The Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” had a big cultural impact during its time. It wasn’t just a show. It turned into clothing lines, toys, stationery, and so much more.

“Hannah Montana” ran on the Disney Channel from 2006 to 2011. The show follows the titular character Miley Stewart, portrayed by Miley Cyrus, a regular teenage girl who secretly lives a double life as a famous pop star. She made a huge impact on young girls through her performances on screen and stage, encouraging confidence and self-expression. Her songs, such as “The Best of Both Worlds,” pushed the idea that girls could have it all.

“Hannah Montana” gave girls that pop-star moment, whether through blonde wigs, concerts, or her iconic closet. She kept this pop star identity secret, with only her family and close friends knowing who she really was. Her dad, Robby Stewart, is played by Billy Ray Cyrus, a country singer and the real-life father of Miley Cyrus.

“Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special,” directed by Sam Wrench and written by Kristen Bartlett, takes a slightly different approach than the usual retrospective of a successful TV show. It has more of a podcast feel, especially since it’s hosted by Alex Cooper, a podcaster known for “Call Her Daddy.”

Cooper asked Miley what made her do a 20th anniversary special rather than a concert. Cyrus responded reflectively, “What I loved most about the TV show and being Hannah was that everybody could watch this, everybody could have me in their living room and you know, if I do a show or concert, it’s exclusive to those who can make it and this to me was the way that I could really invite everybody into this celebration but it’s really for the fans that grew up with me. Our kind of moment of just looking at each other, of how much growth and evolution and how much they have really supported me and followed me, like from Hannah to Miley.”

The 20th anniversary special really leans into nostalgia, from bringing back classic catchphrases like “sweet niblets” to recreating sets such as the family living room, Hannah’s closet and the kitchen, including details like the famous table. Disney even pulled items from their archives, showing how much of the show has been saved over time.

We also see some familiar faces. Selena Gomez, who appeared in an episode, joins Miley to look back on their time working together and their long friendship. Miley shows Selena the red hat she wore in her episode, making the moment feel really personal.

Another guest, Chappell Roan, who said she grew up watching “Hannah Montana,” said she wanted to be part of the 20th Anniversary Special to share her appreciation for her younger self and what got her here. Miley responded, “That’s what this whole moment and this celebration is all about. It’s loving on our younger self knowing younger me worked so hard so I could have the life that I have now.”

Billy Ray Cyrus returns, walking onto the set and saying “welcome home,” as if no time has passed. Father and daughter revisit old lines and moments, showing the bond they’ve always had. Miley even says she’s glad he got the role as her dad, which makes the connection between the fictional characters feel real.

We also get to see Miley’s mom, Tish Cyrus, who played a big role behind the scenes, helping with outfits and supporting Miley. Her sister, Noah Lindsey Cyrus, also appears and talks about how she was always on set, even playing small roles, which made it feel more like home for Miley. Noah shared that she played many different little girls with different moms, but enjoyed her time being on the set with her real mom.

Overall, “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” is a nice way to look back on a show that meant a lot to so many young girls growing up in the 2000s. Miley performs songs like “The Best of Both Worlds,” “The Climb,” and “This Is the Life,” bringing that era back again in the best way she knows how. She ends the special with a new song, “Younger You,” which is a heartfelt tribute to her younger self.

“Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” is available for streaming on DisneyPlus and is rated TV-PG for mild language and thematic elements.