[Full Guide] The Best Shows on Disney Plus Now and Ever

Disney Plus has evolved far beyond a simple vault for animated classics into a serious streaming contender. Today, it caters to virtually every demographic, from Star Wars loyalists and Marvel completionists to adults seeking gritty, TV-MA dramas like The Bear. If you are hunting for the best TV shows on Disney Plus, the catalog is now deeper and more diverse than ever.

In this guide, I break down the essential Disney Plus series list worth watching, filtering the noise to bring you top-tier originals, trending hits for adults, and safe picks for kids. Whether you need a show for your 8-year-old or a drama for yourself after they go to sleep, here is what is actually worth watching right now.

Quick Look: The Top 10 Disney+ Shows (Updated 2025)

Short on time? Here is the "Cheat Sheet" for the best current viewing options.

What's New & Trending in 2025

Now let's jump into the wonderful Disney Plus library, and dig into what's the most-watched content this year! (All illustrations in this article are from Disney+.)

1. Daredevil: Born Again

• Genre: Superhero / Crime Drama
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.5/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
• The Vibe: Gritty, violent, and street-level.

Longtime rivals Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) try to leave their darkest alter-egos behind to serve the people of New York. But their pasts won't stay buried. As Fisk rises to political power as the city's Mayor, Murdock is forced to resurrect the Devil of Hell's Kitchen to protect the soul of the city he loves, setting them on an inevitable, violent collision course.

This isn't the family-friendly Marvel fare you are used to. It picks up the torch from the Netflix era—darker, grounded, and focused on character drama rather than CGI sky-beams. A must-watch for adults who gave up on the superhero genre.

2. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

• Genre: Sci-Fi Adventure / Coming-of-Age
• Ratings: IMDb: 7.9/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
• The Vibe: The Goonies meets Star Wars.

Set in the New Republic era (alongside The Mandalorian), the story follows four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, only to get hopelessly lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. To find their way home, they must team up with Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), a Force user whose motives remain as murky as the path ahead.

While Andor brings the political intrigue, Skeleton Crew brings the pure fun. It captures that classic 1980s Amblin adventure energy—scary enough to be thrilling, but heartfelt enough for the whole family. It is arguably the best entry point for new fans who don't want to memorize forty years of Wookiee lore.

3. Andor (Season 2)

• Genre: Spy Thriller
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
• The Vibe: Tense, intelligent, and heartbreaking.

Spanning the four years leading directly into the events of Rogue One, the final season tracks Cassian Andor's evolution from a reluctant recruit to a revolutionary leader. As the Rebel Alliance begins to coalesce from scattered cells into a unified threat, Cassian must navigate a high-stakes web of espionage, betrayal, and sacrifice, knowing that the Death Star is looming on the horizon.

I have said it before, and I will say it again: Andor is the best thing Lucasfilm has ever produced for television. If you want a show that respects your intelligence with sharp dialogue and high stakes, this is it.

Best Disney Plus Shows for Adults (Rated TV-MA)

One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that Disney+ is just for kids. While that might have been true at launch, the integration of Hulu content (in the US) and the Star tile (internationally) has completely changed the landscape.

If you are looking for the best shows on Disney Plus for adults, these picks are strictly TV-MA and definitely not for the 8-year-olds.

1. The Bear

• Genre: Psychological Drama / Dark Comedy
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
• The Vibe: High-octane anxiety meets kitchen nightmare.

Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a young fine-dining chef from the world of Michelin stars, returns home to Chicago to run his family's grimy Italian beef sandwich shop after a heartbreaking tragedy. He is immediately thrown into a world of crushing small-business debt, a recalcitrant kitchen staff who hate change, and a literal crumbling infrastructure, all while trying to process his own grief.

This isn't just a TV show. It is a full-blown anxiety attack in the best possible way. The Bear captures the frantic, sweaty, high-stakes pressure of the service industry better than anything else I have ever watched. The pacing is relentless, often making me feel as claustrophobic as the characters in that tiny kitchen.

Yet, beneath the shouting and the "Yes, Chef!" memes, there is a profound, tender story about male vulnerability and finding a chosen family. It is arguably the best show on television right now, but maybe don't watch it right before bed if you want to lower your heart rate.

2. Shōgun

• Genre: Historical Epic
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
• The Vibe: Game of Thrones in feudal Japan, but smarter.

Set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, the series follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) as he fights for his life against enemies on the Council of Regents. His luck changes when a mysterious English ship drifts ashore nearby, carrying John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a sailor bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate Blackthorne's own enemies—the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants.

If you have been chasing the high of early Game of Thrones seasons—the political maneuvering, the sudden betrayals, and the massive scale—this is your fix. But Shōgun is more than just "Thrones in Japan." It is a stunningly photographed meditation on duty, fate, and translation.

