15 Best Animated TV Shows Streaming On Disney Plus Now

If you're a fan of TV animation, then chances are you already have a subscription to Disney+. Over the six-plus years that Disney+ has been an active streaming service, it's become a one-stop shop for Disney favorites and plenty of other familiar titles. Though the best miniseries on Disney+ include a handful of modern gems that have helped build the streamer's reputation, some of its best available content consists of classics that make up animated television history. 

From long-running animated sitcoms to cult classics and beyond, these 15 shows that are available to stream on Disney+ cover the wide array of franchises under their purview. There are, of course, the shows that shaped our childhoods, as well as ones we only started truly understanding as adults. Whether you've seen them a thousand times over or not, these are the best animated series that Disney+ has to offer, and it's not a coincidence that they also happen to be some of the best cartoons ever made. 

At this point, "The Simpsons" is as much of a touchstone of American culture as "Saturday Night Live," McDonald's, or apple pie. Beginning in 1989, the animated sitcom follows the misadventures of the titular nuclear family in the lively town of Springfield, where colorful characters have satirized the zeitgeist for nearly 40 years. Across its entire run on Fox, Matt Groening's creation has lampooned culture as often as it has redefined it, with countless examples of unexpected predictions "The Simpsons" made that came true. Its cultural footprint extends well beyond eerily accurate predictions, with everything from its catchphrases to its characters becoming instantly recognizable pieces of pop culture.

Of course, that entire legacy wouldn't have been possible without a lovable family of misfits to root for, despite all their flaws. Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) has become the quintessential American sitcom dad, as abusive as he is loving, whereas Lisa Simpson's (Yeardley Smith) left-wing activism has given a voice to younger generations' frustrations. Though it's difficult to believe that "The Simpsons" will last another 40 years, the fact that Disney+ is home to 36 of its 37 seasons is a miracle of modern streaming services. 

As if 800+ episodes of "The Simpsons" weren't enough, Matt Groening has the pleasure of his other series, "Futurama," also being available to watch in full on Disney+. Though its audience was always more cultish than that of the mainstream "The Simpsons," "Futurama" is just as insightful about the perplexities of a capitalistic society as its predecessor, if not more so. The show revolves around a crew of intergalactic delivery people, including pizza boy Philip Fry (Billy West), ship captain Leela (Katey Sagal), and mischievous robot Bender (John DiMaggio), among others.

If you've ever found yourself enjoying an episode of "The Simpsons," then checking out "Futurama" is simply inevitable. The show is notably fresher, more ethereal, and more sentimental than "The Simpsons" often is, especially in its later years, with the best "Futurama" episodes easily clearing a lot of modern "Simpsons" episodes. Thankfully, its Hulu revival in 2023 has meant that the series has a secondary home on Disney+. 

Sure, there are plenty of spy TV shows to add to your watchlist, but why do that when there's an endless number of "Kim Possible" episodes to rewatch and relive your childhood? The Disney Channel cartoon was groundbreaking for the early 2000s, centering on a smart, independent female protagonist in the titular Kim (Christy Carlson Romano), a high schooler by day and crime-fighter by night. The show clearly owes a massive debt to franchises like "Mission: Impossible," "James Bond," and "Tomb Raider," but by skewing its tone toward a younger audience, it creates an action cartoon that anyone can enjoy.

Though the series hasn't aired a new episode since 2007, it remains a highly regarded animated show in Disney's decades of work. Some of us have never forgotten about the slapstick antics of Kim and her sidekick Ron Stoppable (Will Friedle), while others have been harboring cartoon crushes on Kim and her rival Shego (Nicole Sullivan) for years. Whatever your relationship to "Kim Possible" was as a kid, it's simply the type of episodic animated series there just aren't enough of on TV these days.

It's not often that a successful movie gets spun off into a television series that not only maintains the original's charm but expands upon the universe in increasingly creative ways. That is, however, the case with "Lilo & Stitch," a 2002 animated Disney movie whose story continued in 2003 with a young Hawaiian girl, Lilo (Daveigh Chase), helping a chaotic, animal-like experiment, Stitch (Chris Sanders), find his cousins scattered across the planet. 

Though it only aired for a total of two seasons between 2003 and 2006, "Lilo & Stitch: The Series" is rarely seen as a separate entity from the movie. It's such a rich world that it fits perfectly in an episodic structure, with each episode seeing Lilo and her friends encounter a different one of Dr. Jumba's experiments. It's easily one of the best TV shows streaming on Disney+ and deserves your viewing attention far more than the live-action remake or its upcoming sequel. 

"Phineas and Ferb" is a show that either completely defined your childhood or passed you by entirely, with no middle ground in between. Originally airing from 2007 to 2015, it's a show that somehow spans generations, with its cult fandom resulting in a rebooted fifth season debuting in 2025, a full ten years after the previous episode aired. Of course, it's to be expected from a show with such a well-constructed world surrounding the titular stepbrothers (voiced by Vincent Martella and Thomas Brodie-Sangster), whose summer vacations often give way to ludicrous inventions, high stakes, and the secret adventures of their pet platypus (Dee Bradley Baker), who doubles as a secret agent. 

