38 Of The Best TV Shows To Stream On Disney+ In August

    What If, Monsters at Work, Lizzie McGuire, and more great titles you'll want to stream this month.

    Matthew Huff
    by Matthew Huff

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    We hope you love the shows and movies we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of revenue or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI: Platform, prices, and other availability details are accurate as of time of posting.

    1. Agent Carter (2015–16)

    Hayley Atwell wears '50s clothes
    Eric McCandless / ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection

    For anyone unaware, Disney+ is synonymous with Marvel these days, as the mega studio purchased the comics giant in 2009. One of Marvel’s many properties now at home on the Disney streaming platform is this Captain America spinoff. Hayley Atwell reprises her role as Peggy Carter, a US secret agent during the aftermath of World War II. While the series was canceled after two seasons on ABC, the period thriller received rave reviews from critics and is a must-watch for fans of spy dramas, Marvel, or Captain America. The only downside is that America’s butt is not more prominently featured.

    Watch it on Disney+.

    2. America's Funniest Home Videos (2002–12)

    Tom Bergeron interviews a member of the audience
    ABC

    Before you were watching videos of people falling off Jet Skis on YouTube, there was America’s Funniest Home Videos, a compilation of camcorder footage documenting prat falls, wild dogs, and irreverent children. While the show has taken on many iterations in its three decades, the Tom Bergeron era is preserved here for your perusing pleasure. Watch Grandma’s dentures fall into a birthday cake or your cousin get nailed in the face by a piñata to your heart’s content while the former Dancing With the Stars host provides amusing commentary in the background. And with the show still airing, there’s even a chance you could win the prize money. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    3. Andi Mack (2017–19)

    Sofia Wylie, Joshua Rush, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, and Asher Angel sit on a bench
    Craig Sjodin / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Of the new wave of live-action Disney Channel comedies, Andi Mack stands head and shoulders above the rest. Unlike some of its more high-concept counterparts, Andi Mack is simply about a girl named Andi Mack who is going to middle school with her friends. The foursome at the center of the antics are Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who stars in the upcoming Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.), Buffy (Sofia Wylie of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), Jonah (Asher Angel of Shazam), and Cyrus (Joshua Rush of The Lion Guard). The series made headlines when it became the first Disney Channel show to feature an openly gay character. Cyrus’s coming-out scene is the sweetest thing, and you should go watch it right now.     

    Watch it on Disney+.

    4. Austin & Ally (2011–16)

    Ross Lynch shows Laura Marano, Raini Rodriquez, and Calum Worthy a backpack
    Michael Ansell / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    This Disney Channel musical comedy is basically the Haley plotline of One Tree Hill, minus getting married in high school, plus a dash of Entourage. Musician and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina actor Ross Lynch stars as Austin, an outgoing performer who skyrockets to fame when he sings a song written by Ally (Laura Marano), the musical other half/best friend/love interest. Throw in Calum Worthy as Ross’s doofy friend/videographer and our lord and savior Raini Rodriguez as the group's manager, and you have the crew.  

    Watch it on Disney+. 

    5. Cosmos (2014)

    Neil dGrasse Tyson stands before a picture of outer space
    Fox / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Another stockpile of Disney+ treasure lies in the National Geographic brand, which was acquired by the mouse during the Fox merger. As a result, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s stunning overview of evolution and scientific advancement is now yours to stream. With episodes focusing on the big bang, light, astronomy, and electromagnetism, viewers get a crash course in the science that surrounds them, supported by all the graphs, images, and videos needed to make the material accessible. Also, the soundtrack, composed by Alan Silvestri, is breathtaking and worth appreciating in and of itself. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    6. Doug (1996–98)

    Doug and Skeeter point at a computer monitor
    Walt Disney Television / Courtesy Everett Collection