It demands your full attention (you will be reading subtitles for 70% of it, so put your phone away), but it rewards you with one of the most immersive worlds ever put on screen.

3. Only Murders in the Building

• Genre: Murder Mystery / Comedy
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
• The Vibe: Cozy autumn mystery with a side of dry wit.

In the affluent Upper West Side of New York City, three strangers who live in the iconic Arconia building share an obsession with true crime podcasts. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive apartment complex, the unlikely trio—a washed-up actor (Steve Martin), a eccentric Broadway director (Martin Short), and a cynical young artist (Selena Gomez)—suspect murder and decide to investigate the truth themselves, recording a podcast along the way.

In a sea of gritty, dark dramas, this show is a warm blanket (albeit one stained with a little blood). The magic here isn't just the mystery, which is surprisingly well-constructed, but the undeniable chemistry between the three leads.

Steve Martin and Martin Short are comedy legends doing what they do best, but Selena Gomez grounds them with a dry, deadpan wit that balances the slapstick. It is "Cozy Crime" at its absolute peak—perfect for when you want to be engaged by a puzzle but don't want to be traumatized by it.

4. Family Guy

• Genre: Adult Animation / Satire
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 85% (Audience Score)
• The Vibe: Pop-culture roulette with zero filter.

In the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island, the Griffin family navigates daily life in the most absurd way possible. There’s Peter, the impulsive patriarch; Lois, his patient wife; their three kids (including a diabolical baby named Stewie); and Brian, the family dog who drinks martinis and quotes Nietzsche.

Seeing Family Guy on the same platform as Cinderella still feels like a fever dream, but thanks to the Hulu integration, it’s here in all its uncensored glory. It is the ultimate "turn-your-brain-off" TV.

While it isn't "high art" like The Bear, its manic reliance on cutaway gags and obscure 80s references makes it the perfect comfort food for millennials. It is rude, crude, and exactly what you need after a long week of behaving like a responsible adult.

Best Disney Plus Shows for Kids and Families

Of course, Disney+ remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of family entertainment. But not everything.

Here is the breakdown, split by age group to help you navigate the "Is this too scary?" minefield.

1. Bluey

• Target Audience: Toddlers & Preschoolers (and emotionally exhausted adults)
• Genre: Animation / Slice of Life
• Ratings: IMDb: 9.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• The Vibe: A warm hug in television form.

The series follows Bluey, an inexhaustible six-year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures, developing her imagination and her mental, physical, and emotional resilience. Her father, Bandit, and mother, Chilli, are active participants in her games, navigating the joys and exhaustion of modern parenthood.

Let me be clear: Bluey is the best show on Disney+, bar none. It is often labeled a "preschool show," but that is a lie. It is a profound, hilarious, and often tear-jerking meditation on parenting and childhood. Episodes like "Sleepytime" and "Camping" are cinematic masterpieces that pack more emotional punch in 7 minutes than most prestige dramas do in an hour.

It teaches kids about creativity and parents about patience. You should not miss it.

2. Spidey and His Amazing Friends

• Target Audience: Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)
• Genre: Superhero Animation
• Ratings: IMDb: 7.3/10 | Common Sense Media: 4/5
• The Vibe: Marvel for the diaper demographic.

Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy (Ghost-Spider), and Miles Morales (Spin) form "Team Spidey." Together with help from Avengers pals like Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Black Panther, they stop mischievous villains like Green Goblin and Doc Ock. The stakes are low (mostly saving cats, stopping slime, or finding lost items), and the focus is entirely on teamwork and problem-solving.

If you want to introduce your 4-year-old to the Marvel Universe without exposing them to the violence of the movies, this is the perfect gateway. It is colorful, gentle, and refreshingly free of "world-ending" stakes. Plus, the theme song is written and performed by Patrick Stump (from Fall Out Boy), so it's catchy enough that you won't mind hearing it for the 500th time while you cook dinner.

3. Gravity Falls

• Target Audience: Big Kids (Ages 8+) & Pre-Teens
• Genre: Mystery / Supernatural Comedy
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.9/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• The Vibe: Twin Peaks for elementary schoolers.

Twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel Pines are sent to spend the summer with their great-uncle (or "Grunkle") Stan in Gravity Falls, Oregon, a mysterious town full of paranormal forces and supernatural creatures. The kids help Stan run "The Mystery Shack," the tourist trap he owns, while investigating the local mysteries involving zombies, gnomes, and interdimensional demons.

This is the perfect answer to the specific search for "best shows for 8 year olds." It hits that sweet spot: spooky enough to feel thrilling and "grown-up" for a third-grader, but safe enough (mostly) to avoid nightmares.

