Best Disney Plus Shows and Original Series to Watch (March 2023)

Created by: Jeremy Slater

Cast: Oscar Isaac, May Calamawy, Karim El Hakim, F. Murray Abraham

From the jump, this latest Marvel show promised something the likes of which we had never seen before from the cinematic franchise — and thanks to a cast helmed by the talents of Isaac, Calamawy, Hawke, and more, it undoubtedly delivered. Isaac has to pull double (and eventually triple duty) as the mercenary Marc Spector, who occasionally shifts into his alternate personality, a meek museum employee known as Steven Grant, as a result of his near-lifelong experience with Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID. His mental illness doesn’t keep him from becoming the avatar of the Egyptian god Khonshu (Abraham), who taps Spector to fight his vengeful battles against those who would do wrongs and attempt to skirt the consequences. Along the way, Marc is forced to do battles within as well as without, exploring some of his most painful and repressed memories in order to become the most accepted version of himself. With the finale of Marvel’s latest Disney+ series airing this week, it’s safe to say that Moon Knight has rooted itself firmly in the pantheon of successful MCU ventures on the small screen. – Carly Lane

Executive produced by: Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso

In honor of Women’s History Month, Disney Plus is releasing a documentary series honoring the women of the Marvel Cinematic Universe both behind and in front of the camera. Two years ago, they reached out and gathered a group of superfans to usher through all aspects of bringing the blockbuster Marvel Superhero franchise to life. These lucky fans got to meet both the actors portraying their favorite inspirational heroic women and the women working behind the scenes to create the looks, environments, and personalities of Earth’s mightiest heroes, and now, audiences everywhere will get to enjoy the results with this show. – Tauri Miller

Created by: Cássio Koshikumo, Janaína Tokitaka

Cast: Laura Luz, Rafaela Mandelli, Malu Mader

The heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe aren’t the only ones dipping their toes in the multiverse, and the Brazilian sci-fi series Mila in the Multiverse shows audiences just how fun universe-hopping can truly be. The show is great for all audiences, from kids to adults, and is led by a charming group of teens. The title character, Mila (Laura Luz), is a 16-year-old student who gets a device for her birthday that lets her travel between parallel universes. She, with the help of her friends, navigates the multiverse in search of her mother while being chased by a dangerous organization known as “Os Operadores.” Mila in the Multiverse is available in Spanish and Portuguese with a myriad of subtitle options, so you can enjoy it no matter what language you speak. – Tauri Miller

Creators: Kevin Kopelow, Heath Seifert

Cast: Ross Lynch, Laura Marano, Raini Rodriguez, Calum Worthy

Ross Lynch (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Laura Marano co-star as the title characters in Austin & Ally, a comedy series about aspiring teen musicians growing up in Miami, Florida. Supporting them are their friends, played by Raini Rodriguez (Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous) and Calum Worthy (Reboot), who often instigate or inspire all sorts of shenanigans for the gang to endure. Created by Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert, Austin & Ally plays with opposites, leaning into the difference between Austin Moon (Lynch), the boisterous and outgoing rockstar-to-be, and the shier Ally Dawson (Marano), a singer with stage fright and a gift for songwriting. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Terri Minsky

Cast: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Joshua Rush, Sofia Wylie, Asher Angel, Lauren Tom

Andi Mack is a groundbreaking, contemporary comedy that examines universal topics through its three-season run. Created by Terri Minsky, Andi Mack stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee as the titular character, launching the series with a discovery that the woman she grew up with as a sister (Lilan Bowden) is actually her biological mother. From that plot point, the coming-of-age series expands, venturing into a range of storylines earning praise for representation on screen, including people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ stories, and plots centering on an Asian-American family. Andi Mack shines as it explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and family, making the series approachable for children of all ages and backgrounds. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Ralph Farquhar, Bruce W. Smith

Cast: Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, Alisa Reyes

Reviving the beloved animated series The Proud Family, created by Ralph Farquhar and Bruce W. Smith, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder reunites the original cast to continue the stories of the rambunctious and relatable family. Serving as a soft reboot, Louder and Prouder sees Penny Proud, with Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat) reprising the voice, as a fourteen-year-old girl navigating adolescence and her loving family, especially her overprotective father Oscar (Tommy Davidson). Bursting with updated humor, modern matters, and an unbelievable collection of guest stars, Louder and Prouder is as charming and timely as ever. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Douglas Petrie, Marco Ramirez

