Disney Plus has a wide variety of popular and critically acclaimed original series to watch. Some of the standout Disney+ originals include Star Wars shows like The Mandalorian, Marvel series like WandaVision and Loki, and Disney animated series like The Owl House. There are also great options for families like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. With new shows constantly being added to the streaming service, there are plenty of binge-worthy series to enjoy.
The Mandalorian
One of the most popular Disney+ original series is The Mandalorian. This live-action Star Wars series follows a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter beyond the reaches of the New Republic. The show stars Pedro Pascal as the title character and features fan favorite characters like Baby Yoda. With immersive world-building, compelling characters, and ties to the larger Star Wars universe, it’s a must-watch for any Star Wars fan. The first two seasons have received critical acclaim, and a third season is on the way.
Why The Mandalorian Stands Out
Here are some of the reasons The Mandalorian has stood out among Disney+ originals:
- It expands on Star Wars lore in new and exciting ways while staying true to what fans love about the franchise.
- The show features cinematic visual effects that look like they belong on the big screen.
- Pedro Pascal’s stoic performance as the title character is pitch-perfect.
- The introduction of Grogu, affectionately known as Baby Yoda, became a pop culture phenomenon.
- Famous directors like Jon Favreau, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Taika Waititi each bring their unique style to episodes.
Acclaim and Viewership
The Mandalorian has been a critical and commercial success for Disney+. Some key facts about the show’s popularity include:
- The first season has a 93% critics rating and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Season one was the most in-demand original streaming series in the world in 2019.
- In October 2020, The Mandalorian was the third most in-demand TV show trailing only The Office and Grey’s Anatomy.
- By February 2021, the series had amassed over 24 billion minutes streamed in the United States.
- It became the first live-action Star Wars project to win an Emmy, garnering 15 total nominations.
WandaVision
For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, WandaVision has been another big hit for Disney+. This miniseries starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they live an idyllic suburban life that begins to unravel, leading to an epic confrontation. Its mysterious premise and homages to classic TV sitcoms over the decades have earned high praise.
Unique Premise
WandaVision stands apart for having a truly unique premise within the superhero genre. Each episode pays tribute to a different era of American sitcoms, starting with the 1950s. Key aspects that make the show innovative include:
- A mystery unravels over the course of the season about the nature of Wanda and Vision’s reality.
- Wanda’s powers take center stage as the story explores her grief and denial.
- Fun easter eggs and clever writing pay homage to different periods of television history.
- The production design and costumes vividly bring each decade to life.
- Seamlessly blends genres between sitcom stylings and Marvel action.
Critical Reception
WandaVision garnered widespread acclaim from reviewers and was hailed as one of the best new shows of 2021. Some stats about its reception include:
- Season one holds a 92% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Critics praised the show’s boldness, visual innovation, and Elizabeth Olsen’s performance.
- The series received 23 Emmy nominations including for Best Limited Series.
- It won 3 Emmys including Best Production Design For A Narrative Program.
- The show topped Nielsen’s weekly streaming rankings its opening month.
Loki
The Marvel series Loki stars Tom Hiddleston reprising his fan favorite role as the God of Mischief. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, an alternate version of Loki ends up in the custody of the Time Variance Authority. Forced to help fix problems he created with time travel, Loki goes on a mind-bending adventure. Full of wit and visual splendor, Loki builds on the character and larger Marvel mythology in clever ways.
Expanding the Character
Loki succeeds in expanding on the known dimensions of the trickster god in compelling fashion:
- Showcases new sides of Loki including vulnerability, compassion, and self-reflection.
- Introduction of variant versions creates intriguing dynamics and dilemmas.
- Loki’s fluid gender identity is confirmed and explored sensitively.
- The show dives deeply into Loki’s struggle for identity and desire for connection.
- Time travel and timeline concepts open up infinite possibilities for the character.
Reception and Analysis
Like other Marvel Disney+ shows, Loki proved a big hit with critics and general audiences:
- The first season earned a 92% critics rating and 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Many praised Tom Hiddleston’s expanded performance and the introduction of new Asgardian mythology.
- Loki received multiple Emmy nominations including for Best Drama Series.
- The show consistently ranked in the Top 10 most in-demand streaming shows.
- Fans loved the chemistry between Hiddleston and co-star Owen Wilson.
The Owl House
One acclaimed original Disney+ series for families is the animated show The Owl House. Created by Dana Terrace, it follows Luz, an eccentric human girl who stumbles upon a portal to another realm where she befriends a rebellious witch, Eda, and tiny warrior, King. The show has been praised for its original storytelling, representation, and supernatural action.
