Frozen 2's Disney+ UK release date has been confirmed – and it's two weeks early
Something to cool you down this summer.The Disney animation was set to be released on the streaming service on July 17, but it will now be available to watch in the UK and Ireland on July 3.
Your guide to all the new movies and shows streaming on Disney Plus in the US this month. Available on Disney Plus July 3, , new episodes on Fridays. Best of 2020 : IMDb Original Videos.
The best things on Disney Plus to watch right now include shows for tweens, Star Wars spin-offs, docuseries, and Disney + originals. Disney Plus has most of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, but if you want to know the stories behind your favorite superheroes, you should catch Marvel 616.
© Provided by Total Film The best shows on Disney Plus Welcome to GamesRadar and Total Film’s selection of the best shows on Disney Plus. Our team of TV series’ aficionados have watched everything and anything to bring you this comprehensive list of our favourite shows currently streaming on Disney’s Netflix rival. Yes, that includes The Simpsons and The Mandalorian, but also so much more.
For instance, did you know the X-Men and Marvel cartoons are nearly all on Disney Plus? Oh, you did? Well, how about we point you towards National Geographics’ best documentaries or some of classic Disney’s best cartoons. There’s so much to choose from on the service, and whittling that number down to 30 has been a challenge, but one we’ve sincerely enjoyed matching. So, here our picks for the best shows on Disney Plus!
Disney Plus review: Out of this world content
T3's official Disney Plus review is hereThe short, one paragraph review is that Disney Plus is a superb new streaming service that delivers content for all the family, and it does so for a supremely affordable price point. If you like the works of Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, Disney and National Geographic then you will not be disappointed with Disney Plus.
These are the best shows on Disney Plus , from The Simpsons to The Mandalorian. While DuckTales and Talespin work as broad adventure stories, Darkwing was created as a parody of the pulp heroes and comic book characters of the ' 30 s and '40s.
Disney kicks off July with the debut of the “Hamilton”, which is being released 15 months earlier than originally planned, along with more episodes Best Job Ever (S1). National Geographic explorers are curious about our planet, committed to understanding it, and passionate about helping make it better .
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30. Great Migrations (2010)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: We all know that Disney acquired a frankly terrifying amount of properties when it snapped up 20th Century Fox. Included in the deal was National Geographic, which conveniently means that Disney Plus will now be able to offer a lot more than just cartoons and hyperactive teen stars. Great Migrations, for example, is a seven-episode miniseries which follows the dangerous, awe-inspiring journeys undertaken by creatures both big and small – from delicate butterflies to gargantuan whale sharks.
Why it’s worth a watch: Great Migrations has long been one of the jewels in National Geographic’s crown. At the time, it was the largest scale enterprise the channel had ever launched and some have even argued that it’s better than the BBC’s Planet Earth. It’s a bold, but not totally unjustified claim, particularly when it comes to the show’s experimental finale. It features zero narration, meaning viewers can immerse themselves completely in all the wonders of nature.
Sky Cinema and NOW TV July premieres include Frozen 2 and It Chapter Two
Also Ad Astra. Give that one a chance.We know it's still early-to-mid June, but Sky Cinema and NOW TV have revealed what movies are coming to their services in July – and there are some big-hitters in there.
From Hamilton to Frozen II, here's everything coming to Disney Plus in July
Oscars Best Picture Winners Best Picture Winners Golden Globes Emmys STARmeter Awards San Diego Available to Stream July 16, 2020 . 5. Secret Society of Second Born Royals ( 2020 ). Available to Stream July 17, 2020 . 6. Inside Pixar (2013 TV Short). 30 min | Documentary, Short.
29. Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: It’s Harry Potter scrubbed of all its darkness and dramatic tension, basically. We follow three wizard siblings – Alex, Justin, and Max – who all live in New York City’s Greenwich Village. For some, seemingly arbitrary reason, they inhabit a universe where each family can only have one magical member, meaning the siblings all have to compete and prove their worth. If this were FX or HBO, we’d be in for a deathmatch, but the worst they do here is throw out a few sarcastic one-liners.
Why it’s worth a watch: The thing is, Selena Gomez’s Alex isn’t actually a typical Disney Channel heroine. She’s sort of rude and, honestly, quite selfish at times. She sees magic as more of a shortcut to getting what she wants than anything else. That’s about as edgy as these shows tend to get, but it’s still refreshing in its own way. Wizards of Waverly Place is also less aggressively silly than usual, while the siblings’ frequent romantic entanglements with vampires, werewolves and angels even gives it a touch of Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Every new Disney movie out in 2020, 2021, and 2022
Find out what Disney has in store this yearAll that joy and wonder can be a bit overwhelming though, which is why we’ve decided to guide you through a breakdown of every single new Disney movie either rumoured or in the works from now until 2022 – with a look over the horizon at what’s to come beyond that. If you scroll right to the bottom, we’ve even got a handy list of which dates Disney has scooped up for its big releases, meaning you should definitely start circling them in the calendar.
Disney Plus launched last year with most of Disney ’s back catalog, but the platform hasn’t reached maximum capacity just yet. July brings us the live recording of Hamilton, along with a new Muppets series, Muppets Now, the second (and best , if you ask me) Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie and Solo: A
The best Disney Plus shows , from The Mandalorian to Ducktales. By Richard Edwards, Samuel Roberts 17 November 2020 . Disney Plus released around a year ago in the US, and earlier this year elsewhere – and the best Disney Plus shows very much show the streaming service is a work in
28. Elena of Avalor (2016)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Anyone who’s a casual Disney fan will probably have seen Elena popping up more and more of late. Sure, she’s not one of the official Disney Princesses yet, but neither are Frozen’s Anna and Elsa. And Elena certainly has her fans. She's a 16-year-old princess who was trapped in an amulet for 41 years, before being unleashed just in time to save her kingdom from an evil sorceress. She wants to rule with a fair and compassionate hand but, as we soon discover, that isn’t always so easy.
Why it’s worth a watch: Elena is very much a modern Disney princess. She’s a leader, a fighter, and has a really great wardrobe. She also happens to be Disney’s first Latinx princess, hailing from the fictional country of Avalor, created to be a blend of Latin cultures and beliefs. For example, we see her celebrate the Mexican holiday of Día de Muertos. An incredible amount of thought and care has gone into this series, which is why it can stand tall next to the likes of Brave or Moana.
27. The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: The reason there’s a “new” in the title is because the show follows on pretty directly from the 1977 film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (and the handful of shorts that came after it). Inspired by A.A. Milne’s stories, it follows our beloved bear as he wanders aimlessly through the Hundred Acre Woods, doling out zen catchphrases and getting his curvaceous behind stuck in various burrows and tree stumps. Everyone’s favourites are here, from Eeyore to Tigger, while it remains the only series to regularly feature Christopher Robin as a character.
Disney Plus UK guide: cheap deals, best 2020 movies and shows to watch
Everything you need to know about Disney Plus UK, including price, movies, shows, channels, app info and best dealsDisney+ UK price: £5.99 a month or £59.
Why it’s worth a watch: The series is a near-perfect continuation of the stories we all know and love. It just has such a calming presence. It’s like a big hug from someone wearing a fuzzy jumper or a cup of tea on a blustery day. In fact, Winnie the Pooh was giving us hygge long before it was popular.
