ilm still from Disney’s Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999) featuring Zenon Kar (Kirsten Storms) and Nebula Wade (Raven-Symoné). Zenon wears a metallic pink vest over a blue spandex turtleneck with her signature pigtails, while Nebula sports neon purple athletic wear. They are standing in the futuristic, brightly lit corridor of Space Station 9, embodying the Y2K-futurism aesthetic.

[THE FILES]: Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)

Zenon Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
Media Library / Retro Directory Hub

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)

Released: January 23, 1999 (US)1h 37mAdventure / Comedy / Family / Sci-FiOn Digital / Streaming

Home Media & Streaming Options

Digital Streaming Vault Stream on Disney+ On-demand access listed inside regular library tiers.
Retrospective Assets Watch Classic Promotional Clips Nostalgic network advertising data loops attached.
Director Kenneth Johnson
Writers Stu Krieger (Teleplay)
Production Scope Disney Channel / de Passe Entertainment
Countries of Origin United States

“Cetus-lupeedus! The future is major.”

Storyline

In the year 2049, thirteen-year-old Zenon Kar is living a majorly stellar life aboard an earth-orbiting space station. After running afoul of Commander Plank, Zenon is grounded and banished to the alien corporate landscape of Earth. Struggling to adapt to gravity and standard teenage culture, she uncovers a computer virus plot that threatens to destroy her home space station, forcing her to find a way back into orbit to save her family.

Ensemble Cast

Kirsten Storms as Zenon Kar
Raven-Symoné as Nebula Wade
Stuart Pankin as Commander Edward Plank
Phillip Rhys as Proto Zoa
Gwynyth Walsh as Astrid Kar
Frederick Coffin as General Parker
Bob Bancroft as Mr. Windom
Lauren Maltby as Margie Hammond
Gregory Smith as Greg

Trivia & Fun Facts

  • The Anthem of the Future: The stellar fictional space-pop track “Supernova Girl,” performed by interstellar rock star Proto Zoa (Phillip Rhys), became an instantaneous real-world cult hit and stands as one of the most defining musical cues in DCOM history.
  • Based on Literature: The neon-infused television movie was adapted from a popular children’s book written by Marilyn Sadler and illustrated by Roger Bollen, though the teleplay drastically increased the visual techno-slang.
  • Sci-Fi Directorial Pedigree: Director Kenneth Johnson brought genuine genre authority to the project, having previously created legendary sci-fi properties like *The Bionic Woman*, *The Incredible Hulk*, and the hit alien-invasion franchise *V*.
  • Iconic Spinoff Franchise: The massive, chart-topping broadcast success of the 1999 premiere singlehandedly catalyzed an active trilogy, spawning *Zenon: The Sequel* in 2001 and *Zenon: Z3* in 2004.

Retrospective Metrics & Performance

Original Broadcast Network Disney Channel (Peak millenial cable era anchor)
Signature Soundtrack Track “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (Make My Heart Go Boom, Boom)”
Primary Language English
Filming Locations Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sound Configuration Mix Stereo
Visual Aspect Ratio 1.33 : 1 (Original full frame)
Theatrical Release January 23, 1999 • United States

The Trailer

Featured Photo: Disney Channel

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Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.

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