    I hope you’re ready for scat singing, because the beloved '90s cartoon and its iconic soundtrack are now available on Disney+. Doug, his green sweater vest, his baggy khaki shorts, and his red sneakers are back. Whether or not you’re a nostalgic millennial, this show is a charming delight. Doug Funnie and his overactive imagination sort through the usual middle school problems, along with his crush, Patti Mayonnaise; his best friend, Skeeter Valentine; and, of course, Porkchop the dog. And on a sidenote, someone try to tell me that all of the 2021 fashion trends aren’t based on Doug’s sister, Judy. A beret, blunt bangs, and tiny sunglasses indoors? She’s ready for TikTok, folks. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    7. DuckTales (2017–20)

    Dewey, Louie, Huey, Scrooge McDuck, Webby, Della, and Donald Duck sit on rock steps
    Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Donald Duck has been floating around the Disney universe since 1934, but the 2017 animated comedy adventure series might be one of the beaked rogue’s finest iterations. The show — which focuses on Donald, his uncle Scrooge McDuck, and his trio of nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie — is what cartoons should all aspire to be. Part globetrotting adventure, camp comedy, and touching family drama, the series explores extended season arcs in a way most children’s television shows avoid. The cast of the show is stuffed with all-time greats such as David Tennant (Dr. Who), Danny Pudi (Community), Ben Schwartz (Parks and Rec), Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live), and Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds). They're all series regulars. Really, Daffy Duck who? 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    8. Encore (2019–20)

    Kristen Bell onstage on her knees with another performer
    Disney+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Imagine for a second that back in high school, you were a theater kid. You listened to Broadway cast recordings on CD and spent the entirety of your existence thinking about, auditioning for, rehearsing, and performing your senior musical Fiddler on the Roof. Then you graduated, went to college, and proceeded not to set foot onstage for 20 years. Now, out of the blue, you get a call from Disney. It’s time to get the high school ensemble back together for a one-night-only re-creation of your beloved musical. THAT is the premise of Encore, where Kristen Bell reunites the casts of former high school productions to re-create their finest moments as adults. It’s silly and strange and full of off-key singing, but the show is a heartwarming bundle of joy all the same. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    9. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

    Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie look over their shoulders
    Disney+ / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection

    As the Marvel Cinematic Universe ventures out of Phase Three and enters a post-Endgame Phase Four, we are now being treated to a superhero miniseries that will tie into the broader film franchise. This six-episode journey focuses on two characters from the Captain America plotline: Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). The series, which follows Falcon after he’s been handed the Captain America mantle from Steve Rogers, is an exciting adventure and sets up an expected fourth Captain America film in the franchise. It also snagged five Emmy nominations on Tuesday. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    10. Gargoyles (1994–97)

    A group of gargoyles sit perched
    Buena Vista Television / Courtesy Everett Collection

    If you are taking an afternoon jaunt around the city and see a stone gargoyle staring down on you from the facade of a skyscraper, please know that he’s only stone during the day. At night he’ll come alive. Or so goes the premise of this beloved children’s animated show in which gargoyles awaken after the sun sets to fight crime in New York City. The monsters, transported to the '90s from medieval Scotland, are here to protect against the Big Apple’s seedy underbelly of crime while also facing Shakespearean-style dramas of their own. Darker and more serious than your typical morning cartoon, the gothic show became an instant cult favorite and retains a loyal following to this day.   

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    11. Good Luck Charlie (2010–14)

    Leigh-Allyn Baker holds Logan Moreau while Mia Talerico and Bradley Steven Perry sit on a bed
    Eric McCandless / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Disney+ also has the boon of hosting the glorious stable of Disney Channel live-action comedies that ran in the '00s and '10s, including this family sitcom about a family preserving a camcorder record of their life for the baby (Charlie) to watch when she’s older. Bridgit Mendler (have you listened to her hit "Hurricane" recently, because I certainly have) stars as Teddy Duncan, Charlie’s older sister, and we face the usual set of Disney Channel problems (school dance, bullying, sibling rivalries) along with her. The REAL reason to binge Good Luck Charlie, however, is Leigh-Allyn Baker as the show’s mom. She scoops up the often thankless parental role and STEALS EVERY SCENE she’s given. 

    Watch it on Disney+.