The writing is incredibly sharp, with a serialized mystery that actually pays off. It respects its young audience's intelligence, hiding codes and ciphers in the background of episodes that fans are still decoding years later.

4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians

• Target Audience: Tweens & Families
• Genre: Fantasy Adventure
• Ratings: IMDb: 7.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
• The Vibe: Harry Potter meets Greek Mythology.

Based on Rick Riordan's best-selling novels, the series tells the story of Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old modern demigod who is just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. With help from his friends Grover and Annabeth, Percy must embark on an adventure of a lifetime to find it and restore order to Olympus.

For years, fans of the books (myself included) lamented the lackluster movie adaptations. This series finally gets it right. It captures the sarcastic, rebellious tone of Percy perfectly. The casting is spot-on, and the visual effects bring the monsters to life in a way that feels tangible.

It's a classic "Hero's Journey" done with heart, making it an excellent Friday night watch for the whole family—parents will enjoy the mythology references, and kids will love the action.

The Franchise Giants: Marvel & Star Wars Ranked

Keeping up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the Star Wars timeline has become a part-time job. The sheer volume of content since 2021 has been exhausting. If you have the same feeling like me, check these selected masterpieces that transcend their franchises (based on my own and the community ideas). After all, we're watching Disney+.

1. Loki (Seasons 1-2)

• Genre: Sci-Fi / Time Travel Thriller
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
• The Vibe: Doctor Who meets Blade Runner in a bureaucratic office.

After stealing the Tesseract during Avengers: Endgame, an alternate version of Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is arrested by the Time Variance Authority (TVA)—a Kafkaesque organization that monitors the timeline. To avoid being "pruned" from existence, the God of Mischief is forced to team up with Mobius (Owen Wilson), a weary TVA agent, to hunt down a dangerous variant who is killing minutemen across history.

This is the crown jewel of the Disney+ MCU era. While other shows often feel like 6-hour movies chopped into pieces, Loki was built for television. The chemistry between Hiddleston and Wilson is electric, anchoring the high-concept sci-fi nonsense with genuine heart.

It visually looks distinct—full of retro-futurist analog tech and 70s aesthetics—and it tells a complete, satisfying character arc about finding purpose. It is the only MCU show that feels like required viewing for cinema fans, not just comic book nerds.

2. The Mandalorian (Seasons 1-3)

• Genre: Space Western
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
• The Vibe: Clint Eastwood in space (with a cute puppet).

Five years after the fall of the Empire, a lone bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) operates in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic. His life of cold professionalism is upended when he is hired to retrieve a high-value asset, only to discover that the target is a small, Force-sensitive child of Yoda's species. He chooses to go rogue to protect "The Child," sparking a galaxy-wide manhunt.

It's the show that saved Star Wars. Before The Mandalorian, the franchise felt bogged down by its own complicated lore. This stripped everything back to basics: a cool guy in a helmet, a monster of the week, and a simple mission.

While Season 3 got a bit bogged down in expanding the scope, those first two seasons are perfect television. It captures the lived-in, dirty aesthetic of the original 1977 film perfectly. Plus, Grogu (Baby Yoda) is a pop-culture phenomenon for a reason—he really is that cute.

3. X-Men '97

• Genre: Animation / Superhero Drama
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.9/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
• The Vibe: Pure 90s nostalgia, but with 2025 storytelling maturity.

A direct continuation of the classic 1992 animated series, the show picks up right after the death of Professor X. Cyclops tries to hold the X-Men together as anti-mutant hysteria reaches a fever pitch. But the team faces an unprecedented shock when their former arch-nemesis, Magneto, arrives to claim Xavier's school, stating that the Professor left it—and the X-Men—to him in his will.

I was skeptical. Revivals are usually cheap cash-grabs relying on nostalgia. I was wrong. X-Men '97 is devastatingly good. It keeps the vibrant colors and melodramatic voice acting of the original but upgrades the themes to tackle complex issues like grief, prejudice, and leadership with shocking nuance.

It is intense—featuring one of the most tragic episodes in Marvel history—and proves that animation is often the best medium for superhero stories.

4. WandaVision

• Genre: Psychological Horror / Sitcom
• Ratings: IMDb: 7.9/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
• The Vibe: I Love Lucy turns into a David Lynch nightmare.

Three weeks after Endgame, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) are living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, trying to conceal their powers. But things are odd: their lives move through decades of sitcom tropes (from the 50s black-and-white to the 90s Malcolm in the Middle style), and the neighbors are acting like trapped puppets.

The first, and still the weirdest, Marvel show. It was a bold swing that paid off. Instead of punches and explosions (though there are some at the end), the show explores grief through the lens of American television history.

