Disneyis home to many classic movies, but it also has a variety of animated TV shows in its catalog, many of them as good or better than a Disney movie. Disney is the powerhouse in the world of animation, a reign that began in 1937 withSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Since then, the Mouse House has branched out to live-action and many genres in film and TV, but it continues to be best known for its animated works. On TV, Disney has also left its mark with a variety of content for kids and teenagers, and when it comes to animated shows, some are so good that they are better than any movie.
8The Owl House
Created by Dana Terrace,The Owl Houseis a fantasy TV show that aired from 2020 to 2023, for a total of three seasons.The Owl Houseis the story of Luz Noceda (voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles), a 14-year-old Dominican-American girl who accidentally travels to the Demon Realm. There, she befriends witch Eda Clawthorne (Wendie Malick), also known as “The Owl Lady.”
Luz learns magic and fulfills her dream of becoming a witch, serving as Eda’s apprentice, and finds a new family in this realm.The Owl Househas been praised by critics and general audiences for its concept, voice acting, sense of humor, and the topics addressed in it.
However, most praise has been for its LGBTQ representation, being the first Disney property to feature a same-sex couple in leading roles.The Owl House’s animation style, diversity, sense of humor, and emotional depth put it at the same level as Disney’s best animated movies.
7Gargoyles
One of the most beloved Disney animated TV shows isGargoyles, and with good reason.Gargoylesfollows a group of these nocturnal creatures, who spent centuries petrified in a castle in Scotland. When billionaire David Xanatos purchases the castle, he has it reconstructed atop his skyscraper in New York.
This breaks the gargoyles’ curse and they awaken, and with the help of police officer Elisa Maza, they adjust to a new city and era. The gargoyles become the city’s night protectors, while also coming into conflict with Xanatos.
Gargoylesis widely regarded as one ofthe best animated TV shows of all time, with its biggest strengths being its focus on folktales and mythology, its exploration of mature topics, and complex characters and stories, making it a timeless classic.
6DuckTales
Another beloved and timeless classic isDuckTales, which aired from 1987 to 1990 for four seasons.DuckTalesfollows chaotic but fun triplets Huey, Dewey, and Louie, who are left with their uncle Scrooge McDuck when their uncle Donald joins the US Navy.
Although initially reluctant, Scrooge McDuck takes them in and warms up to them, and they go on different adventures together.DuckTalesgave Disney characters who hadn’t had much exposure the space to shine, and the result was one of the best animated TV shows of all time.
Its characters, tone, the adventures they went on, and its well-written stories have madeDuckTalesa timeless classic that has been rebooted and even got a movie, which didn’t quite live up to the original show’s greatness.
5Star vs. the Forces of Evil
Star vs. the Forces of Evilis an animated fantasy TV show created by Daron Nefcy and developed by Jordana Arkin and Dave Wasson.Star vs. the Forces of Evilis the story of Star Butterfly (voiced by Eden Sher), the young and rebellious heir to the throne of the dimension of Mewni.
Due to her reckless behavior, Star is sent to Earth to continue her magic training there, and she poses as a foreign exchange student. On Earth, Star meets student Marco Diaz and lives with him and his family in Los Angeles, going to school together. However, this doesn’t mean that she’s safe from danger, as she and Marco battle different enemies that cross over to Earth.
Star vs. the Forces of Evilis reminiscent of shows likeSailor MoonandDragon Ball Z, with a clear inspiration fromBuffy the Vampire Slayer– but the show managed to build its own style and world.Star vs. the Forces of Evilhas a perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, comedy, and bits of drama, while covering topics like identity, family, friendship, and loyalty.
4Kim Possible
Kim Possibleis an animated action comedy show created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle.Kim Possiblefocuses on the title character (voiced by Christy Carlson Romano), a teenage girl who fights crime with the help of her best friend Ron and his pet naked mole rat, Rufus. Although they face a variety of villains, the biggest one is Dr. Drakken and his powerful sidekick, Shego.
Kim Possiblebecame one of Disney’s best animated TV shows thanks to its strong female character, relatable characters, exciting adventures, and sense of humor, along with its core themes of friendship and loyalty, and how it avoided many typical superhero tropes.
3Recess
One of Disney’s most successful and popular animated TV shows isRecess, created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere.Recessfollows a group of fourth graders, formed by leader T.J., jock Vince, tomboy Spinelli, genius Gretchen, sensitive kid Mickey, and the new kid at school, Gus.
Recessfollows their adventures at school, mostly during recess, with the community of students being its own society, with a government (King Bob), class system, unwritten laws, and more. Thanks to this, many of the conflicts and adventures the group is involved in are references and parodies of real-life situations that adults go through.
Recessis fun and clever, and it keeps a timeless quality despite recess time now looking very different at schools. All its cultural and political references, sense of humor, and relatable characters and stories makeRecessmore interesting and engaging than many Disney movies.
2Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferbis an animated musical-comedy TV show and one of the best animated shows of all time. Created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh,Phineas and Ferbfollows stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher, who come up with grand projects and adventures to pass the time during summer vacation.
However, these projects involve big inventions, trips to space, and more, while their older sister, Candace Flynn, tries to expose their schemes to their mother (but she always fails). Meanwhile, their pet platypus, Perry, is a secret agent, and he’s often assigned to stop evil scientist Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.
Phineas and Ferbis better than many Disney movies thanks to its creativity, sense of humor, and characters, which make it appealing to both children and adults.Phineas and Ferbalso includes catchy songs and clever jokes that make it stand out from similar shows, while also delivering positive messages to its audience.
1Gravity Falls
Gravity Fallsis a mystery comedy animated TV show created by Alex Hirsch.Gravity Fallscenters on twins Mabel and Dipper Pines, who are sent to Gravity Falls, Oregon, to spend the summer with their great-uncle (aka Grunkle) Stan, who runs a tourist trap called “Mystery Shack.”
While Dipper and Mabel make friends, they also discover some really weird things happen in town all the time, and so they set up to investigate these local mysteries. In the process, the twins make some shocking discoveries about the town and their family.
Gravity Fallshas a different mystery in each episode, but also an overarching plot, which keeps the audience engaged from the very beginning.Gravity Fallshas been praised for its concept, characters, animation, sense of humor, and characters, and it’s as funny as its intriguing and suspenseful.
