Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
This month, I've added X-Men 97, the long-awaited sequel to X-Men: The Animated Series, and FX's Shogun to this guide. I've removed Welcome to Chippendales, The Kardashians, and The Muppets (2015) from this roster as they don't meet the criteria – outlined in my introduction – to deserve a spot on this list anymore.
Welcome to TechRadar's best Disney Plus shows guide. In this article, I've compiled a list of the 43 best series to stream on the platform. To secure a spot on this illustrious list, a show needs to hold a Rotten Tomatoes (RT) critical score of no less than 75%, be incredibly popular among Disney Plus' userbase, and/or come highly recommended from yours truly, aka the author of this guide.
US readers should be aware that Hulu is home to some of the choices I've handpicked, so you'll need to head over to another of the world's best streaming services to catch them stateside. But I digress: here are the best Disney Plus shows to stream as of March 2024. Happy watching!
Best animated shows on Disney Plus
Bleach
Seasons: 16 (18 with Thousand-Year Blood War's two seasons)
RT score: 77%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Based on Tite Kubo's manga series of the same name, Bleach is a thrilling Japanese language series that tells the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, who obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper, and is forced to defend humanity from evil spirits and help guide departed souls to the afterlife. The series also contains unique storylines and characters not found in the manga, which have helped to flesh out its universe.
Bleach originally ran on TV Tokyo from 2004 to 2012, but it's found many homes worldwide since its initial launch. Unsurprisingly, its various global launches have turned it into a household name (well, with anime fans) and a place on our best anime list. A sequel series, titled Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, continues the story in two seasons (so far, anyway).
Futurama
Seasons on Disney Plus: 11 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 92%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
An animated series from Matt Groening, the brainchild behind The Simpsons (more on them shortly), Futurama was a huge hit in the early 21st century. That said, it's also been cancelled twice, but the sci-fi comedy's latest revival saw its 11th season arrive last July. Two more seasons are on the way, too, even though I didn't think season 11 captured the greatness of what precedes it.
Futurama follows the escapades of Philip J Fry who, after he's cryogenically frozen in the show's first-ever episode, is revived in the year 2999. He quickly befriends the foul-mouthed alcoholic robot Bender and Planet Express Ship captain Turanga Leela, with the series detailing their various adventures across the galaxy.
Watch Futurama on Disney Plus.
The Simpsons
Seasons on Disney Plus: 34 (plus The Simpsons movie and various TV specials)
RT score: 85%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / 12-plus (UK)
One of the crown jewels to come out of Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox. The Simpsons' best days may be behind it, but at its best (seasons 3 through 9 and some of 10), everyone's favorite dysfunctional family was as smart and brilliant as TV has ever been.
The Simpsons hits the same nostalgic, comfort-viewing buttons as The Office does for Netflix and Friends does for Max, so having Homer and company on the platform feels as vital to Disney Plus' success as Star Wars and Marvel. And which other streaming service has steamed hams? If you're interested, find out what our favorite 30 episodes of The Simpsons are.
Watch The Simpsons on Disney Plus.
Tron: Uprising
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 91%
Age rating: TV-G (US) / 6-plus )UK)
2010 movie sequel Tron: Legacy didn’t set the box office on fire, even if it's a highly underrated film, but it did spawn this visually stunning animated series. The Lord of the Rings film trilogy alumnus Elijah Wood voices hero program Beck, battling to save the computer mainframe from malevolent software Clu, while Bruce Boxleitner (star of the original film) returns as Tron, protector of the Grid.
There's only one season of but that makes itss 25-minute long, 24-episode series all the more easy to stream over a weekend. It also helps that Tron: Uprising is surprisingly decent, so I'm confident sci-fi fans will lap this one up.
Watch Tron: Uprising on Disney Plus.
Best comedy shows on Disney Plus
Abbott Elementary
Seasons on Disney Plus: 2 (available on ABC, Max, and Hulu in the US)
RT score: 99%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Abbott Elementary appeared out of nowhere and, without initially taking the world by storm, just seems to have that quintessential TV magic to become a hugely underrated (and award-winning) hit. Season 3 recently began airing in the US, so expect it to land on Disney Plus internationally soon.