Cast: Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, Finn Jones

Uniting the stars of Netflix’s original Marvel series, The Defenders finds the titular characters of Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Iron Fist joining forces to save their city from the biggest threat they’ve ever faced: a group called The Hand. Although these characters usually work alone, Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Daredevil (Charlie Cox), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) will discover their strength as a team. Featuring a collaboration that fans had been waiting for, The Defenders builds on the stories of these characters, allowing them to truly show off their skills with killer fight sequences and rich storytelling. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Alison Brown, Linda Videtti Figueiredo

Cast: Jenna Ortega, Isaak Presley, Ariana Greenblatt, Joe Nieves, Cerina Vincent

Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) stars in Stuck in the Middle as Harley Diaz, the middle child in a crowded family. Created by Alison Brown and Linda Videtti Figueiredo, Stuck in the Middle is a charming comedy series that explores the Diaz family through Harley’s perspective surrounded by her six siblings. Finding humor in the mundane makes Stuck in the Middle relatable to audiences from all family backgrounds, regardless of whether you’re an only child or part of a menagerie of characters. Over the course of three delightful seasons, Stuck in the Middle proved that family, optimism, and ingenuity can brighten any situation. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Jed Elinoff, Michael Poryes, Susan Sherman

Cast: Raven-Symoné, Anneliese van der Pol, Isaac Ryan Brown, Navia Ziraili Robinson

Raven-Symoné reprises her role as psychic Raven Baxter in the That’s So Raven follow-up series Raven’s Home. Reunited with Anneliese van der Pol, who returns as Raven’s best friend, Chelsea, Raven’s Home follows the pair as they raise their own children together as single moms. Raven’s Home is charmingly playful, maintaining the fun vibe of the first series as one of Raven’s twins (Isaac Ryan Brown) begins to exhibit signs of his own blossoming psychic abilities. Raven’s Home allows the heartfelt messaging wrapped in supernatural shenanigans to lay the foundation for an entertaining, family-friendly series highlighted by the sparing use of guest appearances. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Christopher G. Cowen, Jason Baffa

Cast: Sara Kohrogi, Kanoa Igarashi, Mahina Maeda, Yuma Takanuki

Chasing Waves is a unique character-driven documentary series from creators Christopher G. Cowen and Jason Baffa. Chasing Waves follows a selection of multicultural athletes on a quest to reach their dreams. Shining a spotlight on passionate people like Sara Kohrogi, Kanoa Igarashi, Yuma Takanuki, and Mahina Maeda, Chasing Waves not only watches these ambitious athletes pursue their goals but also uncovers a previously unexplored intersection of Japanese culture and surfing. Containing images of tragic events, including earthquake and tsunami footage, Chasing Waves intensely paints an enthralling picture of Japan, taking pride in the sport after surfing’s Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Creators: Chris Peterson, Bryan Moore

Cast: Isabella Pappas, Reed Horstmann, James Patrick Stuart, Lucy Davis

The Villains of Valley View is an adorable and unique take on the superhero genre. The Villains of Valley View follows a family of supervillains attempting to survive life in a small Texas suburban town. Starring James Patrick Stuart and Lucy Davis as the parents and Isabella Pappas as Havoc, the rebellious teenager whose raucous antics force the family on the run from the League of Villains. Created by Chris Peterson and Bryan Moore, The Villains of Valley View is a delightful family comedy that celebrates differences and forging one’s own path, similar to the macabre yet wholesome themes of The Addams Family or Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Masayuki Suo

Cast: Shôno Hayama, Rikka Ihara, Ryûsei Okumura

Like Big Shot, Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t is a series that mixes sports with school romance. Starring Shôno Hayama as Ryota Moriyama, a college student on the verge of graduation, Ryota discovers his degree is suddenly dependent on his participation in the nearly defunct sumo club. Reluctantly, Ryota trains with the only other member of the club: a passionate young woman named Honoka Oba (Rikka Ihara). A cute rom-com spread across 10 episodes, Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t is full of amusing physical comedy, and over time, Honoka’s strict training methods will undoubtedly win over Ryoto’s respect and heart. – Yael Tygiel