26. The Incredible Hulk – Series (1996)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: The Incredible Hulk may have only lasted for two seasons, but it certainly didn’t skimp on action. We start off with Bruce Banner on the run from General Ross, while also in search of a cure so that he can finally separate himself from his big, green, and angry alter ego. By the time season two rolled around, however, She-Hulk’s role was beefed up and the show’s named was changed to The Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk. That coincidentally makes it pretty good homework for those wanting to study up before Disney Plus drops its own live-action She-Hulk series.
Why it’s worth a watch: The Incredible Hulk is a fairly faithful translation of the source comics, not only in its look, but in the many cameos from familiar heroes. We get appearances from Iron Man, Thor, War Machine, Doctor Strange, and the Fantastic Four – all characters that even the most casual of Marvel fans are now sure to recognise. The cherry on top, however, is Lou Ferrigno’s returns as the voice of the Hulk, having famously played him in the '70s live-action series.
New Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concept art reveals a very different Star Destroyer
Take a peek at this concept art revealing a double-decker Star DestroyerEmperor Palpatine’s Final Order boasted a fleet of ships that could destroy planets – and it seems that Kylo Ren’s First Order nearly got some new gear too. LucasFilm VP and Executive Creative Director Doug Chiang shared a look at concept art for the ship’s design on Instagram with the caption: “A new First Order Star Destroyer concept for EP9! I thought a double-decker might be fun.
25. Timon & Pumbaa (1995)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Set after the events of The Lion King, the series follows the pair on a whole new host of comical misadventures, with Simba occasionally dropping by to set them back on the straight and narrow. If he’s not available, you might get Rafiki, Zazu, or the hyenas (Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed) instead. While most of the action takes place on the African plains, the show is notable for sending them out on a number of international tours, with stops in both Canada and Antarctica. Although Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella initially returned to voice Timon and Pumbaa, Lane was later replaced by Kevin Schon and then Quinton Flynn.
Why it’s worth a watch: As this year’s live-action remake of The Lion King showed, Timon and Pumbaa are absolute scene-stealers. The show works as a Disney-branded riff on the Looney Tunes, leaning heavily into slapstick comedy and surreal logic (how do you think they got to Canada?). It also serves as a mini-precursor to the Lion King 1 ½, a deeply underrated sequel.
24. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Riverdale fans will already be familiar with one of the stars of Suite Life, Cole Sprouse, who here got his start alongside his twin brother Dylan. The duo play Zack and Cody, while the basic premise of the show revolves around the question, “How cool would it be to live in a hotel?” The answer is very cool, as it allows you to get up to all sorts of hijinks. The show also features a Paris Hilton parody in the form of Brenda Song’s London Tipton and a role for High School Musical’s Ashley Tisdale.
The Bad Batch will explore an area of Star Wars "that has not been often visited"
The Bad Batch is "absolutely beautiful" according to Darth Maul voice actor Sam Witwer .“I will tell you it looks really, really good. It looks absolutely beautiful,” Witwer said of the series during a stream on his Twitch channel (via Heroic Hollywood).It’s the brief tease about the plot and where we’re heading, though, that could get the midi-chlorians racing: “The story… at least I know where the story begins in the first several episodes and I am very pleased because it’s a little area of Star Wars that has not been often visited.
Why it’s worth a watch: It’s unashamedly goofy, fulfilling the childish fantasy of having no rules and no limitations. These kids run riot. It’s like the hotel turns them into non-murderous, sugar-fuelled little Jack Torrances. It’s definitely miles away from Jughead “I’m a weirdo” Jones, but it’s the kind of fluff that is pure Disney Channel.
23. Muppet Babies (2018)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Now, admittedly, this is not the Muppet Babies of the '80s. We’re talking a CGI reboot that even adds a brand-new character, Summer the penguin. But the concept is still the same, with young versions of the classic Muppet characters all living together in a nursery. They’re cared for by Miss Nanny, whose face we never see and who never seems to let them go anywhere (or see their parents). But the Muppet Babies use their imaginations to travel far from the boundaries of their playroom, on grand and exciting adventures.
Why it’s worth a watch: As different as it might seem from the original show, the new Muppet Babies still holds on to the two most important features: the doo-wop theme and the overbearing sense of cuteness. Every generation deserves their own Muppet Babies, especially since the Muppets at large could use a little boost in popularity at the moment – Disney Plus has already announced it’s cancelling one of its planned series with the characters.
22. Star Wars Resistance (2018)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: While the animated shows of the past have focused largely on the gap between the prequels and the original trilogy, Star Wars Resistance takes place right before, and then runs parallel to, the new sequels. Its protagonist is Kazuda Xiono, a pilot recruited by the Resistance and asked to spy on the comings and goings of the First Order. Although it’s got a whole new cast of characters, there are still appearances from familiar faces like Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), and BB-8.
Every new Disney movie out in 2020, 2021, and 2022
This YouTuber managed to build a stunning underground dwelling fit with a kitchen and a swimming pool in a forest in Suntuk, central Cambodia. The footage shows the lengthy process behind hollowing out a pit and engraving the finer details into the stone such as a bed and a kitchen.
Why it’s worth a watch: As the newest of the Star Wars animated shows, it doesn’t quite have the same levels of fandom surrounding it - but just wait and see. It was, after all, still created by Dave Filoni (who’s also behind Clone Wars and Rebels). It’s also interesting in how it diverges from the usual stories about the Jedi Order, meaning that, like Rogue One, we get to see how ordinary people in the Resistance get by. Kazuda’s high-flying antics definitely have a touch of Top Gun to them, too.
21. Gravity Falls (2012)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Created by Alex Hirsch, Gravity Falls blends the nostalgic feeling of long summer days with the thrill of the supernatural. So, it’s like Stranger Things, but also nothing like Stranger Things. Twins Dipper and Mabel are dropped off in a remote town in order to spend their vacation with their great uncle Stan Pines (otherwise known as Grunkle Stan). Soon enough, they start unravelling a few of the local mysteries.
Why it’s worth a watch: Gravity Falls is Disney’s contribution to the modern era of original children’s programming – the kind that’s proven as addictive for adults as it is for kids. It’s a spiritual sibling to the likes of Adventure Time and The Amazing World of Gumball. The show’s success is also partially down to how brilliant its voice cast is, with the likes of Kristen Schaal, Jason Ritter, Linda Cardellini, and J.K. Simmons all on board. And, since it only lasted two seasons, the show actually delivered on an overarching mystery that was conclusively solved by the last episode.
20. Darkwing Duck (1991)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: The avian world’s answer to Batman, Darkwing Duck is set in an entirely different universe to DuckTales, despite there being several crossover characters. Darkwing, the secret identity of Drake Mallard, always does the right thing in the end, but does struggle a little too much with keeping his ego in check. He’s joined by a loyal sidekick in the form of Launchpad McQuack – a lovable, but dimwitted pilot who also happens to Darkwing’s number one fan.
Why it’s worth a watch: Darkwing Duck may have been a staple of Disney’s afternoon lineup in the '90s, but it was also of a slightly different breed to the rest. While DuckTales and Talespin work as broad adventure stories, Darkwing was created as a parody of the pulp heroes and comic book characters of the '30s and '40s. Even the city of St. Canard was clearly based on Gotham City. It’s a silly, light-hearted homage to the past greats.
19. Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (2019)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Any streaming service worth its salt is pointless without a good cooking show. It fulfils our base desires to watch delicious meals be prepared, all while we shove fistfuls of Doritos into our mouths and wipe the cheese dust on our sweatpants. Thankfully, Disney Plus is here to deliver. Gordon Ramsay’s globe-trotting National Geographic show sees him travel across the world, from Laos to Alaska, in order to broaden his own horizons as a chef.
Why it’s worth a watch: Ramsay got a lot of unfavourable comparisons to Anthony Bourdain (who passed away in 2018) for this. Yet, while Bourdain was always an expert in international cuisine, Ramsay presents himself here as more flawed in his learning. He has to deconstruct his own preconceptions and be open to learning from others. He reluctantly eats bugs and struggles to navigate through the harsh environments he visits. For a chef known mostly for yelling at people, it’s the humbling his image needed.
18. Even Stevens (2000)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: The legacy of Even Stevens probably begins and ends with the fact that it made Shia LaBeouf a star. He plays Louis, a prank king who’s gross and endearing in equal measure. He often clashes with his older sister Ren, an overachiever with zero time for nonsense.
Why it’s worth a watch: Your view of the series may have been warped if you’ve caught this year’s Honey Boy, which was partially inspired by LaBeouf’s experiences as a child actor. In later life, the actor suffered from PTSD and alcoholism. But it was always obvious from Even Stevens that he was destined for big things, too: his comic timing is impeccable, even if it’s something he’s never revisited much in his later career. Even Stevens was always one of the Disney Channel’s funniest shows. It’s just a shame that it was cancelled after it passed the 65-episode limit – a weird, slightly nonsensical rule imposed by the network.
17. Kim Possible (2002)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Life as a teenager is already a lot to handle. It only gets worse when you add in all the responsibilities of being an international spy. Thankfully, Kim is helped along the way by her best friend Ron Stoppable (largely ineffectual, but he tries) and his pet naked mole rat Rufus. She even has her own dedicated arch-enemies in the form of Dr. Drakken and his sidekick Shego. Last year, the show spawned a live-action adaptation and it remains one of Disney’s most popular shows, despite ending in 2007.
Why it’s worth a watch: Kim has really earned her place as one of TV’s greatest onscreen heroines. She’s smart, she kicks ass, but still faces all the same problems and obstacles that every teen goes through. And she’s a true post-feminist: tough as nails, but still the pretty, popular cheerleader-type. Kim can really have it all – and that includes fighting in a crop top. But the show is also refreshingly funny and self-aware, offering a rare acknowledgment of the huge role the internet had started to play in teens’ lives.
16. TaleSpin (1995)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Look, TaleSpin makes absolutely no sense. It’s just that '90s kids learned not to question it. Inspired by the classic film Casablanca, it casts The Jungle Book’s Baloo (whose full name is now Baloo von Bruinwald XIII) as a bush pilot whose air cargo freight business is acquired by the sharp, hotheaded Rebecca Cunningham. The pair spend their time fighting off air pirates, while maintaining the scintillating chemistry of the screwball comedies of the '30s and '40s.
Why it's worth a watch: It’s TaleSpin’s unabashed weirdness that made it work so well. It had the same appetite for adventure as the likes of DuckTales and Rescue Rangers, while its weirdly precise historical setting (around 1938) did well to sell the idea that this was basically Indiana Jones with talking animals. It’s something we never asked for, but definitely won’t say no to now.
15. X-Men: Evolution (2000)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Like an X-Men version of the Muppet Babies, the series sees many of our favourite mutant heroes aged down to teenagers (with the notable exceptions of Professor X, Wolverine and Storm). They spend most of their time battling Magneto, as usual, while season 3 has mutants become public knowledge. It lets the show delve into the themes of prejudice that underpin the comics. There’s even a big face off with Apocalypse, who’s looking a lot less surly than Oscar Isaac’s version.
Why it’s worth a watch: While it’s less fondly remembered than the X-Men series of the '90s, it’s still very much a worthwhile watch. The show actually benefits from resisting the impulse to stay absolutely faithful to the comics. Instead, it has fun. It plays around with the characters and their appearances. X-Men: Evolution also happens to be responsible for the creation of X-23, who soon made her way to the comics and then on to 2017’s Logan.
14. Hannah Montana (2005)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: The genesis of pop star and controversy hoarder Miley Cyrus, the show teases the thrills of living a double life. By day, she’s just your average American schoolgirl, Miley Stewart. By night, she’s top-selling recording artist, Hannah Montana. The show seemed dedicated to building Cyrus’ own brand image, since she basically played herself and roped in her own dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, to star as the show’s patriarch. There’s no doubt about it it was a wildly successful enterprise.
Why it’s worth a watch: The idea that people wouldn’t know that Miley and Hanna are the same person, considering the only difference between them is a blonde wig, is downright hilarious. Apparently Clark Kent’s glasses were just too much of a convincing disguise for these people. But that’s the charm of this show. It’s so unabashedly positive, nice, and silly that it’s no wonder that so many people have admitted to it being a guilty pleasure.
13. Gargoyles (1994)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: The dark horse of Disney’s afternoon programming, the series imagines that New York’s gargoyles, perched high above the city, come to life at night. In fact, back in the 1st century AD, they all lived freely and happily over in Scotland. Then the humans swooped in, hunted them down, and cursed them to a stony sleep – one they’ve finally woken up from thousands of years later and in a strange new world. As they adjust to the modern pace of life, they find the time to take down a bad guy or two.
Why it’s worth a watch: Sat side-by-side with the likes of DuckTales and TaleSpin, it’s clear Gargoyles was never going to be as big a hit. Its stories were on an epic scale, drawing from British folklore and Shakespeare’s tragedies, especially Macbeth. Its tone was often dark and gothic. But it’s those same ingredients that have garnered it quite the cult following (director Jordan Peele is a fan and has even expressed interest in directing a live-action version).
12. Boy Meets World (1993)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: It’s a true throwback to the era when cute boys with curtained hair ruled the world. Fans watched Cory Matthews navigate the perils of high school and make it all the way to college, thanks to the help of his best friend Rider, love interest Topanga, and neighbour and teacher (later principal) Mr. Feeny.
Why it’s worth a watch: In a way, it was the starting point for Disney’s empire of teen sitcoms. Without Cory and Topanga, there surely wouldn’t have been a Lizzie, Hannah, or Raven. But, more importantly, it’s one of the first teen shows that feels genuinely relatable to its audience. Cory is just a normal kid doing his best to get by. He isn’t particularly smart or popular, nor is he hiding some kind of secret – he isn’t a spy or a vampire behind closed doors. The world around him isn’t always perfect: there are serious discussions of child abuse, poverty, sexual harassment, and alcoholism. And that honesty can mean a lot to a teen looking for a little guidance.
11. Lizzie McGuire (2001)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: A direct spiritual descendant of Boy Meets World, Lizzie McGuire similarly deals with an average girl who wants more than anything to become popular. The difference here is that we occasionally get to climb inside her head thanks to an animated alter ego, who’s there to rhapsodise about all the highs and lows of tween life. Lizzie McGuire is making a big splash on Disney Plus thanks to a new revival, so expect to hear a whole lot more from her and the tiny person living inside her head. Hilary Duff will reprise her role as Lizzie, now a millennial fashion designer in New York.