The workplace comedy follows a group of dedicated teachers working in a Philadelphia-based public school. The odds are stacked against them, but their passion and drive keeps them going and ensured they give their pupils the best education possible. In my view, fans of mockumentaries and sitcoms, including The Office, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and Derry Girls will want to give it a whirl.
Watch Abbott Elementary on Disney Plus.
The Bear
Seasons on Disney Plus: 2 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 99%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 16-plus (UK)
The Bear is one of those series that didn't seem all that appetizing at a surface level, but there's no denying it's one of the best Disney Plus shows of all-time now. Jeremy Allen White plays Carmen Berzatto (White), a young chef who returns to Chicago to run his family's deli sandwich shop following his brother's death.
Like any good bread-based meal, The Bear is filled with a perfect blend of comedic, dramatic, and other flavorsome ingredients. Believe us, you'll devour all 16 episodes in one go. It's that engrossing, funny, and heart-wrenching in equal measure. The Bear season 3 is in development, while there are big rumors that it'll film back-to-back with an as-yet-unconfirmed fourth season.
Watch The Bear on Disney Plus.
Extraordinary
Seasons on Disney Plus: 2 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 18-plus (UK)
Tired of the same old Marvel shows? Extraordinary may reignite your interest in the superhero genre.
Set in a world where everyone develops a superpower at 18, Extraordinary follows Jen, a 25-year-old Londoner who's still waiting for her ability to manifest. Stuck in a dead-end job, Jen feels like there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe, though, her superpower is just being the extra special kind of ordinary in a world of superpowered beings.
It might not sound wholly inventive, but Extraordinary is the product of mixing Fleabag and hit Prime Video series The Boys together to create a highly enjoyable show. One I heartily recommend for anyone searching for an original take on the superhero field.
Watch Extraordinary on Disney Plus.
Modern Family
Seasons on Disney Plus: 11 (available on Peacock and Hulu in the US)
RT score: 85%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Modern Family has, like many US sitcoms (including Friends), become a comedy classic since its original 2009 release. The series follows the lives of three diverse families who live in suburban Los Angeles, with the trio linked by their familial patriarch Jay Pritchett (played by Ed O'Neill). Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell, Sarah Hyland, and Rico Rodriguez are among its notable cast members who have gone on to have solid careers in Hollywood.
A multi-award-winning series that remains as popular (and funny) today as it was 15 years ago, Modern Family is a familiar take on the sitcom formula, but it's a show elevated by its fantastic and likeable cast, outlandishly sharp and witty storylines, and surprising lack of weak links narratively or cast-wise.
Watch Modern Family on Disney Plus.
Only Murders in the Building
Seasons on Disney Plus: 3 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 98%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as three true crime podcast addicts whose lives begin to imitate art. How so? They get caught up in a murder (or murders, now there's more than one season), which occur in the apartment complex they live in. Cue plenty of comedy capers and lots of guest starring appearances from every household name you can think of.
There are multiple reasons why Only Murders in the Building is such an engaging show and deserves its place on our best Disney Plus shows list. It's built on a simple yet novel premise, makes the most out of its two ageing lead funny men, is an easy watch, and contains plenty of humor and crime-based scenarios that you'll get a kick out of. Season 4 is on the way, too.
Watch Only Murders in the Building on Disney Plus.
Best crime shows on Disney Plus
The Artful Dodger
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 92%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
An adventure comedy-drama sequel to Charles Dickens’ legendary Oliver Twist novel, this Australian-made TV series has drawn a surprising amount of critical acclaim since last November
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (The Maze Runner, Game of Thrones) plays the titular character, aka Jack Dawkins, who’s turned his back on a life of crime to become a renowned young doctor in 1850s Australia. However, when Fagin – his former gang boss – resurfaces and coerces Jack to resume his former identity, Jack questions whether he can truly move on from his criminal past. With a genuinely enjoyable plot and character-driven moments, it's a roguish, fast-paced, and delightful period piece.
Watch The Artful Dodger on Disney Plus.
Culprits
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 83%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Writer-director J. Blakeson (The Descent Part 2, I Care a Lot) delivers devilish thrills and captivating heist-based spills with Culprits, a crime-drama that quickly subverts expectations by slowly evolving into a stylish and slick sort-of-whodunit mystery.