    12. Hannah Montana (2006–11)

    Moises Arias, Emily Osment, and Mitchel Musso watch Miley Cyrus scream on a beach
    Vivian Zink / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "You got the limo out front (ooahoo), hot styles, every shoe, every color!" Just try getting that song out of your head now. It’s an earworm, as are all of Hannah Montana’s hits (“Who said? Who said? I can’t be superman?”). In fact, you might as well go watch the Drag Race lip-synch to “Best of Both Worlds” while you’re here. But I digress. Disney+ has the Miley Cyrus career launcher on their platform, and you can watch Miley/Hannah sing her way to fame while her father, “Old Town Road” singer Billy Ray, guides her. The show is pure camp, and if you finish the four seasons and want more, there is always the Hannah Montana Movie waiting for you. (“Boom clap. Boom de clap de clap.”) 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    13. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–)

    Olivia Rodrigo, Matt Cornett, and Julia Lester sit on the floor during auditions
    Natalie Cass / Disney+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

    When Disney+ launched with an episode of The Mandalorian and a new HSM spinoff with this LUDICROUS name, we should have known that a delightfully unhinged, bonkers, and mesmerizing journey was in store for us. An extremely meta fever dream, the boppy musical (with catchy earworms) is a fictional mockumentary about the students at the fictional high school of the original film franchise (East High School, how original) staging a version of High School Musical: The Musical, which was supposedly based on the lives of former students. It’s deliciously messy. Even more messy, however, is the behind-the-scenes drama involving the show’s stars Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, who allegedly dated each other, broke up, and have continued to enthrall the world with a series of increasingly petty pop songs, cryptically detailing their ill-fated romance. Oh, and now they still have to act in scenes together on the show! A captivating guilty pleasure you must allow yourself. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    14. The Imagineering Story (2019)

    An Imagineer paints an animatronic dwarf
    Disney+

    Ever since I stumbled upon Podcast: The Ride (a delightfully wacky podcast where three grown men obsess over children’s amusement park rides, snacks, and parking structures), I have become fascinated with the behind-the-scenes world of theme parks, Disney notwithstanding. This docuseries, narrated by Black Panther’s Angela Bassett, goes in depth into the history and creation of the Disney theme parks. It features plenty of archival footage of the parks and rides during their creation, as well as interviews with the men and women who imagined, designed, and built “the happiest place on Earth.” Disney+ has a number of behind-the-scenes features detailing the massive operations at Disney, and I can’t get enough of them. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    15. Kim Possible (2002–07)

    Kim Possible shows her phone to Shego
    Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    The phrase “Call me, beep me if you want to reach me” may seem like a relic of the ancient past (the last time you thought about owning a pager, even), but this animated spy franchise is anything but irrelevant. Watch Kim (voiced by the beloved Christy Carlson Romano of Even Stevens and pop anthem “Let's Bounce” fame) be a kickass feminist icon while she stops supervillains and evil masterminds with little help from her dopey BFF Ron Stoppable. Forget James Bond and Ethan Hunt — Kim and her best friend's pet naked mole rat are here to save the day. We must also shout out Kim’s Gen Z crop top–baggy pants combo and her nemesis Shego rocking an excellently tailored green-and-black turtleneck bodysuit.

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    16. Lizzie McGuire (2001–04)

    Adam Lamberg, Hilary Duff, and Lalaine lie on the grass
    Walt Disney Enterprises / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Using the phrases “Lizzie McGuire” and “Disney+” may be a bit triggering after the streamer announced a revival for the new platform, plastered the internet with promo images and TikToks, dragged the entire cast to New York City to begin filming, and then promptly scrapped the whole affair. BUT if you can get past that trauma, the original Hilary Duff–helmed sitcom is all there for your viewing pleasure. Watch Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda get up to their usual shenanigans (with animated Lizzie there for commentary), and of course never skip the opening credits, where the cast throws around a massive beach ball. The Lizzie McGuire Movie (unjustly snubbed in the 2003 Oscar race) is also available if you’d like to see Hilary chew up a performance as both Lizzie and the Italian pop star Isabella and belt out the classic “What Dreams Are Made Of,” which should receive more playtime at the clubs than it does. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    17. Loki (2021–)

    Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson stand inside a prison
    Disney+ / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Another of the MCU spinoff series, this saga just concluded its six-episode Season 1 and focuses on the mischievous Asgardian supervillain and brother of Thor, Loki. After Tom Hiddleston’s character supposedly died in Infinity War, a version of him was transported to another dimension in Endgame, and so now he is working with the Time Variance Authority to help monitor crimes that disturb the multiple dimensions (or something like that. I was an English major and didn’t study physics, so forgive me). Loki is as watchable as ever (and wearing a new crop of costumes, which I ranked because I’m better with fashion than with science), and the show’s events are also anticipated to tie into the future MCU films, so it’s a must-watch for Marvel fans. It’s also the only one of the Marvel shows to date with a second season already in the works.

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    18. The Mandalorian (2019–)

    The Mandalorian flies through the air with Baby Yoda
    Disney+ / Lucasfilm / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Baby Yoda. What else need I say about this Star Wars spinoff, aside from that it features the most adorable alien ever created? I will watch 75 seasons of this space Western just to watch my little guy yawn, eat a toad, and play with a space cruiser’s joystick. THE launching show for the streamer, this live-action saga, set directly after Return of the Jedi, follows a bounty hunter (played by Pedro Pascal without a crushed skull) on a series of episodic missions around the galaxy. Both seasons of the show have garnered plenty of praise and prizes (such as the 24 Emmy nominations it scooped up for Season 2, including Best Drama), and a third season (and even more Baby Yoda) will be headed your way in 2022. (Also, I’m well aware that Baby Yoda is technically named Grogu, but we shan't be calling him that in my house.) 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    19. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006–16)

    Pluto, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy dance in the clubhouse
    Disney Channel

    One of the beauties of Disney+ is that it is truly a streamer for all ages. We’ve got your great-uncle Wilbur binging Nat Geo content, and then we’ve got a robust set of Disney Junior offerings for the little tykes. One such show is this flagship cartoon starring Mickey & Co. Each episode sees the gang solving some problem or other with the help of recurring kid-friendly segments like the “Mystery Mouseketool” and “Oh, Toodles!” Also, every episode ends with the characters dancing to a song called “Hot Dog!” by They Might Be Giants. I’ve watched several dozen episodes of this with my cousin’s children, and I must say it’s oddly enthralling. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    20. Monsters at Work (2021–)

    A group of monsters huddled together
    Disney+

    I have an undying devotion to Monster’s, Inc. I believe firmly that it is the best Pixar film, I have watched it probably a hundred times, and I ran the Disney Marathon in a Mike Wazowski T-shirt. I am therefore thrilled to have a spinoff series now rolling out on Disney+. The show, which takes place after the original film, follows Tylor Tuskmon (Superstore’s Ben Feldman), a recent graduate of Monster University and scare major, who now finds his job obsolete in a world that is transitioning to the more efficient laugh energy. The show reunites the vocal talents of Billy Crystal (Mike) and John Goodman (Sulley) and introduces Mindy Kaling and Henry Winkler to the mix. FWIW, I also find the show a captivating statement on privilege, toxic masculinity, and the postpandemic era as we follow a character seemingly well placed in society scrambling in the face of a new societal hierarchy. (Too much of a close read? Watch and let me know.)    

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    21. The Muppet Show (1976–81)

    Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy chat with Ethel Merman
    The Jim Henson Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Another boon for Disney+ is their purchase of the Muppets IP in 2004. This means that the whole slate of Muppets properties is now available to stream. That includes the new Disney+ original Muppets Now, the Muppets Christmas Carol (which traumatized me as a child), and, of course, the original ABC television show from the 1970s. The Kermit the Frog–helmed variety show features the zany antics of the Muppet mainstays Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Swedish Chef, and Animal — along with skits, songs, and guest appearances by the likes of Steve Martin, Elton John, and Diana Ross. A time capsule and a batch of bonkers joy, it’s certainly worth a watch. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    22. The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021–)

