Top 50 Best Original Series On Disney+ (UK/Ireland)
With so many great original series that can only be found on Disney+ in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Each month, I update my list of the best original programming available on Disney+, which include series and movies from across Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, Star and Pixar.
Here is the “What’s On Disney Plus” Top 50 Best Original Series available on Disney+:
50) Hit-Monkey
A Japanese snow macaque’s clan meets a stranded hitman, Bryce, and nurses him back to health. But when Bryce bites the dust, it’s up to the titular simian (guided by Bryce’s ghost) to follow in his assassin footsteps and seek vengeance. If you like “Hit-Monkey”, you should also check out M.O.D.O.K.
49) Welcome To Earth
It might seem humans have mapped every inch of our planet’s surface, but look closer and you’ll discover that there is still so much more to uncover — the age of exploration is far from over! Welcome to Earth, a Disney+ original series from National Geographic, follows two-time Academy Award® nominee Will Smith on an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime adventure around the world to explore Earth’s greatest wonders and reveal its most hidden secrets.
48) American Horror Stories
American Horror Stories is a spin-off of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s award-winning hit anthology series American Horror Story. American Horror Stories is a weekly anthology series that will feature a different horror story each episode.
47) Secrets Of The Whales
“Secrets of the Whales,” from National Geographic, plunges viewers deep within the epicenter of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals and sperm whales. Filmed over three years in 24 locations, throughout this epic journey, we learn that whales are far more complex and more like us than ever imagined. This is an epic documentary series and highly recomended.
46) The Wonder Years
Inspired by the beloved award-winning series of the same name, “The Wonder Years” is a new original coming-of-age comedy that tells the story of the Williams family during the late 1960s, all through the point of view of imaginative 12-year-old Dean. With the wisdom of his adult years, Dean’s hopeful and humorous recollections of his past spotlight the ups and downs of growing up in a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama, and the friendship, laughter and lessons along the way. A great family-friendly series to everyone to enjoy.
45) Diary Of A Future President
In this Disney+ series “Diary of a Future President,” we see the origin story of a future leader. Told using the narration of 12-year-old Cuban American girl Elena’s diary, this new family comedy follows her journey through the ups and downs of middle school, which set her on the path to becoming the president of the United States. It’s a good family-friendly series, though you might need to give it a few episodes to see if it clicks with you. The entire second season was added to Disney+ in August and is a massive improvement over the first season.
44) Dollface
After being dumped by her longtime boyfriend, a young woman must deal with her own imagination in order to literally and metaphorically re-enter the world of women, and rekindle the female friendships she left behind. This comedy series is certainly worth taking the time to check out, especially if you want to see more of Kat Dennings style of humour.
43) Big Shot
After getting ousted from the NCAA, a men’s basketball coach is given a chance for redemption with a coaching position at an elite private high school. He soon learns that the teenage players require empathy and vulnerability — foreign concepts for the stoic Coach Korn (John Stamos). By learning how to connect with his players, Marvyn starts to grow into the person he’s always hoped to be. The girls learn to take themselves more seriously, finding their footing both on and off the court. This drama series is a hidden gem and is a great series for the whole family.
42) Marvel’s What If?
“What If…?” flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU, featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles. This is a great animated series from Marvel, with unique stories that Marvel fans will love.
41) Just Beyond
This eight-episode anthology series is inspired by the writings of R.L. Stine, “Just Beyond” is an eight-episode anthology series that tells astonishing and thought-provoking stories of a reality just beyond the one we know. Each episode introduces viewers to a new cast of characters who must go on a surprising journey of self-discovery in a supernatural world of witches, aliens, ghosts and parallel universes. This is a great collection of spooky stories for the whole family.
40) Among The Stars
A six-part docuseries with fly on the wall access into the wider world of NASA, with cameras on Earth and in space. NASA astronaut Captain Chris Cassidy is on a quest to get back in his spacesuit for one last mission. This series follows Chris and the wider team who take on missions that risk life, limb and reputation for the greater good of humankind. Join them as their missions unfold. If you love Space, you’ll wanna watch this in-depth documentary series.
39) The Premise
The Premise is a fearlessly ambitious new series that uses comedy to engage with the biggest issues of our unprecedented modern era. The Premise combines daring comedic premises with equally daring dramatic performances, creating a new tone for a new time.
38) The Gloaming
The Gloaming is the story of an unorthodox and troubled policewoman, Molly McGee, who leads an investigation into the murder of an unidentified woman. McGee has to team up with Alex O’Connell, a man she has not spoken to for 20 years. It’s a dark and twisted drama series that is well worth investigating.
