For decades, the Disney Channel has been a front-runner in the world of original cartoon series. Multiple generations have grown up in different eras of the channel’s history, with each decade seeming to have its own highlights. In retrospect, however, it can be difficult to gauge exactly which series have truly reigned supreme.

From early successes like the original DuckTales series and Recess to more recent surprises like Kiff, the impact of Disney Channel cartoons on pop culture is undeniable. Series like Gravity Falls are still receiving supplementary material and merchandise years after their release, while shows like Phineas and Ferb are receiving sequel series and follow-ups. Although it has had its low points like any network, Disney Channel’s cartoon track record is a near-perfect example of how to make timeless and completely original animated series.

Updated on January 19, 2025 by Lauren Younkin: Now that Disney+ has made watching Disney Channel content more accessible than ever, viewers of all ages are able to find their next favorite series from new and old shows alike. Given that they have such an expansive catalog to choose from, this list has been updated to include even more of their stand-out cartoons, as well as comply with CBR’s current standards of formatting.

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15

Lilo & Stitch: The Series Builds Out the World of the Film

Developed by Bobs Gannaway and Jess Winfield

After Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002, it would go on to spawn an impressive franchise that includes several movies, cross-overs, and television series. The most prominent of these was Lilo & Stitch: The Series, which ran for two seasons on Disney Channel. The show follows the lives of Lilo and Stitch as they settle into their newfound family while simultaneously having to help collect the rest of Dr. Jumba’s alien experiments.

This format was perfect for episodic television, with each episode revolving around a new alien experiment and allowing the creators to expand on the world of Lilo & Stitch. Though the movie itself is a beloved Disney project, the TV series opened up the story for so many more opportunities than the film would ever be able to realistically supply. For many children who grew up watching the show in the early 2000s, they likely have more memories of Lilo and Stitch from TV than they do the actual movie.

Lilo & Stitch: The Series

Release Date

September 20, 2003

Seasons

2

14

Elena of Avalor Is a Fun Series at Any Age

Created by Craig Gerber

Though it moved to Disney Junior in the middle of its second season, Elena of Avalor originally aired on Disney Channel. The series is somewhat of a spin-off of another Disney Junior show, Sofia the First, but it’s not necessary to view one to understand the other. Elena and her kingdom are introduced in one of the Sofia the First specials titled Elena and the Secret of Avalor, and from there she goes on to have her own adventures while in the process of becoming a queen.

Elena takes the spot as Disney’s first Latina princess, and the series as a whole provides much needed representation, from the music to the cultural inspirations. The worldbuilding itself is rich and vibrant, which then is complemented by characters that showcase depth in their development. Elena of Avalor is also not afraid to shy away from more complex themes despite its younger target audience, making it a fun and enjoyable watch for all ages.

Elena of Avalor

Release Date

July 22, 2016

Seasons

3

13

Big Hero 6: The Series Continues the Team’s Adventures

Created by Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley

The ending of Disney’s Big Hero 6 always felt as if it was meant to kickstart the adventures of a new superhero team, and the release of Big Hero 6: The Series gave audiences just that. Hiro, a newly remade Baymax, and the rest of their friends don their suits once again, ready to protect the city of San Fransokyo from anyone who would threaten it. For fans of the movie who were left wanting more, the show serves as a great continuation for the colorful world and characters.

Big Hero 6: The Series carries on many of the themes introduced in the movie. Hiro actually gets the chance to attend the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, something that viewers never got to see come to fruition in the film after the death of Tadashi. The show explores Hiro’s time at the school as he navigates being the youngest student to go there. Along with this, the series continues Tadashi’s legacy of doing good and helping people through the group’s superhero activities as Big Hero 6.

Release Date

November 20, 2017

Seasons

3

12

Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure Expands on the Movie’s Lore

Developed by Chris Sonnenburg and Shane Prigmore

Originally called Tangled: The Series, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure picks up right after the events of Tangled and follows Rapunzel as she adjusts to her new life in Corona. This series does an excellent job of unpacking Rapunzel’s previous situation with Mother Gothel, showing how it shaped her behavior and how it continues to have an impact on her in the present. Rapunzel has barely interacted with people up to this point, and her inexperience with social norms is put to the test now that she’s suddenly the princess of an entire kingdom.

