Can of Worms (1999)

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17/06/2025

Can of Worms (1999)

Can of Worms is a 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie based on the novel by Kathy Mackel. A quirky blend of science fiction and teen comedy, the film follows a young outsider who accidentally invites aliens to Earth—with chaotic consequences.

The story centers around Mike Pillsbury (played by Michael Shulman), a high school student who feels like he doesn’t belong—at home, at school, or even on Earth. He’s obsessed with science fiction and convinced that he’s not truly human, but rather an alien mistakenly sent to the wrong planet. Mike is a tech-savvy misfit with a vivid imagination and a talent for storytelling, especially when it involves outer space.

After a particularly frustrating Halloween, where Mike is humiliated during a football game and feels even more alienated than usual, he uses a satellite dish he built to send a signal into space. In the message, he pleads for someone—anyone—from the stars to come and take him away from Earth.

To his shock, someone answers.

Soon, Mike is visited by a bizarre array of aliens. First comes Barnabus, a talking dog-like alien who claims to be Mike’s legal representative in the intergalactic community. Barnabus informs him that his message was taken as a formal declaration that Earth is open to extraterrestrial contact—basically, Mike has “opened a can of worms.”

What follows is a parade of strange and sometimes sinister alien creatures, each with their own agenda. Some offer Mike fame, fortune, or escape from Earth. Others, like the grotesque alien named The Thoad, have more dangerous intentions—including enslaving Earth’s inhabitants for entertainment.

Mike must navigate this surreal new world while dealing with school bullies, his crush Katelyn, and his confused parents. Realizing he might have made a mistake, Mike teams up with Barnabus and his human friends to undo the damage he’s caused and save Earth from alien exploitation.

By the end of the film, Mike learns to appreciate who he is and where he comes from. He realizes that while he may not always fit in, he still belongs—and that’s enough.

Can of Worms is a fun, goofy sci-fi adventure with underlying messages about identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. Though light-hearted and full of practical alien effects typical of late ’90s TV, it’s remembered fondly for its weird charm and unique place in Disney Channel’s original movie lineup.

Can of Worms (1999)

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