Summary
- Disney+ offers a rich library with thousands of TV episodes from Disney classics, Marvel, Star Wars, and more.
- Original content on Disney+ includes Marvel, Star Wars, and popular network favorites.
- Iconic shows like
The Simpsons
,
Gravity Falls
, and
Doctor Who
highlight the diverse range of TV options on Disney+.
There’s no shortage of choice among the best TV shows on Disney+. Disney+ comes with over 7,000 television episodes, and the House of Mouse’s streaming platform gives subscribers access to a wide range of TV shows from the Disney Vault. Many of its shows are based on beloved Disney classics like The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, but Disney+’s content isn’t limited to its own in-house properties. While its library is full of shows from the Disney Channel, it’s also packed with shows from the worlds of Marvel, Star Wars, and many other household names like The Simpsons.
On top of all the Marvel and Star Wars shows that are included, Disney+ regularly adds its own original series, making it a great source of entertainment no matter the genre. Disney+ boasts an impressive list of shows, augmenting its emphasis on Marvel and Star Wars, and this includes both new content and network favorites from the past. Subscribers can watch a number of both new and classic live-action shows, 1990s Saturday morning cartoons, and more, as the range of TV shows available on Disney+ right now is incredibly extensive even outside its flagship franchises.
Best Animated Series On Disney+
The Simpsons (1989 – Present)
Thanks to the widely publicized Fox-Disney deal, Disney+ has access to the longest-running American sitcom ever: The Simpsons, which has over 30 seasons available to stream on the platform. The legendary series got its start as part of The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, and it has since become one of the longest-running primetime scripted shows in television history.
It is perhaps the most well-known of the best Disney+ TV shows, with over 700 Simpsons episodes streaming for fans to watch from the beginning, or simply to revisit the show’s many highlights. The Simpsons season 34 arrived on the platform in 2023, making 2024 the perfect time and Disney+ the perfect streaming service for returning fans of the show to catch up on what’s been happening most recently in Springfield.
Gravity Falls (2012–2016)
Premiering on Disney Channel in 2012, Gravity Falls told the story of twins dropped off in the titular Oregonian town for summer vacation. Once there with their great uncle, Stan, they realize there is more to Gravity Falls, and plenty of nightmare fuel, than anyone could have expected.
Both seasons of the show have a 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its quality.
Expertly blending mystery and comedy, Gravity Falls lasted for two seasons and 40 episodes, finishing up its run on Disney XD before getting added to Disney+ for new fans to discover. Both seasons of the show have a 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its quality. While Gravity Falls ending after season 2 caused chagrin among some viewers, the dual chapters of this charming animated show wrapping up neatly also make it perfect for binge-watching.
Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir (2015-Present)
While it debuted almost a decade ago, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is an animated French superhero show that’s slowly but surely gained a dedicated following. Among the shows on Disney+ it especially stands out, as it’s one of the few superhero adventures that isn’t tied in any way to Marvel or the MCU — though this isn’t to its detriment. Miraculous features an endearing ensemble range of unique superheroes, though mostly focuses on its two central heroes (the titular Ladybug and Cat Noir). However, what Miraculous does especially well is weave comedy and romance into its intense family-friendly action.
The pair have no idea about each other’s secret identities or that they’re both superheroes protecting Paris, leading to many hilarious moments throughout
Miraculous.
Ladybug and Cat Noir are star-crossed lovers. Marionette (Lady-Bug’s alter ego) is head-over-heels for Adrien (the secret identity of Cat Noir) and the two go to high school together. The twist is that, in their superhero identities, Cat Noir is infatuated with Ladybug, who has no romantic interest in her heroic companion. The pair have no idea about each other’s secret identities or that they’re both superheroes protecting Paris, leading to many hilarious moments throughout Miraculous.
There are several spin-off movies in the
Miraculous
franchise that are also available to stream on Disney+.
Best Marvel Series On Disney+
Marvel Studio’s What If…? (2021-Present)
Though MCU fatigue may have set in, What If…? is always a fun show for any Marvel fan. The animated anthology series centers on the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright), an omnipotent being who sees everything that happens across Marvel’s multiverse. He narrates the show, which explores how major events in the MCU played out differently through various universes.