37) The Beatles: Get Back
The docuseries showcases The Beatles’ creative process as they attempt to write 14 new songs in preparation for their first live concert in over two years. Faced with a nearly impossible deadline, the strong bonds of friendship shared by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are put to the test. The docuseries is compiled from nearly 60 hours of unseen footage shot over 21 days, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg in 1969, and from more than 150 hours of unheard audio, most of which has been locked in a vault for over half a century. Jackson is the only person in 50 years to have been given access to this Beatles treasure trove, all of which has now been brilliantly restored. What emerges is an unbelievably intimate portrait of The Beatles, showing how, with their backs against the wall, they could still rely on their friendship, good humor, and creative genius. While plans derail and relationships are put to the test, some of the world’s most iconic songs are composed and performed. The docuseries features – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles’ last live performance as a group, the unforgettable rooftop concert on London’s Savile Row, as well as other songs and classic compositions featured on the band’s final two albums, “Abbey Road” and “Let It Be.” If you enjoyed “Get Back”, check out “McCartney 3,2,1”.
36) Magic Of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney+’s “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” from National Geographic and narrated by the award-winning, fan-favourite Josh Gad, gives viewers a backstage pass to explore the magic of nature within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. Each of the eight episodes dives into the details, unveiling the multifaceted aspects of animal care, conservation and Disney Imagineering and showcases the parks’ magnificent array of more than 300 species and 5,000-plus animals and the herculean tasks their animal care experts undertake to keep things running day and night. If you love the Animal Kingdom theme park, this is a must-watch!
35) Genius
Genius is a show that explores the turbulent journey of some great geniuses. Season one tells the story of the great scientist, Albert Einstein. While the second season tells the life story of the artist Picasso. The third season tells the life story of singer Aretha Franklin and is exclusive to Disney+.
34) The World According To Jeff Goldblum
Through the prism of Jeff Goldblum’s always inquisitive and highly entertaining mind, nothing is as it seems. Each episode is centered around something we all love — like sneakers or ice cream — as Jeff pulls the thread on these deceptively familiar objects and unravels a wonderful world of astonishing connections, fascinating science and history, amazing people, and a whole lot of surprising big ideas and insights. You will only find this show on Disney+.
33) Grown-ish
This “Black-Ish” spin-off is a contemporary take on the current issues facing both students and administrators in the world of higher education. Yara Shahidi portrays Zoey – Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow’s (Tracee Ellis Ross) popular, entitled, stylish and socially active 17-year-old daughter — as she heads off to college and quickly discovers that not everything goes her way once she leaves the nest. Yara is joined by ”black-ish”’s Deon Cole (Charlie) who portrays Charlie, Dre’s eccentric and unpredictable co-worker at Stevens & Lido. Zoey runs into Charlie during college orientation where she learns that he moonlights as an adjunct marketing professor. Arlook will portray Miriam, a freshman know-it-all at Southern California University with a no-holds-barred attitude. Parnell will portray the dean of Southern California University, and Jackson will portray a socially conscious sophomore at Southern California University. This is a great comedy show that offers a very different style of comedy for Disney+.
32) Single Drunk Female
A public flame-out at a New York media company forces 20-something alcoholic Samantha Fink to seize the only chance she has to sober up and avoid jail time: moving back home with her overbearing mother, Carol. Back in Greater Boston, Samantha restarts her life, working at the local grocery store while surrounded by all of the triggers that made her drink in the first place. Confronted with remnants of her old life, including run-ins with her perfect former best friend, who is now dating her ex, Samantha sets out on a path to move past her worst self and figure out her best self. Kinda.
31) The D’Amelio Show
From relative obscurity and a seemingly normal life, to overnight success and thrust into the Hollywood limelight overnight, the D’Amelios are faced with new challenges and opportunities they could not have imagined. This is a surprisingly interesting reality/documentary series that highlights the best and worst of becoming one of the biggest influencers on the planet.
30) Hawkeye
Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.
29) The Mysterious Benedict Society
After winning a scholarship competition, four gifted orphans are recruited by the peculiar Mr. Benedict for a dangerous mission to save the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him. This is a quirky series, with fascinating characters and offers something completely different to anything else on Disney+. A easy recommendation.
28) Star Wars: The Bad Batch
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew. If you enjoyed “The Clone Wars” or “Rebels”, then this new animated series should be on your watch list.
27) Monsters At Work
“Monsters At Work” takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams. It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated, and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in. After Tylor is temporarily reassigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team(MIFT), he must work alongside a misfit bunch of mechanics while setting his sights on becoming a Jokester.
26) The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
Set in present day Minnesota, the Mighty Ducks have evolved from scrappy underdogs to an ultra-competitive, powerhouse youth hockey team. After 12-year-old Evan Morrow (Brady Noon) is unceremoniously cut from the Ducks, he and his mom, Alex (Lauren Graham), set out to build their own team of misfits to challenge the cutthroat, win-at-all-costs culture of youth sports today. With the help of Gordon Bombay, they rediscover the joys of playing just for love of the game.
