Top 20 Best Disney Animated TV Series
#20: “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1988-91)
Top 10 Disney Animated TV Series
A decade after the release of “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” Christopher Robin’s silly old bear was given an all-new set of stories in the aptly titled “New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.” Although it ended in 1991, the series is still considered a beloved adaptation by modern-day fans, with Tokyo Disneyland releasing merchandise based on one of its episodes as recently as 2021. The show was praised for its faithfulness to A. A. Milne’s original stories, as well as its instantly lovable cast of characters. This included old favorites like Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore, as well as new additions like Kessie, Rabbit’s adopted daughter, who would go on to appear in the puppet-based series “The Book of Pooh.”
#19: “Fillmore!” (2002-04)
“Recess” wasn’t the only Disney cartoon that portrayed school as a microcosm of the real world. “Fillmore!” frequently dealt with metaphor and parody, translating serious societal ills into a child-friendly setting. The difference being “Fillmore!’s” narrow focus on crime, inspired by 1970’s police procedurals. Smart, witty writing allowed the show’s main character to investigate attempted assassinations, chemical terrorism, and even police corruption without threatening its place in a kid-friendly cartoon lineup. Its pilot episode even directly parodied the R-rated “Silence of the Lambs!” Although the series largely flew under the radar and was canceled far too soon, its creator would later make his mark on television in a big way - serving as a writer and showrunner for “The Walking Dead.”
#18: “Amphibia” (2019-22)
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Whether you’re looking for a complex coming-of-age story in a fantasy setting, or a lighthearted and comedic adventure, “Amphibia” has it all. Created by a former “Gravity Falls” director, “Amphibia’s” story begins with a girl named Anne finding herself trapped in a magical world of talking amphibians after opening a multidimensional music box. The unconventional instrument is stolen by the character at the insistence of her friends, Sasha and Marcy, who are also transported to the strange new amphibious land. Coming from three very different perspectives, the girls are finally given the chance to grow - both on their own and together. It’s a cleverly written and fast-paced story that has appealed to child and adult fans alike!
#17: “Milo Murphy’s Law” (2016-19)
“Weird Al” Yankovic stars as Milo Murphy in this entertaining animated series from the creators of “Phineas and Ferb.” Milo is the descendant of real-world aerospace engineer, Edward A. Murphy Jr, who coined the adage “Murphy’s Law,” which states that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” As one might expect, this translates literally for the show’s hapless protagonist, whose entire life seems to be an endless parade of bad luck. Fortunately, Milo’s perpetually positive disposition, and close friends, Melissa and Zack, help to even things out. The show is directly connected to its creators’ previous series, with more than a fun few easter eggs referencing Phineas and Ferb’s adventures, while also being a hilarious and charming show in its own right.
#16: “American Dragon: Jake Long” (2005-07)
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This cool teen has a hidden hot temper! “American-Dragon: Jake Long’s” title character is a Chinese-American kid living in New York City, whose Grandpa has been preparing him to take on the mantle of the American Dragon. This title naturally leads to a lot of action-packed fight-and-chase sequences, as Jake attempts to safeguard the city’s magical creatures against the evil Huntsclan. There’s just one catch. One of the Huntsclan’s members is Jake’s schoolboy crush, Rose. This tricky dynamic complicates the show’s good versus evil set-up and creates a compelling enemies-to-lovers drama that makes “American Dragon” stand out from its peers. The show’s second season thankfully recognizes the romance as the show’s heart, and cements the series’ spot amongst Disney Channel greats.
#15: “Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure” (2017-20)
Reuniting film actors Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure” is the kind of sequel that fans dream of. It brilliantly expands on the characters introduced in “Tangled” as they settle into their new environment, and features award-winning original music on par with the songs of the film. In contrast to the Disney Princess series that came before it, the show focuses on season-long story arcs in addition to traditional episodic adventures, allowing Rapunzel, Eugene, and new additions, Cassandra and Varian, to grow as individuals. Thrilling twists and compelling drama bookend each of the seasons, keeping new and old fans alike on their toes until the very end.
#14: “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” (2003-06)
Lilo and Stitch’s once-small Ohana grows exponentially in this Disney Channel spin-off of the 2002 film. The series, which begins with a direct-to-video film, seeks to give names and faces to Stitch’s 625 predecessors, whom he and Lilo refer to as his “cousins.” Each experiment has its own unique look, interests, and powers, which the audience discovers alongside the show’s protagonists. It’s a cute concept, not unlike a laidback and battle-free version of the then-popular “Pokémon” anime. Interestingly, the show also provided Disney Channel with some of its best animated crossover episodes, featuring characters from “American Dragon” and “Kim Possible,” as well as the typically fantasy-free “Recess” and “The Proud Family.”