Inventive Story and Visuals
Some of the keys to The Owl House’s success include:
- A fresh take on the fantasy genre with creative worldbuilding and magic.
- Luz provides a relatable protagonist who doesn’t fit societal norms.
- Eda’s backstory provides emotional depth as a mentor with a mysterious past.
- Vibrant, stylized animation that accentuates magic visuals.
- Lighthearted action and comedy balanced with poignant themes.
Groundbreaking Representation
The Owl House has been lauded for its LGBTQ representation through characters like Luz and Amity. Its portrayals have been groundbreaking for a Disney animated series:
- Luz has a bisexual identity, confirmed by the show creator.
- Features Disney’s first bisexual lead character and LGBTQ protagonist.
- The budding romance between Luz and Amity is developed organically.
- Praised by critics and fans for normalization of LGBTQ identities.
- Sets a bold example through representation in a children’s animated series.
Ratings and Recognition
| Season | Rotten Tomatoes | IMDB Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 100% | 8.1/10 |
| Season 2 | 100% | 8.5/10 |
The Owl House has built a devoted fanbase and won acclaim:
- Critically praised for its originality, humor, and inclusion.
- Nominated for multiple Emmys including Outstanding Animated Program.
- An Annie Awards nominee for Best Animated Series.
- Beloved by fans who have rallied for its representation.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
For Disney Channel fans, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series offers a fresh take following a new group of students staging High School Musical the musical at East High. Starring Olivia Rodrigo, the mockumentary-style show captures high school drama through the lens of the beloved HSM franchise. Catchy musical numbers and meta references have made it a crowd-pleaser.
Appealing Premise
Some key ingredients in HSMTMTS’s successful formula include:
- Familiar High School Musical hooks like singing, dancing, and teen romance
- New narrative viewpoint as a mockumentary peering behind the scenes
- Inside jokes and references to satisfy the biggest HSM fans
- Reinvention of the franchise with a diverse cast of characters
- Fun re-creations of classic numbers from the original movies
Breakout Stars
The show has made stars of its talented young cast, especially leading lady Olivia Rodrigo:
- Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Drivers License” went viral and broke chart records
- Her album Sour debuted at #1 and earned multiple Grammy nods
- Sofia Wylie earned a dedicated fanbase as Gina
- The cast regularly gets praise for their charisma and musical skills
- Their talents help bring freshness to the new HSM incarnation
Reception and Ratings
| Season | Rotten Tomatoes | US Viewers (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 91% | 1.56 |
| Season 2 | 100% | 1.80 |
| Season 3 | 100% | TBD |
HSMTMTS has built a strong audience and acclaim:
- Viewership grew 15% between seasons 1 and 2.
- Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes as a crossover hit.
- Led to a series of HSMTMTS soundtrack albums
- Season 3 premieres later this year as the show’s popularity continues.
Other Notable Disney+ Series
Along with the breakout hits above, Disney+ boasts a deep lineup of other originals worth watching across genres including:
Star Wars
- The Bad Batch – Animated series about a clone commando squad
- Obi-Wan Kenobi – Ewan McGregor returns as the Jedi Master
- Andor – Rogue One prequel focused on rebel spy Cassian Andor
Marvel
- Hawkeye – Action series starring Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld
- Moon Knight – Oscar Isaac as the mysterious Moon Knight superhero
- She-Hulk – Comedy series starring Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk
Pixar
- Win or Lose – First Pixar animated series follows a middle school softball team
- Cars on the Road – Larry the Cable Guy returns as Mater from Cars
- Dug Days – Shorts starring the lovable dog Dug from Up
Documentary/Reality
- The World According to Jeff Goldblum – Jeff Goldblum’s curious perspective on everyday things
- The Quest – Hybrid competition series set in a fantasy world
- Growing Up – Brie Larson narrates an innovative hybrid docuseries
With new shows constantly in development, Disney+ has stacked their lineup across original sci-fi, superheroes, animation, reality TV, and more genres. There’s no shortage of high-quality series to stream for viewers of all ages.
Conclusion
Disney+ offers subscribers a vast selection of binge-worthy original programming. Critically acclaimed hits like The Mandalorian and WandaVision have shown the streaming service can compete with the top platforms like Netflix and HBO Max. Along with new Marvel and Star Wars series, creative shows like The Owl House and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series have offered fresh reinventations of beloved Disney properties. With high production values, appeal across demographics, and a deep content pipeline, Disney+ originals provide quality entertainment options for any taste.