Look, we’ve all been there—scrolling through the same three banners on Disney+ until the screen-saver kicks in. In 2026, the Disney+ library is actually one of the strongest destinations for cinephiles because it houses the entire FX and Searchlight catalogs under one roof. Finding Disney+ shows worth watching means looking for the series that weren’t just made to sell merchandise, but were directed by people who care about where the lens is pointing.
This list of Disney+ shows worth watching is for the viewer who wants surgical pacing, intentional sound design, and character writing that feels human. We’ve skipped the obvious giants we’ve covered in other lists—so no The Bear, Shōgun, or Andor here. Instead, we’re digging into the high-craft gems that define the platform’s “pro-level” lineup. Let’s get into the ten series that make your subscription actually worth it.
Best for: Viewers looking for high-quality series with unique visual identities, auteur-driven directing, and prestige storytelling beyond the usual franchise hits.
Common cinephile pain points this list solves: The “kids’ show” stigma of Disney+ / Shows with flat, “digital” lighting / Predictable plot armor / Wasting time on overstuffed seasons with no payoff.
Related Lists: Disney+ Movies That Are Fun and Well Made / Shows That Hook You From Episode One / Perfect Shows for a Weekend Binge / Hidden TV Gems Worth Your Time
What to watch for
When you’re hunting for top-rated Disney+ shows, pay attention to the spatial awareness in the directing. A great series uses its environment to trap characters or set them free—watch how the camera moves through a room to show who holds the power. Notice the sound design; the best shows on this platform use audio texture to make their worlds feel tactile and immersive, even in a home theater setup.
10 Disney+ shows worth watching
1. Legion (2017–2019) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Noah Hawley
Plot: A young man diagnosed with schizophrenia discovers that his “hallucinations” might actually be incredible powers, leading him into a war between shadowy organizations.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: Disney+
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s the best Disney+ show for fans of visual surrealism. Noah Hawley uses bold blocking, symmetrical framing, and expressive color to turn the protagonist’s mind into a living landscape. It’s a cinephile favorite because it prioritizes visual metaphor over standard superhero tropes.
2. A Murder at the End of the World (2023) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Brit Marling / Zal Batmanglij
Plot: A Gen-Z amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker is invited by a reclusive billionaire to a retreat at a remote location, where one of the guests is found dead.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: This is atmosphere and tension done right. The show uses the stark, cold landscapes of Iceland and surgical sound design to build a persistent sense of isolation. The pacing is patient and disciplined, rewarding viewers who pay close attention to the visual clues.
3. The Great (2020–2023) 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Director/Creator: Tony McNamara
Plot: A satirical, comedic, and “occasionally true” story about the rise of Catherine the Great from outsider to the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia’s history.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu / Starz (Availability varies)
Why it’s a must-watch: It features surgical dialogue rhythm and incredible ensemble blocking. The show moves at a breakneck speed, using its vibrant production design to contrast the absurdity of the court with the high stakes of a coup. It’s a masterclass in tonal control.
4. Small Axe (2020) 🇬🇧
Director/Creator: Steve McQueen
Plot: An anthology of five films telling distinct stories of the lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Prime Video (Availability varies)
Why it’s a must-watch: This is auteur TV at its absolute peak. Directed by Oscar-winner Steve McQueen, each episode features visually authored cinematography and a unique rhythm. The sound and music—especially in the “Lovers Rock” episode—are used as primary storytelling tools to create an immersive experience.
5. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005– ) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Rob McElhenney
Plot: Five narcissistic, dysfunctional friends run a failing Irish pub in Philadelphia, constantly getting themselves into bizarre and often illegal situations through their own pettiness.
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: It features pro-level ensemble blocking. Because the characters are constantly shouting over each other, the show relies on surgical comedic timing and physical placement to keep the chaos readable. It is a 20-year lesson in how to build a binge-worthy engine through character chemistry.
6. Better Things (2016–2022) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Pamela Adlon / Louis C.K.
Plot: An actress raises her three daughters in Los Angeles while navigating her career, her relationships, and her eccentric mother who lives across the street.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s visually authored realism. Pamela Adlon directs with a focus on naturalistic lighting and “quiet” moments that land with huge emotional weight. The scene economy is incredible—often telling a whole story through a single look or a shared meal, making it a “properly made” character study.
7. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017–2025) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Bruce Miller (Based on Margaret Atwood)
Plot: In a dystopian near-future, a totalitarian regime has overthrown the US government, forcing fertile women into reproductive slavery as “Handmaids.”
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: It features iconic composition. The use of the color red against clinical, desaturated backgrounds creates a visual hierarchy that is standard-setting for prestige TV. The blocking and extreme close-ups make the internal state of the protagonist feel claustrophobic and terrifyingly real.
8. Mrs. America (2020) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Dahvi Waller
Plot: The true story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: This is production design as time travel. The 1970s aesthetic is flawless, but it’s the ensemble blocking of the rival political factions that makes it a must-watch series. It manages a massive cast with a surgical edit, making complex political maneuvering feel as tense as a thriller.
9. The Patient (2022) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Joel Fields / Joe Weisberg
Plot: A therapist is held prisoner by a patient who reveals himself to be a serial killer, demanding that the doctor help him curb his homicidal urges.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s a tension masterclass in tight spaces. Because most of the show takes place in one room, the directors use sound and perspective to build dread. The pacing is relentless, focusing on the psychological shifts between the two leads. It is a handpicked gem for anyone who loves high-stakes dialogue.
10. Fosse/Verdon (2019) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Steven Levenson / Thomas Kail
Plot: Spanning five decades, the limited series explores the romantic and professional partnership between legendary choreographer Bob Fosse and dancer Gwen Verdon.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Disney+ / Hulu
Why it’s a must-watch: It is choreographed filmmaking at its best. The show uses the language of dance—rhythmic editing and stylized blocking—to tell the story of the couple’s relationship. The production design recreates the grimy, high-energy world of Broadway with incredible tactile detail and visual authorship.
What to watch next
Next category: TV Shows You’ll Finish Faster Than You Expect (because once you’ve cleared these Disney+ essentials, you’ll want a high-momentum series you can crush in a single weekend).