When the Walt Disney Company bought the 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, a shockwave was sent through the entertainment industry. Disney now owned one of its biggest competitors and its entire film, television, and franchise library. Once the company also announced its very own streaming service, aptly named Disney +, speculation ran rampant as to what exactly would be available come launch day, which not so strangely didn’t include everything (you need to keep releasing material to keep people subscribed and entice new subscribers).
Aside from the entire library of The Simpsons (sans one episode), so far not a whole lot. But give the Mouse House a moment to sift through and catalog what they have and what’s ready for digital transfer and what needs to be cleaned up. But once they have done that, expect the floodgates to blast right open. Here are 10 Amazing FOX TV Shows that are missing on Disney Plus.
Family Guy
Since the show’s earliest beginnings in 1999, fans have always tried to link Family Guy to either The Simpsons, South Park, or both. While the animated families are similar and the vulgarities are similar, Family Guy is its own thing entirely, a microcosm of “random” comedy with hysterical cutaways and sight gags.
Peter, Stewie, Brian, and company might be a little more mean spirited and in your face and less introspective and subversive than its brethren but that doesn’t make it any less good.
The X-Files
At eleven seasons and counting, The X-Files is one of TV’s most beloved sci-fi dramas of all time. The saga of FBI Agents Mulder and Scully and their quest for the truth about aliens on this planet captured the hearts and minds of fans the world over.
As of late, the cast has been up for filming more (two seasons already during the revival), this is one Fox show where new content could land on Disney Plus.
24
Jack Bauer has the worst days that anyone could possibly have. For nine years, no matter what the circumstances, no matter the cost to his personal and familial health and wellbeing, Jack Bauer would do all he could to ensure our country’s freedom. Usually at the cost of his own personal freedom.
With every episode in a season representing an hour of a day, 24 is rife for binge-watching. Eventually, Disney could and should release a Fox button on the app and have a TV-MA section, shows like 24 would be perfect for it.
So You Think You Can Dance
Another Fox show that is still currently producing new content is So You Think You Can Dance. Like it’s sister show, Disney property, Dancing With The Stars, both shows are rife for Disney + family binging. Some of the best dance numbers have come from Disney and Fox films alike, and this show has a slew of even better ones over the years.
Fox keeps renewing the series, which will be strutting into its 17th season. While the series most likely won’t be taking new episodes off of Fox, the back catalog would be “fun for the family” entertainment. The series itself could also start using Disney songs and routines should they so choose.
Herman’s Head
It’s a blast from the past, but Herman’s Head was one of the early cult classics on the Fox network. The show was about Herman Brooks and the people who lived inside of his head.
Think Inside Out, without the emotional heartstrings of a Pixar movie. In place of those heartstrings, were irreverent arguments between several aspects of Herman’s personality.
Futurama
Matt Groening’s other big cartoon, Futurama has a hard time finding a time slot, but not an audience. While The Simpsons was a globally loved series, the sci-fi comedy was niche.
Philip J. Fry, a delivery man in the 20th century is accidentally frozen and not thawed out until the 30th century. He’s still a delivery driver, but he’s partnered up with a beer-guzzling robot, a warrior woman cyclops, and a whole host of other miscreants. For anyone that never got to see every episode, or its Comedy Central run, hopefully, it will land on Disney + soon.
Prison Break
When a man is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, his brother, coincidentally an architect for the prison, tattoos the entire map of the prison on his person and gets himself tossed in with him with one goal, to get him out. Prison Break’s unique take on an old premise allowed for a lot of action and suspense throughout the entire series.
As the brothers dig deeper into escaping, they also discover a bigger conspiracy at work. The series was a sleeper hit and ran for four years, plus an ending movie and an eventual fifth season. According to series star, Dominic Purcell another season is in the works. Perhaps more original content for the streaming service?
Glee
Glee was a one of a kind show when it started. It had been years, if ever that a scripted series was going down the musical route. The first few seasons were infectious fun before things went a little south. But despite the dip in quality storytelling, the show’s musical efforts were always top-notch.
Disney + has two new shows (High School Musical and Encore!) dedicated to theater and Gleeks, so they might as well add the OG of the genre for binging pleasure.
The Gifted
Fox tried to bring the X-Men to the small screen and they did it in the form of The Gifted. The show was about several new mutants on the run from the government and the reborn Hellfire Club.
With standout performances from several actors, the series was kicking up some steam before the merger squashed any plans. Hopefully, Disney will revisit this story one day.
Fringe
In the wake of shows like The X-Files and Lost, Fringe came along to bend our brains some more. The first season of the series featured the old “monster of the week” format that some of its predecessors had established and very little in the way of an overarching mythology. Until the final moments of seasons one’s “There’s More Than One Of Everything,” when Olivia Dunham realized she was no longer on her Earth, but an alternate one, complete with a non-rusted Statue Of Liberty and the Twin Towers still standing. From there it was a race to save both Earth’s and avert invasion from Observers taking over.
Next: The 10 Best Animated Disney Movies Streaming On Disney+, Ranked
