The good news for Disney+ subscribers is that there are new episodes of X-Men ’97 and Star Wars: The Bad Batch throughout April and into early May. Beyond those two shows, older audiences are starved for new programing on Disney+ that isn’t geared toward young children. And if you do have kids, then you may learn just how many times you can watch the same episodes of Bluey season 3 over and over again without going mad.
This month, National Geographic is the only option for new Disney+ shows if you don’t have a Hulu subscription as well. On April 21, National Geographic is debuting the new three-part miniseries Secrets of the Octopus, which will make its streaming debut April 22 on Disney+. Additionally, National Geographic’s Drain the Oceans has been added to Disney+ as well.
Keep reading for the rest of our picks for the best shows on Disney+ right now. There will be some more fresh options next month, including a new season of Doctor Who and Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.
If you’re not already subscribed, the Disney Bundle is worth considering. With it, you get Disney+, ESPN, and the ad-supported Hulu plan, making it an impressive value for the price. You’ll enjoy new Disney content, live sports coverage, and Hulu’s various originals.
Looking for some more guidance on how to make the most of your streaming service subscriptions? We have also compiled guides on the best movies on Disney+, the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Amazon Prime, and the best shows on Hulu.
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Drain the Oceans2018
Secrets of the Octopus (2024) new
Octopuses are not aliens, but they are unique creatures that aren’t fully understood by most of the general public. How many other creatures have three hearts and can squirt ink? National Geographic’s Secrets of the Octopus pulls back the curtain on these surprisingly intelligent animals, their gift of mimicry, and their ability to communicate with other species.
This miniseries was produced by James Cameron and narrated by Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania‘s Paul Rudd, in addition to insights from National Geographic’s Wayfinder Awardee. You may never look at octopuses the same way again.
Drain the Oceans (2018) new
X-Men '97 (2024)
It’s been nearly 27 years since X-Men: The Animated Series ended, but the new show, X-Men ‘97, is picking up where things left off. The critically wounded founder of the team, Professor Charles Xavier, is gone, and the remaining X-Men are forced to consider a new alliance with their former foe, Magneto, to continue their battle for mutant rights.
Be on the lookout for several familiar villains and a few allies as well. The early episodes of X-Men ‘97 will introduce a new enemy of the team, who arrives with some surprising revelations that may reverberate throughout the first season of the revival and beyond.
Renegade Nell (2024)
Disney+ may be calling Renegade Nell a “historical adventure,” but we’re pretty sure that the fantasy label applies as well…unless there were female highwaymen with superpowers in the 18th century that we don’t know about. Louisa Harland stars as Nell Jackson, a young woman who is framed for murder. In response to that injustice, Nell reinvents herself as the country’s most notorious highwaywoman and fearlessly robs her targets on the road.
Nell’s life of crime is complicated by the arrival of Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed), a spirit who opens her eyes to a larger destiny. And when Nell discovers a plot against the Queen of England, she may be forced to become a hero as well.
Queens (2024)
National Geographic’s Queens offers a unique spin on nature docuseries by putting the focus on the matriarchies in the animal world from across the globe. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this series is how it uses newer technologies like low-light cameras and drones to offer a deeper glimpse into the animal kingdom than we’ve seen before.
Angela Bassett narrates the series for director Chloe Sarash and her team of female filmmakers. The first six episodes take viewers on journeys into the jungles, rainforests, and even the oceans for an intimate view of its subjects. But the seventh and final episode puts the spotlight back on the filmmakers behind the show.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
It might be a while before there’s another Star Wars animated show after The Bad Batch, but this show is going out on its own terms. Picking up where season 2 left off, one member of Clone Force 99 is dead, and their younger sister, Omega (Michelle Ang), has been captured by the Empire and taken to their hidden cloning facility.
Now, the team has to rally and figure out how they can rescue Omega and reunite their makeshift clone family. Meanwhile, Omega is trying to convince former Clone Force 99 member Crosshair (Dee Bradley Baker) to help her escape because she’s determined to save both of them. Getting out won’t be easy, and the full force of the Empire is hunting the remaining clones.
Iwájú (2024)
Iwájú is a departure from the standard Disney animated fare in that it not only embraces sci-fi over fantasy, but it’s also a collaboration with Kugali, an African entertainment company. The six-episode series takes place in an Afrofuturist vision of Nigeria, as a young girl named Tola (Simisola Gbadamosi) convinces her friend to go on a trip to the mainland away from their home.
What Tola doesn’t realize is that her father has enemies on the mainland, and by extension, so does she. Tola also has a protector in the form of a cybernetic lizard, who has been ordered by her father to protect Tola at all costs.