25) The Wonderful World Of Mickey Mouse
In “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse,” it’s nothing but fun and excitement for Mickey and his best pals – Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto – as they embark on their greatest adventures yet, navigating the curveballs of a wild and zany world where the magic of Disney makes the impossible possible. Each seven-minute short is filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, modern settings, timeless stories, new music and the unmistakable classic art style of the “Mickey Mouse” shorts. The series will include stories inspired by various lands at Disney parks and cameos by classic Disney heritage characters.
24) Prop Culture
This Disney+ Original series takes a look at behind the scenes of the movie-making world, with film historian and prop collector Dan Lanigan reuniting iconic Disney movie props with the filmmakers, actors, and crew who created and used them in some of Disney’s most beloved films. Throughout this journey, Dan will recover lost artefacts, visit private collections, and help restore pieces from the Walt Disney Archives to their original glory. Among the films featured this season are Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Mary Poppins, The Muppet Movie, Tron and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? If you are interested in learning more about making movies, this is a must-watch.
23) The Great North
Following the Alaskan adventures of the Tobin family, as a single dad, Beef, does his best to keep his weird bunch of kids close — especially his only daughter, Judy, whose artistic dreams lead her away from the family fishing boat and into the glamorous world of the local mall. Rounding out the family are Judy’s older brother, Wolf, and his fiancé, Honeybee, her middle brother, Ham, and 10-year-old-going-on-50 little brother, Moon. While their mother is not in the picture, Judy seeks guidance from her new boss, Alyson, and her imaginary friend, Alanis Morissette, who appears to her in the northern lights.
22) The Hot Zone
In 1989, the Ebola virus appears in chimpanzees in a research lab in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and there is no known cure; a U.S. Army scientist puts her life on the line to head off an outbreak before it spreads to the human population. This drama series from National Geographic is possibly even scarier following the pandemic.
21) The Kardashians
The family you know and love is here with a brand new series, giving an all-access pass into their lives. Kris, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie bring the cameras back to reveal the truth behind the headlines. From the intense pressures of running billion-dollar businesses to the hilarious joys of playtime and school drop-offs, this series brings viewers into the fold with a rivetingly honest story of love & life in the spotlight. For fans of the Kardashians, this is a must watch and has quickly become my Disney+ guilty pleasure.
20) High School Musical: The Musical – The Series
A group of East High students countdown to the opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical.” Showmances blossom; friendships are tested while new ones are made; rivalries flare and lives are changed forever as these young people discover the transformative power that only a high school drama club can provide. This is one series not to skip.
19) Reservation Dogs
Reservation Dogs is a half-hour comedy that follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who steal, rob and save in order to get to the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California. Filmed on location in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Reservation Dogs is a breakthrough in Indigenous representation on television both in front of and behind the camera. Every writer, director and series regular on the show is Indigenous. This first-of-its-kind creative team tells a story that resonates with them and their lived experiences – and invites audiences into a surprisingly familiar and funny world. If you’re after a different type of comedy series, give this a whirl.
18) Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The 7th season of the show is a Disney+ exclusive and fills in the story between “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge Of The Sith”, where Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and other Jedi Knights lead the Grand Army of the Republic against the droid army of the Separatists. Plus there are over a hundred episodes from previous seasons, making this one of the most binge-worthy shows on Disney+.
17) The Right Stuff
The incredible story of the early days of the U.S. space program, based on the iconic bestseller by Tom Wolfe. At the height of the Cold War, newly-formed NASA selects seven of the military’s best test pilots to become astronauts. Competing to be the first in space, these men achieve the extraordinary, inspiring the world to turn towards a new horizon of ambition and hope. One of my favourite Disney+ Originals.
16) Big Sky
The series is about private detectives Cassie Dewell and Cody Hoyt, who join forces with Cody’s estranged wife and ex-cop, Jenny Hoyt, to search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. When they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken. Based on the series of books by C.J. Box, the series stars Katheryn Winnick, Kylie Bunbury and Ryan Phillippe. Big Sky has quickly become must-watch TV in my household and we’ve been loving each episode. If you enjoy a good crime drama, with some really nasty villains, this one is for you.
15) How I Met Your Father
In the near future, Sophie is telling her son the story of how she met his father: a story that catapults us back to the year 2022 where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options. This comedy series is a must for fans of “How I Met Your Mother”
14) Love Victor
“Love, Victor” is set in the world of the groundbreaking movie, “Love, Simon,” which was inspired by Becky Albertalli’s acclaimed young adult novel, “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,” about a closeted gay teenager who is forced to come out after being blackmailed. The series stars Michael Cimino as Victor, who, like Simon, is on his own journey of self-discovery. Facing challenges at home, navigating the ups and downs of a new high school and exploring his sexual orientation, Victor reaches out to Simon when things become too difficult. I’ve been really enjoying this High School drama series, its got plenty of stereotypical high school moments but the subject matter is what makes this one stand out.