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and Gemma Arterton lead a starry cast as Joe and Dianne, the heads of an elite criminal crew who, after successfully pulling off a high-stakes heist, suddenly find themselves being bumped off one by one by a ruthless assassin. Eddie Izzard, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Niamh Algar are among its supporting players.
Watch Culprits on Disney Plus.
Best documentary shows on Disney Plus
The Beatles: Get Back
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 93%
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson dives into the footage recorded for 1970 Beatles documentary Let it Be, and the result is a stunning portrait of John, Paul, George, and Ringo at work.
Presented without narration (occasional title cards provide context), it’s nominally the story of sessions that culminated in the band’s famous final rooftop gig, but mostly this meandering three-part series makes you feel like you’ve been given an access all areas pass to watch the most famous band in history do their thing. Thanks to extensive clean-up work, The Beatles: Get Back looks and sounds like it was recorded yesterday.
Watch The Beatles: Get Back on Disney Plus.
The Imagineering Story
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / U (UK)
As if to prove its streaming service really is all-encompassing, Disney has found a way to bring its theme parks into the mix. Indeed, The Imagineering Story is a six-hour documentary series delving into the history of the vast empire, while showing how some of Disney’s most iconic attractions are brought to life.
Regardless of whether you're yet to visit a Disney World resort or if you've been to every single one countless times, The Imagineering Story presents a fascinating insight into some of Disney's most beloved attractions. A docuseries that I found equal-parts educational and entertaining.
Watch The Imagineering Story on Disney Plus.
Light & Magic
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
This brilliant six-part documentary reveals how Industrial Light & Magic, the company George Lucas founded to create visuals for Star Wars, became the most celebrated visual effects (VFX) house on the planet.
Director Lawrence Kasdan (screenwriter of both The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark) assembles most of the key players to reminisce about their time working for the studio, while the impressive behind-the-scenes footage is the ultimate nostalgia rush. Mostly, though, it’s a celebration of a group of people who came together to repeatedly achieve the impossible – for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking, it’s inspiring stuff, in my opinion.
Watch Light & Magic on Disney Plus.
Best drama shows on Disney Plus
A Small Light
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (also available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
A biographical miniseries that's not for the faint of heart, A Small Light is a stunning drama series that tells the story of Anne Frank and her family from a new perspective.
Bel Powley plays Miep Gies, a secretary employed by Jewish German businessman Otto Frank (played by Liev Schreiber), who helps the Frank family – including famous daughter Anne – and other Jewish refugees go into hiding after Nazi Germany's invasion of the Netherlands. Gies and her husband Jan (Joe Cole) bravely spent the next two years watching over the Franks and other refugees.
A tension-fuelled and at-times harrowing watch, A Small Light is a, well, rare shining light on Disney Plus that showcases a powerful and important story that's worth telling.
Watch A Small Light on Disney Plus.
Fleishman is in Trouble
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 87%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 18-plus (UK)
Fleishman is in Trouble provides a fascinating insight into how single parents juggle their kids, dating, and their jobs – all the while wondering if they made the right decisions in life.
Jesse Eisenberg plays Toby Fleishman, who's lumped with his kids when his ex-wife disappears without a trace. Facing the prospect of juggling his children, job, and burgeoning dating life (thanks to those pesky dating apps), Fleishman realizes he'll never figure out what happened to his former partner until he gets his own life in order. Led by another "I hate how much I love this character" style performance from Eisenberg, this is another home run from underrated studio FX.
Watch Fleishman Is In Trouble on Disney Plus.
Lost
Seasons on Disney Plus: 6 (available on Hulu and Amazon Freevee in the US)
RT score: 86%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Few TV shows have cut through the cultural zeitgeist as much as Lost did in the early 2000s. The supernatural sci-fi drama series was the talk of the town for many years – and with good reason. Its elaborate overarching mystery, time travel aspects, and endearing, love-to-hate characters cemented it as the world's most popular TV show, and one I regularly watched until it got way too silly around its fourth season.