What If…?
is a fun diversion where fans can still spend time with their favorite superheroes.
Each episode poses fun questions like, “What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?” and “What If… Thor Were An Only Child?”. As the cinematic franchise gets more and more confusing, What If…? is a fun diversion where fans can still spend time with their favorite superheroes. Season 2 of What It…? arrived in stages throughout December 2023, making 2024 the perfect time to catch up with one of the best Marvel TV shows on Disney+.
WandaVision (2021)
After a decade of dominance at the box office, the MCU could have easily played it safe with its Disney+ shows. However, it created the template for a more daring and innovative television offering with WandaVision, and the approach has paid off in spades. The first episodes paid homage to a different era of sitcoms while telling the Scarlet Witch’s story after she resurrected her husband Vision and became a mother.
It was quirky, cryptic, and set the stage for the next era of the MCU. This bold storytelling continued in shows like Werewolf by Night and She-Hulk, two of the best MCU releases of 2022, yet it wouldn’t have been possible without WandaVision‘s success.
Loki (2021-)
It’s telling that, despite being predated by hits like WandaVision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, it was Loki that really kick-started the Disney+ post-Endgame MCU. Establishing the lore around the Multiverse, the series follows a variant of the original antihero, breaking off from the timeline when he stole an Infinity Stone.#
The series went on to introduce the world to the man who ended up known as Kang — the next big bad of the entire MCU. While not as critically acclaimed as the 2022 series Ms. Marvel (98% on Rotten Tomatoes compared to Loki’s 92%), it remains one of the most important shows to watch when following the franchise and one of the most enjoyable shows on Disney+ to date. Loki season 2 also arrived last year, so January 2024 is one of the best times for Disney+ subscribers who haven’t yet seen the Marvel show to jump on board.
Jessica Jones (2015–2019)
Originally produced as part of Netflix’s Marvel slate, Jessica Jones moved over to Disney+ after Marvel’s contracts with Netflix expired. The series examines exactly what happens to someone with superpowers when trauma and circumstance prevent them from being the superhero others might expect them to be.
Jessica is rough around the edges, a hard drinker, and someone who doesn’t have time for the petty squabbles of other people. Haunted by her history with David Tennant’s ghoulish Killgrave, Jones is one of Marvel’s most compelling heroes, and the show as a whole one of its most emotionally engaging and complex offerings.
X-Men ’97 (2024-Present)
X-Men: The Animated Series was considered by many to be the definitive animated adaptation of a Marvel property — something Disney clearly recognized, as in 2024 the rebooted X-Men ’97 arrived on Disney+. Picking up directly where the original run left off, X-Men ’97 has been a celebrated return to form for one of Marvel’s most loved projects. Many of the original cast members have also returned, including Ray Chase as Cyclope, Jennifer Hal as Jean Grey, and Cal Dodd as Wolverine.
X-Men ’97 keeps the look and feel of X-Men: The Animated Series, but has already started to delve into storylines the original show didn’t or couldn’t cover, such as the Jean Grey clone Madelyne Pryor created by Mr Sinister. The show also introduces several new characters, such as Sunspot (Roberto da Costa), and gives several minor characters from the original show, like Morph and Bishop, an elevated presence.
Best Kids’ Series On Disney+
Monsters At Work (2021 – Present)
2001’s Monsters, Inc. is one of the Pixar’s most celebrated releases, thanks in no small part to the unique setting and the performances of John Goodman as Sully and Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski. Disney have created several TV show spinoffs for their properties for Disney+, and one of the best is Monsters At Work — the small-screen followup to the 2001 original that returns viewers to Monsters Incorporated to find out how Mike and Sully are getting along running the company after ousting Waternoose and discovering that laughs provide far more power than screams.
John Goodman and Billy Crystal returned to reprise their roles for Monsters At Work, though unlike the movies, Mike and Sully aren’t the main focus. Monsters At Work instead spends most of its time telling the story of Tylor Tuskamn (Ben Feldman), a Monsters University graduate who finds himself on the facilities team after his education as a scarer is — thanks to the events of the movie — no longer helpful. Feldman, Goodman, and Crystal are joined in the cast by the likes of Mindy Kaling, Henry Winkler, Alanna Ubach, and more.