Why it’s worth a watch: The animated Lizzie is less of a gimmick than it seems. It helps deepen the character by making her immediately vulnerable – we know that her miniature self is always just seconds away from spilling the beans when it comes to Lizzie’s true emotions. But Lizzie also appeals because of her inherent niceness. It's probably the purest of all the Disney shows, so let's hope the 2019 version follows suit.
10. Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers (1989)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: What if Indiana Jones and Magnum PI teamed up, but were also chipmunks? It’s a question that no one in history has ever asked except for the creators of Rescue Rangers, who nabbed Mickey’s pals Chip ‘n Dale and made them the owners of a detective agency that specialises in miniature crimes. It made about as much sense as TaleSpin, with the heroes here also going on weekly adventures that seemed to draw from the old adventure serials of the '30s and '40s.
Why it’s worth a watch: It has the second catchiest theme tune of all the Disney cartoons (hopefully number one is obvious). But, more than that, the Indy-Magnum PI mashup actually works surprisingly well as an odd couple situation. Chip, with his fedora, is the more serious of the two, while Dale is goofier and sports a Hawaiian shirt. Plus, it was really boosted by the supporting characters, including the extremely Australian Monty and quick-thinking Gadget.
9. The Mandalorian (2019)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The story: The Mandalorian follows a masked bounty hunter whose story quickly becomes entangled with a strange, green creature known officially as 'The Child' – though you will probably know it as Baby Yoda. The pair go on various adventures around a galaxy far, far away, becoming closer as the series progresses.
Why it’s worth a watch: Let's be frank – if you have a Disney Plus subscription, you have probably already watched The Mandalorian. This is the streaming service's first must-watch original show – one that's great as a standalone series, but also expands the Star Wars universe in a meaningful way. Whether you're a fan of the movies or not, you'll probably find something to like in The Baby Yoda Show.
8. Star Wars Rebels (2014)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The story: The series is set five years before A New Hope, at a time when the Empire is ruthlessly hunting down Jedi after the execution of Order 66, all while the first sparks of rebellion start to take form. Ezra, a street urchin with force abilities, comes under the guidance of Kanan. Together they form the crew of the rebel ship Ghost alongside Hera, its crack pilot, and Sabine, a Mandalorian and a former bounty hunter.
Why it’s worth a watch: The most recent Star Wars animated shows have been a massive success thanks to the immense talent and intense geekery of one Dave Filoni – the creator behind Rebels, Clone Wars, Resistance, and the web series Forces of Destiny. He also happens to be directing two episodes of The Mandalorian. In short, he’s a kind of Yoda figure in the fandom. It’s his dedication that makes Rebels feel like such an authentic part of the Star Wars universe. It’s just so rich, from its characters to its storylines.
7. Recess (1997)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Recess (for UK readers, that means break time) throws together a bunch of misfit fourth-graders, as they struggle against the microcosm of society presented to them on the school playground. It’s a place filled with strict laws and codes, ruled over by the ruthless sixth-grader named King Bob.
Why it’s worth a watch: Not only are the characters instantly likeable (Spinelli for president), but Recess seems thematically complex for a kid’s TV show. The way the opening titles parody The Great Escape is a good indicator of what the series is aiming for: a smart satire about the suppression of the individual by society. Everyone is broken down into their cliques, from the popular girls to the (possibly) cannibalistic tribe of kindergartners. It’s a place where the biggest rebellion of all is just being yourself.
6. Phineas and Ferb (2007)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Like many of the shows on this list, Phineas and Ferb is all about siblings hatching up harebrained schemes. In this case, the biggest threat to their success is their sister Candace (this universe appears to contradict the wisdom of “snitches get stitches”, as Candace remains unharmed throughout the show’s entirety). While the kids keep busy, their pet platypus Perry has a sideline career as a secret agent.
Why it’s worth a watch: The show was once described by its co-creator Dan Povenmire as a cross between SpongeBob SquarePants and Family Guy (he’s worked on both). It blends the former’s silliness with the latter’s love of pop culture. This careful balance is what makes the show such a cross-generation hit. There’s something for everyone, all tied together by the sweet, affecting way Phineas and Ferb’s relationship – as two step brothers – is represented.
5. That's So Raven (2003)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: That’s So Raven is best described as mildly supernatural, hitting a midpoint between Lizzie McGuire and Wizards of Waverly Place. Our hero Raven has psychic abilities but, unlike most pop culture physics, she doesn’t go crazy and start killing verybody. Instead, she mainly uses her powers to help out her family and advance her career as an aspiring fashion designer.
Why it’s worth a watch: That’s So Raven is the undisputed peak of Disney Channel sitcoms. So much so, it convinced the network to finally discard with their bizarre rule of limiting every series to 65 episodes. It’s a winner partially because of the chemistry between Raven Symone and her onscreen friends, played by Anneliese Van Der Pol and Orlando Brown. But, more importantly, Symone herself is a delight in every second she occupies the screen. She can sell goofy physical comedy like no nobody else.
4. DuckTales (1987 and 2017)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: We don’t talk enough about Donald Duck’s Scottish heritage. So, thank you to DuckTales for bringing us that reminder in the form of Scrooge McDuck – an eccentric billionaire who hasn’t yet been crushed to death from repeatedly diving into a pool of solid gold coins. He’s obsessed with maintaining his status as “the richest duck in the world”, which doesn’t give him much time to look after his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, foisted on to him after Donald decided to join the US Navy (of course).
Why it’s worth a watch: DuckTales (woohoohoo!) not only has one of the catchiest theme tunes to have ever been created, but it was also the reliable highlight of Disney Afternoon’s line-up. It’s a series filled with escapist adventures and globe-trotting intrigue. There are vikings, knights, pirates, and ghosts - who knows who we’ll meet and where we’ll go. And it’s great to see that same sense of ingenuity maintained for the new reboot, which will be available alongside the original series.
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Although things were first kicked off with a 2008 feature film, the series has since carried on the story of The Clone Wars, filling in the three year-gap between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Both Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi feature prominently as characters, as they lead the Republic against the Separatist forces first brought together by former Jedi Count Dooku.
Why it’s worth a watch: It’s all down to Asohka. It’s pretty astounding that a character from an animated spin-off series has slowly grown into one of the most popular Star Wars characters of all time. She’s a hero with enough of a concrete sense of right and wrong that she’s able to question the very establishment she yearned to be a part of, making the choice to leave the Jedi Order because she no longer believes in the nobility of its practices. It’s an incredible piece of drama and an interesting way to muddy the waters without throwing out the entire concept of the light and dark side. Plus, the new season – a Disney Plus exclusive – is excellent.
2. X-Men (1992)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Can we call it the ultimate X-men TV series? It’s relatively faithful in copying the look and feel of the comics at the time (specifically those drawn by Jim Lee), while making use of a familiar lineup: Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, Jean Grey, and Professor X. Although a lot of the stories are completely original, the show isn’t fraid to dip in and out of the source material – it arguably features the best onscreen adaptation of the Dark Phoenix storyline (sorry, Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner).
Why it’s worth a watch: First off, it has a killer theme. The animation may have been on the cheap and cheerful side, but it nailed the thrilling action of the comics. It also committed to a more serious tone that didn’t feel overly grim, while also avoiding the kind of cutesy gimmicks that feel like they’ve been created just to sell toys. It was unique at the time for having multi-episode arcs, which not only had a major influence on Saturday morning TV, but even helped pave the way for the live-action movies.
