Will there be a High School Musical reunion? All of the clues and signs 👀
We can Work This Out!
There is no denying that when it comes to teen High School movies, Disney's 2006 smash hit High School Musical certainly tops the list. After the monumental success of the franchise, it's fair to say a HSM reunion would bop right to the top! Well, now, it seems that the idea of a reunion may not be to crazy of an idea...
Yep, you heard us right, fans are putting their detective hats on and are pretty much convinced that the East High gang may be reuniting and bringing us something special, thanks to some not-so-subtle Instagram posts from Troy and Gabriella themselves (Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens), as well as Kaycee Stroh (who plays hip-hop dancing Martha).
Bringing us bangers such as 'We're All in this Together', 'Breaking Free', 'Fabulous', 'Work This Out' and 'Everyday' (need we go on?), High School Musical skyrocketed the careers of the likes of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale, and it's safe to say that the film, along with its iconic soundtrack, has a special place in our hearts.
Is there going to be a High School Musical reunion?
It's the question on all of our lips! Although nothing has been officially confirmed, High School Musical stars Zac Efron (Troy Bolton) and Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella Montez) have got us all talking with their recent Instagram activity. After Kaycee Stroh (Martha Cox) pushed suspicions even further, let's break it down, get our heads in the game and work this out... (Sorry, we had to):
Zac followed Vanessa on Instagram in April 2023
Zac sent fans into meltdown after he re-followed Vanessa on Instagram, 12 years after the pair broke up. It's not quite clear the exact time Zac re-followed his ex, but eagle-eyed Instagram users were excited after spotting Vanessa in Zac's following list in April 2023.
Vanessa, who is engaged to baseball star Cole Tucker, has not followed Zac back on the social media platform. However, fans were quick to speculate that this could mean a High School Musical reunion is on the cards.
One person tweeted: 'Oh my god are we finally gonna get an actual reunion.' Whilst another fan referenced one of High School Musical's popular songs and said: 'This could be the start of something new.'
Vanessa Hudgens at High School Musical's East High
On 26th June 2022, Vanessa sent High School Musical fans into meltdown as she shared a clip of herself, outside of the iconic school featured in the films - East High School, in Salt Lake, Utah - while the track 'Breaking Free' played in the background.
Captioning the post, Vanessa used a quote from Gabriella Montez in the first High School Musical film. She wrote: 'Do you remember in kindergarten how you'd meet a kid and know nothing about them, then 10 seconds later you're playing like you're best friends because you didn't have to be anything but yourself?'
Hitting us all in the feels, the comments section was flooded with friends and fans who began reminiscing. One wrote: 'FOREVER ICONIC🙌', with another commenting: 'Im gonna cryyyy 😭😭😭😭' (sic), and another adding: 'Honestly what a time, high school musical still that movie 😭😭' (sic).
Bart Johnson, who played Troy's dad - Coach Bolton - even took to the comments section to write: 'I saw this and had a PTSD like I couldn’t find my team captains LETS GO WILDCATS!! 🏀🐾'.
Zac Efron at High School Musical's East High
Now this is where it gets interesting... Just under a month later, Zac then took to Instagram to share a VERY similar snap, on 23rd July 2022.
Delighting fans, Zac uploaded a photo of himself in the exact same spot we saw Vanessa in just one month prior. In true Breakfast Club style, the actor shared an image of himself with his fist in the air, captioning the image: 'Don’t you… Forget about me ✊🏼'.
Putting two-and-two together, many fans began to speculate in the comments that the back-to-back posts may in fact be a subtle hint that we may have a reunion coming our way.
Taking to the comments, one fan wrote: 'But but but... Vanessa posted a similar one a few weeks ago. What does this mean?', with another commenting: 'FIRST VANESSA NOW ZAC!!! WE NEED HSM4' (sic) and another speculating: 'this has got hsm reunion written allllll over it!!' (sic).
Following the posts, which were just three weeks apart, many fans took to Twitter to share their suspicions and excitement.
Kaycee Stroh at High School Musical's East High
As if Zac and Vanessa's posts weren't enough, actress Kaycee Stroh, who played the hip-hop dance moving Martha Cox, took to TikTok to get us all talking again on 30th July! Sharing a clip of herself inside the iconic East High lunch hall, she captioned the video: 'Where it all went down 🐾'.
In the clip, Kaycee asks fans: "Does anybody recognise where I am?" before continuing: "Oh snap!"
As we all know, the legendary lunch hall is where a lot of HSM drama took place, including the dance number for the huge track 'Stick to the Status Quo' in the first film of the franchise.
Is there going to be a High School Musical 4?