Bluey (2018 – Present)
The breakout star of recent pre-school programming, Bluey is a smash-hit Australian series beloved by parents and kids around the world. Following the titular puppy Bluey, the show delivers valuable life lessons about acceptance and curiosity in an energetic and heartwarming way.
Bluey has won a string of awards for its writing and accurate representation of family life — albeit through the lens of an anthropomorphic dog family. With three seasons available on Disney+, it’s a great introduction to the exciting and imaginative possibilities of TV.
Wizards Of Waverly Place (2007–2012)
Wizards Of Waverly Place follows the somewhat typical Disney Channel blueprint of rebellious kids engaging in adventures away from the watchful eyes of their parents. The primary point of difference is that the three kids are training to be the family wizard. Not only did the series prove popular enough to get its own Disney Channel original movie, but it earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children’s Program.
Selena Gomez and the series were also consistently nominated for NAACP Awards during the run of the show for its highlighting of Latin American culture alongside the fictional wizard lore.
That’s So Raven (2003–2007)
Family drama, teenage hijinks, and psychic phenomena combine to create the uniquely chaotic That’s So Raven. Protagonist Raven discovers she has psychic visions as a teenager, and though she tries to use them to her advantage, she almost always interprets them incorrectly.
The series was the first Disney Channel original show to make it to 100 episodes, and earned both a spinoff (Cory in the House) and a revival series (Raven’s Home). That’s So Raven was twice nominated for the Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Children’s Program and won several NAACP Image awards.
Best Star Wars Series On Disney+
Ahsoka (2023 – Present)
Serving as a continuation of the acclaimed animated series Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka finally brings one of the franchise’s most popular small-screen characters to the fore.Set after Ezra Bridger’s heroic sacrifice in the Rebels finale, Ahsoka sees the titular Jedi fighting against a new threat to the galaxy in the aftermath of the Empire’s defeat.
With several characters reprising their Rebels roles, audiences could be forgiven for assuming that Ahsoka is a misguided attempt to recapture the earlier series’ magic. However, with a gripping story of its own and fascinating additions to Star Wars lore, Ahsoka is already a worthy addition to the franchise early in its first season.
The Mandalorian (2019 – Present)
For a long time seen as one of the best Disney+ TV shows in any genre, The Mandalorian represents a radical and welcome addition to Star Wars canon. Starring Pedro Pascal as an armored bounty hunter, the ongoing series cleverly expanded Star Wars‘ famously fraught universe, expertly blending new and existing characters in an understated and celebrated narrative.
Tonally closer to a Western than some of the saga’s more bombastic entries, The Mandalorian is a perfect blend between spectacle and story, with iconic moments like Luke Skywalker’s return and Grogu’s infinitely memeable “Baby Yoda” persona cementing it in franchise folklore.
Star Wars: Tales Of The Empire (2024)
Star Wars: Tales is the animated anthology series set in a galaxy far, far away created exclusively for Disney+. The show debuted in 2022 with Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, and 2024 saw it return with a new batch of stories in Star Wars: Tales of the Empire. While Tales of the Jedi was set around the time of the prequel trilogy and explored the stories of characters like Count Dooku and Qui-Gon Jinn, 2024’s Tales of te Empire is split between two arcs that flesh out life characters tied to the reign of Palpatine.
The two central characters in Tales of the Empire are Morgan Elsbeth, who was first seen in The Mandalorian, and former Jedi Barriss Offee, who enters training to become an Inquisitor. Several popular Star Wars characters make an appearance, including Bo-Katan Kryze, The Grand Inquisitor, Gran Admiral Thrawn, and Darth Vader. Not only is Tales of the Empire another successful spin-off that builds on the rich lore of Star Wars, it’s also a showcase of two incredibly emotional tales with satisfying bite-sized character arcs.
