Disney+ touts an attractive catalog as the streaming home of Marvel and Star Wars. The platform launched in November 2019, with the first live-action Star Wars original series,The Mandalorian, and more entertaining titles, and in the years since has honed the narrative style of its original programming.
The Disney+ platform serves as a continuation of the Disney ethos: family entertainment with a little bit of magic. The acquisitions of Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm allowed the media conglomerate to expand its storytelling into the adult arena, and in 2023 it landed its first-ever nomination for a top honor at the Emmys (Outstanding Drama Series for Andor), marking a milestone for its creative efforts.
There’s something for everyone on Disney+, and like other streamers it has a collection of titles that aren’t exclusive to the platform but have made the Mouse House its streaming home (that’s why Star Wars: The Clone Wars, while excellent, is not on this list — only its final season was a Disney+ exclusive).
Here are our selections for the 25 best original shows on Disney+, ranked.
25
▷ Where to Stream Behind the Attraction
2021–
This series is excellent viewing for Disney Theme Park fanatics and newcomers alike. Each episode reveals the history and development of Disney World and Disneyland’s iconic attractions. Season 1 focuses on the quintessential Disney rides, hotels, and park transportation system. Season 2 expands into the history of the EPCOT park, the food, and the nighttime spectaculars. If you’re soon to attend the parks for the first time, this series is your guide to its must-see attractions. —Kelli Boyle
24
2021–2022
John Stamos plays a former basketball coach whose career takes a hit after an outburst during a game, leading to him taking a job at a private school—and setting the stage for quite the entertaining dynamic with the headmaster (Yvette Nicole Brown). From his relationship with his daughter to the basketball players’ relationships with each other, there are plenty of heartwarming moments throughout the series. —Meredith Jacobs
23
▷ Where to Stream Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
2023–
Praised for its top-notch animation and childlike imagination, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaurappeals to audiences of all ages, following a 13-year-old girl (Diamond White) and her T-Rex partner in crime (Fred Tatasciore) as they work to save the Lower East Side. Two seasons in, this show packages in little life lessons amid its inspirational, intelligent, and outright adorable characters, making it an animation series for all lovers of the medium looking for a light-hearted watch. —Katie Song
22
2021–2022
If you’re a fan of the New York Times’ daily Wordle, look no further. Based on the youth novels by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society chronicles four children who follow a mysterious ad in the newspaper calling for young geniuses. After passing a series of tests and riddles, the newly assembled team is recruited by an eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) to uncover the nefarious plotting occurring at an elusive boarding school. Featuring iconically kooky characters and a star-studded cast including Hale, Kristen Schaal, and Ryan Hurst, this show acts as a love letter to found family and puzzle-solvers everywhere. —Katie Song
21
▷ Where to Stream Star Wars: Visions
2021–
This singular Star Wars series debuted on the platform in 2021 and rejuvenates the long-running franchise with a new design and feel. As a collection of animated anthology films, it’s a unique addition to the Lucasfilm roster, made even more special by the different animators it brings in. Season 1 was developed by Japanese artists, with Season 2 pulling talent from around the globe to infuse the ethos of Star Wars — a collection of adventures from all walks from life across the galaxy — into its development. —Kelli Boyle
20
▷ Where to Stream What If…?
2021–
What if…the Avengers were zombies? It sounds silly, but questions like these are what drives this animated series exploring what the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be like if our beloved superheroes had different experiences or powers. With most of the original actors reprising their roles, the show is an entertaining, creative ride that puts a new spin on stories we know and love while also giving a spotlight to some underserved fan favorites. And as the Watcher overseeing it all, Jeffrey Wright narrates the tales to perfection. —Andrea Towers
19
▷ Where to Stream Bluey
2018–
Anyone with a family member younger than 10 can tell you Bluey is a hit. The charming Australian animated series follows a family of anthropomorphic Heeler dogs (Mom, Dad, and kids Bluey and Bingo) and their home life. The emotional lessons learned through the family tales are so endearing. If you find yourself tuning in with the youngsters in your family, don’t be surprised when it makes you tear up from the tenderness. —Kelli Boyle
18
▷ Where to Stream Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All
2023
You’ve certainly heard him on the radio, but for those who don’t know Ed Sheeran beyond his music hits, Disney+’s docuseries The Sum of It All offers a fresh look at the singer-songwriter during a particularly trying time in his life. While working on his album — (Subtract),Sheeran was followed by cameras as he reeled from the loss of his best friend SBTV founder Jamal Edwards, at the same time his wife was going through a cancer battle and he was facing a since-dismissed copyright infringement lawsuit. It’s a raw portrait of a top-selling artist who backs up his regular-guy image through this four-part title. —Meaghan Darwish
17
▷ Where to Stream Goosebumps
2023–
