Best Disney+ Series You’ve Never Seen

These Disney+ gems flew a bit under the radar but offer a wide mix of comedy, sci-fi, documentaries, and family adventures. You’ll find imaginative talk shows, international originals, one-season wonders, and smart docuseries that dig into film history and real-world science. Each entry below includes practical details like premise, creators or hosts, cast, and episode counts. If you’re looking for something fresh to queue up tonight, start here.

‘Prop Culture’ (2020)

Hosted by film prop collector Dan Lanigan, ‘Prop Culture’ explores iconic screen-used artifacts from classic Disney productions. Each episode focuses on one film and tracks down items like costumes, maquettes, and set pieces while interviewing cast and crew who worked with them. The series highlights restoration techniques and preservation challenges that keep these artifacts intact. It runs eight episodes and covers titles from live-action adventures to animated touchstones brought into the real world.

‘Earth to Ned’ (2020)

From The Jim Henson Company, ‘Earth to Ned’ is a puppet-driven late-night talk show hosted by an alien who becomes obsessed with Earth culture. The show features celebrity interviews, original sketches, and behind-the-desk antics with a crew of practical-effects puppets. Performers operate full-body characters with sophisticated animatronics built for expressive movement. The series spans twenty episodes, released in two batches, and was filmed on a detailed spaceship set.

‘Diary of a Future President’ (2020–2021)

‘Diary of a Future President’ follows a Cuban American middle-schooler who documents daily life on her path toward a future in the Oval Office. It was created by Ilana Peña and produced by Gina Rodriguez, who also appears as the adult version of the lead character. The show blends coming-of-age stories with family, friendship, and school challenges across two seasons. Episodes clock in at half an hour, making it easy to sample multiple chapters in one sitting.

‘Be Our Chef’ (2020)

‘Be Our Chef’ is a family cooking competition that invites teams to create dishes inspired by Disney stories and characters. Hosted by Angela Kinsey, the format includes themed challenges set at Walt Disney World locations. Judges evaluate creativity, flavor, and presentation, with culinary prompts tied to animated classics and modern favorites. The season culminates in a finale where the winning recipe earns a spot at a Disney dining venue.

‘Encore!’ (2019–2020)

Produced by Kristen Bell, ‘Encore!’ reunites former high school cast mates to restage their musical productions as adults. Each episode documents rehearsals, voice coaching, and choreography refreshers as participants balance work and family obligations. Professional theater mentors guide the teams to performance night while the show revisits personal histories tied to the original productions. The season features different musicals and schools, creating a self-contained story in every episode.

‘Zenimation’ (2020–2021)

‘Zenimation’ is a dialogue-free compilation series that pairs stunning visuals from Disney Animation with curated sound design. Episodes group scenes by themes such as nature, flight, or water, emphasizing ambient audio and Foley over music and speech. The format encourages mindful viewing and highlights the craftsmanship in backgrounds, effects, and character animation. The show offers short, self-contained installments ideal for quick breaks.

‘Just Beyond’ (2021)

Based on stories by R. L. Stine, ‘Just Beyond’ is an anthology that blends supernatural elements with coming-of-age themes. Each episode presents a standalone tale featuring new casts and settings, from haunted schools to parallel dimensions. The series targets a family audience while incorporating light thrills and moral questions. Season one delivers eight episodes with a consistent visual style and brisk pacing.

‘The Right Stuff’ (2020)

‘The Right Stuff’ dramatizes the early days of NASA’s Mercury program and the pilots who became the first American astronauts. Produced with Nat Geo, the series recreates test flights, pressure-filled training, and media scrutiny surrounding the space race. It focuses on teamwork, rivalry, and the technical hurdles of sending humans into orbit. The season covers key milestones and was filmed with period-accurate sets, aircraft, and mission control environments.

‘Light & Magic’ (2022)

‘Light & Magic’ is a documentary series that chronicles the creation and evolution of Industrial Light & Magic. It traces the company’s breakthroughs in model work, motion-control photography, computer graphics, and digital compositing. Interviews with effects artists and filmmakers show how new tools reshaped production workflows across decades. The series runs six episodes and includes archival footage, behind-the-scenes reels, and step-by-step demonstrations of effects techniques.

‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire’ (2023)

‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire’ is an animated anthology featuring original science fiction shorts from African creators and studios. Episodes explore Afrofuturist themes with diverse art styles, languages, and settings across the continent. The project brings together directors and animators who draw on local folklore, technology, and contemporary culture. The season includes ten standalone stories, each with its own worldbuilding and character designs.

‘Parallels’ (2022)

Produced in France, ‘Parallels’ follows a group of teens separated by a mysterious event that fractures time. The series uses a mix of suspense and character drama as friends communicate across shifting timelines. It was filmed in the French Alps and features bilingual dialogue depending on region settings. The season consists of six episodes and provides a complete story arc with room for further expansion.

‘Iwájú’ (2024)

‘Iwájú’ is a collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Kugali, set in a futuristic Lagos. The series blends speculative technology with local culture, architecture, and fashion to tell a story about class, family, and invention. Artists developed a visual language that integrates advanced gadgets with real urban landmarks. Season one presents episodic chapters that build a larger narrative centered on young protagonists.

‘Renegade Nell’ (2024)

‘Renegade Nell’ is a swashbuckling adventure about a quick-witted woman framed for murder who turns to highway robbery. Created by Sally Wainwright, the show mixes historical settings with touches of fantasy and political intrigue. The cast includes Louisa Harland and a supporting ensemble of nobles, soldiers, and outlaws. The first season delivers feature-length episodes that track heists, disguises, and shifting allegiances.

‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ (2021–2022)

Based on the novels by Trenton Lee Stewart, ‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ follows gifted orphans recruited to stop a global mind-control scheme. The show emphasizes puzzles, teamwork, and ethical choices as the group infiltrates a suspicious academy. Tony Hale portrays dual roles that anchor the story’s central conflict. Across two seasons, the series combines mystery-of-the-week elements with a continuing conspiracy.

‘Turner & Hooch’ (2021)

‘Turner & Hooch’ is a procedural comedy that continues the premise from the classic film, pairing a U.S. Marshal with a rambunctious dog. Episodes feature case-of-the-week investigations that rely on K-9 skills for searches, tracking, and takedowns. The cast includes Josh Peck along with trainers who manage the canine star’s stunts and cues. The single season assembles a mix of action, pet training insights, and family subplots.

‘Big Shot’ (2021–2022)

‘Big Shot’ follows a college basketball coach who takes a job at an all girls private high school after a public incident. John Stamos leads the cast with Yvette Nicole Brown and Jessalyn Gilsig in key roles. Episodes cover training, tournaments, and academic life, and the season structure builds around playoffs. Across two seasons the show totals twenty episodes with a focus on team culture and personal growth.

‘The World According to Jeff Goldblum’ (2019–2022)

‘The World According to Jeff Goldblum’ explores everyday topics through travel, interviews, and visits to makers and experts. Each episode centers on a single theme such as sneakers or ice cream and breaks it down with demonstrations and field segments. The host meets artisans, scientists, and collectors who share techniques and history. Two seasons add up to twenty two episodes produced under the National Geographic banner.

‘The Imagineering Story’ (2019)

‘The Imagineering Story’ documents the creation of Disney parks and attractions from early concept art to modern construction. Director Leslie Iwerks assembles archival footage and interviews with engineers, artists, and executives. The series traces breakthroughs in animatronics, ride systems, and show design across multiple resorts. It runs six feature length episodes that follow major milestones in chronological order.

‘Secrets of Sulphur Springs’ (2021–2024)

‘Secrets of Sulphur Springs’ is a mystery drama about kids who discover a portal tied to strange events in a small town hotel. Each season introduces a central riddle that connects missing persons and time jumps to the property. The cast features Preston Oliver and Kyliegh Curran with recurring adults who anchor the town history. Over three seasons the show delivers thirty eight episodes with cliffhangers and case files that carry between chapters.

‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ (2022–2023)

‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ follows a young code breaker who uncovers clues linked to a long hidden trove. The series introduces new characters while nodding to the film continuity through returning figures and artifacts. Episodes weave puzzles, ciphers, and museum research into modern day chases. One season of ten episodes completes the storyline with a final set of reveals.

‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ (2021–2022)

‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ continues the hockey world by forming a new team after the original program becomes ultra competitive. Lauren Graham and Emilio Estevez appear in season one, with Josh Duhamel joining later. Practices, league rules, and tournament brackets drive the episode structure. Across two seasons there are twenty episodes that feature on ice action and community rink logistics.

‘Limitless with Chris Hemsworth’ (2022)

‘Limitless with Chris Hemsworth’ examines human performance through challenges designed with scientists and medical experts. Each episode targets a different area such as stress adaptation or strength training with supervised protocols. The production includes lab testing, expert briefings, and controlled environments for safety. The season delivers six episodes with detailed breakdowns of methods and outcomes.

‘The Quest’ (2022)

‘The Quest’ places teen contestants inside a scripted fantasy world where actors, sets, and practical effects support each mission. Challenges use puzzles, prop weapons, and team coordination monitored by in story guardians. Filming took place at a real castle location with creature makeup and costumes created by established shops. The single season comprises eight episodes that lead to a coronation style finale.

‘The Artful Dodger’ (2023)

‘The Artful Dodger’ is set in Australia and follows Jack Dawkins as a skilled surgeon whose past as a thief keeps resurfacing. The series expands characters from classic literature with new plots involving hospitals, ports, and crime rings. Thomas Brodie Sangster and David Thewlis headline an ensemble that covers medical cases and heists. One season of eight episodes tells a complete arc with room for further stories.

‘Gannibal’ (2022–2023)

‘Gannibal’ adapts a Japanese manga about a police officer assigned to a remote village with disturbing secrets. The series blends procedural work with local customs and missing persons reports. Locations feature mountain forests and traditional homes that shape searches and chases. The first season includes seven episodes that close on a confrontation while leaving investigative threads to pursue.

‘Shadow Detective’ (2022–2024)

‘Shadow Detective’ centers on a veteran investigator who is blackmailed through anonymous calls and forced into covert tasks. The show uses phone records, financial traces, and surveillance to move each case forward. Actors Lee Sung min and Jin Goo lead interrogations that reveal links across departments. Two seasons total sixteen episodes that build an overarching conspiracy.

‘Extraordinary’ (2023– )

‘Extraordinary’ takes place in a world where most people manifest a power after a certain age, then follows a young woman who has not. Episodes show employment hurdles, clinical testing, and legal questions that arise from everyday abilities. The ensemble includes Máiréad Tyers and Siobhán McSweeney, and production is set in London. Seasons to date provide short episode counts that focus on apartment life and workplace settings.

‘The Clearing’ (2023)

‘The Clearing’ is an Australian psychological thriller inspired by reporting on cult activity and missing children. The series shifts between timelines to show recruitment tactics, rituals, and law enforcement responses. Teresa Palmer and Miranda Otto lead a cast that navigates court filings and media scrutiny. The season runs eight episodes and concludes with case outcomes and survivor accounts.

‘American Born Chinese’ (2023)

‘American Born Chinese’ adapts the graphic novel and mixes high school life with mythological visitors. The production incorporates wire work, martial arts choreography, and classroom settings. The cast features Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, and Ke Huy Quan in roles that connect modern students to legendary figures. One season of eight episodes covers a full conflict while introducing future threats.

‘Big Hero 6 The Series’ (2017–2021)

‘Big Hero 6 The Series’ continues the story of Hiro, Baymax, and friends as they balance school projects with city rescues. Animation highlights upgraded suits, new villains, and tech inventions that come out of the team lab. Voice actors include Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, and Maya Rudolph returning to their roles. Three seasons deliver more than fifty episodes that chart team lineups, competitions, and festival events.

‘Marvel’s Hero Project’ (2019–2020)

‘Marvel’s Hero Project’ profiles real kids who lead community projects and social initiatives, then surprises each with a custom comic. Episodes document how the stories are developed from interviews to pencils and inks. Families and local organizations appear to show the impact of each project. The series released twenty episodes that pair behind the scenes comic making with on the ground service work.

‘Marvel’s 616’ (2020)

‘Marvel 616’ is an anthology of documentaries that examine different corners of Marvel history and culture. Filmmakers cover topics like cosplay craftsmanship, international comics, and the process behind live action effects. Each chapter has its own director and visual approach with interviews and archival material. The season includes eight feature length episodes that can be watched in any order.