Many people felt the same as I did, too. Lost's popularity waned in its latter seasons, while its final left a lot to be desired. Few can argue against its cultural impact, though, and many observers (myself included) say it pioneered the type of serialized storytelling we see today. A worthy inclusion in our best Disney Plus shows list.
Moving
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Like The Boys and Extraordinary, this one is a superhero-centric series with a twist. Based on Kang Full's webseries of the same name, this South Korean-developed show follows three teenagers (and their families) who discover they have superpowers.
Rather than follow a similar, well-worn trajectory of Marvel and DC offerings, though, Moving tells an exciting, heartfelt, thematically dense, and relatable tale that just happens to include characters with superhuman abilities. It's proven so popular, it's become the most-streamed Korean show on a Disney-owned platform ever. No wonder we called it a brilliant Hulu and Disney Plus thriller akin to Squid Game.
Reservation Dogs
Seasons on Disney Plus: 3 (available on FX via Hulu in the US, and Binge/Foxtel in Australia)
RT score: 93%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 18-plus (UK)
Created by filmmakers Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi (What We Do In The Shadows, Thor: Love and Thunder), Reservation Dogs tells the story of a group of bored teenagers living in a small town in the Muscogee Nation in rural Oklahoma. They're desperate to escape and go to great lengths to fund a move to California, including both committing and fighting crime.
I found Reservation Dogs to not only be a terrific TV show, but also one that set a new precedent by being made almost entirely by – and starring – an Native American team. Subsequently, the praise it's earned for its storytelling, excellent casting, and the way it deals with grief and life as a young Indigenous person is deserved.
Watch Reservation Dogs on Disney Plus.
Shogun
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (available on FX via Hulu in the US)
RT score: 99%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 18-plus (UK)
A TV adaptation that captures the beauty, tribe-filled drama, and hyperviolence of Feudal Japan, FX's expensive but stunning live-action take on James Clavell's best-selling novel of the same name is Succession meets Game of Thrones wrapped up in 16th century clothing.
There are many, many reasons why Shogun is not among the best Disney Plus shows ever made, but also a record-breaking FX series. I could wax lyrical about them here, but my spoiler-light Shogun opinion piece does a much better job of explaining why. Once you're done streaming it, continue your history-inspired streaming adventure with these three other Shogun-like hit shows.
Best fantasy shows on Disney Plus
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 92%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / (12-plus (UK)
After Percy Jackson’s early 2010 movie adaptations bombed at the box office – the films "just didn’t resonate" with audiences, the book series’ creator told TechRadar – the fan-favorite demi-god has earned a new lease of life on Disney Plus.
Based on the beloved teen fantasy novels, Percy Jackson and the Olympians tells the tale of, well, Percy Jackson, who learns he’s the son of Greek god Zeus and embarks on a quest to retrieve his father’s lightning bolt, which Percy is believed to have stolen, and restore order to Olympus.
We weren't as enthused as others about this TV adaptation, with our reviewer suggesting Percy Jackson and the Olympians isn’t a Greek tragedy or a god-tier Disney Plus series. Given we’re in the minority, though, it deserves a spot on this list. It landed a season 2 renewal after its storming Disney Plus success, too.
Watch Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney Plus.
Best kids shows on Disney Plus
Bluey
Seasons on Disney Plus: 3 (available on Foxtel in Australia)
RT score: 73%
Age rating: TV-G (US) / U (UK)
As preschool-oriented TV shows go, few are as popular as Bluey is right now.
The Australian animated series, which began airing in 2018 (initially on ABC Kids), isn't dissimilar to other well-known programs that teach children about lots of subjects and themes (outside of the occasional Aussie reference, anyway). But it's Bluey's natural charm, cute animation style, and approach to teaching kids about the world that sets it apart from its contemporaries. One that adults and children will fall in love with – and I should know, because my nieces and nephews are incredibly fond of it.
Cars on the Road
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 93%
Age rating: TV-G (US) / 6-plus (UK)
A TV sequel to the Cars film franchise, Cars on the Road stars everyone's favorite animated automobiles – Lightning McQueen and Mater – as they embark on a cross-country trip to attend the wedding of Mater's sister.