Cast: Keke Palmer, Amirah Kassem, Benny Rivera, Anthony Mendez

Foodtastic is a gorgeous combination of Disney storytelling with incredible food art. Hosted by the unbelievably talented Keke Palmer (Nope), Foodtastic steps into beloved Disney properties, including Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, to shine a light on some outstanding foodscapes. In this feast for the eyes, global food artists compete to bring storybook fantasies to life. Foodtastic allows them to create some of their favorite characters and scenes from big blockbuster movies and animated classics. Judged by baker and author Amirah Kassem and chef Benny Rivera, Foodtastic is bursting with talented tastemakers on both sides of the competition. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, Peter Attia

A beautiful exploration of humanity, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth follows Thor: Love and Thunder star Chris Hemsworth as he searches for new and natural methods of ensuring a longer and stronger life. Over six episodes, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth allows the action star to dive into the science of the human body, testing his resilience, mental capacity, and mortality. Joining him on this journey are some of his friends and even his brothers, as Luke Hemsworth (Westworld) and Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games) appear in an episode. Biology research combines with nature documentary and a hint of Fear Factor in Limitless with Chris Hemsworth – a truly impressive investigation from NatGeo. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley

Cast: Lisette Olivera, Justin Bartha, Catherine Zeta-Jones

Based on the National Treasure film series, National Treasure: Edge of History is a continuation, now following a young woman named Jess Valenzuela (Lisette Olivera) as she searches for answers about her family history and attempts to recover a lost treasure. Featuring original characters like Billie Pearce (Catherine Zeta-Jones) as well as a few from the original movies, including Justin Bartha (The Hangover) reprising his role as Riley Poole and Harvey Keitel as Sadusky, Edge of History allows the National Treasure mythology to expand beyond the Gates family. Edge of History provides audiences with the same adventurous excitement as the movies and is infused with heart, humor, and history. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush

Cast: Bonnie Hunt, Alan Tudyk, Maurice LaMarche, Don Lake

Zootopia+ builds off the hit animal-centric film Zootopia with an animated anthology spin-off series to explore side characters through varying genres. Across six episodes, Zootopia+ reveals the unexpected lives of characters, including Judy’s parents, Bonnie and Stu, with Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake reprising their roles, as well as fan-favorite DMV sloth, Flash (voiced by Raymond S. Persi). Zootopia+ continues to grow the fascinating lore of this universe by uncovering what characters from the movie were doing when they weren’t directly involved in the main plot. Additional episodes of Zootopia+ include reality show-inspired stories, along with an episode focused solely on the history of Mr. Big, voiced by iconic animated voice actor Maurice LaMarche. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Seth Grahame-Smith

Cast: Mckenna Grace, Izabela Vidovic, Lexi Underwood

An anthology series based on the graphic novels by R. L. Stine, Just Beyond is a delightful horror-comedy show aimed at kids who like a little fright with their fun. The episodes range in subject matter from a young activist who’s sent to a school with a dark secret to a beauty app with disastrous consequences. The show has been praised for tackling tough themes like grief in an entertaining and age-appropriate way, sending powerful messages through each installment. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Jack Burditt

Cast: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Austin Kane, Elizabeth Allen-Dick

Serving as a continuation of The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, The Santa Clauses sees many of the main cast members reprising their roles. The series follows an aging Scott (Tim Allen) as he realizes he can’t be Santa forever. The show follows him as he seeks a replacement and prepares his family to live somewhere other than the North Pole. Cozy and comedic, The Santa Clauses offers sweet holiday fun for the whole family. – Taylor Gates

Cast: David Beckham

Soccer legend David Beckham brings his enthusiasm and love for the sport to the forefront in Save Our Squad. Revisiting the football pitch in East London, like the one where he learned to play, Beckham works with a team of young boys who are struggling to stay in the league. With guidance from Beckham, these grassroots players could take it all the way. Save Our Squad is a heartwarming show about following your dreams, hard work, and facing obstacles head-on. A touching four-part docu-series that explores the origins of success and building a strong work ethic, Save Our Squad is touching for young people with any passion, sports or otherwise. – Yael Tygiel