Genius: MLK/X (2017)
Each season of National Geographic’s anthology series Genius has focused on a different historical figure. The fourth season, which is also the only season currently streaming on Disney+, shakes up the formula by putting the spotlight on two civil rights icons: Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Foe‘s Aaron Pierre).
Although King and Malcom X’s paths do intersect in certain ways, their stories are largely separate as the season follows their respective life stories from beginning to end. This duo didn’t share the same ideology, but the impact they collectively had on the nation was immeasurable.
Echo (2024)
Echo is the first live-action Marvel Studios show of 2024, and at only five episodes, it’s even shorter than most MCU series. Alaqua Cox reprises her role as Maya Lopez, the deaf antiheroine from Hawkeye. After discovering that her adoptive uncle, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), orchestrated the death of her father, William Lopez (Zahn McClarnon), Maya turned on Fisk and shot him in the face.
Unfortunately for Maya, Fisk survived his wounds and he’s willing to do anything to get her back into the fold, even if it means harming the family that she left behind two decades earlier.
Modern Marvels (1993)
Only two seasons of History’s Modern Marvels are on Disney+, but subscribers may be very interested in the two episodes that focus on toys and how they become collectibles. The rest of the episodes focus on more conventional Modern Marvels topics, like the most powerful trains and helicopters in the world. There’s also an exploration of “mad electricity,” and even a look into the technology behind car washes and coin-operated machines.
This is a science show for the whole family, but it’s also suitable for anyone who is just curious.
A Real Bug's Life (2024)
Behold the power of branding, as Disney brings together Pixar’s A Bug’s Life with National Geographics’ documentary team for a new series called A Real Bug’s Life. Awkwafina narrates the show, which offers an exploration of the real-life adventures and struggles of insects that operate on a miniature scale that isn’t often seen by human eyes.
These bugs may not be as cute and cuddly as their Pixar counterparts, but the series does give viewers plenty to think about when watching the insects on-screen.
What If...? (2021)
For reasons that have yet to be adequately explained, Disney+ is burning through all nine episodes of What If…? season 2 on consecutive days. This animated series explores alternate timelines in the MCU where events unfolded in wildly different ways. Among this year’s new episodes is a Die Hard riff with Happy Hogan in Avengers Tower during a terrorist attack on Christmas Eve. Another episode will assemble a team of proto-Avengers in the past, including Hank Pym, the Winter Soldier, and Mar-Vell, the original Captain Marvel.
Additionally, Peggy Carter’s Captain Carter will return in a direct sequel to her spotlight episode from the first season, as she is reunited with the love of her life in the most unfortunate way.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians is getting a second chance in Hollywood, courtesy of Riordan himself. The Adam Project’s Walker Scobell stars as Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old kid who has no idea that he’s a demigod and the son of Poseidon.
After discovering his true heritage, Percy is sent to Camp Half-Blood with his friend, Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri), where they befriend Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries). This trio is going to have to come together quickly, because Zeus (Lance Reddick) has accused Percy of stealing his thunderbolt. And if Percy can’t find the real thief, a war between the gods may be inevitable.
Doctor Who (2005)
The 60th anniversary of Doctor Who is over, and it’s time to look towards the future of everyone’s favorite Time Lord. Ahead of next year’s fourteenth season, the annual Christmas special will be called Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road.
This is the first full-length adventure of Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, as well as the first appearance of his new companion, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). Story details are scarce at the moment, but this special will set up the new status quo and pave the way for a new era of adventures.
Behind the Attraction (2021)
Disneyland and Walt Disney World are home to some of the most elaborate theme park rides and attractions ever made. The Disney template has been so popular that many of the parks’ rides have been recreated at Disney theme parks around the world. Disney+’s Behind the Attraction documentary series offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of these rides, and the men and women who brought them to life.
The newly released second season includes episodes focused on Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure, EPCOT, and more. Theme park enthusiasts are going to love it, but even casual fans can enjoy the show as well.
The Santa Clauses (2022)
After attempting to retire from the role of Santa Claus in the first season of The Santa Clauses, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is back at the North Pole in his familiar role alongside his wife, Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell), and their children, Cal (Austin Kane), and Sandra (Elizabeth Allen-Dick).
For season 2, Scott and his family have to deal with the Mad Santa, Magnus Antas (Eric Stonestreet), after he is released by Kris Kringle (Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias). Magnus wants to take over the North Pole, and only the Clauses are in his way.
Loki (2021)
Disney+ is getting Doctor Who later this year, but Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is practically filling the role already in Loki season 2. The Asgardian God of Mischief isn’t quite the villain he used to be, but he’s not exactly a hero either. The new season finds Loki in the odd position of having to save the TVA (Time Variance Authority) from a cataclysmic event that could destroy all timelines.