1. The Simpsons (1989)
© Provided by Total Film (Image credit: Disney) The show: Does one of the longest-running and most popular TV shows of all time really need explaining? We know the Simpsons – Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie – well. They’re the ultimate dysfunctional family and a snapshot of American lower-middle class life throughout the decades. Across over 650 episodes, there are very few cultural touchstones that The Simpsons hasn't covered (as famously pointed out by the South Park episode “The Simpsons already did it”).
Why it’s worth a watch: With it's incredible first 11 seasons being arguably some of the best television of all time, The Simpsons takes the top place on the best shows on Disney Plus. Admittedly, the show isn’t quite the titan that it used to be. Most people would agree that it’s been steadily declining in quality over the past few years (and the recent controversy over the character Apu certainly hasn’t helped to rectify its reputation). But The Simpsons still changed the face of television, ushering in a new era of smart, witty, and adventurous comedy writing.
It’s more well-known episodes have become integrated into our culture and into our language, to the point that you can barely make it through a day now without someone in your life trying to drop a reference (unless, of course, that person is you). And now it’s all here on Disney Plus, which is a little ironic considering many people reacted to the news of Disney’s ever-expanding monopoly with the line, “I, for one, welcome our new rodent overlords.”
Looking for more to stream? Then check out the best movies on Disney Plus. If you're ready to join, we've compared all the latest Disney Plus bundles.
Gallery: The 32 best Netflix shows to watch in June (Total Film)
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The 30 best Netflix shows to watch in June
Enjoy Mad Men while you can. Not only one of the best Netflix shows, but one of the best television shows of all time, Mad Men's about to leave Netflix. From June 9, the acclaimed series – starring John Hamm as the lead – will no longer be available on the streaming service. Where Mad Men will end up remains unknown, though many speculators believe the show may end up on HBO Max.
But, fear not. Sure, you can try and binge-watch Mad Men in the next few days, or you can check out some of the other best Netflix shows on this very list. We have documentaries, prestige drama, laugh-out-loud comedies, and originals that are already seen as classics. There are literally hundreds of hours of entertainment on this updating list, and there's not a single one that's anything less than brilliant.
So, without further ado, let's get streaming!
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32. Community
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-6
Why it's one of the best Netflix shows: Are you ready to enrol at Greendale Community College? Community transformed over its lifetime on NBC – and one season on Yahoo – going from an innocuous comedy about the interactions of some college students who had lost their way in life to a show that broke TV rules at every turn. Over the course of Community's six seasons we get to know a dysfunctional study group – played by a group of then-unknown actors, including Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs and Joel McHale – as they struggle to succeed in a demotivating community college.
Community twists and turns in ways you don't expect. There are episodes shaped after Ray Liotta narrated crime movies, paintball homages to A Fistful of Dollars, and an informative documentary about historical pillow fights. If you haven't then check out this great American feel-good sitcom. And remember to cross your fingers and pray for #SixSeasonsAndAMovie.
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31. The Last Dance
Region: UK
Season(s): 1
Why it's one of the best Netflix shows: Charting the Chicago Bulls' 1997/98 season, The Last Dance frames that fateful year with archival footage and interviews with Michael Jordan and some of his closest allies and enemies. Yet, despite being about basketball, you certainly don't need to be a major fan or the sport to be gripped by this 1- episode documentary.
The joint ESPN/Netflix production dives deep into what makes one of the biggest icons of the 20th Century tick: the feuds, the fights with front office, and the family stories all feature heavily here. It's all presented in a way that lets you learn as you go, without being condescending. Plus, if you are into b-ball, then you can rest easy in the knowledge that you're seeing a hidden side of one of the sport's greatest dynasties. Hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage were used for The Last Dance, and it offers a unique, complex take on the man they once called "Air."
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30. Better Call Saul
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-5 (UK) 1-4 (US)
The show: Remember the screwy lawyer from Breaking Bad? This show's all about him - Saul Goodman. Things begin after the climactic events of that series, in the present day, and immediately jump back to before he became Saul. Six years prior he was known as Jimmy McGill. A likable, good-hearted guy who dallies loosely with the law, he goes to bat for his low-income clientele with the help of fixer (and Breaking Bad regular) Mike Ehrmantraut. It's terrific getting to see the pair in their early days and discover what happened before Jimmy turned into Saul.
Why it's worth a watch: It's hard to imagine a Breaking Bad spin-off being able to cap the brilliance of that groundbreaking series. Thanks to the superb performance by Bob Odenkirk, who delves into practically every emotional state in its first season alone, and Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler, it's just as good – if not better.
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29. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1
Why it's one of the best Netflix shows: The true-crime documentary that has gripped the world, Tiger King's as bonkers as they say. The seven-part limited series follows Joe Exotic – a gay, gun-toting, mulleted, all-American zookeeper who despises a big cat activist named Carole Baskin. We're introduced to a host of colourful characters, including another zookeeper who allegedly has a harem, a man who claims to be the influence for Scarface, and a reality-show producer who's tried to document the whole thing but... well, we won't spoil it here. Oh, and there's a murder mystery as well.
Why it’s worth a watch: There's absolutely no knowing what's coming next in Tiger King. Each episode adds another twist, and it's almost impossible to stop watching. Plus, after you're done, you can do some armchair detective work and find out where they all are now. Because, yes, this really a true-crime documentary, and not another season of American Vandal.
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28. Stranger Things
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-3
The show: The binge-watch series of the last few years. The Duffer brothers cobbled together a patchwork of '80s references then siphoned all of that into a killer plot about government experiments on members of a small town in Indiana. Things come to a head when a young lad, Will Byers, goes missing, causing his mother Joyce (Winona Ryder), the sheriff (David Harbour), and Will’s friends to consider the strangest possibility – that there's a parallel world to ours replete with horrific monsters and demons simply itching to get at you.
Why it's worth a watch: These kids! The whole cast is terrific (this writer personally was very pleased to see Winona Ryder back in the thick of it). However, it's the young leads who steal the show. Scurrying around Hawkins on their bikes in the dead of night and hunkering down in basements trying to find their missing pal, they will melt your hearts, especially Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven.
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27. Daredevil
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-3
The show: Forget the 2003 misfire – this is the Daredevil fans have been waiting for. The first of Marvel’s Netflix universe charges out of the gate, Daredevil is a blustering blend of brooding character drama, hyperreal action and some of the best villainy since Heath Ledger embodied the Joker. Drew Goddard (Cloverfield) and Steven S. DeKnight (Blade) acted as showrunners on the early seasons, which received universal applause for its uncompromising take on blind lawyer-turned-do-gooder Matt Murdock. As the “Devil of Hell’s Kitchen”, he vows to rid the streets of its criminal element, no matter the cost.
Why it's worth watching: Daredevil boasts some of the most adventurous stunt choreography ever seen in a TV series. Yes, I'm on about that season 1 corridor fight sequence. It's simply breathtaking to witness Murdock’s athletic prowess – because you know, he’s blind. The ambition of this first season has yet to be bettered elsewhere in the Netflix Marvel universe.