Based on the YA horror books by R.L. Stine, this revamp of the 90s childhood staple brought the eerie tales into the lives of five older teens who are dealing with their own series of modern-day misgivings, all while trying to solve a supernatural mystery. Though ditching the classic campy tone lost some diehards, the nostalgia of seeing Stine’s best creations — Slappy the dummy! The cuckoo clock of doom! — onscreen, paired with other fresh delights, like watching Justin Long hilariously playing the teen’s possessed teacher, and this becomes a fantastic, must-watch for fans. —Emily Aslanian
16
▷ Where to Stream American Born Chinese
2023–
Based on the 2006 graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang,American Born Chinesefollows Jin Wan (Ben Wang), an average teenager struggling to juggle his family life with his social one — or lack thereof. One fateful day after being tasked to show a new exchange student around, he is unknowingly thrown into a battle between mythical gods. Packed with odes to martial arts, Chinese mythology, and immigrant identities, this show is a must-watch for anyone who’s felt they struggled to fit in. This adaptation also boasts an incredible cast that includes Everything Everywhere All at Once stars Michelle Yeoh,Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu, plus Daniel Wu. —Katie Song
15
▷ Where to Stream Moon Knight
2022
Is it the best Marvel series out there? No. But it has Oscar Isaac as both a museum gift-shop worker and his mercenary alter ego, an Egyptian moon god, some great action scenes, Ethan Hawke as the nemesis, and more. Some episodes are stronger than others, sure, and it left me wanting more just from the introduction of a third character for Isaac to tackle at the end, but what matters most is I’m glad I watched. —Meredith Jacobs
14
▷ Where to Stream Ms. Marvel
2022
Ms. Marvel is one of the only Marvel Studios TV shows that does not bring in a pre-existing character to usher in the newcomer to the MCU or serve as its villain. This left Iman Vellani with the heavy responsibility of carrying this show on her shoulders, and she succeeded with great wit and charm. That playing Kamala Khan was Vellani’s first-ever acting job is a true wonder, and the series serves as a great first taste of what it will be like when the Young Avengers take over the MCU. Embedding the historical context of the Partition of India in 1947 was both a great history lesson and a compelling and unique superhero origin story. —Kelli Boyle
13
▷ Where to Stream Hawkeye
2021
Clint Barton’s (Jeremy Renner) Hawkeye meets his match in this series based on the acclaimed popular comic by Matt Fraction and David Aja, which introduces the world to Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld): a self-taught, talented archer who idolizes the older Avenger. Reasons why this show hits the bullseye includes Renner and Steinfeld’s chemistry (not to mention their witty banter), which is the heart of the series—but Florence Pugh’s Yelena is a scene stealer, and the supporting cast (Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, Alaqua Cox) doesn’t disappoint. —Andrea Towers
12
▷ Where to Stream Doctor Who
2005–
The BBC series, starting with the three 60th anniversary specials, is now a co-production with the streaming service. That partnership kicks off with four terrific episodes (including a Christmas special, a tradition that makes the show so good) that highlight what lies at the heart of the sci-fi series that travels through space and time: the relationship between The Doctor (who can regenerate—which includes changing appearance—when facing death) and the companion, no matter who inhabits these roles. Over its many years, The Doctor has been played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant (who later returned to show that there can even be twists to regeneration), Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, and, now, Ncuti Gatwa. —Meredith Jacobs
11
▷ Where to Stream She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
2022
Introducing Bruce Banner’s (Mark Ruffalo) cousin Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) to the MCU, this half-hour legal comedy saw the super-powered lawyer defend other high-profile clients operating under similar circ*mstances, while also showcasing the challenges any thirtysomething single woman faces from dating to finding the right ensemble. She also kicks some serious butt alongside the likes of the endlessly charming Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). What’s not to like? —Meaghan Darwish
10
2022
A long overdue showcase of nearly 50 years of groundbreaking movie magic, this docuseries chronicles the trials and successes of the special effects department of Lucasfilm known as Industrial Light and Magic. With archival footage from the ‘80s and interviews of famous directors like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, the series tackles the most pivotal eras of special effects and how Lucasfilm was at the forefront of bringing new worlds to life on screen. Inspiring and explorative, this docuseries will leave cinephile audiences tickled by the ingenuity of the unknown innovators behind their favorite stories. —Katie Song
9
▷ Where to Stream The Imagineering Story
2019
The quality of this eye-opening docuseries (which premiered the same day as Disney+’s launch) is reflected in its 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In it, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks takes viewers behind the scenes of how Disney theme parks around the globe are made, from the openings of the parks to the history of rides. Though this sounds similar to Behind the Attraction, The Imagineering Story is more real about the struggles the people behind these creations faced to bring them to life. Archival footage of park opening days, plus insight into Walt Disney’s own shortcomings, make for an illuminating tale. —Kelli Boyle
8
▷ Where to Stream High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
2019–2023