Cars on the Road isn't the first Pixar TV show we expected to see, especially as the movies vary in quality. However, with the movie's voice acting cast returning to reprise their roles, dollops of laugh-out-loud humor, and its classic buddy road trip vibes, this is one kids-oriented series we can get behind. My nephew loves it so, for that reason alone, I had to include it on our best Disney Plus shows list.
Watch Cars on the Road on Disney Plus.
Peppa Pig
Seasons on Disney Plus: 6
RT score: N/A
Age rating: TV-Y (US) / U (UK)
Bluey aside, few kids shows have been as successful as Peppa Pig since the series originally aired in May 2004. Initially a Channel 5 exclusive in the UK, Peppa Pig has become a global phenomenon, with the educational series available to watch on Disney Plus, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Prime Video, iView, Fubo, BBC iPlayer, My5, Sky, and Spectrum among other global streamers.
Its popularity shouldn't come as a surprise, really. Peppa Pig's delightfully simple animation style, endearing characters, and overall charm help it stand out from the crowd (much like Bluey, then). Parents will get sick of watching it (my brother certainly is!) but, if it keeps the kids quiet, who is he to complain?
Curiously, none of Peppa Pig's eight seasons have an RT score. Given its immeasurable popularity, though, I had to include it on this list.
Watch Peppa Pig on Disney Plus.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Seasons on Disney Plus: 2
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / 9-plus (UK)
A soft reboot of the early 2000s cult classic, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is an animated coming-of-age sitcom that the whole family can enjoy. It follows 14-year-old Penny Proud and her family as they navigate various challenges in their daily lives, including high school, the workplace, familial disputes, and generally getting into trouble.
Louder and Prouder is one of Disney Plus' most popular animated family series. Critics have praised its never-miss-a-beat dialog and humor, colorful colloquialisms, and engaging life lessons that any viewer can take something from, so I guess it's better than it looks.
Watch The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder on Disney Plus.
Best Marvel shows on Disney Plus
Daredevil
Seasons on Disney Plus: 3
RT score: 92%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 18-plus (UK)
Long before Disney Plus existed, Marvel’s now-defunct television division signed a deal with Netflix to make street-level superhero shows, which eventually that found their way onto Disney Plus in 2022.
Of that contingent, Daredevil is unquestionably the best. Charlie Cox is brilliant as Matt Murdock, the blind criminal lawyer who lives a double life, striving to clean up his Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood as the titular costumed vigilante. Meanwhile, Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk/Kingpin proves to be the ideal nemesis, a villain who can be menacing without the need for superpowers.
Thanks to Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo, Netflix's Daredevil is officially canon in the MCU. He's also getting his own MCU TV show – Daredevil: Born Again – as part of Marvel Phase 5, which follows on from the Netflix series. Cox and D'Onofrio will star in it, and I simply can't wait.
Watch Daredevil on Disney Plus.
Hawkeye
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 92%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton always felt like a supporting player alongside Iron Man, Captain America, and the other Avengers, so it was surprising when his standalone series turned out to be one of Marvel’s most accomplished TV adventures.
Based around the classic old hook of a guy getting home to his family for Christmas, Hawkeye sees the MCU's master archer battling the ghosts of his chequered past as he reluctantly comes out of retirement. Hailee Steinfeld provides excellent support as Hawkeye's eager protégé Kate Bishop, while the arrival of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk/Kingpin ups the threat. Read my Hawkeye interview-led feature that find out why it was such a subversive street-level series for Marvel to tackle.
Loki
Seasons on Disney Plus: 2
RT score: 87%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
One of the MCU's most popular villains/antiheroes embarks on his own adventure in this wildly successful Disney Plus show. In Loki, Thor’s brother is taken into custody by the Time Variance Authority – a bureaucratic organization on a mission to keep history playing out as it should – and ends up encountering multiple versions of himself.
Mixing elements of Doctor Who with a mismatched cop comedy – Loki’s double act with Owen Wilson’s Agent Mobius is wonderful – it takes the MCU to places it’s never been before. Loki season 2 expands on the narrative and character development of its predecessor, too, as well as setting up potentially big multiverse story threads to come in the wider MCU. Read my thoughts on Loki season 1 and Loki season 2 op-ed to find out why I enjoyed the series so much.