‘Pick of the Litter’ (2019)

‘Pick of the Litter’ follows puppies training to become guide dogs for people who are blind or have low vision. The show tracks medical checks, foster placements, and evaluations that determine which dogs advance. Trainers explain cues and public access rules while handlers prepare for matching. The season runs six episodes and concludes with formal graduations for teams that qualify.

‘On Pointe’ (2020)

‘On Pointe’ goes inside New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet as students prepare for winter performances. Cameras follow daily classes, costume fittings, and casting boards while faculty discuss technique and injuries. Parents and dorm staff appear to show how schedules and academics are balanced. The docuseries spans six episodes filmed across rehearsals and stage weeks.

‘Shop Class’ (2020)

‘Shop Class’ is a build competition where student teams design and construct working projects with help from an adult mentor. Challenges include prototyping, materials selection, and stress testing by a judging panel. Episodes highlight safety practices and tool use such as saws, soldering, and CAD planning. One season presents bracket rounds that lead to a final judging day.

‘One Day at Disney’ (2019–2020)

‘One Day at Disney’ is a short form series that profiles employees across parks, studios, and media teams. Each installment shows a full workday from morning prep to wrap with job specific details. Roles include animal care specialists, animators, and parade coordinators with on location footage. The run delivers dozens of bite sized episodes that are easy to watch between longer shows.

‘Among the Stars’ (2021)

‘Among the Stars’ follows astronaut Chris Cassidy and teams supporting a mission involving the International Space Station. The production captures hardware prep, launch logistics, and training in neutral buoyancy labs. NASA engineers and flight directors explain timelines and contingency plans. Six episodes combine ground operations with crew video recorded in orbit.

‘Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’ (2020–2023)

‘Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’ documents veterinary care and habitat management at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. Keepers demonstrate training that enables medical exams while designers maintain water systems and climate controls. Episodes introduce individual animals with health charts and long term plans. Two seasons show how teams coordinate nutrition, enrichment, and conservation programs.

‘Earth Moods’ (2021)

‘Earth Moods’ is a wordless travel series that pairs aerial landscapes and city scenes with ambient sound. Each episode centers on a theme such as frozen vistas or tropical coasts and uses extended shots to create rhythm. The footage comes from high resolution sources with slow movement and wide framing. Five episodes offer a relaxing option when you want background visuals.

‘Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory’ (2023)

‘Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory’ uses lightweight cameras and remote rigs to film wildlife behavior at close range. Field teams scout locations, test equipment, and log sightings before capturing sequences. The host narrates logistics such as travel windows and weather constraints that affect shoots. The season delivers cinematic episodes that combine natural history with production notes.

‘A Real Bug’s Life’ (2024)

‘A Real Bug’s Life’ explores insect and arthropod habitats using macro photography and time lapse. Episodes focus on settings like city gardens and desert dunes while narrators describe survival strategies. Crews build controlled stages for certain shots and supplement with field observations. The season compiles multiple stories per location to show how species interact.

‘Sketchbook’ (2022)

‘Sketchbook’ invites Disney artists to demonstrate how they draw specific characters while explaining workflows. The show starts with simple shapes and builds to line weight, expression, and finish. Viewers see physical and digital tools used for roughs and final passes. Six episodes pair instruction with career stories from each artist.

‘Growing Up’ (2022)

‘Growing Up’ presents first person accounts from young adults who share formative experiences. Episodes combine interviews with reenactments staged by a creative team. Each story includes context about schools, neighborhoods, and support networks. The ten part season treats each subject as a standalone chapter.

‘Behind the Attraction’ (2021–2023)

‘Behind the Attraction’ examines how specific rides and shows were conceived, engineered, and updated. Imagineers discuss queue design, ride systems, and storyline changes across parks in different countries. Archival photos and blueprints appear alongside modern walkthroughs to show iterations. Two seasons total twenty episodes that each focus on a single attraction.

‘Secrets of the Whales’ (2021)

‘Secrets of the Whales’ follows orcas, humpbacks, belugas, and sperm whales with underwater cinematography and location sound. Researchers explain family structures, hunting techniques, and regional dialects. Field segments document tagging, drone flights, and photo identification methods. Four hour long episodes are presented as a complete limited series.

Tell us which hidden Disney+ favorite you’ll add to your watchlist in the comments.