#13: “Star vs. the Forces of Evil” (2015-19)
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Disney’s very own magical girl show. And the first show on Disney XD to be helmed by a female creator! “Star vs. the Forces of Evil” follows reluctant Mewni princess, Star Butterfly, who is sent to Earth by her parents to continue training after a magical mishap. There, she meets human boy Marco Diaz, with whom she has a series of madcap adventures. Over the course of its four seasons, the pair’s relationship became the show’s beating heart, which dismayed some fans and delighted others. Regardless of shipping drama, however, the show’s story-driven plots about Star’s disenchantment with Mewni always spoke to its true potential as a series - and ensured its longevity in the hearts of kid and adult fans alike.
#12: “House of Mouse” (2001-03)
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If you’ve ever wished you could see all of your favorite Disney characters together in one spot, “House of Mouse” is the show for you! One of Disney+’s most glaring omissions, this unique animated series stars The Fab Five as hosts and waiters at the titular cartoon club. While each episode introduces a new problem for the gang to solve, the most memorable aspect of this cartoon is not its plot, but its creative use of pre-existing characters to create new scenes. Everyone from Pinocchio to The Haunted Mansion’s Hitchhiking Ghosts show up at Mickey’s club throughout its fifty-two episodes and two feature-length films. For lifelong Disney fans, it’s like a dream come true!
#11: “Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (1989-90)
Before they were voiced by Andy Samberg and John Mulaney in the darkly satirical live-action hybrid film, Chip and Dale were solving crimes with their pals on the small screen in “Rescue Rangers.” Premiering in 1989 before being reran as part of the Disney Afternoon lineup, this series rode the line between revolutionary 80’s cartoon and 90’s kid classic. Regardless of which generation you belonged to though, there is no denying how fun it was to tune in to the show’s small crimes adventure set-up week after week. Alongside the rest of the Disney Afternoon, “Rescue Rangers” popularity eventually inspired comics, video games, and a Disney Parks stage show featuring Gadget alongside Chip and Dale in their Ranger outfits.
#10: “The Owl House” (2020-23)
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Protagonists Luz Noceda and Amity Blight broke new ground for LGBTQ+ representation when they became the first same-sex couple made up of lead characters in a Disney-owned property. The pair would also provide Disney with its first same-sex kiss between two protagonists while recurring character Raine Whispers became the studio’s first-ever nonbinary character. This massive step for Disney’s TV animation department was only made better by the show’s commitment to engaging storytelling and character development. One of the channel’s most lore-heavy shows since “Gravity Falls,” “The Owl House” built up a complex magical world that its human protagonist discovered alongside its viewers. Unfortunately for those viewers, the show was unceremoniously cut short, leading to what some considered a rushed final season.
#9: “Star Wars Rebels” (2014-18)
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Although live-action “Star Wars” series like “The Mandalorian” and “Andor” have taken Disney+ by storm, the franchise’s animated stories shouldn’t be discounted! “Rebels” is one of LucasFilm Animation’s most impressive achievements, giving audiences a glimpse into life in a galaxy far far away fourteen years after the rise of the Galactic Empire. It stars a ragtag group of rebels headed by orphaned teenager, Ezra Bridger, who grow to become a makeshift family by the series’ end. Their story allowed for an easy introduction to the world of “Star Wars” for new fans, while cameos by beloved heroes and villains were enthusiastically welcomed by older ones. Months after the series ended, Disney XD would replace “Rebels” with “Resistance,” a far less acclaimed but nonetheless worthy successor.
#8: “Darkwing Duck” (1991-92)
When a “Rocky and Bullwinkle” reboot fell through at Disney due to a misinterpretation of the studio’s rights to the characters, a “DuckTales” spin-off was proposed as a replacement. Inspired by select episodes of the popular series, “Darkwing Duck” was born, starring a new character by the name of Drake Mallard. Though it would never reach the same level of popularity as its inspiration, the show held its own as a witty slapstick superhero series with a lovable cast of anthropomorphic avians. Despite its comedic angle, its action-packed fight sequences would add a necessary punch to the Disney Afternoon lineup, an iconic programming block that it would continue to be a part of for five years after its final episode.
