Best series on Disney Plus: these 10 must-see titles really belong on your watchlist
Seriously, sometimes it feels like you've completely exhausted Netflix. Final level reached, game over. You keep scrolling, hoping for a forgotten gem, but that's a waste of your binge night. Time to go shopping elsewhere. And believe me: at Disney Plus, you can easily fill that basket. We're happy to help you a bit along the way. Here are the 10 best series that definitely deserve a spot on your list.
1. Grey’s Anatomy
Let's start with a classic. The Dior of medical dramas; if you ask me at least. No matter how many new titles come, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ remains a favorite. In the series, we follow the staff of Seattle Grace Hospital, especially the new interns. In this hospital, the medical emergencies are often not even the biggest concern. Family problems and complicated romances keep the doctors just as busy. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is pretty much the definition of an emotional rollercoaster. I don't want to scare you, but the series has been going for quite a while. 21 seasons with 448 episodes long, and the end is not in sight yet. Sounds like something you'll never get through; but believe me, it goes faster than you think.
2. Shōgun
Something completely different. But if we are to believe the number of Emmys, 18 to be exact, the best series on Disney Plus ever: ‘Shōgun’. The series is based on the book of the same name by James Clavell and is set in Japan in the 17th century. The country is one big chaos. Five regents share power, and that causes quite a bit of unrest. Lord Yoshii Toranaga seems to be losing his position until he captures the English shipwreck survivor John Blackthorn. In this stranger, Toranaga sees a potential samurai who could become very important. ‘Shōgun’ is a mix of everything you could wish for: a historical setting (with matching clothing, of course), power games, and yes, also the necessary romance. It was originally a miniseries, but seasons 2 and 3 are now in the works. The series was just too good to stop.
3. The Bear
You have to look hard, ‘The Bear’ is now buried under awards. It's no wonder it's a must-watch on Disney Plus. Don't know actor Jeremy Allen White yet? Then after watching this series, he will probably rent a room in your heart. He plays the young chef, Carmen Berzatto, who has to take over their sandwich shop in Chicago after a tragic death in his family. And that's quite different from a Michelin-starred restaurant. No top chefs and luxury, but a team with a hefty user manual. Getting everything back in order while struggling with grief; perhaps the most complicated recipe Carmen has ever had to make. Those tears come from the onions, I promise.
4. How to Get Away with Murder
Who is the queen of series? Not a difficult question as far as I'm concerned: Shonda Rhimes. Maybe her name doesn't ring a bell yet, but the list of titles she has created certainly does: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Scandal’, ‘Bridgerton’, and also ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. The latter caused us great panic not so long ago: it suddenly disappeared from Netflix. But luckily, Disney Plus came to the rescue and took over all six seasons. A little teaser: Anna Keating (hello, Viola Davis), is a criminal defense attorney and professor of Criminal Law. She selects five of her best students to work at her law firm. An innocent internship, until the group becomes embroiled in a murder case. And that's just the beginning.
5. A Murder at the End of the World
We're still in the world of murder mysteries for a bit longer. But that's no punishment, right? ‘A Murder at the End of the World‘ certainly won't feel like one. As an amateur detective, hacker, and daughter of a coroner, Darby Hart regularly dives into complicated criminal cases. Her search for a serial killer leads to a successful book; and then doors open. She gets to join a tech billionaire's retreat to brainstorm about major world problems. That plan only goes a bit differently when a murder is committed on the first night. Darby doesn't know how to just wait for what's next; she MUST solve this case. And us? We need answers. Did I mention that Harris Dickinson also stars in this series? After ‘Babygirl’ we know: watching is not an option, it's a must.
6. Downton Abbey
After ten years, you would think we would be over the end of ‘Downton Abbey’ by now. But no, it still hurts sometimes. The 2019 movie helped a bit, but nothing beats the real episodes. That setting on the English estate, the dresses that make you long for a time machine, and those accents. Ugh, so delightful. In six seasons, the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff experience quite a bit of drama. Here and there with a wink to reality with major historical events. But mostly with the necessary romance and complicated intrigues. And that's exactly what we want to see, preferably from the front row.
7. Criminal Minds
You have a favorite genre, or you don't. And if it's crime, ‘Criminal Minds’ cannot be missing. This is simply a must-see. Led by agent Aaron Hotchner, a team from the FBI solves various murders. The focus here is not so much on what happened, but mainly on who did it. What goes on in those criminal minds? Well, we want to know that too. With 324 episodes, you should hope that you have a bit of an idea afterward. Still not succeeded? You can continue with the spinoffs ‘Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders’ or ‘Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior’; both also available on Disney Plus. If you're not a crime expert after that, I don't know what will make you one.
8. Atlanta
Some people can really do everything; we do get a bit jealous of that. Donald Glover can put himself in that category. He not only created the series ‘Atlanta’, but also wrote the entire script AND played the lead role; and how. He created the role of Earnest ‘Earn’ Marks for himself. When Earn drops out of college, he has to find another way to make something of his future. Without money or a house, that's a challenge. Earn returns to his hometown Atlanta and discovers that his cousin's rap career is becoming increasingly successful. But one thing is still missing: a good manager. Who would take on that role? Finally, Earn has a goal to work towards: the road to the top. But that route has quite a few tricky detours.
9. Mrs. America
Sometimes a well-filled cast list is all you need to start watching a series. With Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, and Elizabeth Banks as leading ladies, it can't go wrong, right? At least not with ‘Mrs. America’. The series tells the story of the fight for women's equal rights, and how some of them actually resisted it. Don't expect a boring history lesson. The truth is adjusted here and there with just a bit of extra drama. A small thank you to the creators. High school teachers, are you reading this? If this had been our homework, we wouldn't be sighing at the kitchen table.
10. Dying for Sex
We can't end this list without a series for which we can stock up on tissues. Honestly? Sometimes that's exactly what you need. For ‘Dying for Sex’, it's best to stock up well. Molly is told that she has metastatic breast cancer and will not get better. She faces the question: what do I really want to do in my life? A world trip? Bungee jumping? No, Molly has other plans. She wants to search for the perfect orgasm. And not through her husband Steven, that sex life has been lacking after fifteen years. This somewhat unusual last wish keeps things series light-hearted. Those tears will come naturally, but sometimes just purely from laughing.
Image: © Chuck Hodes / FX
