The best Disney+ shows to watch with kids — that you'll actually enjoy
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“Screen time” has become a big buzzword these past few years: Are kids getting too much of it? How much should they be watching at their age? Should young children be having any screen time at all?
Whether your parenting style is more restrictive or more liberal when it comes to the boob tube, one thing is clear: The best screen time is time spent watching together, as a family. But let's face it: A lot of children's programming can be a bit of a slog, sensibility-wise, for the adults in the room. So the best shows to watch with your kids or grandkids are the ones you can enjoy too. Well, guess what? Disney+ is here to help. With thousands upon thousands of hours of movies, TV series, and specials, all featuring Disney's signature state-of-the-art production standards and family-friendly content, you and your brood will never be at a loss for something to watch.
We’ve highlighted a few shows that kids will love but parents can become big fans of too, thanks to features like multilayered humor or intricate storylines — and sometimes both. And at only $7 a month, family bonding was never such a bargain!
Sign up for Disney+ for $7 a month
DuckTales
This update of the classic ‘80s show takes all the great adventure and characterization and updates it for today’s kids. But adults will still appreciate the ongoing mysteries that haunt the Duck family — especially the whereabouts of Huey, Dewey and Louie’s mom Della. You’ll also be re-introduced to old-school villains like the Beagle Boys and Magica DeSpell, as well as new baddies like tech billionaire Mark Beaks, who will always keep the clan on their webbed toes. The guest voices are a fun update, too: Keep your ears peeled for Saturday Night Live's Beck Bennett as Launchpad and Doctor Who's David Tennant as Scrooge himself.
Gargoyles
Swords, sorcery and science clash in this modern-day fairy tale that brings a group of medieval warriors into the twentieth century. But these fighters aren’t human, which means they're always unwittingly scaring the people they're trying to help! Luckily they have some human allies looking out for them in the modern world, like detective Elisa Maza. Kids will root for the gargoyles to save the day (which they usually do), while adults will probably be drawn to the simmering romance between Goliath and Elisa.
Gravity Falls
If you’re a fan of supernatural mystery shows like Kolchak the Night Stalker or The X-Files but find they might be a little too intense for your little ones, Gravity Falls is just the ticket. Twins Mabel and Dipper Pines have been sent to spend the summer with their great-uncle Stan in Oregon, but they soon discover that the town of Gravity Falls isn’t just about tall trees and cheap souvenirs. There are fairies, gnomes, robots, government agents and even a mysterious journal that may hold the key to the universe. Talk about something for everyone!
The Muppet Show
Most sketch comedy is aimed at older audiences, while variety shows for kids are typically a bit, um, "fluffy" for the adults in the room. With The Muppet Show Jim Henson wonderfully, magically bridged the gap — kids will enjoy the silly screwball comedy, while adults can relish the wordplay like puns and double entendres. Sure, your kids will have no idea who half the guest hosts are, but explaining that will be the the fun-nest history lesson they'll ever get.
Note: The is one of the Disney+ shows that contains a content warning due to outdated and/or negative cultural depictions.
The Owl House
Why go to a summer camp when you can spend your vacation learning magic from a genuine witch in a surreal fantasy world? At least, that might be the question the kids in your life will be asking after checking out this show about a young Latina named Luz who becomes apprentice to a troublemaking criminal named Eda. There’s even a magical school for fans of Harry Potter, though Luz finds acceptance there won’t be as easy as getting a mysterious letter from an owl. Released in 2020, The Owl House is contemporary and classic.
Star vs. the Forces of Evil
Star Butterfly will some day inherit the throne of Mewni, but right now she needs to get her magic under control and what better place to do that than on magic-less Earth? Luckily, it’s not all boring classes and homework as Star takes her new friend Marco on crazy adventures across dimensions and attempts to keep the bad guys from stealing her magic. However, things get a little more complicated as she discovers more about her past, not to mention that there are other aspirants to the crown.
Star Wars: Clone Wars
Long before Disney and Lucasfilm gave us movies like Rogue One to fill in the gaps between the canonical Star Wars films, this cartoon was showing us all the down and dirty of the fight between the Old Republic and the Separatists. You’ll learn more about the friendship between Obi Wan and Anakin, see more of Padmé’s role in the Senate and even see a lot more young Boba Fett. This is also where we first meet Ahsoka Tano for the first time, showing her evolution from a young padawan to the seasoned Jedi we saw on The Mandalorian. If all of that makes sense to you, you're definitely not too old to enjoy this!
Sign up for Disney+ for only $7 a month
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