Top 20 Greatest Disney Channel Shows of All Time

Everyone loves a good twin thing. “Liv and Maddie” is a newer Disney Channel show, but one that expertly takes its inspiration from that of its forefathers. It stars Dove Cameron playing the roles of two identical twins, our titular characters. Liv is a successful actress who moves home for the first time in years, and Maddie is the sister she comes home to. The show riffs on popular media like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” with its use of some mockumentary-style elements, but the real draw is Cameron. She differentiates between Liv and Maddie so well, bringing life and fun to both characters and drawing us in.

You probably remember Zendaya’s stint on the Disney Channel for one particular show, and we’ll definitely get to that later. But right now, we want to discuss one of her more underrated outings. “K.C. Undercover” stars Zendaya as a normal high schooler who is suddenly heaved into the world of underground espionage when she finds out her parents are spies. Think “Spy Kids,” but with a Disney Channel sensibility. As usual, Zendaya is funny and charming in the role, and the supporting cast around her leans easily into the show’s absurdities, making it a joy to watch.

We told you we would get to the other Zendaya pick soon. “Shake it Up” is one of the classics of the later Disney Channel era. A lot of that has to do with the staying power of its stars. Of course, you have Zendaya, but Bella Thorne is also a star in her own right. The two appear as Rocky and CeCe, teenage backup dancers on a Chicago series. We accompany the girls as they get into all sorts of trouble, their shenanigans often wild, but always loveable. Plus, there are plenty of stellar musical numbers throughout the show, something the Disney Channel has always been great at.

We all know the story. A girl with stars in her eyes dreams of moving to the bustling streets of New York City and making it big. The TV show “Jessie’s” titular character was definitely a girl just like that, but New York turns out a little bit differently than she planned. On “Jessie,” the starry-eyed dreamer has to take a job as a nanny for four rich, and sometimes frustrating, city kids. But for how chaotic the Ross children can occasionally be, the selling point of “Jessie” is its heart. They may have spats, but they always look out for each other no matter how difficult things get.

Time travel is a trope as old as time. But in the mid-2000s, Disney Channel used it to great effect. “Phil of the Future” is about the Diffys, a futuristic family that gets stranded in the present day. The show is quirky and very specific about what’s different in the future, including the fact that humans now only have four toes. While that might seem like an odd detail, it’s exactly the kind of thing that makes “Phil of the Future” fun. That quirkiness aside, the show also establishes a great central will they/won’t they romance between Phil and Keely. What more could one want?

Who said Disney Channel couldn’t provide a teenage take on science fiction? That’s right! It’s time to get weird and talk about “So Weird.” The main characters of the show are initially young rebel Fiona and her musician mother Molly. Molly and Fiona move all across the country while the former is on tour, having a bunch of creepy paranormal experiences along the way. But in addition to the strangeness of it all, the fact that Molly is a rockstar also really works with the premise, with Mackenzie Phillips often performing. Music and sci-fi together? Sign us up.

For some reason, the Disney Channel always seems to thrive on shows about teenage musicians. “Austin & Ally” is no different. It centers around the two titular characters, whose lives when Austin gets famous off of a song that Ally wrote. The pair team up by the end of the first episode, and that’s where things get really fun. There’s a bit of a will-they/won’t-they energy to their relationship initially, and eventually, they get together, creating room for even more stories to explore. The leads have great chemistry, and we also get some pretty great songs throughout. In other words, it’s a hit.

Sometimes, a cute baby is all it takes. But in the case of “Good Luck Charlie,” we think the whole cast is pretty stellar. The show centers around the Duncans, whose teenage daughter Teddy is crafting a video diary for the little, adorable Charlotte. The titular Charlie, if you will. When coming up with the idea for the show, its creators wanted to go beyond making your standard kids show to appeal to a wider demographic. “Good Luck Charlie” is equal parts funny and heartfelt. If you ask us, we think they did a pretty great job creating something the whole family can enjoy.

This show was so popular, it lasted for eight years – and that’s before new seasons were announced. “Phineas and Ferb” is one of Disney’s animated offerings. Although it has an absurd bent to it sometimes, including a platypus who is also a super spy, the best parts are rooted in reality. There’s something that’s so familiar about two brothers getting into trouble over summer break. Everyone understands the concept of the older sister, in this case Candace, who’s fed up with her younger siblings – lovingly, of course! The creators reportedly based the idea for the show off of their own experiences as youngsters during summer break, so there’s no question why it resonates so well.

Everyone loves Mickey Mouse and all of his pals. But this show follows the antics of some of the more ancillary Disney characters. It first began in 1987, winning over people everywhere by spotlighting Scrooge McDuck and his three rambunctious grand-nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. In the episodes, Scrooge, being the rich duck that he is, is always after a little more cash. But sometimes, the boys have to stop baddies who try to strip him of his wealth, too. “DuckTales” had another great run with the 2017 reboot, which more than delivered as well. Whichever iteration you watch, the adventures are always wacky, thrilling, and fun.

