Disney+ is serving up some of the best content for Disney fans all over the world. It features not only some of the biggest franchises out there, hosting almost all of the Star Wars and Marvel films, but also all of the classic animated films of Disney’s vault.
But, one of the plus sides to many fans who grew up with the Disney Channel, is all of the classic series that come included as well. While we all remember classics like That’s So Raven, here are some lesser-known gems that you will love to revisit.
Gargoyles
This fantasy series was a favorite of many young nineties Disney fans. Gargoyles was essentially about a band of monster warriors who battle forces of crime and evil in modern-day New York City. Only alive after dark, these beasts went on heroic journies throughout the dead of night.
It had some of the best storytelling, action, and mythology of any classic cartoon, matching up to classics like Batman: The Animated Series or Avatar: The Last Airbender. All seasons are currently streaming on Disney+, so boost up those viewings if you’d like any chance to revisit these heroes in a new iteration!
Hercules The Animated Series
During the renaissance, Disney often took the opportunity to turn many of their properties into continues animated series. One of them that is seared into the minds of many kids was the Hercules animated series.
Featuring many of the same characters from the film along with a batch of many others, this series followed the escapades of a young Hercules in school. Full of mythological puns and reference to the Greek tradition, it is a solidly fun continuation of the Hercules film.
Doug
Doug has remained a cult favorite among Nineties cartoon buffs since its TV run. So much so it got its own movie in 1999. The premise is simple enough, working as a coming of age series for a young teen named Doug.
But, it is the signature animation style and humor that really entertained. The series gave fans beloved Disney cartoon characters such as Doug’s friend Skeeter, master of weird voices and noises, and Doug’s beloved dog Porkchop.
Teacher’s Pet
This has to be one of the weirder premises of any classic Disney Channel show. Teacher’s Pet is about a dog, voiced by Nathan Lane, who just wants to be treated like a human boy. So, he and his young master disguise him as a kid.
Somehow the scheme works and the hijinks ensue. The animation is unlike any other series out there, with really odd character design (in a good way). The series did such a decent job, it also got its own animated film version!
The Emperor’s New School
The Emperor’s New Groove is one of the most underrated Disney animated films out there. So fans of that film will be happy to know that the story continues through Kuzco’s own animated series, The Emperor’s New School.
This show essentially follows up the film, telling the story of how Kuzco needs a high school degree to continue being Emperor. Many fan favorites make appearances, including everyone’s favorite strong and stupid bodyguard Kronk.
Bonkers
This is one of those animated series that we completely forgot about until it popped up in Disney+. This out of work cartoon cat gets hired on as a member of the Hollywood cartoon police force, tasked with solving crimes and arresting criminal cartoon characters.
It feels like a direct descendant of classics such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, filled with all the Toontown and Disney charm that you could imagine. It is full of classic Saturday morning cartoon vibes and is sure to hit your nostalgia button perfectly.
Timon and Pumbaa
This extension of The Lion King is a pretty big departure from the grandiose animated film. Timon and Pumbaa though is still a great classic cartoon full of a ton of laughs every episode. The series follows the warthog and meerkat duo as they travel around the world hatching up schemes.
Out of all of the classic film to tv series that came out during this period, this one certainly had the best theme song, remixing the classic Hakunah Mattata song from the original. It is just a ton of fun to watch and a great one to share with your own kids.
Phil of the Future
Most of the live-action series on Disney Channel are far more popular than the animated ones, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any underrated ones! Phil of the Future is a perfect example! Unlike many of the multi-camera sitcoms such as Hannah Montana, Phil of the Future is a standard single-camera comedy.
The title essentially gives it away, but this series is about a teen and his family who travel back in time and get stuck in the present day. Though fairly formulaic, this series still holds a ton of fond memories for fans, and also has a catchy theme song!
Out of the Box
Some additional programming that this service offers are classics from Playhouse Disney, an additional programming service for younger kids on Disney Channel. While we don’t expect adult fans to start binge-watching series meant for children younger than five, these shows are fun to revisit for an episode or two.
One of them includes the classic Out of the Box. The basic premise, if you don’t remember, is this gang of kids and their teachers build a giant fort out of cardboard boxes. What results is essentially like many other shows of its kind, teach lessons in creativity and kindness.
Talespin
This animated series is a favorite for many fans of shows such as Ducktales or Chip ’n’ Dale Rescue Rangers. This series takes some of the classic characters from the jungle book and drops them into a brand new story, featuring airplane adventures.
Baloo the bear teams up with other new characters, along with King Louie, to go on adventures around the Pacific Island. Set during the 1930s, this series shares far more with Indiana Jones than it does with The Jungle Book.
