High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American musical film and is the third installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Produced and released on October 24, 2008, by Walt Disney Pictures, the film is a sequel to Disney Channel Original Movie 2006 television film High School Musical. It was the only film in the series to be released theatrically. Kenny Ortega returned as director and choreographer, as did all six primary actors.
The sequel follows the main six high school seniors: Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Chad, and Taylor as they are faced with the challenging prospect of being separated after graduating from high school. Joined by the rest of their East High Wildcat classmates, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes, and fears about the future.
The film received generally positive reviews, which were relatively better than the first installment of the series, and, in its first three days of release, Senior Year grossed $50 million in North America and an additional $40 million overseas, setting a new record for the largest opening weekend for a musical film. Rotten Tomatoes' top critic consenus stated " It won't win many converts, but High School Musical 3 is bright, energetic, and well-crafted." It was followed up by a spin-off, starring Ashley Tisdale. Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure was released direct-to-DVD on April 19, 2011, and premiered on Disney Channel on May 22, 2011.
Main Cast[]
- Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, the basketball team captain, the leader of the group and Gabriella's boyfriend.
- Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez, an intelligent honor student and Troy's girlfriend.
- Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans, a glamorous ambitious teen, but conniving, diva, Ryan's twin sister, East High's Drama Club president and Zeke's love interest.
- Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans, an aspiring choreographer, and Sharpay's twin brother.
- Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth, one of Troy's best friends and teammate, a fellow basketball player, and Taylor’s love interest.
- Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie, one of Gabriella's best friends, East High's class president/year book editor and Chad's love interest.
- Bart Johnson as Jack Bolton, Troy's father, Lucille's husband and the coach of the East High Wildcats.
- Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus, the stern drama teacher at East High.
- Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen, one of Gabriella's best friends, a pianist, and composer.
- Chris Warren Jr. as Zeke Baylor, one of Troy's best friends and teammates and Sharpay's love interest.
- Ryne Sanborn as Jason Cross, one of Troy's best friends and teammates and Martha's love interest.
- Kaycee Stroh as Martha Cox, one of Gabriella's best friends, a cheerleader, a dancer and Jason's love interest.
- Leslie Wing Pomeroy as Lucille Bolton, Troy's mother and Jack's wife.
- Socorro Herrera as Lisa Montez, Gabriella's mother.
- Joey Miyashima as Dave Matsui, a principal at East High.
- Dave Fox as Coach Kellogg, another coach at East High.
- Jemma McKenzie-Brown as Tiara Gold, a freshman British exchange student who becomes Sharpay's assistant and briefly takes over Sharpay's role in the show.
- Matt Prokop as Jimmie "Rocket Man" Zara, a freshman basketball player who idolizes Troy and goes on for him briefly in the show.
- Justin Martin as Donnie Dion, a freshman basketball player who idolizes Chad and briefly becomes that show's stage manager.
- Robert Curtis Brown as Vance Evans, Sharpay and Ryan's father.
- Jessica Tuck as Darby Evans, Sharpay and Ryan's mother.
- David Reivers as Charlie Danforth, Chad's father.
- Yolanda Wood as Jenny Danforth, Chad's mother.
- Manly "Little Pickles" Ortega as Boi Evans, Sharpay's pet dog.
- Stan Ellsworth as Mr. Riley