With many convinced that we have a reunion on the way, plenty are thinking that it may in fact be another film in the franchise - with there already being three films, this would give us High School Musical 4.
Others, however, could be persuaded otherwise, with many fans speculating that both Zac and Vanessa could be featured on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, with a comment on Zac's Instagram post reading: 'I hope this means you and Vanessa are guest starring on HSMTMTS' (sic).
If you're not familiar with the show, which premiered in 2019 and starred Olivia Rodrigo, it is an American mockumentary musical drama series set at East High School... Yes, the same East High School that featured in the original HSM films. In honour of the famous film that was filmed at the students' school, their school play is none other than High School Musical: The Musical.
So far, the show has seen some OG Wildcats feature, in the form of Lucas Grabeel, who played Ryan Evans, and Kaycee Stroh. Due to the previous cameos, many fans are now certain that upcoming seasons will feature none other than Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.
However, despite the rumours, Zac and Vanessa will not be starring in the fourth and final series of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. The new series is set to arrive on Disney+ on 9th August 2023.
Six of the original High School Musical cast members will be making an appearance in the new series. Corbin Bleu (Chad), Monique Coleman (Taylor), Lucas Gabreel (Ryan), Bart Johnson (Coach Bolton), Alyson Reed (Ms Darbus) and Kaycee Stroh (Martha). This will be the first season without Olivia Rodrigo, who left in the previous season.
In season four of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, there will be a big crossover between the show and the iconic films, with the storyline set to focus on High School Musical 4: The Reunion - a movie which will only be made on the show. The show will feature the making of a reunion movie, which will be filmed in East High and see the students play extras in the film.
Although the series will feature a 'High School Musical reunion', an actual real-life reunion film is still yet to be confirmed.
Zac Efron on a High School Musical reunion
Will Zac Efron return to High School Musical? In May 2022, the actor teased that he would happily reprise his role as Troy if the opportunity presented itself.
Speaking to E! News, he said: "Having the opportunity in any form to go back and work with that team would be so amazing. My heart is still there. That would be incredible. I hope it happens."
Although nothing has been confirmed, we will be keeping our fingers crossed for a High School Musical reunion in real life!
Check out these films we're excited about in 2022:
Scream
Release date: 14th January 2022
Wes Craven's classic 90's horror film is having a reboot... or a sequel? (looks to be a bit of both). Definitely starting the year the right way with a bit of horror from a franchise we've all been missing.
Jackass Forever
Release Date: 4th February 2022
There's been a Jackass shaped void in our hearts for years. It's about to be filled this year with the return of Steve-O, Johnny Knoxville and the rest of the gang, with some famous faces along for the ride.
Death on the Nile
Release date: 11th February 2022
Kenneth Branagh is back with another Agatha Christie adaptation following Murder on the Orient Express back in 2017. With a brand new cast even more stacked than before, this film promises to be a proper whodunnit, keeping viewers guessing until the very end.
Uncharted
Release Date: 11th February 2022
Fresh off the tails of the immensely successful Spider-man: No Way Home, testTom Holland is starring in this video game adaptation. From the trailers this promises to be a full fledged adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones. Mark Wahlberg is also along for the ride and we are excited to see the chemistry between the two stars.
The Batman
Release date: 4th March 2022
The Bat is back 🦇, this time with a darker tone and a more emo look. This time Robert Pattinson is taking on the character as part of the next step in a R-Patz renaissance that has been taking place over the last few years. It only seems natural for the former vampire to become a full fledged bat, and we can't wait to see it. The film was shot during COVID-19 in... Birmingham of all places? Despite a few COVID related delays during production, the film is set to be released in March.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Release date: 1st April 2022
Following the success of the first film (at least after they changed Sonic's character design), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 promises more of the same bombastic fun. It also sees the return of Jim Carrey's Doctor Eggman, with the addition of Knuckles, a new villain voiced by none other than Idris Elba (yep, Luther himself).
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Release date: 8th April 2022
Finally, a new instalment in the Fantastic Beats series! And it's about time too. Life was getting pretty boring without a bit of magic in it. Whilst the film was scheduled to be released last year, its release, like many other films this year, was pushed back due to COVID-19, with the film finally being released on 8th April.
The Lost City
Release date: 15th April 2022
Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum star in this action-adventure romantic comedy. With this combination of genres there's really something here for everybody. The film also features Daniel Radcliffe, who we really haven't seen enough of on screen recently, and promises to be a good old fashioned blockbuster.
Downton Abbey: A New Era
Release date: 29th April 2022
Life just isn't quite the same without Downton on telly. Well, luckily the series has returned to the big screen. The new film sees the return of our favourite characters, and promises 'A New Era'.
