The introduction of The Disney Channel in 1983 saw the expansion of the Disney empire to an even wider audience, producing films, TV series and animated shows that would prove hugely popular with younger viewers. Disney Channel became a phenomenon for young people, and birthed endless successful franchises which would become inescapable in pop culture. Disney was already dominating most areas of pop culture and media, and modern children’s TV would prove to be no exception.
Pre-Disney Channel, Disney was already dominating the world of animation since their first feature-length animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1937, revolutionizing the world of animation. It’s no surprise that this success continued throughout Disney’s future projects and enjoyed huge success with the implementation of modern animated series.
Updated September 13, 2022:If you can’t get enough of all things Disney, you’ll be happy to know we’ve updated this list with additional content and shows.
The 2000s saw a huge boom in success for animated series, with animated shows such as Kim Possible and The Proud Family becoming huge successes, becoming part of the weekly routines for children across the globe. Now, with the massive popularity of Disney+, all their shows are immortalized. Let’s investigate the best Disney animated series from the 2000s, ranked.
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7 Brandy & Mr. Whiskers
Buena Vista Television
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Created by sitcom writer Russell Marcus, the playful program debuted in 2004 and ran for two successful seasons and featured the voice talent of Kaley Cuoco and Charlie Adler as the mismatched duo. Despite being lesser-known than the other shows on the list, Brandy & Mr. Whiskers still holds a place in the hearts of Disney Channel fans and it even won a Daytime Emmy Award for “individual achievement in animation” in 2005.
6 The Emperor’s New School
The Walt Disney Company
A format popularized by the Disney channel in the ’00s was the continuation of celebrated animated movies in the form of a TV Series. One such example was The Emperor’s New School, created by Mark Dindal, serving as a sequel to the highly successful animated film The Emperor’s New Groove. The series focused on the title character, Kuzco, following his journey through Kuzco Academy, a task he must complete in order to become the emperor of the new Kuzconian empire which serves as the backdrop to the series. The series proved to be hugely popular with target audiences and ran for two series.
Viewing figures were very high, with 1.3 million children between the ages of six and 11 as well as 12 million tweens (aged between nine and 11) tuning in, while continuously drawing high ratings in reruns after the first two seasons ended. The Emperor’s New School saw most of the original voice actors returning and offered a slapstick and self-aware comedy style that stood out from others on the air.
5 American Dragon: Jake Long
Buena Vista Television
Another classic Disney Channel animation from the 2000s was American Dragon: Jake Long, created by Jeff Goode. The series is set in Manhattan and follows teenager and main character, Jake Long. Jake possesses the ability to transform into a dragon and must balance this with the everyday pressures of being a teenager in America.
This makes for many comedic moments, as he battles against forces of evil, all while discovering his identity and generally making the awkward blunders teenagers do. American Dragon: Jake Long feels more mature than its competitors in the Disney sphere and was highly successful at drawing in audiences during its two-season run as well as through reruns on Disney Channel.
4 Lilo and Stitch: The Series
Following the same formula that proved popular of adapting an already popular movie franchise into a series, Lilo and Stitch: The Series was founded by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBois in 2002. The series ran for two seasons and had several crossover episodes with other successful Disney animations such as Kim Possible and American Dragon: Jake Long. Lilo and Stitch: The Series was very popular and existed as a welcome and enjoyable addition to the Lilo and Stitch franchise created by the original film.
3 Phineas and Ferb
Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Towards the later end of the 2000s, Disney found success in Phineas and Ferb, which began in 2007 and ran until 2015. The show was created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff Marsh, following the antics of stepbrothers Phineas (voiced by Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voiced by Thomas Sangster). The show also enlisted the voice acting of Disney star Ashley Tisdale, who played their suspicious older sister Candace. Phineas and Ferb was hugely popular, wining a multitude of awards including Daytime Emmy Awards, and a spin off movie centering on Candice was brought to Disney+.
Phineas and Ferb was extremely well-produced and stood out against other series of its time, proving popular among adults as well as younger audience. Fans of Phineas and Ferb can enjoy the show’s creator’s new project: Hamster and Gretel which is set to debut next year.
2 Kim Possible
Kim Possible was one of the most recognizable Disney animated series of recent memory. The show follows Kim, a high school student who doubles as secret agent, chronicling her many adventures as she fights evil while trying to survive being a teenager. The series was created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle, running for five seasons from 2002-2007.
Kim Possible was a huge success, so much so that there has been discussions regarding a possible reboot. Kim Possible has proven to be extremely culturally significant, with Kim’s signature look appearing year after year as a Halloween costume across the world. The show was eventually adapted into a live action reboot starring Sadie Stanley and remains a beloved Disney animated show from the 00s.
1 The Proud Family
The Proud Family was an iconic addition to the Disney universe, running from 2001 to 2005. Bruce W. Smith was the creator of the hilarious series which followed the Proud Family, centering on the lead character Penny and her quirky family members. In 2020, news of a revival was announced for Disney+. Later, stars such as Lizzo and Lil Nas X were confirmed to be part of the project, which made its highly-anticipated debut in 2022. The Proud Family has enduring appeal and continues to be socially relevant, making it the most beloved Disney animated series of the 00s on this list.