    Ryan Hurst, Emmy Deoliveira, Mystic Inscho, Seth Carr, and Marta Timofeeva look at something off camera
    Diyah Pera/Dizney+

    For those of you who frequented the Scholastic Book Fairs of the late '00s, The Mysterious Benedict Society novels by Trenton Lee Stewart will be familiar to you. The popular middle grade series follows four talented children as they work with Mr. Benedict to undermine the nefarious Mr. Curtain and his mind control techniques. Tony Hale (Veep) and Kristen Schaal (Bob’s Burgers) are the adult leads in this live-action series currently airing on the streamer. In the vein of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, the show works from its source material nicely and is able to capture the fun, yet suspenseful energy of the book for a new audience. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    23. National Geographic's Wild Series

    Antelope run across a plane
    National Geographic

    For those of you entranced by nature documentaries, Disney+ has plenty to offer by way of National Geographic’s Wild catalog. Through series like Wild Uganda, Wild Chile, and Wild Congo, the streamer provides hours of wildlife photography and educational commentary. With stunning imagery of animals in their natural habitats and the breathtaking landscapes that surround them, the series is perfect for those who want to learn about the ecosystems that flourish around the globe and the interactions between the species that live there. Also, just lots of pretty scenery if you want something to play in the background (no judgment). 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    24. Once Upon a Time (2011–18)

    Jennifer Morrison and Georgina Haig stand in a park
    Jack Rowand / ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection

    If you ever wished you could live in a real-life fairy tale, then perhaps this ABC live-action fantasy series will be up your alley. Emma Swan (House’s Jennifer Morrison) and her son, Henry, live in Storybrooke, Maine, a seemingly normal seaside town, until Henry realizes that its inhabitants are actually fairy-tale characters. The cast, which originally featured classic characters like Snow White and Captain Hook, began to include Disney-specific characters like Tangled’s Mother Gothel and Frozen’s Elsa as the series progressed. Watching all of your Disney favorites interact on magical adventures is certainly exciting for Disney fans, and even though the show stopped airing in 2018, you can relive all of the drama here. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    25. Phil of the Future (2004–06)

    Brenda Song, Ricky Ullman, and Alyson Michalka sit in bleachers dressed as cheerleaders
    Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    With only two seasons, this Disney Channel original is perhaps less known than its contemporaries on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less wonderful. Phil Diffy and his family from the 2100s get stranded in the 2000s, when their time machine breaks down, and so they must fake their way through life in “ancient history” while they make repairs. The premise is clever and leads to lots of delightful Disney Channel antics, but the real headline here is the arrival of Aly Michalka as Phil’s present-day bestie, Keely Teslow. Aly and her sister, AJ, would not only go on to star in the cinematic masterpiece Cow Belles, but would also become my destined-to-be-top-Spotify-Wrapped-artist-of-the-year Aly & AJ. They are, in my mind, perhaps the greatest living pop duo, and their recently dropped album is A BOP. Also, "Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor" and its music video are pieces of art worthy of a whole Met exhibit. If you have any musical taste, you must listen. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    26. Phineas and Ferb (2007–15)

    Candace, Phineas, and Ferb sit on the couch
    Disney XD Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    For most, this show should be a zany, high-energy treat. The titular brothers spend each episode of the animated comedy trying to pull off a harebrained scheme while their older sister, Candace (voiced by Sharpay Evans herself, Ashley Tisdale), tries to report their crimes and misdemeanors to their parents, only to be consistently foiled. Their wacky adventures, combined with those of their pet platypus, Perry (who is a spy), are consistently amusing and would go on to spawn two movies, both of which are also on Disney+. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    27. PJ Masks (2015–)

    Owlette, Catboy, and Gekko stand wearing their supersuits
    Disney Junior

    Like I said, Disney’s got good content across generations, and PJ Masks is another bright, sleek interactive show for the young'uns. Amaya, Greg, and Connor are regular kids who moonlight as Owlette, Gekko, and Catboy to fight crime (in their pajama super suits) in order to keep villains from ruining people’s days. The wholesome superhero content is perfect for kids, and with two more seasons in the works, the show looks to remain popular for years to come. Be forewarned, however, that if your kids watch this show, they will beg you for merch. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    28. Recess (1997–2001)