Often considered one of the best animated Disney shows of all time, "Phineas and Ferb" is the rare example of a cartoon that felt respectful of its audience's intelligence. The show's as imaginative as it is hilarious, even several decades removed from its premiere, and holds up pretty well, too. If anything, watching it will make you easily understand how Perry the Platypus became one of Disney's most merchandised characters ever 

If we were to name the most influential animated series ever made, "Adventure Time" is probably high up on that list. Pendleton Ward's Cartoon Network series is simple on the surface, exploring the fantastical quests of Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and his shapeshifting dog, Jake (John DiMaggio). Their adventures often find them encountering the other beings who populate the Land of Ooo, including the antagonistic Ice King (Tom Kenny), Princess Bubblegum (Hynden Walch), and vampire queen Marceline (Olivia Olson). 

It'd be one thing if "Adventure Time" was just widely acclaimed throughout its run (it was) or directly responsible for the emergence of animated shows like "Regular Show" and "Steven Universe" (it was). The show is also incredibly groundbreaking in its representation of gender and sexuality, not only boasting several proud LGBTQ+ characters but also a fanbase that's not limited in its demographic. Though its availability on Disney+ is dependent on also having Hulu, the fact that the streamer houses all 10 seasons of "Adventure Time" as well as its anthology spin-off "Adventure Time: Distant Lands" and this year's spin-off "Adventure Time: Side Quests" makes it a great reason to subscribe. 

Kids these days probably aren't watching shows like "Twin Peaks," but "Gravity Falls" is about as good a replacement as you can find. Created by Alex Hirsch, the Disney Channel cartoon follows twins Dipper (Jason Ritter) and Mabel (Kristen Schaal), who are sent away over the summer to stay with their great-uncle Stan (Hirsch), who owns and operates a tourist trap in the titular wilderness town. Throughout their stay, Dipper and Mabel investigate paranormal occurrences throughout the town, slowly uncovering a mystery lurking beneath the surface.

Only watching a few episodes of "Gravity Falls" will quickly clue you in as to why it's such a cult hit among fans of animated TV. The show's world-building is ripe for fan theories and speculation, all thanks to the attention to detail Hirsch and his staff brought to making the act of watching "Gravity Falls" feel like uncovering a conspiracy itself. Though it ended after the second season and only 40 episodes, the show comes to a satisfying conclusion that's rare for cartoons like it. For a show this fun, silly, and spooky to also be a masterclass in serialized storytelling is truly game-changing. 

Among the many animated series to emerge post-"Adventure Time" is "Steven Universe," created by Rebecca Sugar, a former writer on the Cartoon Network series. The show, set in a world protected by powerful humanoid Crystal Gems, follows the adventures of the titular Steven (Zach Callison), a half-human, half-Gem boy slowly harnessing his own powers. Together, with the help of the Gems, Steven becomes a key figure in their resistance against an intergalactic empire ruled by The Great Diamond Authority. 

Across five seasons, a movie, and an upcoming sequel series on Prime Video, "Steven Universe" provides not only some of the most visually engaging animation you'll find on Disney+ but also some of the most resonant storytelling. At its core, "Steven Universe" is a story about the innocence of childhood, the remarkable resilience of heroes, and the fluidity of gender. It stands out even in a TV landscape that's become increasingly accepting of LGBTQ+ themes, especially as a major influence on animated series yet to come. 

There's no shortage of "Star Wars" television on Disney+, from live-action epics like "The Mandalorian" to your childhood favorites like "The Clone Wars." However, if you're at all a fan of the universe, you owe it to yourself to watch "Star Wars Rebels," which is easily one of the most thematically rich installments in the franchise's decades-long history. "Rebels" follows the adventures of a ragtag group of rebels predating the events of the original trilogy, led by former Jedi Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and including Kanan's mentee Ezra (Taylor Gray), Mandalorian Sabine Wren (Tiya Sircar), Twi'lek pilot Hera (Vanessa Marshall), and Lasat captain Zeb (Steve Blum).

In addition to being an enjoyable watch that gets to the heart of what "Star Wars" is all about — the camaraderie and hope behind rebellion — "Star Wars Rebels" feels like a turning point for the entire franchise. There's a reason why shows like "Ahsoka" are so successful at continuing the story of the four-season Disney XD series, given that the characters are among the franchise's most likable. Plus, "Rebels" also boasts one of the best Darth Vader appearances in a "Star Wars" TV show, with Vader getting to face off against his former Padawan. 

"We Bare Bears" may have originated as a webcomic by Daniel Chong, but its animated incarnation has proven to be one of the best Cartoon Network shows of the 2010s. The sitcom follows a trio of bears living together in San Francisco: Grizzly (Eric Edelstein), Panda (Bobby Moynihan), and Ice Bear (Demetri Martin). Their adventures are less fantastical than those of some of the other shows on this list, oftentimes involving them failing to integrate into human society, despite their best efforts to engage in human activities such as dating, shopping for groceries, and working jobs.

