990), Pretty Woman (1990), and Sleepless in Seattle (1993). Actress Meg Ryan starred in 'Sleepless' and was offered the female lead for the other two.