Look, Disney+ has become the default streaming service for families, and for good reason—it's got a massive library that spans everything from classic Disney to Marvel to Star Wars to National Geographic. But here's the thing: not all Disney+ shows are created equal, and just because something has the Disney logo doesn't mean it's automatically worth your kid's time (or yours, let's be honest, because you're probably watching too).
The platform has genuinely excellent educational content, creative storytelling, and shows that spark imagination. It also has... well, some pretty forgettable stuff that's basically just noise. So let's cut through the catalog and talk about what's actually worth watching, organized by age.
Bluey - I mean, come on. If you haven't discovered Bluey yet, where have you been? This Australian import is legitimately the best kids' show of the past decade. It's about a family of cartoon dogs, but it's really about play, imagination, parenting struggles, and emotional intelligence. Episodes are 7 minutes, which is perfect for little attention spans. And here's the kicker: parents actually want to watch this. The dad jokes land, the parenting situations are real, and you might tear up during episodes like "Sleepytime" or "Grandad." Start here. Stay here. This is the gold standard.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends - If your kid is into superheroes, this is the preschool entry point. It's got problem-solving, teamwork, and diverse characters. The animation is bright and engaging. Is it groundbreaking? No. But it's solid, age-appropriate superhero content that won't make you want to throw the remote through the TV.
Mickey Mouse Funhouse - The latest iteration of Mickey content is actually pretty good. It's got adventure, magic, and those classic Disney characters your kids are going to encounter everywhere anyway. The songs are catchy (maybe too catchy—sorry in advance), and there's genuine educational value around friendship and problem-solving.
The Mandalorian - Wait, hear me out. Yes, it's Star Wars. Yes, there's action. But this show is surprisingly kid-friendly for this age range (with some parental guidance). The violence is mostly laser blasters and droids, and the relationship between Mando and Grogu (Baby Yoda, let's be real) is genuinely touching. Watch it together first to gauge if your specific kid can handle it, but many 6-8 year-olds love this show, and it's actually well-crafted television.
Bluey - Yes, again. Kids this age still love it, and honestly, the themes get even richer as they understand more.
Puppy Dog Pals - Two pugs go on adventures while their owner is away. It's cute, it teaches problem-solving, and it's got Bob Dylan's son doing music for it (random but cool). Not revolutionary, but solid background for this age.
Big City Greens - A farm family moves to the big city. This one has more edge than typical Disney fare—there's some mild cartoon violence and slapstick humor. It's funny, the characters have personality, and it doesn't talk down to kids. Some parents love it, some find it too chaotic. Worth checking out an episode to see where you land.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The 2023 series is genuinely good—way better than those movies we don't talk about. If your kid has read the Percy Jackson books, they'll love seeing it come to life. If they haven't, this might inspire them to read, which is always a win. There's action, mythology, diverse casting, and actual character development. Some monsters might be scary for younger/sensitive kids, but for most 9-12 year-olds, this is perfect.
The Mysterious Benedict Society - Based on the beloved book series, this show is about gifted kids recruited for a secret mission. It's smart, it celebrates intelligence and problem-solving, and it's got genuine suspense without being too intense. If your kid loved Stranger Things but you thought it was too scary/mature, this is a great alternative.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur - A 13-year-old genius girl and her T-Rex partner fight crime in New York. The animation is gorgeous, the representation is excellent (Black girl protagonist who's into STEM), and it's got real heart. It's also genuinely funny and doesn't rely on tired tropes.
Gravity Falls - Okay, this show ended in 2016, but it's on Disney+ and it's a masterpiece. Twins spend the summer with their great-uncle and encounter supernatural mysteries. It's clever, it rewards paying attention (there are codes and hidden messages everywhere), and it treats kids like they're smart. The humor works for adults too. If your tween hasn't seen it, fix that.
Andor - This is the most grown-up Star Wars content Disney has made, and it's brilliant. It's a slow-burn political thriller set in the Star Wars universe. There's no lightsabers or Jedi—it's about regular people fighting against fascism. It's thoughtful, beautifully shot, and actually has something to say. For teens who are ready for more mature content, this is excellent. Note: it's slower paced than typical Star Wars, which some teens will love and others will find boring.
The Owl House - A human girl gets trapped in a magical realm and becomes a witch's apprentice. This show has developed a massive following for good reason: great characters, creative worldbuilding, genuine LGBTQ+ representation (the main character is bisexual, and it's handled beautifully), and an actual ongoing story with stakes. It's funny, it's heartfelt, and it doesn't pull punches on darker themes.
Loki - If your teen is into Marvel, this is probably the best Disney+ Marvel show. It's trippy, it's about time travel and multiverses, and Tom Hiddleston is clearly having a blast. There's romance, humor, and actual character development. The second season is even better than the first.
The Disney+ rating system is... inconsistent. A TV-PG show might be fine for your 8-year-old or way too intense, depending on the specific content. Always check the content warnings and consider watching the first episode yourself if you're unsure.
Not everything needs to be educational. Sometimes a show that's just entertaining and well-made is enough. That said, Disney+ does have excellent educational content through National Geographic if you want to balance things out.
The autoplay is aggressive. Disney+ will just keep playing episodes unless you turn off autoplay in settings. This is by design—they want kids to binge. Set up viewing limits
if this is a concern for your family.
Profile management matters. Set up a kids profile with age-appropriate content ratings. The main profile has access to everything, including some surprisingly mature content (looking at you, every true crime documentary on Hulu that's now integrated into Disney+).
Disney+ has some genuinely excellent shows that are worth your kids' time—Bluey is non-negotiable for young kids, Percy Jackson is great for tweens, and shows like The Owl House and Andor prove that kids' and teen content can be smart and well-crafted.
But here's the thing: just because it's on Disney+ doesn't mean it's automatically quality. There's plenty of forgettable content that's just designed to keep kids' eyes on screens. Be selective. Watch with your kids when you can. And remember that a 7-minute episode of Bluey that you actually enjoy together is worth way more than an hour of mindless content that's just babysitting.
The best shows on Disney+ are the ones that respect kids' intelligence, tell actual stories with real stakes, and create moments worth talking about after the credits roll. Start with those, and you'll be in good shape.