In addition to being charmingly animated, "We Bare Bears" feels like the type of children's animated show for a modern era shaped by social media and mental health awareness. Although it only ran until 2019 (not including a movie in 2020 and a spin-off prequel in 2022), it feels all the more relevant more than a decade after its premiere. Thankfully, it's still available to stream in full on Disney+ as long as subscribers have a Hulu subscription. 

This star-studded series is considered by IMDb users to be the best Cartoon Network show of all time, and it did so with only 10 episodes, each running 11 or so minutes. "Over the Garden Wall" was created by Patrick McHale and stars Elijah Wood and Collin Dean as Wirt and Greg, a pair of brothers traversing a mysterious forest on their way home. On their journey, they encounter eclectic characters, both creepy and helpful, with a voice cast including Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Lloyd, John Cleese, and Tim Curry. 

The simplistic, fairy-tale-like show garnered acclaim when it first released, mainly for its original tone and charming animation style. However, its popularity has only grown in the years since, with the show becoming a piece of pop culture that's synonymous with the season of autumn, like "When Harry Met Sally" or Taylor Swift's "Red." It's yet another series on this list that, because of its Cartoon Network origin, requires a Hulu subscription to watch on Disney+, but it's well worth the price given that it might become a new yearly tradition for you to breeze through it once the weather turns cold. 

The original 1987 incarnation of "DuckTales" is among Disney's most iconic television shows of the 20th century, centering on the misadventures of the greedy Scrooge McDuck and his mischievous grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. The show, based on comics, is considered by many to be one of the great works of Disney's canon, but its characters fell by the wayside after a poorly received movie in 1990 and remained largely dormant for decades. That is, until a 2017 revival recaptured the magic. 

The 2017 reboot of "DuckTales" casts authentic Scotsman David Tennant as the miserly fowl, with Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, and Bobby Moynihan as Huey, Dewey, and Louie, respectively. In addition to supporting cast members like Kate Micucci as Webby Vanderquack and Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack, "DuckTales (2017)" is considered by some critics to be the rare occasion where a Disney reboot actually surpasses the original. The show is fun, full of heart, and most of all, incredibly funny no matter what age group you belong to, and it's only a shame that the show came to an end in 2021 after only three seasons. Hopefully, its presence on Disney+ keeps it in the minds of animation fans for years to come. 

It can be especially rare these days to see an animated series that's not just an interesting premise but a wholly original idea from the mind of one creative visionary. That's why a show like "Amphibia," created by "Gravity Falls" director Matt Braly and aired on Disney Channel from 2019 to 2022, was such a diamond in the rough. The delightfully charming series follows a teenage girl, Anne (Brenda Song), who is magically transported to the titular world populated by amphibians, befriending the family of the troublesome Sprig (Justin Felbinger). 

Though imagining a modern-day teen living in a world of frogs is an entertaining-enough concept, "Amphibia" goes above and beyond in building out its fantastical world. Namely, Anne's other human friends have also gotten lost in the world, ending up on opposing sides of an ongoing war between amphibian factions. In telling a story about acceptance, assimilation, and rebellion, "Amphibia" turns its cast of lovable characters into some with the potential to become the most iconic Disney characters of all time. 

If shows like "Adventure Time" and "Steven Universe" were groundbreaking in LGBTQ+ representation for one generation, "The Owl House" was the same for the generation that came after. The Disney Channel cartoon aired from 2020 to 2023, following a teenage girl, Luz (Sarah-Nicole Robles), who is transported to the Demon Realm, a fantasy world in which she becomes the mentee of a rebellious witch, Eda Clawthorne (Wendy Malick), who lives with the self-proclaimed King of Demons and house-confined Hooty (both voiced by "Gravity Falls" creator Alex Hirsch). 

In addition to containing a rich fantasy world for its characters to live in, "The Owl House" feels like the culmination of the best animated series of the past decade. Its ongoing narrative arc keeps audiences hooked episode to episode, while individual stories showcase the characters' steady growth and development from odd pairings to found family. In particular, Luz and her rival Amity (Mae Whitman) prove to be one of the best LGBTQ+ couples in all of TV, with their slow burn love story being a highlight of the series for many fans. 

There have been plenty of animated series based on Marvel Comics, but it says a lot about "X-Men: The Animated Series" that it's still considered the best adaptation of the iconic team of mutants. "X-Men '97," which premiered on Disney+ in 2024, is a revival of the classic '90s cartoon, picking up right where the previous season left off as the X-Men navigate a world without Charles Xavier (Ross Marquand) leading them. They encounter new conflicts as Magneto (Matthew Waterson) takes over his old friend's role, arousing suspicion about his ulterior motives in members like Cyclops (Ray Chase), Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), and Wolverine (Cal Dodd). 

Across two seasons thus far, "X-Men '97" has not only recaptured the original show's charm and emotional weight but has also adapted some of the most famous comic book storylines involving its characters. It goes to show that, even compared to the animated series that firmly take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sometimes the more campy projects that stick closer to the comic book canon are the ones that resonate the most with fans. Hopefully, "X-Men '97" is here to stay, as long as fans don't turn on it for killing off their favorite characters.