From Marvel superhero shows to spinoffs of popular movies to half-hour family sitcoms, Disney+ has continually offered its users loads of good content. Among the many programs is its collection of old Disney shows, and even within that bunch, there’s even more to break down: some shows were live-action, but a lot of them were animated. Cartoons from the 90s and early 2000s might not have aired on television in several years, but the streaming service fortunately gives viewers the chance to get back to their youth and see their favorite cartoon characters on-screen again.
Though many of Disney’s classic cartoons are featured, there are still a few that are nowhere to be found on the platform: Dave the Barbarian, the medieval show about the strong but cowardly barbarian and his family; Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, following the jungle adventures of a spoiled dog and a dimwitted bunny; and House of Mouse, about a Disney themed nightclub — all are inexplicably unavailable to stream. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, a show focusing on the origins of the beloved Toy Story superhero is also unable to stream, but, luckily, fans have the upcoming Pixar movie Lightyear. Even without every single show DIsney has to offer, there are still a lot to choose from. Here are some of the best old Disney animated shows to watch on Disney+.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Doug
Disney
The animated series Doug originally aired on Nickelodeon, but once the network decided to cancel it, Disney picked it up for a fifth season. The show centers on a sixth grader named Doug Funnie, a kid with a bold imagination. He continually documents his life in his journal and envisions himself as a superhero called Quail Man. The show debuted in 1991 and Disney got a hold of it in 1996. All 65 episodes following Disney’s acquisition are available to stream, as is the 1991 film, Doug’s 1st Movie.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Ducktales
From 1987 to 1990, Disney ran Ducktales, centering on Donald Duck’s three nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, and their new caretaker Uncle Scrooge, after Donald left to join the Navy. The show typically sees the group going on adventures to find treasure, or protecting Uncle Scrooge’s great fortune. Ducktales ran for 100 episodes and its film Treasure of the Lost Lamp released in 1990. The show, its 1996 spinoff Quack Pack, and the 2017 reboot are all accessible to stream.
6 The Emperor’s New School
The 2000 film The Emperor’s New Groove answered the question we’ve all wondered from time to time: what happens when a spoiled, self-centered monarch drinks a poisonous beverage and turns into a llama on his 18th birthday? And so came the tale of Emperor Kuzco, his humble new friend Pacha, and the evil Yzma and her henchman Kronk. The success of the direct-to-video film led to a sequel in 2005 starring Kronk, and finally a spinoff series, The Emperor’s New School, following Kuzco’s experiences in high school as he attempts to reclaim the throne. Though David Spade, the original voice of Kuzco, was recast, a majority of the initial voice actors reprised their roles, and the show ran for 52 episodes from 2006 to 2008.
5 Kim Possible
Kim Possible is your basic, average girl, but she’s here to save the world. In, Kim Possible, the high school cheerleader doubles as a crime-fighting hero along with her best friend and comedic sidekick, Ron Stoppable. Kim Possible is the walking embodiment of “girl power” as the show subverted the expectation of a male spy protagonist in making the sweet, girly cheerleader the part-time vigilante with her male bestie as the incompetent comic relief. The show had two made-for-TV movies: a 2003 time travel film called A Sitch in Time, and So the Drama, which was supposed to be the series finale until the show’s popularity extended its run. In 2019, Disney Channel aired a live-action film, though its Letterboxd rating sits on the lower end at 1.7.
4 Lilo & Stitch: The Series
The 2002 animated feature Lilo & Stitch introduced audiences to a little Hawaiian girl and her peculiar blue dog who is actually an alien. Though he’s known to some by Experiment-626, he’s known to most by Stitch. The 2003 show Lilo & Stitch: The Series began as an hour-long direct-to-video film, Stitch! The Movie, and later aired for 65 episodes. Considering that Stitch is 626 of all numbers, you can make the assumption that his creator Dr. Jumba has a lot more alien species to pick from. In the events of the TV series, Lilo and Stitch are tasked with collecting the missing critters and changing them from bad to good. The show was succeeded by two more movies: Stitch Has a Glitch in 2005 and Leroy & Stitch in 2006.
3 Pepper Ann
According to Vice, Pepper Ann is Disney’s first cartoon to be created by a woman. In 1997, Sue Rose’s animated sitcom about a red-haired 12-year-old nerd premiered and stayed on the air until 2000. Pepper Ann has just started middle school when the show began, and though the other kids are irked by her odd behavior, she still has her best friends Nicky and Milo. The series ran for 65 episodes and began streaming in 2021.
2 The Proud Family
From 2001 to 2005, Disney Channel ran The Proud Family, a show centered on a teenage girl named Penny, her dysfunctional family, and her wild best friends. The show was praised for its centering around an African-American family, being a lighthearted depiction of a Black household in their everyday lives. It also went as far as to tackle prejudice, bullying, and the exploration of different cultures. After 52 episodes, the series concluded with an entertaining, though awfully strange (a mad scientist, sentient peanuts, evil clones) TV movie. In 2022, a revival premiered on Disney+ with a majority of the cast and characters returning.
1 Recess
Disney Channel’s animated series Recess follows the troublemaker TJ, the tough tomboy Spinelli, the kid genius Gretchen, the sports star Vince, the peacemaker Mikey, and the nerd Gus. As fourth graders, they spend a lot of time at school and the show focuses predominantly, of course, on their recess time. With vicious kindergartners, evil fifth graders, and mean teachers, the group of kiddos constantly finds themselves in different shenanigans upon the playground – which is ruled by King Bob. The show ran for 65 episodes between 1997 and 2001, with four movies: School’s Out, Miracle on Third Street, All Growed Down and Taking the Fifth Grade.
