Ranking All the Disney+ Originals (So Far)
#10: “Pick of the Litter” (2019-)
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This series centers around six puppies. For many viewers, we can stop right there; we’ve already sold them on the show. But while the cuteness factor is a major selling point for this documentary series, it also has a whole lot of heart and a substantial amount of educational value. “Pick of the Litter” follows Paco, Pacino, Raffi, Amara, Tulane, and Tartan, six adorable pups who’ve been selected to potentially serve as guide dogs for the visually impaired. The series brings attention to this often overlooked process, and the difficulties and challenges faced not only by the would-be seeing eye dogs, but also the people who take on their training.
#9: “Noelle" (2019)
Disney’s first big budget Christmas film to be released directly onto their streaming service sadly didn’t blow critics away. But at 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s actually better reviewed than many films that are today considered modern holiday classics, including “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, “The Holiday”, “Home Alone 2” and “Jingle All the Way”. Starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader, “Noelle” centers on Kris Kringle’s two adult children who, when the time comes for Santa’s mantle to be passed, must come to grips with what it means for their respective futures. It might not be the spiritual successor to “It’s a Wonderful Life”, but it’s silly, feel-good fun. And come Christmas time, that’s often more than enough to help you get in the holiday spirit!
#8: "Encore!” (2019-)
Disney might be best known for their scripted content, but as they venture into the world of streaming services, they’re trying to give subscribers a little bit of everything. “Encore” is a reality series that sees host Kristen Bell reuniting the casts of real world high school musical productions for… well, an encore. Each episode, a different group is brought together to replay their roles from high school productions of famous musicals like “Annie”, “Grease” and “Oklahoma”. Despite the silly premise, the process often proves surprisingly cathartic and emotional for all parties involved. It’s not for everyone, but fans of theater and feel-good reality TV are sure to sing its praises.
#7: "High School Musical: The Musical - The Series" (2019-)
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Since we’re on the subject of high school musicals, now seems like an appropriate time to discuss this mouthful of a series. Apparently Disney isn’t afraid to get a little meta, as this scripted series centers on a group of students attending a fictionalized version of the high school where Disney’s High School Musical was shot. And wouldn’t you know it, the school decides to stage “High School Musical: The Musical” under the guidance of the new drama teacher! Once you wrap your mind around the concept, the series actually has a lot to offer - both for diehard fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. Though it may seem like Disney is retreading old ground with this one, the end result is surprisingly fresh.
#6: “Marvel’s Hero Project” (2019-)
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More so than perhaps any other generation before them, today’s youth are growing up in an era of superhero worship. The Disney-owned Marvel Cinematic Universe dominates the box office and the world of merchandising. Rather than just give kids more adult-heroes to look up to however, Disney+ is using the Marvel brand to remind children that you don’t need to be a grownup or have super powers to be a hero. This documentary series follows everyday children who’ve taken it upon themselves to change the world for the better. Heartwarming and insanely inspiring, “Marvel’s Hero Project” is exactly the sort of content that will have parents feeling good about this particular subscription service.
#5: “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” (2019-)
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Just hand Jeff Goldblum a phonebook to read aloud and people would gladly hang on his every word. But have him tackle various everyday subjects that interest him, and you’ve got the makings of some seriously fascinating TV. From “Sneakers” and “Denim” to “Gaming”, “Ice Cream”, and “Bikes”, each episode takes subscribers on a journey as Jeff Goldblum learns about the things that interest him - but which he doesn’t necessarily know much about. Quirky, rife with tangents, and just a whole lot of fun, this series might not be the most educational docu-series ever made, but Goldblum’s enthusiasm is more than enough to get you hooked.
#4: "Lady and the Tramp" (2019-)
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Disney is seemingly intent on remaking all their classics films. Unfortunately, few have managed to match the quality or timeless charms of the originals. Not every remake needs to be a massive production, and we think that Disney made a really good choice in sending “Lady and the Tramp” straight to their streaming service. To be clear, that’s not to say that it’s a bad film! In fact, at 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s been better received than “Dumbo”, “The Lion King” and “Aladdin”. “Lady and the Tramp” is just more of a small-scale, intimate story - one that doesn’t scream “must-see in theaters”. Watched from the comfort of your own home however, it’s a great little film with a pitch-perfect voice cast.
#3: "Togo" (2019)
Few companies can attract talent quite like Disney. Case in point: we never really thought we’d see living legend Willem Dafoe starring opposite a dog on a movie poster, but there you have it! “Togo” tells the real-life story of Leonhard Seppala who, in 1925, alongside his lead sled dog, Togo, risked life and limb to deliver medicine to the town of Nome, Alaska. Dafoe has already earned himself ample praise for his committed performance. And while dog-centric dramas tend to be overly sentimental and unabashedly sappy, based on what critics are saying, it seems that screenwriter Tom Flynn struck a perfect balance of emotion, self-seriousness and heartwarming moments. Of course, the epic visuals don’t hurt either!
#2: "The Imagineering Story" (2019)
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Diehard Disney fans, this one's for you! That being said, the magic of this documentary series is so potent that it could convert even the most cynical of subscribers and inspire them to visit the Magic Kingdom. Tracing the history of the Disney parks around the world, beginning with Disneyland in California, “The Imagineering Story” goes behind the scenes to explore the many ups and downs, successes and failures that the company has experienced over the decades, while also taking a closer look at the ride and attraction design process. If six hours of content doesn’t cut it, check out “One Day at Disney”, which goes behind the scenes with various Disney employees. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions “Forky Asks A Question” (2019-) “Pixar in Real life” (2019-) “Disney Family Sundays” (2019-)
#1: “The Mandalorian” (2019-)
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It’s been called the “the top tv show in the world”. Not only has “The Mandalorian” dethroned “Stranger Things” as the most-watched original streaming series, its global popularity in terms of demand eclipses even that of “Game of Thrones”. So… all things considered it’s only natural that this landmark series take the top spot on our list today. The first live-action Star Wars series has expanded the already massive franchise in unexpected and exciting ways, delivering new original stories in a galaxy far, far away. Great production values, a compelling lead character, and (of course) Baby Yoda, have made “The Mandalorian” the streaming service’s biggest selling point.