    Mickey, Gretchen, Spinelli, and TJ cheer on Vince as he's up to bat while Gus plays catcher
    Walt Disney Television / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Recess is my favorite animated show of all time. Is that SCAN-DA-LOUS? The show premiered as part of One Saturday Morning (the real ones can’t read that phrase without singing it) and follows a band of six fourth-graders on their journey through the playground hierarchy. Not only are the main characters, TJ, Vince, Spinelli, Mikey, Gretchen, and Gus, timeless icons and talismans of their respective castes, but the supporting cast of characters known only by their social monikers (Swinger Girl, the Diggers, Hustler Kid) are also forever tattooed in my brain. The plots are as outlandish as they are realistic to children, and the whole affair is executed with a gravitas that made me feel as if I was watching something hallowed as a child. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    29. The Right Stuff (2020)

    Micah Stock stands in mission control
    Gene Page / National Geographic / Disney+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

    We are forever fascinated by astronauts, the men and women who launch themselves into outer space with barely anything but tinfoil between them and oblivion. This fascination led to Tom Wolfe’s detailing of the NASA Mercury Seven space mission in his book The Right Stuff, which was then turned into a 1983 film — and now this National Geographic miniseries starring Patrick J. Adams (Suits) and Colin O’Donoghue (Once Upon a Time). The show follows these scientists who become national celebrities overnight while dealing with the ever-looming possibility they might die a fiery death in their pursuit of the stars. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    30. The Simpsons (1989–)

    Marge and Maggie Simpson fist bump while folding laundry
    Fox / Courtesy Everett Collection

    There is no higher name in animation than The Simpsons, and now, thanks to the Disney-Fox merger, all 32 seasons of the Fox classic are on Disney+. The show, which became a bona fide hit in the '90s and has continued to truck along, scooping up accolades and records on its journey, follows Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie through their lives in Springfield. A satire that often parodies pop culture and current events, the show has created countless classic moments over the years, and seemingly every celebrity has lent their voice at one point or another. It may take you a while to get through, but it’s all here for the viewing. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    31. Spider-Man (1994–98)

    Spider-Man hangs on the wall
    Fox Kids / Marvel Entertainment

    The ever-beloved Spider-Man has gotten more than his fair share of adaptations over the years — from a cartoon series in the '60s to the upcoming Tom Holland film No Way Home. And while the film adaptations as Sony coproductions are absent from Disney+, many of the TV series are available, including this fun '90s kids series. Peter Parker battles with all of your favorite baddies, like the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and Venom. And as with Gargoyles, the plots tend to stretch across episodes a bit more than in most cartoons. If you’re waiting for the next MCU series to drop, this could be a good detour. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    32. *Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–)

    Crosshair, Echo, Wrecker, Hunter, and Teck stand in a smokey plain
    Disney+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

    While we wait for a seemingly endless stream of live-action Star Wars properties to make their way to Disney+, might I recommend the latest animated series set in that universe? A spinoff from the beloved Clone Wars, this 16-episode season follows the Bad Batch, an elite team of clone troopers turned mercenaries as they complete missions post–Clone Wars. The show features plenty of cameos and Easter eggs that tie it to the larger universe, but it also functions on its own, so feel free to pop in, whether or not you’re a die-hard fan.

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    33. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–20)

    Anakin Skywalker with a lightsaber
    Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Not to be confused with Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (the 2002 film featuring Hayden Christensen’s sand monologue) or Star Wars: Clone Wars (the 2D 2003 animated series with three-minute episodes), Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a 3D animated show that ran on the Cartoon Network. The series aptly takes place during said Clone Wars and follows a variety of Jedi on their intergalactic missions before they are all mercilessly killed in Revenge of the Sith (but we try not to dwell on that). The series was consistently lauded as one of the best properties in the Star Wars universe and would spawn both The Bad Batch and Rebels. The perfect show to watch while you’re waiting for the new season of The Mandalorian to drop.      