Andor (2022 – Present)
Unlike anything else in the wider franchise, Andor is living proof that all the lightsaber duels and pod races are no substitute for exceptional storytelling.Starring Diego Luna, reprising his role from the much-lauded Rogue One, Andor is a tense, deliberately-paced political thriller that explores the consequences and course of rebellion from the upper echelons of politics to violent insurrection on the street.
After years of sub-par, seemingly unnecessary additions to the larger Star Wars story, Andor served as a welcome reminder that it’s still more than worthwhile exploring a galaxy far, far away.
The Acolyte (2024)
Disney’s steady conveyor belt of new Star Wars content on Disney+ shows no sign of slowing down, and the latest live-action story from a galaxy far, far away, 2024’s The Acolyte, is one of the most ambitious projects yet. Unlike shows such as Andor, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka, which take place during or between the nine movies in the Skywalker Saga, The Acolyte is set centuries before the events of Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. Seeing the Jedi during the High Republic era is both novel and fresh, and The Acolyte has already shown the potential this relatively unexplored (in terms of movies and TV shows) period of Star Wars lore is.
The setting isn’t the only reason The Acolyte already stands out among the Star Wars shows on Disney+ though. The show has been critically acclaimed for a variety of reasons. While the special effects and visuals are, as is to be expected, of an exceptionally high quality, new characters like Amandla Stenberg’s twins Osha and Mae, alongside Lee Jung-jae’s Sol, are some of the most intriguing new Star Wars characters Disney has introduced to audiences. With several episodes still due for release, The Acolyte is more than recommended for the Star Wars fans among the Disney+ subscriber base.
Best Comedy Series On Disney+
Dinosaurs (1991-1994)
Of all the classic sitcoms on Disney+, few can claim to be as innovative as Dinosaurs. Spiritually, Dinosaurs is more-or-less The Flintstones if it was created by Jim Henson. While Henson had died prior to the show, it was conceived based on an idea he shared with artist and illustrator William Stout. Henson, the creative mind behind The Muppets, was reportedly working on the concept in the months leading up to his death, and from just how funny Dinosaurs was, it’s clear he was onto a great idea (even if it took studios a while to accept the concept).
Dinosaurs focuses on the Sinclairs, a family of Dinosaurs living in the year 60,000,000 BC. Every character is a Henson-like costume or puppet, and the humor (which blends modern sitcoms with plenty of jokes about prehistoric life) channels everything that made The Flintstones such a success. Smart and incredibly funny throughout, with a heartbreaking finale to boot, Dinosaurs is a show sitcom fans among the Disney+ subscriber base won’t want to miss.
Home Improvement (1991-1999)
While being the voice of Buzz Lightyear may be the reason most Disney+ subscribers are familiar with Tim Allen, the sitcom that defined his career is also available to stream in its entirety on the platform. Home Improvement ran from 1991 to 1999 and was a career-defining role for Tim Allen, and remained one of the highest rated sitcoms during the time it was on the air. Allen stars as Tim Taylor, a tool-loving father of three from Detroit who runs his own home improvement show, Tool Time.
Home Improvement was a critical hit during the time it was on the air, and received multiple awards nominations and wins. This included a slew of Golden Globe nominations and a win in 1995 for Tim Allen, who received the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Co-star Patricia Richardson was also nominated for multiple Emmy’s during the shows later years. Disney+ subscribers looking for a solid feel-good sitcom that brings plenty of nostalgia for the 1990s will find Home Improvement more than fills the need.
Goosebumps (2023)
R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps was a popular series of horror novels for children, and it’s proven to be a bountiful well for movie and TV adaptations, with a Goosebumps TV series in the ’90s and two Hollywood films starring Jack Black in the 2010s. Now, Goosebumps has returned to streaming with another TV series.
Unlike the original 1995 show, the rebooted Goosebumps for Disney+ is not an anthology. It’s a serialized story that follows five high school students who investigate a 30-year-old murder of a local teen while uncovering secrets about their own parents along the way. Though it’s billed as a comedy, the 2023 Goosebumps series leaned into the horror a little more than the movies. However, there are plenty of Gen-Z quips to be had, so Goosebumps may be the perfect show for younger viewers to watch with their older siblings, or even parents, who have already read the books.
