Best Series on Disney Plus: 8 Shows to Add to Your Watchlist
Key takeaways
- Andor is a strong choice for serious science fiction, while The Mandalorian offers a more adventurous Star Wars ride.
- The Bear delivers tense character drama, and Only Murders in the Building brings a lighter mystery.
- The Disney+ catalogue differs by country, so check local availability before settling in.
- Use your preferred mood and the show’s local age guidance to find the right series for your household.
There’s no single definitive ranking, and Disney+’s catalogue differs by country.
Table of contents
The best Disney Plus series to start with
The best series on Disney Plus depends on what you’re in the mood for: Andor is a strong pick for serious science fiction, The Mandalorian offers a more adventurous Star Wars ride, and Only Murders in the Building brings a lighter mystery. For a tense character drama, try The Bear.
There’s no single definitive ranking, and Disney+’s catalogue differs by country. Some shows are Disney+ originals, while others are licensed titles that may only appear in certain markets. Check your local catalogue before settling in; Disney+ includes programming from brands such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, but availability isn’t universal.
1. Andor — best for serious sci-fi
If you want Star Wars with a grounded political edge, start with Andor. The series follows Cassian Andor before the events of Rogue One, focusing on the people and pressures involved in the rise of the rebellion. It’s a good choice if you prefer espionage, political tension and character drama to a lighter adventure. Shortlist includes it among its Disney+ recommendations.
Choose it if: you like thoughtful sci-fi and don’t mind a more serious tone.
2. The Mandalorian — best for accessible Star Wars adventure
The Mandalorian takes a more episodic, adventure-led approach. Its central bounty hunter travels through the galaxy, encountering new places and threats along the way. That makes it a natural pick for viewers who want the recognisable Star Wars setting without committing to a story that feels like a political drama. Stuff has also recommended the series in its Disney+ viewing guide.
Choose it if: you want space-western atmosphere, action and a relatively straightforward adventure.
3. The Bear — best for high-pressure drama
In The Bear, a chef returns to Chicago to take over his family’s sandwich shop. The kitchen setting brings urgency and workplace conflict, while the story also explores family ties and the strain of trying to build something under difficult circumstances. It blends drama with comedy, but its pace and tension make it a more intense watch than a breezy sitcom. TV Guide lists it among its Disney+ series picks.
Choose it if: you want sharply focused character drama and can handle a hectic, high-stress atmosphere.
4. Only Murders in the Building — best for a lighter mystery
This comedy-mystery centres on neighbours who share an interest in true-crime podcasts and find themselves investigating a murder in their building. The premise gives the show room for clues and suspense, but its comic tone makes it a lighter choice than a conventional crime drama. It’s one of the picks featured in CNET’s Disney+ TV recommendations.
Choose it if: you like solving a mystery but want jokes and eccentric characters alongside the investigation.
More series worth considering
5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians — best for fantasy adventure
Based on Rick Riordan’s books, Percy Jackson and the Olympians brings Greek mythology into a contemporary adventure about a young demigod. It’s a family-oriented option for viewers who enjoy quests, fantastical creatures and a young hero learning where he fits. In its Disney+ viewing coverage, The A.V. Club discusses the adaptation and its casting.
Choose it if: you’re looking for mythology-inspired fantasy, especially for a younger audience or a family watch. Check the show’s local age guidance if you’re choosing for children.
6. The Americans — best for espionage drama
The Americans is a spy drama about two Soviet agents posing as an ordinary American couple. Its domestic and espionage storylines make it a different kind of pick from Disney+’s franchise adventures. The show appears in Rotten Tomatoes’ Disney+ browsing results, but that should not be taken as confirmation that it’s available in every country. Check your local listing before planning a watch. View Rotten Tomatoes’ Disney+ browse page.
Choose it if: you want a sustained spy story built around the tension between private life and secret work.
7. Grey’s Anatomy — best for a long-running medical drama
If you want a series with a large library to work through, Grey’s Anatomy is a hospital drama centred on doctors’ professional and personal lives. Its presence in a Disney+ catalogue can depend on the market, so treat it as a regional possibility rather than a guaranteed pick. Rotten Tomatoes includes it in its Disney+ browsing results, but your own app is the best place to confirm availability. Check the browse listing.
Choose it if: you like ensemble dramas and are looking for a longer viewing commitment.
8. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — best for irreverent comedy
For comedy with deliberately unpleasant characters, consider It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The series follows a group of friends whose schemes and arguments drive its humour. It’s a more adult, cynical option than the service’s family-oriented programming, and it may not be available in every regional catalogue. The show also appears in Rotten Tomatoes’ Disney+ browse results, which can vary by market. Check the listing here.
Choose it if: you enjoy biting, awkward comedy rather than warm or sentimental sitcoms.
Which Disney Plus series should you watch first?
Use your preferred mood as a shortcut:
- For serious science fiction: Andor
- For Star Wars adventure: The Mandalorian
- For an intense workplace drama: The Bear
- For a comedy with a mystery: Only Murders in the Building
- For fantasy adventure: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- For espionage: The Americans
- For a long-running medical drama: Grey’s Anatomy
- For irreverent comedy: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
If you’re choosing for a household, check both the local catalogue and the title’s age guidance. A show appearing in a recommendation list or another country’s Disney+ library doesn’t guarantee it’s available where you live—or suitable for every viewer.
The takeaway
For a quick starting point, pick Andor for serious sci-fi, The Bear for high-pressure character drama, or Only Murders in the Building for a lighter mystery. If none of those fits, use the genre list above to narrow your choice, then confirm the show is in your local Disney+ catalogue.