Loki season 2's ending all-but-confirmed its two and done for the trickster god's standalone series. If this is the end of his titanic MCU career (we hope the sun will shine on him again), it's a devastatingly brilliant and poignant way for actor Tom Hiddleston to bow out.
Moon Knight
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 86%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
If anyone tries to argue that Marvel projects are too similar in tone, Moon Knight is the dark, brooding counterpoint.
Where most superheroes have a single alter-ego, the eponymous hero has at least two, because mercenary Marc Spector (the ever-excellent Oscar Isaac) has dissociative identity disorder (DID). Spector’s condition is handled with sensitivity, alongside a creepy plot about feuding ancient Egyptian gods.
Ethan Hawke proves to be one of the best Marvel villains as the power-hungry Arthur Harrow, and Amadeus Oscar-winner F. Murray Abraham has a ball as the voice of Khonshu, the deity who supplies Moon Knight’s powers. It's a funny, mind-bending, and heart-wrenching limited series – and certainly one of the best Disney Plus shows, in my view. Learn more about why that's the case in my Moon Knight review.
Watch Moon Knight on Disney Plus.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 1
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
It’s hard to work out what’s more surprising about She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: that Disney Plus greenlit a fourth wall-smashing legal comedy-drama or that, in my humble opinion, it actually works. It proved divisive among many MCU fans but, as my She-Hulk review suggests, it's much better than some think.
Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany is brilliant as both Jennifer Walters and her tall, green alter-ego – Walters getting her superpowers after her blood accidentally mixes with that of her cousin, aka Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk. With self-aware asides to the camera and some wonderfully silly superpowered court cases, She-Hulk is the Marvel/Ally McBeal hybrid you never knew you wanted. It also features big-name cameos and, with its creatively meta finale, She-Hulk's ending might be one of the most subversive in MCU history.
Watch She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney Plus.
WandaVision
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 92%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Marvel's first Disney Plus show is also one of the best of its kind. WandaVision is an oddball series featuring Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany), each reprising their roles from the Avengers movies in a delightful but somber series that explores grief in an inventive way.
While the Marvel Phase 4 show is presented as a sitcom – or, rather, a series of sitcoms, with each episode riffing on the comedies of different decades – secrets about the true nature of the heroes' new home lurk beneath the surface. It was an unusual start for the MCU on the small screen, but nonetheless a worthy effort. Well, if you can look past its CGI-laden final showdown, which I was just about able to.
Watch WandaVision on Disney Plus.
X-Men: The Animated Series
Seasons on Disney Plus: 5 (6 with X-Men 97)
RT score: 83%
Age rating: TV-Y8 / 6-plus (UK)
Arguably the TV show that set Marvel on its path to big screen dominance, this long-running ’90s cartoon was pioneering in the way it took the serialized storytelling of comic books to kids’ TV. It's loaded with familiar characters, is surprisingly complex, and delivers new takes on classic X-Men storylines. In short: it’s a true classic.
X-Men 97, a long overdue sequel to the original series, is also out now on Disney Plus, and it's an absolute blast. Read my spoiler-light thoughts on X-Men 97's first three episodes, which I said made me feel like a carefree kid again, before you start streaming it. Oh, and be sure to find out how to watch the X-Men movies in order to get the lowdown on every mutant-starring movie and TV series to date.
Watch X-Men: The Animated Series on Disney Plus and/or stream X-Men 97 on Disney Plus.
Best sci-fi shows on Disney Plus
Alias
Seasons on Disney Plus: 5 (also available on Amazon Freevee in the US)
RT score: 86%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Alias was the show that put JJ Abrams on the map. Lost might have been more popular and Felicity was his first real foray into TV, but this sci-fi spy thriller made many people sit up and take notice of him.
Jennifer Garner stars as Sydney Bristow, a CIA-based double agent who poses as an operative for the SD-6, a global criminal organization. Assuming multiple identities and personalities, Bristow must stay one step ahead of those she pursues, all the while keeping her job secret from her friends and family.
Like other Abrams-developed series, its plot can sometimes collapse in on itself and some seasons are stronger than others. But, with dazzling action set-pieces, solid writing across the board, and fantastically believable characters, Alias is a sharp-shooting sci-fi series that I believe new viewers will enjoy.
