Even from its inception, the concept of Disney+ was a very intriguing one, since it promised to be the new home for all things Disney. More exciting than just a vault of classic content, however, was the idea of brand-new shows and movies in all of our favorite franchises been presented right before our eyes on Disney+, through the power of on-demand streaming. Well, it’s been a few years now, so I figured what better time than now to list out my Top 10 Favorite projects released on the platform thus far!
Let’s jump into it!
10) Light & Magic
On the whole, I’m not much of a “documentary” type of person, but I was very interested to know more about the most infamous VFX studio in the business. Even putting Star Wars aside, Industrial Light and Magic have been behind some of the most amazing special effects in the movie industry, and that stuff has always appealed to me (just ask my brother about my incredible knowledge of a certain Star Wars behind-the-scenes film). I wasn’t disappointed in taking the time to watch through this insightful and almost inspiring tale of the dedication of pioneering effects artists and their passion for creative storytelling.
9) Star Wars: The Bad Batch
It might not be traditional Clone Wars, but it’s the best that I’m realistically ever going to get again (Tales of the Jedi notwithstanding), so obviously I enjoy this show. It might be a bit meandering from time-to-time, but the visuals are gorgeous and the cast is endearing. The voice acting and music are spot-on, and the action scenes are entertaining and frequently creative. The show makes good use of legacy characters and new storylines, and I’m very interested in the plot that is ramping up since the heartbreaking season two finale. There’s a lot of good character building to be found here too, and you can tell this show is enjoying the perk of being a streaming show unbeholden to television restrictions like cutting scenes/episodes.
8) Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
This movie is an absolutely trip, and one of the most bonkers I’ve ever seen. There’s a reason people online are referring to it as a modern-day Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Like, as an actual written work of fiction, it’s nothing to brag about, but it’s unforgettable as an experience. From the comically murderous chef puppet, to the unexpected heroism of “Ugly Sonic”, this animated film is a mess in all the best ways. It leans heavily into the nostalgia factor, but it can still be enjoyed by people with minimal investment in the original Chip n’ Dale series. It’s got a very solid cast too, and a fresh blend of animation styles in every scene.
7) Star Wars: Visions
I love anime, and I love Star Wars, so it isn’t a surprise that I would find enjoyment in this anthology series. Anthology series aren’t usually my jam, but some of the episodes in this series are just so incredible that they make the entire package worth it. The beauty of the show is how every type of Star Wars fan can find something to love. If an episode didn’t land for me, there’s a guaranteed chance that it’s someone else’s favorite. Plus, who can complain about being able to kick back and soak in the incredible sights of mind-blowing animation one episode after the other. If there’s any downside to this show, it’s that we may never get full projects exploring the worlds of its best episodes. I guess that’s what fanfiction is for, huh?
6) Moon Knight
To anyone who knows me by now, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I absolutely adore darker stories and themes, and a dash of horror on the side. Moon Knight manages to accomplish all of these feats while also mixing in some fun Egyptian theming and a healthy dose of mind-bending psychological twists. There’s some awesome character study work in each episode, and I love the tightness inherent in having such a small central cast. Mark is a fascinating character to explore, and I love how his personalities are portrayed. The spooky scenes are a joy, and there’s a lot of inventive action choreography too. I also am a fan of the pivot in the last two episodes that dive deep into Mark’s psyche, and the teaser for the next season is neat!
5) Ms. Marvel
When a show is this vibrant and bouncy, how can you not enjoy it and be swept up by its infectious enthusiasm? With a decidedly more light-hearted tone than even the most jokey of MCU affair, Ms. Marvel is a joy to watch. You don’t need some massive comic knowledge, nor do you necessarily need to be an MCU super-fan to enjoy the ride. I’m the last person who would complain about the sameness of MCU projects, but even I can admit how Ms. Marvel was such a breath of fresh air that brought a lot to the table, including a surprising amount of historical lecturing that I found quite illuminating. I can’t wait to see where the characters of this show go into the future.
4) Loki
Part time-travelling shenanigans, part character study of one of the MCU’s most enjoyable characters, and part conspiracy thriller, Loki does it all. I’m a mega-fan of the sci-fi genre, and Loki leans hard into crazy tech and even crazier multiversal shenanigans in a consistently enjoyable way. There’s some genuine puzzle-solving going on here, and twists I don’t think anyone would’ve expected going into the show. The heavy cyberpunk aesthetic soundtrack is a highlight, but the standout of the show is absolutely the acting from the main leads, and the compelling journey their character arcs undergo. You might think a twenty-minute conversation can’t be a thrilling final climax, but Loki would prove you wrong!
3) Falcon and the Winter Solider
The MCU phases come and go, but the circle of allies and enemies related to Captain America consistently remain my favorite group of characters and themes to explore. The Winter Solider is a very solid action-intrigue flick, and Civil War is my all-time favorite MCU movie, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I really enjoy this show. The deep-dives into these beloved characters are great to see, the societal commentary is heavy-hitting, and the action is as amazing as you’d expect from the grounded world of Cap’s side of the MCU. The soundtrack is a real earworm, and I love the intrigue and shifting alliances of the friends and foes. Some ending beats might be a tad rushed, but I otherwise thoroughly loved this show on first viewing, and still do now.
2) Hawkeye
Though it hurts me a little bit to rank this higher than Falcon and the Winter Solider, there’s simply no other recourse for me. There’s practically nothing that Hawkeye does wrong during its entire runtime, and it remains eminently entertaining from start to finish. The characters, the plot, the music, the cinematography, the choreography, the humor, the heart…it’s all pretty much perfect. Almost befitting the Christmas-time setting, Hawkeye is a feel-good show that is ceaselessly enjoyable in every imaginable way, and succeeds in the herculean task of appeasing practically every type of Marvel fan or casual observer. And, of course, Jeremy Renner and Hallie Steinfeld have unmatched chemistry as the unwitting master-and-apprentice, and I’d love for a million more seasons of their shenanigans together.
1) Andor
Andor is such an overwhelmingly brilliant show that it’s genuinely difficult for me to wrap my head around it. How did a spinoff show featuring the one-off character from Rogue One produce one of the best television dramas in recent years, and perhaps the best thing Disney has done in a decade? Like I said, it’s hard to fully comprehend!
Andor is, at its core, the very essence of perfect storytelling. It’s a masterclass of television programming that not only avoids all common pitfalls of tv and streaming media, but also stands proudly atop its own mountain of success as a barometer for future shows to try to achieve and surpass. Through its twelve-episode runtime, Andor never once falters in presenting some of the best action and dialogue scenes I’ve ever seen just in general, let alone television exclusively. It’s a gritty, serious, and heavy-hitting series, but not one devoid of hope. After all, rebellions are built on hope.
Andor is the best piece of Star Wars media in years, and makes a genuinely compelling argument for being one of (if not the best) made Star Wars things ever. It isn’t just a good Star Wars show. It’s an astonishingly amazing show, period. If you haven’t buckled down to watch it yet, please do so. You won’t regret it!
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 