Elizabeth Olsen’s performance is incredible, shifting her acting style to match every decade perfectly. It falls apart a little in the generic CGI finale, but the journey to get there is the most creative thing Marvel has put on a screen in a decade.

Best Educational and Nat Geo Series

If you want to justify your binge-watching as "learning," the National Geographic tile is your best choice. This isn't the dry science class footage you remember. It's a big-budget, high-definition spectacle.

For you searching for "best educational shows on Disney Plus," these series offer the perfect balance of brain food and entertainment.

1. Limitless with Chris Hemsworth

• Genre: Health & Science Documentary
• Ratings: IMDb: 7.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
• The Vibe: Thor faces his midlife crisis via extreme stunts.

Chris Hemsworth teams up with longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia to test the limits of the human body. Across six episodes, he subjects himself to extreme stress, freezing temperatures, fasting, and dizzying heights, all to discover how we can live healthier, longer lives.

It sounds like a vanity project, but it is surprisingly profound. Watching a literal superhero confront the reality of aging and death is grounding. The science is accessible (if a bit "pop-science"), but the cinematography is breathtaking. It is the perfect show to watch if you need motivation to go to the gym on Monday.

2. The Imagineering Story

• Genre: Historical Documentary / Engineering
• Ratings: IMDb: 9.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• The Vibe: The ultimate "How It's Made" for Disney fans.

Directed by Leslie Iwerks, this docu-series pulls back the curtain on the secretive "Imagineers"—the engineers and artists who built the Disney theme parks. It covers everything from Walt's original gamble with Disneyland to the technological marvels of modern attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage.

This is the hidden gem of the entire platform. You don't need to be a "Disney Adult" to appreciate the sheer engineering genius on display here. It’s an honest look at creativity, featuring the failures as well as the successes. If you have a kid interested in robotics, architecture, or design, sit them down in front of this immediately.

3. Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Genre: Nature / Vet Science
• Ratings: IMDb: 8.2/10 | Audience Score: 90%
• The Vibe: Planet Earth meets Grey's Anatomy (for animals).

Narrated by Josh Gad (Olaf), this series takes you behind the scenes of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park and Epcot's SeaBase. It focuses on the veterinary staff and keepers who care for over 5,000 animals, handling everything from tiger root canals to gorilla family therapy.

Most nature docs are about survival; this one is about care. It is incredibly soothing television. Seeing the bond between the keepers and the animals is heartwarming, and the medical technology they use is fascinating. It is the perfect "palate cleanser" after watching something dark like Andor.

How to Watch Disney Plus Offline Without Any Limits?

Disney+ streams in glorious 4K HDR, but that quality depends entirely on your internet connection. We have all been there—buffering right at the climax of a Star Wars battle because the Wi-Fi dropped.

While the official Disney+ app allows downloads, they come with strict limitations: they expire after 30 days (or 48 hours after you press play), and you can't move them to your PC. This is where a dedicated tool like KeepStreams for Disney Plus becomes essential, especially for travelers or data-hoarders.

Compared with the official app of Disney Plus, the real unlimited offline viewing has obvious advantages:

Feature	Disney+ Official App	KeepStreams for Disney Plus
Device Support	Supported Mobile	PC & Mac
Availability	Expires in 48 hours or 30 days	Forever (Save to local drive)
Format	Encrypted Cache File	MP4 / MKV (Universal playback)
Offline Resolution	1080p	1080p/4K
Ads	Yes (on Ad-tier plans)	Auto-Removed for all plans
Move to Other Device	No	Yes

Also, this tool is very easy to use. Follow these steps to see how you can download Disney Plus videos:

Before making any purchases, it's recommended to use the free trial to download 3 videos in advance, in order to test the functions.

Choose Disney Plus from the "VIP Services" section. This will lead you to the Disney official site with the built-in browser. Log in to your Disney Plus account to help KeepStreams access the library you want to download.

Utilize the search option to locate the video you want to download. This will open the dialog box for download settings. You have the ability to set your preferred video resolution, choose subtitle options, and select the audio tracks for your downloads.

Simply click on Download Now, and the video will be saved to your device right away. The tool allows you to monitor the download progress seamlessly.

Here's a more detailed video tutorial:

Conclusion

Ultimately, the lineup of the best shows on Disney Plus proves the platform has evolved far beyond its "Magic Kingdom" roots into a serious streaming contender. Whether you are seeking the grit of TV-MA content like The Bear, the nostalgia of X-Men '97, or simply hunting for a comprehensive Disney Plus series list for family movie night, the catalog is now deeper and more diverse than ever.

If you prefer offline viewing without buffering, ads, or travel restrictions, KeepStreams for Disney Plus remains your essential companion for true offline freedom.