Standing in the way of Loki is his female counterpart, Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), who also happens to be the first woman that Loki has ever truly loved. And in a nod to the larger MCU, Jonathan Banks is back as an early incarnation with Kang who may not be what Loki or his ally, Mobius (Owen Wilson), expected to find.
Goosebumps (2023)
Three decades ago, the original Goosebumps TV series adapted R. L. Stine’s horror stories for children as an anthology. But the new incarnation of Goosebumps is throwing that out the window and embracing serialized stories. Instead of one-off tales of terror, the show revolves around Isaiah (Zack Morris), Margot (Isa Briones), James (Miles McKenna). Isabella (Ana Yi Puig), and Lucas (Will Price) as they try to unravel the death of Harold Biddle (Ben Cockell), a teenager who died in a fire in 1993.
Harold has his own plans, as he possesses an English teacher, Nathan Bratt (Justin Long), who moved into his family’s former home. You can expect to see many of Stine’s signature creations this season, including the Haunted Mask and Slappy the Dummy (Chris Geere), who is just as evil as he ever was.
The Simpsons (1989)
It may sound incredible, but The Simpsons has a real shot at hitting 40 seasons as the 40th anniversary is just a few years away. Fox has already renewed the long-running animated comedy through season 36, and now The Simpsons season 34 has arrived on Disney+.
The Simpsons was truly at its peak during its first eight seasons, but the misadventures of Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson have captured a fanbase that spans multiple generations. At this point, it’s harder to imagine The Simpsons ending because the show has staying power like nothing else before or since.
Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory (2023)
Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory is exactly the kind of show that National Geographic fans should be very pleased with. Throughout the six-episode series, Bertie Gregory and his team take us on a journey across the world to see how pumas, killer whales, elephants, wild dogs, and devil rays live in their native environments.
It’s a very revealing look at places that most people would never have seen in their lifetimes. And if you appreciate nature and animals, this is the show for you.
Ahsoka (2023)
The story for Ahsoka was first teased in 2018 with the final episode of Star Wars Rebels. Now, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) is teaming up with her former apprentice, Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), against a pair of Dark Jedi, Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno), who want to help the remains of the Empire bring back Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) to restart the war with the New Republic.
But Ahsoka and Sabine have to overcome their issues with each other before they have a chance to prevent a catastrophe. And if they can’t stop Thrawn from revitalizing the Empire, then their efforts will have been in vain.
Secret Invasion (2023)
Secret Invasion finally brings Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) back to Earth, but his employers in the American government, including the newly political James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle), want him gone. More alarmingly, the Skrulls living on Earth have largely decided to follow Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and his plan to render humanity extinct and make our world their own.
Even Fury’s Skrull ally, Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), has his own problems, since his daughter, G’iah (Emilia Clarke), is firmly in Gravik’s corner. And once Fury learns what Talos has done in his absence, their friendship may not recover.
I Am Groot (2022)
The second season of I Am Groot has arrived with more mischief from the title character. This series of animated shorts takes place around the time frame of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, as Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) just can’t help finding new ways to get himself in trouble while exploring the galaxy around him.
For the most part, the rest of the Guardians don’t play a role in this series. But you can expect a cameo from Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and at least one other established Marvel character who hints that Groot may have a larger destiny than anyone may have suspected.
The Wonder Years (2021)
The word has come down that ABC has canceled The Wonder Years after two seasons, but the show’s entire run is currently on Disney+. This series was a reimagining of the original show The Wonder Years that aired in the 1980s and early ’90s. The new show focused on Dean Williams (Elisha “EJ” Williams), a 12-year-old Black child growing up in Alabama during the late 1960s.
Dulé Hill co-starred in the series as Dean’s father, Bill Williams, with Saycon Sengbloh as Dean’s mother, Lillian Williams, and Laura Kariuki as Dean’s sister, Kim Williams. Don Cheadle lent his voice to the show as an older Dean who looks back on his childhood across the course of the series.
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1999)
In preparation for the theatrical release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Disney is gearing up to add the Indiana Jones collection to its library. On the TV side of things, that includes the ’90s live-action series The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones.
Though certainly not as prolific as Indy’s exploits on the big screen, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones was a welcome series of small-scale ventures. Starring Sean Patrick Flanery and Corey Carrier as younger versions of the titular character, this version of the series is the 1999 re-edit that compressed it into 22 feature-length episodes.
Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)
Moon Knight (2022)
The Crossover (2023)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
While the Star Wars prequel trilogy has its fair share of blunders, Revenge of the Sith and Ewan McGregor’s performance were solid showings. That made the actor a fan favorite among the fan base, even the best Obi-Wan for many people, and he makes his grand return for the solo series.
Set 10 years after the execution of Order 66 and the fall of the Republic, Obi-Wan Kenobi sees a weary and disillusioned Jedi Master thrust back into action to rescue a young Princess Leia Organa. However, this covert operation also leads to another fateful clash with his former apprentice, now Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen).
Save Our Squad with David Beckham (2022)
David Beckham is a legend and superstar in soccer, having played with some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.
Now, in Save Our Squad with David Beckham, the former player travels to where his sporting career began — the Echo Premier League. He comes on to help Westward Boys, as the team hasn’t won a game all season and is in danger of relegation. It’s a project that comes with a tall order as he tries to reshape this squad to salvage their season.
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023)
Marvel Studios’ daunting cinematic universe is admittedly the main draw of the on-screen brand, but there are some worthy projects that are a bit smaller in scope. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is among them, with the animated series adapting the Marvel Comics characters of the same name.
Young genius Lunella Lafayette accidentally brings a T-Rex into modern-day New York through a time vortex she created. The two become the titular superheroic duo and defend New York City’s Lower East Side from threatening forces. A charming comic book TV series, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is a wonderfully animated show that’ll surely satisfy family audiences.
Sketchbook (2022)
Dramas, action, and comedy might be what bring fans into the Disney brand, but Disney+ also offers some solid documentary material as well. That includes covering the company’s work, with Sketchbook proving to be a delightful instructional docuseries on bringing to screen several loved Disney characters.
The series also does well to highlight the talent behind the scenes that does so, with each episode bringing in a different artist demonstrating how they bring these characters to life, as well as how they found themselves working at the studio. Sketchbook should satisfy anyone that’s artistically inclined, as well as those that simply want to see the masters at their craft.
Monsters at Work (2021)
Disney Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. is some of the best-animated work the studio has ever put out, and its world has been expanded more in the last decade. In addition to the 2013 prequel film, Monsters at Work is a Disney+ original series that shows another side of a beloved franchise.
The series takes place after the events of the 2001 movie, the story follows the new protagonist Tylor Tuskmon as a fresh graduate from Monsters University who’s shocked to learn that the company is no longer in need of Scarers. Mike and Sulley return to the cast as well, as they deal with the struggles of running the company and its transition to running on laugh-based power.
The Mandalorian (2019)
The blockbuster series that helped Disney+ take the lead in the “streaming wars,” Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian returns after a two-year hiatus (although the character made an appearance in The Book of Boba Fett). The journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue in season 3, which promises more action, more Darksaber fights, and more Grogu!
Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu after last season’s finale. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. Future episodes promise that the Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together to strange new worlds like Mandalore.
Baymax! (2022)
Big Hero 6 was a breakout success in 2014, bringing a creative spin on the superhero genre with the tried-and-true Disney animation formula. The lovable nurse robot returns in the titular Baymax! — a spinoff animated TV series comprised of short stories.
Taking place within the same continuity as the movie and the other TV spinoff series, Big Hero 6: The Series, Baymax! follows the endearing robot as he goes around San Fransokyo helping the people of the city. It’s a fun and charming new way to expand upon the vibrant world established on-screen by the movie.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
Despite mostly being a background character for much of the franchise’s existence, Boba Fett has always been one of the most beloved Star Wars characters. Temuera Morrison returned in The Mandalorian season 2 to play the iconic bounty hunter, and he was finally given his own solo series in the form of The Book of Boba Fett.
And while the critical reaction to his story was fairly mixed, The Book of Boba Fett brings to light some long-awaited moments, like how he escaped the Sarlacc from Return of the Jedi. If nothing else, the series serves as a decent companion piece to The Mandalorian and will tie into the show’s third season.
Marvel's Agent Carter (2015)
Marvel's Luke Cage (2016)
Marvel's Jessica Jones (2015)
The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008)
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022)
Star Wars Rebels (2014)
Star Wars: Andor (2022)
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
Bluey (2018)
Prop Culture (2020)
The Orville (2017)
Ms. Marvel (2022)
Parallels (2022)
Marvel's Daredevil (2015)
black-ish (2014)
Amphibia (2019)
The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
Gargoyles (1994)
Star Wars: Visions (2021)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Raven's Home (2017)
Phineas and Ferb (2007)
WandaVision (2021)
Spider-Man (1994)
Kim Possible (2002)
Gravity Falls (2012)
The Proud Family (2001)
Running Wild with Bear Grylls (2014)
X-Men (1992)
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