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26. The Good Place
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-3 (US), 1-4 (UK)
The show: On the surface, former Parks and Recreation showrunner Michael Schur's show sounds similar-ish to Dead Like Me. Someone dies, experiences the afterlife, and embraces the comedy of the situation. It's not quite the same, though. Instead, it combines the cheerful glee of Parks with the existential WTF?-ness of something like Lost. Kristen Bell stars as Eleanor Shellstrop, a self-centred individual who is gifted to quite a pleasant post-life existence alongside her soulmate.
Why it's worth a watch: As well as being really, really funny and introducing us to yet another hugely talented group of actors, it also packs some great dramatic twists and turns that you won't see coming.
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25. Black Mirror
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-5 and a Christmas special
The show: An anthology series, each episode serves as a standalone story that investigates a particular piece of tech and how they could lead to mankind's downfall. For the most part, Charlie Brooker's dystopian sci-fi show is set just a few years into the future, a place where our every technological whim is accounted for. The decision to set it so close to our own time has made it one of the most-talked-about shows in years.
Why it's worth a watch: While it's often described as sci-fi, Black Mirror packs in elements from every genre imaginable. Depending on the story, a particular episode may be romantic, action-packed, or creepy. One thing they all have in common, though, is that they're all downright terrifying.
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24. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-4
The show: When it first dropped in 2015, Kimmy Schmidt’s theme song was all anyone could talk about. And yes, while it’s a hummable-as-fudgin’-heck, there’s more to this eccentric comedy from 30 Rock creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. A zany sitcom with heart and silliness in equal amounts, the show begins with New York newbie Kimmy Schmidt starting with a fresh slate after spending the previous fifteen years trapped in a doomsday cult led by the deranged Reverend Gary Wayne Gary (an eerily-good Jon Hamm). Now in the big city, Kimmy discovers a new-found joy for living, that’s got a distinct ‘90s edge.
Why it's worth a watch: It's as if 30 Rock never ended. But with added Carol Kane, who absolutely slays it as Kimmy's wiseass landlady, Jane Krakowski, who continues to be one of the funniest comics on the small screen, and the musical genius who gave us Peeno Noir and Boobs in California, Titus Andromedon.
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23. Orange is The New Black
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-7
The show: Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Piper Kerman, this comedy-drama from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan is like nothing else on the streaming platform. That's probably because it's a Netflix Original – and by 'eck, original it certainly is. The first season follows Kerman's memoir closely, as Taylor Schilling's Piper Chapman enters the prison system after being convicted of aiding a drug trafficker – her ex, played by That '70s Show's Laura Prepon – who also happens to be incarcerated in the same prison...
Why it's worth a watch: Once the show diverts from the true story, it becomes a wild mash of interesting plotlines. Piper's still in the mix, but there's a rich cast of fully fleshed-out characters who we learn lots of secretive tidbits about through flashbacks.
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22. Sex Education
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-2
The show: Everyone has, at some point in their lives, experienced the soul-crushing, please-swallow-me-up-Earth awkwardness of discussing the birds and the bees with their parents. It’s a rite-of-passage. Now, take that feeling, and mutiply it by a thousand, and you’re somewhat close to the embarrassment at the heart of Sex Education. A Netflix Original starring Gillian Anderson as Jean Milburn, a sex therapist, the series revolves around her son, Otis played by Asa Butterfield. Unlike his chatty, open, mother, Otis’ is a little backwards in coming forwards, until he and his friends assemble their own sex therapy clinic for their classmates.
Why it’s worth a watch: Fresh and easy to binge due to its fun, young cast, you may go in expecting crass humour – and you’re going to get some along with the heartfelt life lessons learned by its core crop of kids. Less concerned with preaching, the series is all about opening your mind and embracing our differences, which, may sound sentimental, yet it’s really anything but.
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21. Halt and Catch Fire
Region: US
Season(s): 1-4
The show: On the surface, its premise sounds remarkably similar to Silicon Valley. However, where that series takes place in the present day, Halt and Catch Fire is fixed firmly in the '80s. Kicking off at the height of the personal computer revolution, it revolves around Cardiff Electric, a fictional software company that receives a much-needed juju boost with the advent of a new trio played by Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis. All three are top of their field, and aim to outwit their competitors by reverse engineering a PC.
Why it's worth a watch: History buffs, rejoice. This quirky series is fiction, of course, yet it begins in the Silicon Prairie of Texas in the '80s, and steal inspiration from the era to fuel its plottings. The real-life tales of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are two such industry figureheads. Using their stories to explore what happened behind-the-scenes during the '80s personal computer boom, the show fleshes out into its own world and is as bingeable as they get. One of the best Netflix shows you’ve never seen.
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20. The Crown
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-3
The show: The Crown charts the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the start of her reign up until the present day. Well, it will. This Netflix Original kicks off shortly before her Coronation, and up to its current season's end, which finds her at an interesting precipice in her role as sovereign and as wife and mother. The series weds top-notch drama with an array of great performances, led by Claire Foy – and later Olivia Colman – as the young monarch. It sheds light on unseen parts of the Queen’s duties, and the troubled dynamic of juggling a public and private life, starting with her marriage to Philip, and dealing with her father, George.
Why it’s worth a watch: The early years of the current English monarch? Sounds great, but not for you, right? Bit too Downton? Seriously, don’t miss out on this brilliant series: this is a superb character drama that packs in loads of historical factoids and a rollicking good story. Without a doubt one of the best shows on Netflix. Plus, we can all do with more Olivia Colman in our lives.
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19. The Haunting of Hill House
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1
The show: Dubbed by one of its producers as “Six Feet Under with ghosts”, this latest iteration of Shirley Jackson’s terrifying novel is Netflix’s next must-see horror series. Loosely adapted by Mike Flanagan, whose previous Netflix features Hush and Gerald’s Game, the series follows the Crain family as they move into the remote Hill House. With the intention of renovating it and flipping it before they buy their real home, the Crains discover that the house has other plans. Fleeing in the middle of the night, the story picks up decades later as the scattered family is drawn together again by that darn house...
Why it’s worth a watch: This is the horror series you never knew you needed. A beautifully-cast show that plays out like Six Feet Under meets The Conjuring, there is simply nothing else like it. It’s densely-packed with story and scares, both elements so tightly interwoven it’s impossible to imagine this tale being told any other way. Flanagan’s decision to jump back and forth across timelines, with various incidents being shown from different perspectives, is what makes this one of the best Netflix shows. As we learn over the course of ten episodes just what went down in that house, you won’t be able to look away… no matter how much you want to. And now we know that The Haunting of Hill House season 2 will actually be about The Haunting of Bly Manor story, there's no better time to catch up.
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18. Schitt's Creek
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-5
The show: Ah, how the wealthy fall. Schitt’s Creek, a one-liner packed gem of a show, knows that its title is the punchline in many an anecdote, and recycles it as the punchline for its premise. The Rose family, led by video store tycoon Johnny (Eugene Levy) and his histrionic former soap opera star wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara), find themselves on hard times, losing their fortune when their business manager swindles them. All that’s left is the small town of Schitt’s Creek, purchased as a joke, that becomes the family’s new home. Manipulative, spoiled, and bratty, the Rose family relocates and struggles to settle in with the natives.
Why it’s worth a watch: Based on its premise alone, Schitt’s Creek works magic. Throw in comedy class acts Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, whose on-screen chemistry forces each other to raise their game, and you’ve got gold. It’s not all about the guffaws, though, with many tender moments emerging as the Rose family find themselves changing in their new surroundings.