Firefly
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1 (available on Hulu in the US)
RT score: 77%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / 12-plus (UK)
The show that turned Nathan Fillion into a bonafide acting star, Firefly is a seminal sci-fi series that I think every fan of this increasingly popular genre should watch.
Firefly only lasted for one season before its unceremonious cancellation, but its impact on its primary genre is unquestionable. Its compelling storylines, Fillion's witty Mal Reynolds, fantasy and space western-positioned universe, and wonderfully bizarre action have turned Firefly into a cult favorite show that'll stand the test of time. And you can quote me on that.
Best sports shows on Disney Plus
Save Our Squad With David Beckham
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 100%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
He retired from playing football (soccer, to US readers) a decade ago, David Beckham continues to hold significant sway in sporting circles. Asking the Manchester United, Real Madrid, and England icon to front his own Disney Plus docuseries, then, seems like a win-win all around.
Save Our Squad sees the man affectionately dubbed 'Becks' return to the grassroots football club – Under-14s side Westward Boys – he started out with to help coach them out of their relegation-threatened slump. You'll come for the sports-based action, but I found the more personal moments between Beckham and the young lads to the series' greatest asset. A dramatic, eye-opening, and endearing sports series if ever there was one.
Watch Save Our Squad with David Beckham on Disney Plus.
Welcome to Wrexham
Seasons on Disney Plus: 2 (available on FX via Hulu in the US)
RT score: 91%
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 16-plus (UK)
Not to be outdone by Beckham, Welcome to Wrexham shines a spotlight on Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's buyout of the Welsh football club.
The fly-on-the-wall docuseries shows their joint effort to revive the third-oldest professional club's fortunes in the British football league system. That's despite the duo's lack of footballing knowledge, including how to run a successful soccer outfit.
Like Save our Squad, Welcome to Wrexham is more than just the football (soccer again, US readers) on show, albeit it's a vital component to the story being told. It's as much about Reynolds and McElhenney learning about the Welsh town, the importance of the sport to its wider community, and bringing about positive change in a predominantly working-class location. As a huge football and docuseries connoisseur, I can vouch for how good this is. Season 3 arrives later this year.
Watch Welcome to Wrexham on Disney Plus.
Best Star Wars shows on Disney Plus
Andor
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 96%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Undoubtedly the best of the Star Wars TV shows and arguably the highlight of Lucasfilm’s entire Disney era output, Andor reveals a side of George Lucas’s universe we’ve never seen before.
Diego Luna's Cassian Andor (one of the doomed heroes in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) may be the title character, but showrunner Tony Gilroy expands the scope of this prequel series so much further, creating a complex, morally ambiguous exploration of the Rebel Alliance’s origins.
With a synth-heavy, Blade Runner-esque score and cinematography that owes as much to the Bourne movies as Star Wars, this is sophisticated, adult-focused drama that just happens to be set in a galaxy far, away. Read my spoiler-free thoughts on Andor season 1 to tide you over until Andor season 2 arrives in 2025.
The Mandalorian
Seasons on Disney Plus: 3
RT score: 90%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 14-plus (UK)
The Mandalorian was Disney Plus' first major hit, so it deservedly takes a place in our best Disney Plus shows article. Iron Man director Jon Favreau created this series, which stars Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) as a mysterious bounty hunter wearing a box-of-tricks suit of armor, who forms an unlikely bond with a kid who looks a lot like Yoda.
The show's second season is particularly strong, offering high-end fan service alongside terrific new Star Wars stories. Spin-off The Book of Boba Fett was comparatively disappointing, but The Mandalorian season 3 mostly thrilled me once more, even though it's a slower and slightly more divisive entry (in my opinion) compared to its predecessors.
Rather than getting The Mandalorian season 4, Mando and Grogu are jetting off to the big screen, with a movie titled The Mandalorian & Grogu entering full production this year. Season 3, then, could mark the end of their largely super TV show.
Watch The Mandalorian on Disney Plus.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 82%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Ewan McGregor returns as the titular Jedi Master in a six-part miniseries that bridges the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope (if you need to a full timeline rundown, find out how to watch the Star Wars movies in order).
