Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Radio Rebel

  • TV Movie
  • 2012
  • TV-G
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Radio Rebel (2012)
Trailer for Radio Rebel
Play trailer1:16
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaFamily

Tara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.Tara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.Tara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.

  • Director
    • Peter Howitt
  • Writers
    • Danielle Joseph
    • Erik Patterson
    • Jessica Scott
  • Stars
    • Debby Ryan
    • Sarena Parmar
    • Adam DiMarco
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Howitt
    • Writers
      • Danielle Joseph
      • Erik Patterson
      • Jessica Scott
    • Stars
      • Debby Ryan
      • Sarena Parmar
      • Adam DiMarco
    • 33User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    Radio Rebel
    Trailer 1:16
    Radio Rebel

    Photos169

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 162
    View Poster

    Top cast24

    Edit
    Debby Ryan
    Debby Ryan
    • Tara…
    Sarena Parmar
    Sarena Parmar
    • Audrey
    Adam DiMarco
    Adam DiMarco
    • Gavin
    Atticus Mitchell
    Atticus Mitchell
    • Gabe
    Merritt Patterson
    Merritt Patterson
    • Stacy
    Allie Bertram
    Allie Bertram
    • Kim
    Iain Belcher
    Iain Belcher
    • Barry
    Rowen Kahn
    Rowen Kahn
    • Larry
    Nancy Robertson
    Nancy Robertson
    • Principal Moreno
    Martin Cummins
    Martin Cummins
    • Rob
    April Telek
    April Telek
    • Delilah
    Mercedes de la Zerda
    Mercedes de la Zerda
    • Cami Q
    Brenda Crichlow
    Brenda Crichlow
    • Mrs. Brower
    • (as Brenda M. Crichlow)
    Keith MacKechnie
    Keith MacKechnie
    • Janitor Margowsky
    Chanelle Harquail-Ivsak
    Chanelle Harquail-Ivsak
    • Neckbrace Girl
    • (as Chanelle Peloso)
    Conor Fanning
    • Football Jock
    Samuel Patrick Chu
    Samuel Patrick Chu
    • RC Dorky Guy
    Dana Blankenberg
    • Mathlete Girl
    • Director
      • Peter Howitt
    • Writers
      • Danielle Joseph
      • Erik Patterson
      • Jessica Scott
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews33

    5.711.6K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    7brooke-98054

    I liked it

    Radio Rebel is a good time. Debby Ryan really makes the movie. The way she portrays someone who is shy and afraid to step out is pretty accurate. I love that a Disney movie decided to portray a more realistic character like this. It's not common to see this type of character as a main character who gets to grow. The character development was surprisingly great. The guy she ends up liking is just not that great. He asked the other girl to prom but then falls for the other girl. I mean I just don't think that's okay. There was a plot twist at the end that shocked me. I had to pause the movie just to think it through. Overall, I really liked it and think the character is an amazing role model.
    6SnoopyStyle

    Disney version of 'Pump Up The Volume'

    Tara Adams (Debby Ryan) is a shy high school senior. She's secretly a podcast DJ called Radio Rebel. Her alter ego is quite popular except for mean girl Stacy.

    Disney is pumping out a copy of 1990 teen classic 'Pump Up The Volume'. This time, Disney princess Debby Ryan is placed into Christian Slater's iconic role. It's not the worst idea to copy a good movie but it's just not a good way to create something worthwhile. It doesn't have Pump Up The Volume's edginess. Certainly it doesn't have the sex talk or the swearing or the nudity or the R-rating. It's a Disney TV movie. Debby Ryan is not going to make a jump in quality from being in this movie. If you're a Debby fan, this is certainly good clean fun. If you're not, you'll probably be bored.
    6bcirilli

    It's exactly what I expected

    It's a cheesy teen romantic comedy. Don't watch it if you're expecting anything novel or different, but it's not bad to watch if you want something easy on....
    6Kamurai25

    "The Silent Voice"

    Decent watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend.

    I'm honestly not a big fan of Debby Ryan, though she definitely can own a role, and I'll even admit she basically carries this movie. Because I'm not a particular fan of her flavor, it may have affected my view of the movie though.

    I'm very into her character of a high school ghost, shadowing as an airwaves vigilante though. The weirdness of being a "rebel" though is the company sponsorship angle. It allows for mechanical parts of the story, but feels a little antithetical.

    The more interesting angle is the witch hunt for Radio Rebel: it takes some interesting turns, but ultimately lands in the predictable results.

    It's a good enough watch, it's just nothing special.
    6bkoganbing

    The Wallflower

    The Magic Kingdom's latest teen queen star Debby Ryan who is currently a rich kid's nanny in Jessie stars in Radio Rebel which is a pseudonym she uses as a radio talk show star. Debbie is a wallflower and opens to very few, especially not to Adam DiMarco the good looking singer in the rock band she's crushing out on.

    But on the radio where few can see her she's Radio Rebel a free spirited young woman who tells kids to do their own thing whatever that thing is. Such non-conformity is not to be encouraged in her high school especially where the Grinch like Nancy Robertson reigns as principal. Robertson's on a mission to seek and destroy Radio Rebel and her influence.

    There are so many of these hidden personality stories on the big and small screen they're too numerous to count. But a favorite of mine is an old Alice Faye film from the Thirties called Wake Up And Live. In this one Jack Haley with Buddy Clark's voice plays a mike shy singer whose voice goes over the airwaves when he sings alone in a studio to what he thinks is a dead microphone. This time it's the guy with the hidden personality. Radio Rebel has a lot of company.

    But I did dig that Spartacus like climax the film has and you'll have to see what I'm talking about because I won't reveal.

    The Emmys Air on Sunday, Sep 14

    The Emmys Air on Sunday, Sep 14
    Discover the nominees, explore red carpet fashion, and cast your ballot!

    More like this

    16 Wishes
    5.5
    16 Wishes
    Princess Protection Program
    5.7
    Princess Protection Program
    StarStruck
    6.1
    StarStruck
    Cloud 9
    6.3
    Cloud 9
    Lemonade Mouth
    6.9
    Lemonade Mouth
    Teen Beach Movie
    6.0
    Teen Beach Movie
    How to Build a Better Boy
    5.4
    How to Build a Better Boy
    Geek Charming
    6.3
    Geek Charming
    Girl Vs. Monster
    5.4
    Girl Vs. Monster
    Zapped
    5.0
    Zapped
    Teen Beach 2
    5.9
    Teen Beach 2
    Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
    6.2
    Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the novel "Shrinking Violet" by Danielle Joseph.
    • Goofs
      Tara, who is portrayed by Debby Ryan, is characteristically a redhead. However, her hair changes from brown to red throughout the movie.
    • Quotes

      Gavin Morgan: [describing Tara] She's the kind of girl who's not afraid to ask a dancing sandwich for help.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Magical Rewind: Radio Rebel (2024)
    • Soundtracks
      Can't Stop The Rock
      Performed by The Barrymores

      Written by Dan Parr

      Courtesy of Bacteria Buffet Records

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ1

    • How can I find Disney Channel Auditions?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 17, 2012 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shrinking Violet
    • Filming locations
      • Seattle, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Two 4 The Money Media
      • Goldenring Productions
      • MarVista Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 25m(85 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.