    Watch it on Disney+.

    34. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (2005–08)

    Brenda Song and Cole Sprouse stand in a hotel suite
    Dean Hendler / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    For a child, there is truly nothing more glamorous than staying at a hotel, except for maybe living in one. Zack and Cody Martin (played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse) are, therefore, two of the luckiest humans alive. When their mom becomes the Tipton Hotel’s lounge singer, the pair move to cause chaos for the manager (SNL's Phill Lewis) and candy counter girl (Ashley Tisdale). The brightest spot in the show, though, is Brenda Song (who recently had a baby with Macaulay Culkin), who plays wealthy heir London Tipton. We really could use more Brenda content out here in the world. It would make me say, “YAY ME!” 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    35. That's So Raven (2003–07)

    Raven-Symone dressed up like a male cop
    Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Raven-Symoné is a comedy legend, and nowhere is that more on display than on the Disney Channel show named after her. In it, the actor–singer–talk show host–comedian–hair influencer–queer icon–child star–scene-stealer from The Princess Diaries 2 and Cheetah Girls plays Raven Baxter, a high school student and aspiring fashion designer with psychic abilities. In each episode, she catches a glimpse of the future, usually tries to stop the vision from happening, and then, of course, makes the prophecy self-fulfilling. As zany as the show could be, it also often tackled bigger issues, like sexism and racism, and Raven is bolstered by a strong supporting cast, including Anneliese van der Pol. Oh, and the theme song is FIRE. 

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    36. WandaVision (2021)

    Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen look into each other's eyes
    Disney+ / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection

    The move to launch the MCU’s television franchise with WandaVision was ballsy, to say the least. Here, we’re used to watching massive CGI fight sequences laden with stunts and pyrotechnics, and instead you’re going to give us two full black-and-white episodes where Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany’s Vision are playing leads in old sitcoms? Those who stuck with the high-concept romp, however, were rewarded, as the plot proved much more intricate and satisfying than the traditional good guy versus bad guy we’re often served in superhero flicks. Also, Kathryn Hahn’s turn as the neighbor is one of the best performances of the year. So thrilled that she nabbed one of the show's 23 Emmy nominations (which also include noms for Olsen, Bettany, the show, and, of course, the catchy villainous anthem "Agatha All Along").

    Watch it on Disney+.  

    37. *What If...? (2021–)

    Agent Carter stands with a shield in a fighting pose
    Disney+

    For years now, the whispers regarding the Marvel multiverse have been growing louder, most recently coming into full view in Loki. Now, in Marvel's first animated show of the MCU era, they dive headfirst into the question of multiple dimensions. At the center of the series (based on a set of comics because duh) is the Watcher (played by Westworld’s Jeffrey Wright), an otherworldly observer who can see the many strands of time playing out separately. The 10-episode first season will follow the Watcher as he explores the “what-ifs” of major moments from the films. That means all of your favorite actors (Michael B. Jordan, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, etc.) will be reprising their roles. Perhaps most notably, it will also feature Chadwick Boseman's final performance as T'Challa. The series premieres Aug. 11, and we’ll have a better understanding of how it fits into the ongoing Phase Four once it arrives.  

    Watch it on Disney+ starting Aug. 11. 

    38. Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–12)

    Selena Gomez in a cheerleading outfit shouts into a megaphone
    Eric McCandless / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

    Sure, you could give credit to Barney & Friends for launching Selena Gomez, but I’m going to say it was this Disney Channel sitcom that birthed the star. Gomez plays Alex Russo, a wizard in training who lives with her family in Greenwich Village, secretly learning magic from her father behind the front of a sandwich shop. David Henrie and Jake T. Austin play her nerdy older and dumb younger brothers, respectively. The special sauce of this show, however, is Alex’s quirky bestie, Harper Finkle (Jennifer Stone), who is a true delight, wears incredible costumes, and steals every scene.  

    Watch it on Disney+.    

    * The title has been newly added to Disney+ for August.

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