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17. Tuca & Bertie
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1
The show: A Netflix Original that slipped under many radars. Tuca and Bertie hails from Lisa Hanawalt, one of the animators behind Bojack Horseman who steps out to tell an altogether different story. Ali Wong and Tiffany Haddish provide the voices for Tuca and Bertie – a self-assured, carefree toucan and an anxious songbird. The pair live in the same apartment building in Bird Town, a lush and vibrant metropolis that appears plucked from a kids cartoon. Make no mistake: Tuca and Bertie is definitely not for kids.
Why it’s worth a watch: The notion of not tuning in to a series because of its early cancellation is, frankly, bananas. While we only got one season of this absurdist comedy that’s no reason to skip over it: it’s weirdness is part of its charm; its way of luring you in before revealing how damn smart it is. Instead of retreading similar terrain to Bojack, it explores the women at its heart, how they struggle with sobriety, singledom, and employment in a world geared towards men.
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16. Peaky Blinders
Region: UK, US
Seasons: 1-4 (UK), 1-5 (US)
The show: What do you get when you throw Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy on the screen together? The Dark Knight fanfic come to life? Well yes, that, but I was referring to the brilliant Peaky Blinders. Set in 1919, the series takes its name from a particular street gang that took charge of Birmingham, England shortly after the Great War. Using whatever means necessary to rise through the criminal ranks is war veteran Thomas Shelby, who – along with his family – forms the focus of this gripping crime drama.
Why it's worth a watch: A show that’s dubbed the British Boardwalk Empire deserves checking out for that comparison alone. If you’re a fan of that HBO series, you’ll love what kicks off in this historical gangster masterclass, and if you’re not? Peaky Blinders captures an era and location that’s seldom given much screen time and makes you wonder why the hell not? Prepare to binge the entire thing.
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15. Jane the Virgin
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-5
The show: Don’t get hung up on the title of this crackin’ comedy series. Yes, the main character *is* a virgin, yet the show snakes around that fact with its bonkers premise. Determined to not let history repeat itself, Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) wants a life altogether different from that of her mother, who fell pregnant as a teen. She works hard, she’s got a great fiance who’s willing to wait until they’re married before consummating their relationship. However, during a routine medical checkup, Jane winds up getting artificially inseminated. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the donor? Yeah, it’s her boss...
Why it’s worth a watch: A right pickle of a story is the perfect vehicle to explore all of the dilemmas Jane faces. There is a lot of humour, and even more heart to the show thanks to Rodriguez’s award-winning performance. Jane the Virgin tweaks the tried-and-tested soap opera formula to deliver a fresh and very funny look at life.
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14. Sherlock
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-4
The show: Sherlock has taken the lead in movies and TV shows plenty of times over the years, becoming a recognisable figure in the realm of detective fiction. When it came to crafting a new series for the BBC showrunners Steven Moffatt and Mark Gatiss gave Doyle's creation a major facelift. Not just in casting Benedict Cumberbatch – an unlikely candidate who totally steals the show – as an almost-superhero, but in the lengthy episode format, that gives greater freedom to the exploits of Baker Street's iconoclastic investigator.
Why it’s worth a watch: Taking the classic Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson characters from Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tales and updating them to contemporary London is a masterstroke. Likewise, unshackled from typical modern TV storytelling, the format of Sherlock has each episode running at around 90 minutes.
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13. GLOW
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-3
The show: They grunt as their bare skin slaps onto the canvas. Theover-excited crowd. The outfits are divine... welcome to the world of GLOW! Another Netflix Original that’s ripe for bingeing, you’ll dig it whether wrestling is your thing or not. Because, really, it’s about the women involved in this true story and how they face the obstacles life has thrown their way. Alison Brie leads the pack as Ruth, an out-of-work actress who's made some questionable choices, and Marc Maron’s drole, chain-smoking producer, who cajoles performances out of the wrestlers in the hopes of making some serious cash. Come for the costumes, stay for the witty repartee.
Why it’s worth watching: For a show that’s based on wrestling, the main heft of what’s so enjoyable isn’t about the sport at all, but the circumstances of these women. Ruth and Debbie’s dynamic in particular is electric. Well, what would you expect with alter-ego names like Zoya the Destroyer and Liberty Belle?
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12. American Crime Story
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-2
The show: Known for his battier-than-a-cave-full-of-bats horror anthology American Horror Story, executive producer Ryan Murphy turns his hand to another strand of cultural obsession: true crime. Taking high-profile cases and giving them the miniseries treatment, season 1 focuses on the O.J Simpson trial and season 2 studies the aftermath of Gianni Versace’s murder. Sarah Paulson’s season 1 showstopper performance as Marcia Clark earned her the Golden Globe, ditto Darren Criss’s season 2 scene-stealing turn as Andrew Cunanan.
Why it’s worth a watch: Unlike your typical crime documentaries, American Crime Story is a fictionalised account of the events depicted. There are rarely any lulls in the action, with every scene serving as a vital component to the larger story being told. Think of it as a documentary on steroids – you’ll be hooked before the credits roll.
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11. The West Wing
Region: US
Season(s): 1-7
The show: Debuting back in 1999 (yes, it’s that old now), The West Wing is Aaron Sorkin’s grandiose dip into an alternate political climate. It’s the place he instigated the infamous ‘walk n talk’ shooting style and acts as the perfect vehicle for this cast of characters – those who wander behind the scenes in Washington, D.C. holding integrity above all else. Across seven seasons, the show became a game-changer that inspired many series to come, with Martin Sheen’s President Josiah Bartlet leading the charge as a commander-in-chief with a heart.
Why it’s worth a watch: It’s a delight to watch a political series driven by a desire for goodness – it’s the antithesis of House of Cards. Where that series exposed the brutality and ruthlessness at the heart of every politician, no matter the party, The West Wing showcases a hope in its progressive cabinet.
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10. Fargo
Region: UK
Season(s): 1-3
The show: A spin-off/sequel of the Coen brothers movie from the guy who also serves as the showrunner on Legion? That’s got your interest piqued, hasn’t it? For its first season, FX's award-winning anthology series concocted several new story strands, all interwoven to paint an eerily-similar story to the 1996 feature. That's what makes this a perfect series for drama, crime, and mystery lovers; you don't need to have seen the film, as this gloriously twisted piece of television stands on its own. Season 2 delves back into the past and season 3 leaps forward again; both tell tales of small-town folk who just can’t quite get a break...
Why it's worth a watch: Drawing out each tale over the course of an entire season is an inspired move, giving time for each character – and their duplicitous ways – time to bloom, and the plot to thoroughly unravel. The cast is also, simply put, excellent. Who knew that Peter Stormare's assassin could be outdone by Billy Bob Thornton? He steals every scene he's in during season 1. Likewise for Kirsten Dunst in season 2.
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9. Parks and Recreation
Region: US
Season(s): 1-7
The show: Parks and Recreation stumbles a little during its first season, as reflected by its mixed reviews, but the powers-that-be took that advice and ran with it. Trust us, you’ll be laughing all week if you stick with it. Led by the brilliant Amy Poehler, it revolves around the day-to-day experiences of Leslie Knope, deputy director of the Pawnee parks and recreation department, and her misfit bunch of co-workers. Told through a mockumentary-style of shooting, the show uses the pettiness of small-town bureaucracy as its comedic fodder.