The show that gave us Olivia Rodrigo is a fantastic teen musical series with smart, moving songs and a clear comedic style. The mouthful of a title is quirky and tells you exactly what to expect in this fun production featuring a cast full of rising stars (and in the final season, cameos from the stars of the hit Disney Channel original movie that started it all). The premise is simple: the high school used as East High’s campus in the movies is putting on a production of the musical. Future seasons feature summer-camp settings before returning to the school, bringing viewers a well-rounded depiction of the high school experience. It’s simply a delight. —Kelli Boyle
7
▷ Where to Stream Ahsoka
2023–
Star Wars fans are fascinated by Mandalorian lore, Jedi lore, and the galaxy’s political dynamics, as evidenced by the success of shows like The Mandalorian and Andor. Ahsoka provides full Jedi representation and continues storylines from previous series while introducing beloved characters like Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) into live-action. Long-time fans will appreciate its resolution of longstanding storylines and the return to the Jedi action they love. —Isaac Rouse
6
▷ Where to Stream The Beatles: Get Back
2021
Peter Jackson put together Get Back using hours and hours of unused footage left over from 1970’s Let It Be documentary. The result is a nearly eight-hour, three-episode series chronicling The Beatles’ recording of Let It Be and the legendary rooftop concert. The length allows the recording room to breathe; plenty of time is dedicated to sitting around, smoking, chatting, fighting, and the much-discussed scene in which Paul McCartney riffs “Get Back” out of thin air. Though they fought to the point of splitting at the same time, here was a lot of joy and camaraderie between John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr recording their final album, and it’s a treat to watch. —Leah Williams
5
▷ Where to Stream The Mandalorian
2019–
The Mandalorian‘s undeniable success has reached even casual viewers like your mom, who probably knows who Baby Yodais. Dave Filoniand Jon Favreau‘s innovative blend of Western themes with Star Wars, focusing on Mandalorian culture, has reshaped the franchise. This shift has opened doors for stories beyond lightsabers, the Skywalker family, and the Force, marking a new era for Star Wars. —Isaac Rouse
4
▷ Where to Stream Loki
2021–2023
Debuting in 2021, Loki was the third in line to Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe originals, continuing the story of Tom Hiddleston‘s titular God of Mischief. Answering the question of what happened when he escaped with the Tesseract in Avengers: Endgame, Loki takes viewers on one wacky time-traversing adventure against the backdrop of the TVA (Time Variance Authority). Hiddleston shines alongside cohorts like Owen Wilson‘s Mobius and Sophia Di Martino‘s Sylvie as he runs to and fro across different times and different universes, and encounters variants of similar origin to himself. Definitely one of Marvel’s finer TV entries, this isn’t your average comic book fare as it could easily be identified as prestige TV. —Meaghan Darwish
3
▷ Where to Stream WandaVision
2021
Marvel’s first Disney+ original, WandaVision debuted at peak Covid confinement, making it appointment viewing as episodes dropped week to week. From Episode 1, viewers are dropped into Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) perplexing Westview world, unsure of how she’s living out a TV sitcom lifestyle with synthezoid love Vision (Paul Bettany), the latter of which died in Avengers: Infinity War. Over time, clues and revelations unveil a larger simulation at play as the witch grieves her loss. In addition to tracking Wanda’s wacky day-to-day, the show introduces Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) among others, who delights as a new MCU baddie. If these details aren’t convincing enough to tune in, look to the show’s five Emmy nominations. —Meaghan Darwish
2
▷ Where to Stream Andor
2022–
There’s a reason this show landed Disney+ its first-ever Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. Just like Rogue One before it, Andor stands out from the rest of the Star Wars universe as a singular and spectacular prequel series documenting the growing unrest in the galaxy (far, far away) that led to the events of the original film trilogy. There’s no better writing on the platform than in this war drama, which tracks Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he’s convinced to join the Resistance and take down the Empire. Every episode is great, but it’s the stellar “One Way Out” (featuring an exemplary monologue from Stellan Skarsgard and a memorable performance from the always great Andy Serkis) that serves as the best reason to tune in. Season 2 can’t some soon enough. —Kelli Boyle
1
▷ Where to Stream Percy Jackson and the Olympians
2023–
No other Disney+ original series fits the Disney ethos more perfectly than this fantasy adventure based on Rick Riordan‘s beloved book franchise, and no other family-friendly titles on the platform that aren’t Star Wars or Marvel titles equate in production quality or fan excitement.
The aforementioned greats from the Star Wars and Marvel franchises are all fantastic series, but both of those studios previously existed outside of Disney. Being bought into the Disney umbrella by no means lessens the quality of these sci-fi and superhero shows, but it does make them feel less like true Disney originals. The studio can’t reasonably take credit for the original creations from Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios, which both had built-in fanbases that have been loyal for decades.
Book fans have long craved a loyal adaptation of the best-selling novels following the unsuccessful movie adaptations in 2010 and 2013. Disney+ has found its platform-defining hit in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Should the series continue with its current high quality and momentum (it was renewed one week after the Season 1 finale dropped, and streaming reports reveal it was one of top five most-watched premieres of 2023), it’s easy to imagine a world where Percy Jackson parks pop up in Disney theme parks around the globe like Star Wars‘ Galaxy’s Edge, Marvel’s Avengers Campus, and Avatar‘s Pandora. —Kelli Boyle