#7: “Gargoyles” (1994-97)
While other Disney cartoons may be able to point to a handful of scenes that feel too intense for their target audience, few shows on the network were as consistently dark as “Gargoyles.” The series didn’t pull any punches when it came to depicting conflict - choosing to show blood, and even including Nazi adversaries for its protagonists to face when they traveled back to the 1940s. A cast of fleshed-out characters, and the addition of romance, added depth to the darkness and made the show a weekly must-see for an older demographic. It’s admittedly hard to imagine this show airing alongside the likes of “Timon and Pumbaa” and “Jungle Cubs,” but we’re very glad it did.
#6: “The Proud Family” (2001-05)
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At a time when most Black characters were relegated to sidekick or background roles, “The Proud Family” burst onto the scene with a diverse cast headed by a young Black girl and her chaotic family. The show was a frequently funny and always heartfelt coming-of-age story that interspersed African-American culture and history into its episodes. This included some pretty significant cameo appearances from the likes of Alicia Keys, Kobe Bryant, and even famed R&B singer Lou Rawls. For its efforts, the show received several NAACP nominations, ultimately winning for Cedric the Entertainer’s hilarious performance as Oscar’s brother, Bobby Proud.
#5: “Recess” (1997-2001)
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When the bell rings for recess, the kids of Third Street Elementary School are set free… From their teachers, that is. On the playground, a new social order has been created, with sixth-grader King Bob serving as its purportedly impartial ruler. Series protagonists T.J., Mikey, Spinelli, Vince, Gretchen, and Gus serve as the show’s beacons of individuality, often fighting against what they consider to be injustices. On its surface, the show is a fun ensemble-based cartoon with an interesting premise for kids. But for adults, the seemingly simplistic show will gain new meaning, as they catch more of the series’ metaphorical plot lines meant to mirror the world we live in.
#4: “DuckTales” (2017-21)
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It’s difficult to reboot a show as iconic as “DuckTales,” but the 2017 version of the show maybe even better than its popular predecessor. Huey, Dewey, and Louie have been given distinctive personalities in this modern retelling, and Webby finally feels like a fully-fledged character instead of a female sidekick. The show also thankfully manages to avoid the kind of racial insensitivity that led to some of the 1987 series’ episodes being omitted from Disney+. Although this reboot was primarily made to attract newcomers to the old franchise, it’s not without its nods to the 80s and 90s Disney eras. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed cameos from Max Goof, Bonkers, and even the characters of the one-off TV special, Fluppy Dogs.
#3: “Kim Possible” (2002-07)
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You know the drill. Call her, beep her, if you wanna reach her. If you want to page her, well… maybe we need to travel back to the 2000s for that one. That is when “Kim Possible” was popular, after all. Although the show was far from the first about a female action hero, it set itself apart from its peers by making its protagonist a regular girl. Kim had no special powers, she was just a cheerleader with an arsenal of spy gadgets. A relatable heroine! And girls and boys alike loved it. The series was the first from Disney Channel to debut at No. 1 in the US and had the highest-rated premiere for the channel at the time of its release.
#2: “Phineas and Ferb” (2007-)
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There’s 104 days of summer vacation, and if anyone knows how to spend them it’s Phineas and Ferb. The step-brothers spend their finite days of freedom creating their own forms of adventure and excitement - accomplishing everything from becoming a one-hit wonder to producing their own animated cartoon. Meanwhile, the boys’ pet platypus, Perry, misses out on these day-long activities for adventures of his own with the hilariously incompetent Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Though the series originally ended in 2015, future seasons were announced to be in the works in 2023 - and, honestly, we can’t blame Disney for wanting more. The show is timeless, with catchy songs and brilliant humor sure to entertain kids for generations.
#1: “Gravity Falls” (2012-16)
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Could it have been anything else? After a short period of cartoon releases that flew under the radar, “Gravity Falls” re-established Disney Channel as the place to watch children’s animation. The show’s twin protagonists were instantly likable, and its ever-unfolding mystery provided welcome fodder for animation fans of all ages to dig into and dissect. Bill Cipher’s addition to the cast provided a genuine threat to the typically lighthearted series, while mysteries surrounding Dipper and Mabel’s Grunkle Stan had fans questioning who could really be trusted. The series has also continued to make an impact on the Disney brand well after its finale, with shows like “Amphibia” and “The Owl House” coming directly from former “Gravity Falls” crew.