Why it's worth a watch: It swerves around the pitfalls of sitcom tedium, thanks to some of the most memorable comedy characters in TV history played by Nick Offerman (who will provide you with one-liners and woodwork advice), Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Rashida Jones, Retta, and Chris Pratt. Not only is it bursting with humour, it packs a ton of heart that makes this double as a bit of tearjerker too.
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8. Unbelievable
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1
The show: A young woman is woken in the night to the sound of a man breaking into her home. Sounds like the beginning to a typical Netflix true-crime series, right? Unbelievable is anything but typical, subverting the usual TV tropes to provide a fresh angle that refuses to make women victims of the show’s repugnant villain. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever headline this limited series as two detectives from different districts who unite to bring a serial rapist to justice. The tale splits at the beginning to tell two stories across separate timelines. Things begin in Washington state in 2008 when Marie (a superb Kaitlyn Dever) is attacked, and flip back and forward to 2011 to a number of other cases with similar experiences.
Why it’s worth a watch: Ambitious, driven, compelling. Taking a big risk on a difficult-to-watch topic is what makes this one of the best Netflix shows. Its headlining cast brings pathos and heart to this wrenching story, with Collette and Wever’s characters signalling the vast difference of how women are treated by female police officers as opposed to their male counterparts. This is gripping television that cannot be missed.
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7. Russian Doll
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1
The show: Living the same day over and over is a concept we’ve seen a fair amount onscreen. Groundhog Day approaches that design with a mixture of amusement and sadness, and Russian Doll ups the ante by throwing in a dose of 2019 New York and a killer central performance. This ain’t a ‘90s movie, folks. Natasha Lyonne, who you’ll recognise from Orange is the New Black among other things, chain-smokes her way through this sticky predicament as Nadia. It’s her 36th birthday and her friends are throwing her a party in their loft. There’s just one snag: she keeps dying and waking up in the bathroom.
Why it’s worth a watch: One of the most talked-about Netflix Originals is deserving of all the chatter and acclaim, ‘cause it’s funny as HELL. Come for the inventive premise and stay for the comedic performances.
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6. Bojack Horseman
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-6
The show: A failed ‘90s actor spirals through life on a mix of sex, drugs, and trying to deal with depression. Oh, and he’s a horse. Will Arnett voices the anthropomorphic stallion as he sees himself struggling against a tidal wave of self-pity, while also not trying to mess up everything good in his life. His best friend, Todd, voiced by Aaron Paul, often stands by his side – if he’s not knee-deep in another one of his get-rich-quick schemes. It’s also a comedy. Trust me.
Why it’s worth a watch: It’s done something that very few animated (or live-action) shows have even bothered to approach before: depression. While the show can have you crying with laughter at points, it can also have you crying. It’s a hugely complex look at a self-destructive man (well, man-horse) in a world just as crazy as he is.
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5. Twin Peaks
Region: US
Season(s): 1-2
The show: David Lynch and Mark Frost placed a stone-cold whodunnit story within the rainy climes of the Pacific Northwest, spawning a cult classic in the process. The mystery begins when the body of popular teen Laura Palmer is found washed up on the beach. With a cast of characters that range from the downright chipper, such as Kyle Maclachlan’s Agent Dale Cooper, to the utterly sinister, ahem, paging the Log Lady, this is Lynch at his best.
Why it's worth a watch: Dark, twisted, and uncomfortably funny, it's unlike any other murder-mystery you've ever seen. Perfect for pausing, rewinding, and analysing, it’s a puzzle that you’ll almost solve… but can you ever really be sure when you’re dealing with the dreamscape of Lynch?
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4. Breaking Bad
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-5
The show: Breaking Bad remains one of the best TV shows to emerge in recent years. The killer premise of a chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer spins out of control across five seasons, as the teacher in question, Walter White, slowly transforms from nice guy to antihero. All the while he hides his illegal shenanigans from his family, making for a slow bubbling tension throughout the entire series.
Why it's worth a watch: Just when you think the stakes can't get raised any higher, Mr. White steps up his game, taking his quest to ever-crazy heights of excess. His quietly simmering rage is spectacular to watch thanks to a nuanced turn from Bryan Cranston, who manages to make White an incredibly compelling character.
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3. Hannibal
Region: UK
Season(s): 1-4
The show: You might think you know Hannibal thanks to Anthony Hopkins’ legendary take on the sinister cannibal. Alas, where the rest of the franchise made him into a laughable caricature, this small-screen version is another matter, entirely. In the hands of showrunner Bryan Fuller, Mads Mikkelsen’s Lecter blossoms into an even more terrifying figure. A smooth-talking sharp dresser without a jot of remorse we meet him decades before the events of Silence of the Lambs, where he begins a working relationship with FBI profiler, Will Graham (Hugh Dancy)
Why it’s worth a watch: It’s cold and beautiful – almost like it, too, hails from the devious mind of its antagonist. Like Hannibal, the series showcases a precision and attention to detail to its aesthetic, from the opening credits sequence (ripped off years later by Daredevil) to the staging of Hannibal’s victims, it's like a terrible diorama plucked from your nightmares. There’s no other show this daring.
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2. Mad Men
Region: UK, US
Season(s): 1-7
The show: This award-winning period piece rides the wave of prestige television, taking a high dive into some seriously low behaviour. A glimpse back into the '60s era of Madison Avenue advertising execs, those self-dubbed eponymous mad men, this HBO series explores their hedonistic extra-curricular activities and how that affects the workplace. One of the most celebrated TV shows in recent times follows the employees of reputable agency Sterling Cooper, led by the smooth-yet-troubled Don Draper, as they navigate through the decade.
Why it's worth a watch: Dramatic, funny, insightful – and that's just in the first episode. This is a compelling slice of nostalgic Americana, looking back at a period of great change with knowing winks and uber-cool style. You might find yourself getting frustrated at how misogynistic things are, but it’s rewarding to see trends change as time passes.
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1. Mindhunter
Region: Worldwide
Season(s): 1-2
The show: A period piece with no corsets or lofty accents, you say? Mindhunter hails from David Fincher and sets about recreating the fledgling days of serial killer profiling at the FBI. This is not your typical weekly crime procedural. Instead, this dark gem opts for the long, slow burn as Jonathan Groff’s eager agent and his disgruntled colleague (Holt McCallany) stray into dangerous territory: interviewing incarcerated serial murderers. Based on the true story of the first FBI profiler, his personal story is interwoven perfectly during the course of the first season, which tells episode after episode of rich, textured storytelling that’ll get under your skin and stay there.
Why it’s worth a watch: Decades of crime entertainment – ahem, CSI – have turned all of us into armchair sleuths, and the majority of movies and shows know that. Mindhunter is rewarding as hell to watch for entirely the opposite reason. You’ll be shouting at the TV as the two agents apply their newly-founded techniques to catch active killers.
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Every new Disney movie out in 2020, 2021, and 2022 .
This YouTuber managed to build a stunning underground dwelling fit with a kitchen and a swimming pool in a forest in Suntuk, central Cambodia. The footage shows the lengthy process behind hollowing out a pit and engraving the finer details into the stone such as a bed and a kitchen.