Mixing the paranormal with a beautifully animated world, “Gravity Falls” works on every level. It chronicles the lives of twins Dipper and Mabel in the titular town. They’re staying with their mysterious great-uncle, and it seems that supernatural activity follows them wherever they go. In this way, the show has been noted for having a little bit of “Twin Peaks” for kids energy, what with its mysteries and Pacific Northwest setting. “Gravity Falls” was a huge hit for Disney, cementing its place as one of the rare shows able to appeal not just to children, but to grown-ups too.

Everyone knows that the most important part of the school day is “Recess.” And we’re not talking about actual recess. We’re talking about watching the television show of the same name. It was one of the quintessential cartoons of our childhoods, centering around a group of elementary school kids. We can all see ourselves in one or more of the students. And watching how they navigate societal truths — especially during that all-important break from the classroom – rings extremely true to life. Back then, it helped us feel seen. Today, it takes us back while still doing exactly that. When a show is as smart, funny, and well thought out as this, it’s hard to forget about it!

When it comes to this show, we couldn’t be prouder to know it. When it began airing in 2001, it was a smash hit, and it remains one of the most game-changing offerings in Disney history. After all, “The Proud Family” was one of the first animated kids’ shows to feature a Black family at the forefront of its narrative. Each episode features a healthy mix of humor and fun, while also tackling important issues. We love spending time with Penny Proud and her family, whether it’s in the original series, the revival, or the film.

Everyone loves a good sibling rivalry, and “Even Stevens” never disappointed. Back in the early 2000s, we loved tuning in to see what sort of trouble these crazy kids would get into. The show focuses on a California family. But of course, it’s siblings Ren and Louis’ constant bickering that really drives the plot. They couldn’t be more different, and they spar mightily and brutally throughout the series. But at the end of the day, family is family, and they love each other in the end. There’s also a great crew of side characters. And who could forget the musical episode? “We Went to the Moon in 1969” is still a banger.

Call her, beep her, if you want to reach her. High school is hard enough, but when you’re also in the business of stopping bad guys? It’s near impossible. But, as her last name might suggest, Kim Possible makes it look easy. This animated show debuted to praise from both critics and audiences. It’s easy to see why, because it has it all. It’s funny, with great characters and plotlines, and a very cute love story in the mix, too. Plus, there’s a stellar theme song from Christina Milian that we still can’t get enough of today.

Before Selena Gomez was Mabel, solving crime in a New York City apartment building with Steve Martin and Martin Short’s characters, she was portraying a teenage wizard. “Wizards of Waverly Place” follows the wizarding Russo siblings as they try to hone their magic while also concealing it from the rest of the world. While we now know that Gomez is a comedic talent, this introduced her to a widespread audience. Looking back, it’s amazing just how funny she is, and the rest of the cast is great as well. Having to hide a huge secret on the daily is always a great trope in a show, and “Wizards of Waverly Place” plays it expertly.

How we wish that we too had a little cartoon consciousness! “Lizzie McGuire” was one of the Disney Channel’s greatest hits back in the day, and most of that is due to the actress at its center. Hilary Duff is a star in every regard, and the show puts all her talents to good use. But Duff isn’t the only thing “Lizzie McGuire” has going for it. The show is your typical young teen comedy with a clever twist. We get to see Lizzie’s thoughts come to life through a cartoon version of her that functions like her inner voice. These animated sequences give the writers room to play, and provide some of our favorite moments of the series.

She gets the best of both worlds – most of the time, anyway! Miley Cyrus is such a household name now, it’s hard to imagine a time when we didn’t know who she was. But when “Hannah Montana” premiered in 2006, Cyrus was virtually unknown and had a lot to prove. Lucky for us, she was an immediate star. The show sees her portray a regular girl, Miley, who is also secretly famed singer Hannah Montana. It centers around the stress of Miley’s double life, and often has her trying desperately to keep someone from finding out her secret. With great storylines, compelling characters, and a killer soundtrack, it continues to delight.

Some people might say that “The Suite Life on Deck” is the superior offering here. But we’ve got to go with the original. “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” premiered in 2005 when Dylan and Cole Sprouse were on the verge of adolescence themselves. The twins play the titular brothers, who reside in the fictional Tipton Hotel. We’re not exaggerating when we say this show has one of the greatest all-star casts in Disney history. Joining the Sprouses are the likes of Ashley Tisdale, Phill Lewis, and Brenda Song. With them bringing their all and the slew of entertaining antics that unfold throughout the series, there’s no shortage of hilarious moments.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Complicated Families Always Make for a Great Show

Friends Who Get Stuck in the Amazon Rainforest Together, Stay Together

Puberty Is Hard Enough Without Transforming Into a Dragon

Eleven Years Old & High School? Sign Us Up!

A Spinoff That Provides a New Take On a Classic We All Love

Dealing with the realities of being a teenager is hard enough already. You might think that being able to see the future would make things easier. But if “That’s So Raven” taught us anything, it’s that that’s not the case. While the titular protagonist’s psychic abilities might not make things easier, they certainly do lead to hilarious antics. “That’s So Raven” is one of the funniest shows the Disney Channel has ever given us, largely due to the comedic talent of Raven-Symoné. But besides its humor, we also love the family and friends at the center, and how the writers tackle difficult topics. Most of all, we love Raven’s vision-getting look.