Disney have confirmed that
Goosebumps
season 2 is in development, though it will follow completely new characters and have an anthology approach to its storytelling, more in line with the popular show from the 1990s.
The Orville (2017 – Present)
Sci-fi parody is always a risky gamble, as unless it’s handled well it risks coming off as cheap or gimmicky. Thankfully for The Orville, if there’s anyone who knows how to pull off almost any kind of pop-culture-lambasting humor, it’s creator Seth Macfarlane. The Orville stars Macfarlane as Captain Ed Mercer of the USS Orville, and is — at its core — a parody of popular franchises like Star Trek. While The Orville never shies away from its roots, it also has more than enough to keep viewers hooked on its own merits, be it the storylines or the many well-rounded characters.
The Orville season 4 has been stuck in limbo for a while, but demand for it hasn’t waned. The Orville is a comedy, but it never veers into outright silliness, and knows when to bring heartfelt dramatic moments too. While Macfarlane is primarily known for Family Guy and the Ted movies, with The Orville he shows that he’s also more than adept at subtler humor too — which, considering that The Orville is also heavily rooted in sci-fi, is incredibly impressive.
The Orville
won the Saturn award for Best Science Fiction Television Series in 2018.
Boy Meets World (1993–2000)
Originally a cornerstone of ABC’s successful TGIF programming block,Boy Meets World remains a highly influential and affecting comedy. The show follows main character Cory and his family as he navigates the transition from his teenage years to adulthood. The series was a ratings success through all seven seasons, and the move to Disney+ is welcome news both for old fans and new audiences.
Boy Meets World was also a contemporary critical success, with the cast receiving several Young Artist Awards. There was even a spin-off that arrived 14 years after the show ended called Girl Meets World, which had Cory and Topanga as parents.
The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
Created by visionary Jim Henson, The Muppet Show is an endlessly inventive musical extravaganza. Led by the iconic Kermit the Frog, Henson’s hilarious and heartfelt show saw a wealth of human celebrities like Mark Hamill and Steve Martin interact with the eccentric puppets. With memorable members like Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy, the show was a success and led to several movies. Not only did Disney+ provide a home for the original The Muppets, but it also rebooted the franchise with Muppets Now in 2020.
Best Drama Series On Disney+
Glee (2019-2015)
If there’s one area where Disney has always shined as a studio, it’s musicals and singalongs. Not only does their extensive library of animated classics contain some of the best songs to be created for motion pictures, but franchises like High School Musical and movies like Hamilton prove that the House of Mouse takes its musical entertainment incredibly seriously. Musicals are rarely a genre that does well on the small screen, but there are exceptions, and Disney+ subscribers can now view the most well-known exception in its entirety — Glee.
Glee was acquired by Disney during their merger with Fox, and it fits in with the Disney+ offerings incredibly well. Based on a highschool competitive a cappella singing group, Glee features multiple memorable musical numbers in every episode. The show is particularly well-known for its mashups, combining two hit songs into something unique (and, despite the group being a cappella, the songs in the show have full instrumental backing). Funny, dramatic, and incredibly easy to sing along to, Glee is perhaps the most bingeworthy form of musical entertainment currently on Disney+.
Alias (2001-2006)
The action thriller Alias was among the first small-screen hits for the now-acclaimed director J.J. Abrams, and despite concluding almost two decades ago, it remains one of the most captivating shows currently on Disney. Alias originally aired on ABC and focuses on Sydney Bristow, played by Jennifer Garner. Sydney is an agent of the CIA leading a double-life, presenting herself as having a normal career to her friends and family while, in reality, she’s working with the intelligence service to bring down the sinister terrorist organization SD-6.
Alias is filled with dozens of shocking twists and turns throughout, and in many ways laid the blueprint for many modern mystery-filled thrillers that came afterward. The show won multiple awards, including several Emmys and a Golden Globe for Best Actress awarded to Jennifer Garner. Critics almost universally praised Alias when it was on the air, especially highlighting its action sequences and fleshed-out characters.
Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)
Created by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the creators of Lost, the ABC series Once Upon A Time originally ran between 2011 and 2018. With seven seasons and 155 episodes, Once Upon A Time is one of the best dramas to binge on Disney+. What makes it so appropriate for the platform, however, is that the story revolves around fairytale characters and their real-world counterparts, many heavily inspired by the versions of them created by Disney over the years.
Snow White, Prince Charming, Pinocchio, Belle, and even the Wicked Witch of the West from
The Wizard of Oz
all crop up at various points throughout the seven seasons of
Once Upon A Time.
The story is mainly told from the perspective of 10-year-old Henry Mills who, upon moving to a new town with his mother Emma Swan, realizes that the inhabitants are all in fact famous figures from various fairytales. Snow White, Prince Charming, Pinocchio, Belle, and even the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz all crop up at various points throughout the seven seasons of Once Upon A Time. Disney+ subscribers seeking a more grown-up take on many of the characters that crop up in Disney’s animated movies will be sure to find Once Upon A Time delightful.
Renegade Nell (2024)
Renegade Nell is one of several British TV shows to make a splash after arriving on Disney+, and this particular historical drama is helped in now small part thanks to Louisa Harland — best known for playing Orla in the hit comedy Derry Girls — in the lead role as the titular Nell. The show is set in the 18th century in England, although it’s a whimsical adventure story at heart that never trades trying to adhere to historical accuracy for a good story.
For example, Nell is assisted by a magical sprite named Billy Blind, so from the off it’s clear that Renegade Nell isn’t as grounded as many other period dramas. The story focuses on Nelly “Nell” Jackson, who is framed for a murder she didn’t commit. After being branded as a criminal, Nell makes the reasonable decision to actually become one, and Renegade Nell documents her journey to becoming the most feared Highwaywoman in England.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who first premiered on November 23, 1963, and in 2023, the iconic BBC sci-fi show celebrates its 60th anniversary with three specials — The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder, and The Giggle — available to watch internationally on Disney+. The specials see Tenth Doctor actor David Tennant making his debut as the Fourteenth Doctor, and in The Star Beast, he’s reunited with Catherine Tate, who reprises her role as companion Donna Noble.
With its whimsical yet thrilling sense of adventure, there’s a reason why
Doctor Who
holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running sci-fi series in the world.
Wild Blue Yonder sees the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna adventuring in the TARDIS to try to save the universe, while The Giggle finds the Doctor facing off against the villainous Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris in his Doctor Who debut. With its whimsical yet thrilling sense of adventure, there’s a reason why Doctor Who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running sci-fi series in the world. While it keeps things fresh by casting different doctors, Doctor Who struck gold with Tennant, and it’s a delight seeing him back.
On Christmas Day, Disney+ hosted the first official Doctor Who holiday special since 2017, The Church on Ruby Road. The Christmas special stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor in his first full-length episode, and he stars opposite Millie Gibson as his companion, Ruby Sunday.
Percy Jackson And The Olympians (2023)
One of the best series available on Disney+ right now began in December 2023 — Disney’s second adaptation of the acclaimed Percy Jackson novels by Rick Riordan. After a less-than-stellar attempt at bringing the characters to life in a series of movies in 2010 and 2013, Disney has rebooted Percy Jackson & The Olympians again in 2023 but this time as a TV show.
The series arrived January 2023 and has almost instantly received solidly positive reviews, with the adaptation’s faithfulness to the source material compared to the movies being especially noteworthy.
American Born Chinese (2023)
Based on the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinesebrings Chinese gods into the modern day, exploring often-ignored aspects of Chinese mythology in the process. The story follows Jin Wang as he seeks to improve his social status in high school, but finds his attempts halted by a new student. The new student is actually the son of someone Jin believed was only a myth – the Monkey King.
American Born Chinese
has been hailed by critics as one of the best new TV shows on Disney+
When the two team up, Jin has to suddenly deal with ancient gods in his life as well as the trials of high school. American Born Chinese has been hailed by critics as one of the best new TV shows on Disney+, exploring themes of identity and acceptance alongside some great martial arts sequences.