2023 wasn’t the easiest year for film and television, mainly due to the actors and writers’ strikes. WhileDisney Plusdidn’t release as much original content as previous years, it still saw another successful year and managed to deliver some great quality programming, new seasons to beloved shows, revivals, spin-offs, and more. As the year is coming to an end, it’s time to look back at some of the best Disney Plus series released in 2023.
Disney Plusis no stranger to releasing content fit for all its different kinds of fans, and 2023 was no exception. Fans of every genre will find something to watch and enjoy, from its top franchises Marvel andStar Wars, to many more familiar faces and documentaries. These television series managed to win over the critics and the audience in 2023, and rank among the overall best series within the extensive Disney Plus catalog.
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Number of seasons
1
Number of episodes
6
Episode duration
37–43 minutes
Release date
IMDB Score
8.9/10
Kicking things off isAnimals Up Close with Bertie Gregory, a six-episodedocumentary seriesby National Geographic. The series follows wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory as he travels around the world to seehow some animals live in their native environments. It offers a revealing and intimate look into their daily lives. The first season features pumas, killer whales, wild dogs, elephants, and more.
This docu-series is a must-watch not only for National Geographic fans or nature and wildlife enthusiasts, but also for those looking for anentertaining and insightful look into the lives of animals. It is also a visual spectacle, as it features incredible landscapes, natural wonders, and stunning close-ups of all these beautiful animals. It has received critical acclaim for its unique storytelling and its breathtaking look at wildlife.
Based on
10
25–31 minutes
86%
95%
70
8.0/10
The Muppetsis one of the many iconic Disney-owned franchises, and in 2023, fans got to see some of the beloved puppets hit the small screen once more with the release of the musical comedy seriesThe Muppets Mayhem. It follows Nora (Lilly Singh), a young music executive, as she deals with the madness of the classic Muppets band. With her help, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem try to record their album and face the modern music scene. Modern music stars such as Lil Nas X and Steve Aoki appear as special guests, as well asiconic figures such as Morgan Freemanand Peter Jackson.
With its first season consisting of ten 30-minute episodes, the series is a perfect binge-watching option for anyone familiar with The Muppets franchise or interested in the music industry.The Muppets Mayhemwas a highly anticipated releasethat did not disappoint. Its charm and humor extended beyond fans of the Muppet franchise. It became one of the most hyped TV releases on social media, and it received mostly positive reviews.
3
24
33–59 minutes
85%
51%
8.7/10
One of the big-hitters of the year for Disney Plus was the highly anticipated third season ofThe Mandalorian. Although season 3 wasn’t as universally well-received as the previous two, it is absolutely worth the watch for those already invested in the series, and for fans of the films looking to expand theirStar Warshorizons. The third season continues the journey of Din Djarin and Grogufollowing the events ofThe Book of Boba Fett,as the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history.
The Mandalorianbecame a massive hit after its release in 2019, and it remains one of the best and most popular series on Disney Plus to this day. While the third season got more of a divided response from fans, its eight episodes still managed to deliver a solid addition to the series and became one of the most streamed shows at the time of its release.It has been renewed for a fourth season, which is currently in development.
8
37–57 minutes
70%
68
7.6/10
Where to watch
Disney+
Another entry forStar Warsfans and one of the overall best Disney Plus releases of 2023 isAhsoka. Rosario Dawson, reprising her role fromThe Mandalorian, stars as Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan during the Clone Wars. Although the seriescontinues some storylines fromStar Wars Rebels, it is not necessary to watch it.Ahsokafollows the titular character’s quest to prevent the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn. For this, she teams up with her former apprentice, Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), and they must overcome their own issues before they can prevent the imminent catastrophe.
One thing Disney is known for compared to other streaming platforms is its commitment to its characters and its wide catalog of spin-off series. When Ahsoka Tano made her live-action debut inThe Mandalorian,she became an instant fan-favorite, and it wasn’t long until a series about her was announced. Fortunately for fans,Ahsokareceived mostly positive reviews, many of them highlighting Rosario Dawson’s performance as the titular character. It has become a must-watch for any fans of the franchise, and it is one of the best series Disney had to offer this year.
2
12
41–56 minutes
65
8.2/10
Perhaps the most anticipated Marvel release of the year was the second season of the hit seriesLoki, which follows the God of Mischief and other members of the TVA as they work to restore the multiverse and save the TVA from an event that could destroy all timelines. Standing in Loki’s way is Sylvie, his female counterpart and the first woman that Loki has ever loved. Without getting into spoiler territory, this season perfectly closes Loki’s character arc and has one of thebest and most effective finalesin the MCU.
The six-episode season may not have been as universally praised as its predecessor, but it still got a mostly positive reception from both the audience and critics. While manyfans are getting tired of the current state of the MCU,Lokiseason 2 has been described as Marvel’s top release of the year. The complete series is considered one of, if not the overall best entry inthe MCU afterAvengers: Endgame. The criticism of Marvel’s recent entries is more than justified, but if there’s one Marvel 2023 release worth every fan’s time, it’s the second season ofLoki.The show surpassed expectations and stands as the bestDisney Plusseries of 2023.