The sequel was released on 29th April.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Release date: 5th May 2022
If the after credits scene at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home left you hungry for more, we can't blame you. Benedict Cumberbatch is back for a second instalment in the Doctor Strange series, this time accompanied by Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch, Wanda.
Top Gun: Maverick
Release date: 27th May 2022
Here's another film we never thought we'd see a sequel to. Tom Cruise is here to prove he's still got it jumping back in the pilot's seat for testTop Gun: Maverick. This film was in development for a while (thanks 'rona), but swooped onto screens this year to take our breath away on 25th May.
Jurassic World Dominion
Release date: 10th June 2022
The dinos are back (with a vengeance). The last Jurassic World film left the series in a really interesting place, and Jurassic World: Dominion picks up right where that film left off. Not to mention the fact that the cast of the original film are back.
Lightyear
Release date: 17th June 2022
Buzz lightyear returns... in a way we've never seen him before. For testLightyear he's dropped the first name and this looks to be a very different affair to the Toy Story films. Buzz is blasting out of the confines of Andy's room and into the vastness of space - and we're all coming along for the ride.
Elvis
Release date: 24th June 2022
Ever wanted to know more about the King of Rock? Well your prayers have been answered this year with the release of Elvis, a biopic about... well, Elvis. This one really shouldn't be missed. It is directed by Baz Luhrmann (the director of Romeo + Juliet) and stars Tom Hanks, and Austin butler as the king himself.
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Release date: 1st July 2022
Whether you love them or hate them, Minions are here to stay, as this film makes clear. Perhaps the most recognisable animated characters in the world return to the big screen this year in Minions: The Rise of Gru. This new addition in the series promised to be a real crowdpleaser.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Release date: 8th July 2022
Thor returns this year with Mjolnir (his hammer for those not versed in the MCU) in tow. This time there's a bit of a twist in the formula: Natalie Portman's Jane is returning to the Thor universe as... the new Thor? Thor blimey, didn't see that one coming, but boy are we excited to find out more.
The Railway Children Return
Release date: 15th July 2022
The sequel to the classic film The Railway Children came out this summer. It's been more than 50 years since the original film was released and actress Jenny Agutter reprised her role of Bobbie Waterbury in the sequel. The Railway Children Return also sees Sheridan Smith take on the role of Bobbie's daughter Annie.
Nope
Release date: 12th August 2022
From Jordan Peele, director of the Get Out and Us comes the next instalment in his world of horror. We know virtually nothing about this film... other than its name, which also tells us nothing about the film. We do know that the film sees the director reunite with star of Get Out and pride of Britain Daniel Kaluuya, which is exciting to say the least.
Pinocchio
Release date: 8th September 2022
Another live-action remake for us all to get excited about! Disney's classic Pinocchio is being brought back to life, with the cast including huge names such as Tom Hanks, Luke Evans, Cynthia Erivo and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Don't Worry Darling
Release date: 23rd September 2022
1D star Harry Styles is back on the big screen opposite Florence Pugh in director Olivia Wilde's follow up to 2019's Booksmart.
Hocus Pocus 2
Release date: 30th September 2022
Yep, you read that right! 1993 Disney classic Hocus Pocus officially returned with a sequel, and it landed on Disney+ on Friday 30th September.
My Policeman
Release date: 4th November 2022
Starring in yet another film, Harry Styles returned to the big screen in October 2022 in My Policeman, an Amazon Original film which landed in UK cinemas on 21st of that month, and will become available globally on Prime Video from 4th November.
As well as Harry, the film stars Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson, and Rupert Everett, in a 'beautifully crafted story of forbidden love and changing social conventions'.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Release date: 11th November 2022
This year we return to Wakanda. This is a somewhat sad return following the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman. It's a good thing his role wasn't recast as he really cannot be replaced, but his absence will definitely be felt. We're sure the supporting cast of the first film will be able to step up, however, and keep the spirit of Wakanda alive.
Avatar 2
Release date: 16th December 2022
Whilst many films releasing this year have been delayed, none have experienced as many delays as the long awaited sequel to the 2009 smash hit Avatar. We can't quite believe that it's coming out this year, but it really does seem to be the case. Best get rewatching the first film before Avatar 2 releases later this year.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Release date: 23rd December
2022 really is the year for musical biopics, and we are very excited for this one. The perfect film for fans of the singer and the newly converted. The perfect way to wrap up a year of incredible cinema.
Now read:
Here's the real reason Zac Efron didn't sing in High School Musical
Zac Efron's complete transformation through the years
Zac Efron's fans think he's secretly married after being spotted wearing a 'wedding ring'