13) Turner & Hooch
Uptight young police investigator Scott Turner’s life is turned upside down when he inherits Hooch, a slobbery mess of a dog. His new pet is aggravating, but he turns out to be quite good at helping Scott catch criminals, find love, and maybe even solve the mystery of Scott’s dad’s last case.
12) Pistol
“Pistol” is a six-episode limited series about a rock and roll revolution. The furious, raging storm at the center of this revolution are the Sex Pistols – and at the center of this series is Sex Pistols’ founding member and guitarist, Steve Jones. Jones’ hilarious, emotional and at times heart-breaking journey guides us through a kaleidoscopic telling of three of the most epic, chaotic and mucus-spattered years in the history of music. Based on Jones’ memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, this is the story of a band of spotty, noisy, working-class kids with “no future,” who shook the boring, corrupt Establishment to its core, threatened to bring down the government and changed music and culture forever.
11) Solar Opposites
A family of aliens from a much better world must take refuge in middle America after the destruction of their planet. Their mission: protect the Pupa, a living super computer that will one day evolve into its true form, consume them and terraform the Earth. Easily one of the funniest shows available on Disney+ and can only be found on Disney+ as it’s a “Star Original”.
10) The Dropout
The story of Elizabeth Holmes, the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos. Lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation and once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people’s health in grave danger.
9) Pam & Tommy
When Baywatch icon Pamela Anderson first met Tommy Lee – rockstar drummer of Mötley Crüe – little did they know they would be married a mere 76 hours later. After saying their vows, the newlyweds would make a private sex tape that would ignite one of the most famous tabloid stories of the decade.
Lily James and Sebastian Stan are transformed into the iconic titular characters in Pam and Tommy, which follows the events that ensued after their shotgun wedding and the infamous honeymoon sex tape.
8) Moon Knight
When Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life, he discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.
7) Imagineering Story
Easily my favourite series on Disney+. Explore the past, present and future of Walt Disney Imagineering with noted filmmaker Leslie Iwerks. Ms. Iwerks comes from a family with deep Disney history — her grandfather was an early Disney animator and her father is a former Imagineer — and her previous work includes profiles of Pixar Animation Studios and visual effects house Industrial Light & Magic. The entire series is now available on Disney+ and is a must for any Disney theme park fan.
6) Dopesick
Dopesick examines how one company triggered the worst drug epidemic in American history. The series takes viewers to the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, from the boardrooms of Big Pharma, to a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA. Defying all the odds, heroes will emerge in an intense and thrilling ride to take down the craven corporate forces behind this national crisis and their allies.
5) WandaVision
Marvel Studios “WandaVision,” is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) – two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives – begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems. WandaVision has become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most bizarre additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For Marvel fans, it’s a must-watch. There is also a special behind the scenes documentary available called “Assembled: The Making Of WandaVision”.
4) Only Murders In The Building
From the minds of Steve Martin, Dan Fogelman and John Hoffman comes a comedic murder-mystery series for the ages. “Only Murders In The Building” follows three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building which stretch back years. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late. This is a strange series, that mixes comedy with drama, in a way you might not expect. Certainly a highlight on Disney+.
3) The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Marvel Studios’ “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. The pair, who came together in the final moments of “Avengers: Endgame,” team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities—and their patience. This series is one of the most popular original shows to arrive on Disney+ and is worth a months subscription on its own. There is also a special behind the scenes documentary available called “Assembled: The Making Of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier”.
2) Star Wars: The Mandalorian
This is, without doubt, one of the most popular Disney+ Original and one of the main reasons people have subscribed to Disney+ during its first year. This is the first live-action Star Wars series and is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order, we follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. Both seasons are now available on Disney+, so it’s a perfect time to sit back and find out what all the fuss is about regarding “Baby Yoda”. If you enjoyed this series, check out “The Book Of Boba Fett”, which is a continuation of this series.
1) Loki
Marvel Studios’ “Loki” features the God of Mischief as he steps out of his brother’s shadow in a new Disney+ series that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame” and sees Loki team up with the Time Variance Authority to deal with rogue variants disrupting the sacred timeline. Tom Hiddleston returns as the title character, joined by Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku and Richard E. Grant. This show is easily my favourite of the Marvel Studios series on Disney+ and has completely change the way the MCU will continue in the future.
What original series is your favourite?
Roger Palmer
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