Best Shows on Disney Plus

Looking for a family-friendly, ad-free streaming platform? Disney Plus is for you. With shows from Pixel, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and of course, Disney Plus Originals, your kids, teens, and the entire family will never lack for something to watch.

From new releases to original series to the classics, Disney Plus has over 7,000 different television episodes to watch (and over 500 movies, too). With so much to choose from, you may be wondering what to watch on Disney Plus. We’ve rounded up the best shows on Disney Plus to watch right now, from old school favorites to new shows to Disney Plus Originals. 

Here are the best shows to watch on Disney Plus in 2021.

The Mandalorian

• Release Year: 2019
• # of Seasons: 2

Star Wars fans should watch The Mandalorian, the first live-action series part of the Star Wars Franchise. The show, which stars Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, begins five years after Return of the Jedi, after the fall of the Galactic Empire. Djarin is a bounty hunter chosen by the Imperial Forces to find Grogu (Baby Yoda), but goes rogue and decides to search for and protect this special child instead. 

The show has already been nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards, and a third season is in the works with a release date in 2022.

The Simpsons

• Release Year: 1989
• # of Seasons: 32

A cult classic, The Simpsons is that quintessential animated American sitcom apt for teens and adults alike. Watch and laugh as you watch wacky dad Homer and his quirky wife Marge raise their three kids: mischievous Bart, know-it-all Lisa, and little baby Maggie in the ambiguous town of Springfield.

The series is jam packed with wit, satire, and humor — expect parodies of everything from politics to pop culture. It’s no wonder the series is the longest-running American sitcom and longest running American animated series.

WandaVision

• Release Year: 2021
• # of Seasons: 1

If you’re looking for one of the best new shows on Disney Plus, this is one to watch. WandaVision is a Disney Plus Original and Marvel miniseries where Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany), a seemingly ‘normal’ couple living a ‘typical’ suburban life attempt to disguise their superpowers.

This show is the first series by Marvel Cinematic Universe to be produced by Marvel Studios. And it’s already an award winning show: the drama/mystery miniseries was nominated for 23 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won 3.

Shake It Up

• Release Year: 2010
• # of Seasons: 3

This list wouldn’t be complete without a dance show. If you love Zendaya and Bella Thorne, Shake it Up features two pre-teen girls, Cece Jones and Rocky Blue, who dream of being professional dancers. The girls get their shot at dance fame as backup dancers in a dance show: Shake It Up, Chicago!

Fans of Hannah Montana will enjoy this show, which is similar, but with a dance twist. Viewers may also enjoy the soundtrack to the show — Selena Gomez sings the show’s theme song.

Lizzie McGuire

• Release Year: 2001
• # of Seasons: 2

Surviving junior high isn’t easy for anyone — even Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff). Follow along as she navigates junior high beside her besties Gordo and Miranda, and of course, her animated alter ego. The animated alter ego is also narrated by Duff, and voices the true thoughts and feelings of McGuire as she deals with the trials and errors of those complicated teenage years. 

Although a revival of Lizze McGuire was supposedly taking place in 2019, production was unfortunately canceled in 2020 — so viewers will have to be content with just the original 2 seasons of the show.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

• Release Year: 2019
• # of Seasons: 2

13 years after the movie High School Musical comes The Musical: The Series. And the plot thickens: a new production at East High is taking place: High School Musical: The Musical!

Although this series features a mostly different cast of new and talented actors and singers than the original movie, you can still follow along as these teens sing, dance, and navigate the personal drama that comes with being in high school. The second season has the cast staging a high school production of Beauty and the Beast.

Diary of a Future President

• Release Year: 2020
• # of Seasons: 2

Yet another show that follows the life of a teenage girl, Elena Cañero-Reed wants to become President of the United States one day, but for now, she needs to get through middle school in Miami, Florida.

The series follows the Cuban 7th grader and her family and friends as she narrates her life to her diary. Fans of Gina Rodriguez will enjoy the show, as she’s an executive producer alongside Ilana Peña and Emily Gipson of Diary of a Future President.

Loki

• Release Year: 2021
• # of Seasons: 1

Another one for the Marvel fans, Loki is one of the best new shows to watch on Disney Plus. The third of the Marvel series to hit the streaming service, Loki is an action, sci-fi thriller that has Loki traveling through time.

To really enjoy the show, it’s best if you’ve seen the film Avengers: Endgame, because the series takes place after these events. Owen WIlson stars in the show, alongside Tom Hiddleston, who also plays Loki in the film series.

Wizards of Waverly Place

• Release Year: 2007
• # of Seasons: 4

Need a little magic in your life? Wizards of Waverly Place is all about a teen wizard in New York City. Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) and her brothers Max and Justin all have magical powers. The show depicts the family wizard duo as they navigate life as both wizards and ‘regular’ kids, attempting to gain control of their powers — often unsuccessfully. Their dad, Jerry, does his best to help guide his kids’ magical powers in the right direction.

Fans of the show can also enjoy the Wizards of Waverly Place movie and video game.

The Proud Family (and Louder and Prouder, coming soon)

• Release Year: 2001
• # of Seasons: 2

In anticipation of the upcoming revival, Louder and Prouder, which is set to be released in 2022, watch The Proud Family, an animated show that features African American girl Penny Proud growing up alongside her family and friends. 

Highlights include Penny’s overprotective dad, Oscar, grandmother Suga Mama, and best friend Dijonay Jones. One of the most anticipated upcoming shows on Disney Plus, Louder and Prouder will include voiceovers from some original cast members, as well as celebrities such as Lizzo, Chance the Rapper, Lena Waithe, Gabrielle Union, Eva Longoria, and others.