A decade after abandoning Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar, Obi-Wan Kenobi finds the titular character utterly broken, hiding from the Empire while keeping a distant but watchful eye on the young Luke Skywalker. However, when a certain princess is kidnapped by sinister forces, he’s reluctantly drawn back into the fight, gradually rediscovering his mojo on his way to a rematch with his former apprentice, Darth Vader.
Star Wars purists may bemoan the fact the show stretches canon almost to breaking point, and I don't think it makes full use of its clearly talented cast. Still, McGregor gets way more to do than in any of the prequels and Obi-Wan's two showdowns with Vader are a dream. Read my chat with its cast and crew to learn how Obi-Wan Kenobi redeems Star Wars' inconsistent past, too.
Watch Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney Plus.
Star Wars: Ahsoka
Seasons on Disney Plus: 1
RT score: 86%
Age rating: TV-14 (US) / 12-plus (UK)
Set around The Mandalorian seasons 2 and 3, plus The Book of Boba Fett, Star Wars: Ahsoka pulls many of Star Wars: Rebels' characters and plotlines into the live-action sphere.
The Ahsoka Tano-fronted story sees the titular character investigate rumors surrounding the return of Imperial mastermind Grand Admiral Thrawn. In an effort to stave off another galactic war, Ahsoka enlists the aid of other Rebels characters, including Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla, to stop Thrawn's allies from bringing him back into the fold.
You don't need to be a Jedi Master to understand Star Wars: Ahsoka, so newcomers (as well as established fans of its characters and time period) will enjoy what's on offer. Once you've watched season 1 (a second season is on the way), read my Star Wars: Ahsoka ending explained article to see what plot threads it sets up for its follow-up.
Watch: Star Wars: Ahsoka on Disney Plus.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Seasons on Disney Plus: 3
RT score: 87%
Age rating: TV-PG (US) / 6-plus (UK)
Picking up where The Clone Wars left off, The Bad Batch is the story of Clone Force 99, a team of elite but unconventional Troopers who debuted in the earlier show's final season.
After Order 66 turns the Clones against the Jedi, most of the Bad Batch remain unaffected, and are forced to stay under the radar in a galaxy quickly falling under the Empire's control – all while protecting Omega, a young female clone on the run from her creators.
Despite its potentially dark subject matter, The Bad Batch is tonally similar to The Clone Wars – in other words, it's suitable for younger viewers. It's also just as beautifully animated, so it's one you can stream alongside your kids if you're keen to introduce them to Lucasfilm's legendary franchise.
Watch Star Wars: The Bad Batch on Disney Plus.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Seasons on Disney Plus: 7
RT score: 93%
Age rating: TV-PG / 6-plus (UK)
The Clone Wars is the show that kept Star Wars’ fire burning between the prequels and Disney’s Lucasfilm buyout. And it's a good thing it did, otherwise you and I wouldn't have so many fantastic live-action shows to stream.
Even though it's set in the prequel timeframe, and its first season is a very mixed affair, it corrects everything that the prequel movies got wrong, with weighty stories and great characterization. It’s that galaxy far, far away at its best; with action-driven narratives and packed with enough Star Wars lore to fill a space cruiser.
Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney Plus.
Star Wars: Rebels
Seasons on Disney Plus: 4
RT score: 98%
Age rating: TV-Y7 / 6-plus (UK)
This origin story for the Rebel Alliance – it overlaps with Andor in the Star Wars continuity – zooms in on the fertile time period leading up to A New Hope.
With many of The Clone Wars’ creative team on board, it’s four seasons of fan heaven, with an epic storyline, beautiful spaceship designs, and some of the biggest players in the franchise (Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian) back in action. It's must-see for anyone looking to enjoy more of what Ahsoka has to offer, too.
Before you depart, why not learn more about how other forthcoming projects, such as Skeleton Crew and Star Wars: The Acolyte, will fit into Lucasfilm's expansive universe by checking out those guides and our new Star Wars movies and TV shows explained article.
Watch Star Wars: Rebels on Disney Plus.
For more Disney Plus-based coverage, read our guides on how to watch the Star Wars movies in order, our ranking of the best Marvel movies, all of the new Disney Plus movies to arrive recently, and our guide on the best Disney Plus movies.