Aside from her and Eugene, who acts as another main character alongside Rapunzel, the series introduces several original characters that have just as much depth as the ones from the movie. The arcs of each character are complemented brilliantly with new music from composer Alan Menken and performed by an all-around talented cast. Switching to a television format also allowed the creatives to delve further into the narrative, not only answering questions about the original flower that gave Rapunzel her power but explaining new ways that it ties into the world at large as well. For a spin-off of one of Disney’s films, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure is better than it has any right to be.

Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure

Release Date

March 24, 2017

Seasons

3

11

American Dragon: Jake Long Is a 2000s Classic

Created by Jeff Goode

American Dragon: Jake Long is a show filled to the brim with early 2000s charm from the lingo to the character design. The titular Jake Long goes on a true coming-of-age journey, starting as a skater boy that wants nothing more than to goof off with his friends and eventually becoming a leader in the magical community. The show focuses on themes of responsibility and identity, particularly when it comes to the balance Jake must maintain between his human life and his dragon life.

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Though American Dragon only ran for two seasons, it was able to take audiences on a fun ride that concludes in a fulfilling manner. Interestingly enough, however, the show’s style of animation changed completely between the two seasons, giving each one a distinct feel. Despite the divisive response to this change, the show itself never dips in quality, continuously strengthening its characters and worldbuilding throughout its entire run.

Release Date

January 21, 2005

Seasons

2

10

Recess Holds Up as an Accurate Portrayal of Elementary School Drama

Created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere

Originally airing on ABC Kids before moving to Disney Channel, Recess ran from 1997 to 2001 and showcased the complicated society and playground hijinks of fourth graders. What made this series so delectable at the time makes it just as entertaining in retrospect, with a true respect for its young characters. The main cast of characters within the series, led by the ever-lovable T.J., offer an honest and charming representation of the best aspects of a childlike worldview. By balancing naivety with genuine wisdom, the characters establish themselves as both endearing and worthy of their leadership positions in their self-proclaimed society.

Part of Recess’ success stems from being in the right place at the right time. The ’90s and early 2000s were a time full of admiration for young, spunky characters, and Recess offered them in droves. Unlike other shows of the time, however, this series was built on a genuinely wholesome foundation, opting for heartfelt messages and caring, if flawed, characters instead of the typical sarcastic archetypes of the era. All in all, Recess is a gem of a show that has held up tremendously well despite the evolving culture of schools and childhood in a more internet-driven world.

9

Kiff Is an Underrated, Zany, and Genuinely Hilarious Series

Created by Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal

Kiff is a much more recent highlight of the channel’s history, but it deserves a place in the conversation nonetheless. The series appears to be exceedingly lighthearted and child-oriented at first glance, almost suggesting a series that belongs on Disney Junior instead of Disney Channel proper. But when actually given a chance, Kiff proves itself to be a thoughtfully constructed, hilarious romp for all ages. The titular Kiff and her best friend Barry are adorable and always ready for the wild adventures they’re whisked away on.

Kiff is an episodic cartoon with a generally zany world that places its cast of characters in bizarre situations that can work in a myriad of different ways. While it has yet to secure an audience as widespread as some other Disney Channel cartoons, Kiff is still one of the most charming series the company has released in a long time and will surely be remembered for years to come as a beloved entry in Disney Channel’s catalog.

Kiff

Release Date

March 10, 2023

Seasons

2

Studio

Disney Television Animation, Titmouse, Inc.

8

Star vs. the Forces of Evil Combines Comedy, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi

Created by Daron Nefcy

Star vs. the Forces of Evil feels like something of a spiritual successor to the Disney Channel era of Gravity Falls and Phineas and Ferb while also veering closer to the tonality of many of Cartoon Network’s series from the 2010s. The show utilizes a fantasy and sci-fi hybrid to tell the tale of the titular princess, Star Butterfly, and her run-of-the-mill teenage counterpart Marco. The pair’s dynamic isn’t a far cry from other cartoon duos, but there’s an additional magic to their chemistry that works wonderfully as a friendship and, eventually, a romance — even if not everyone was on board with that decision.

Running for an impressive four seasons, the show found a devoted fanbase that adored the unique world of the series and its sprawling narrative, with many fans especially attached to the lead duo. The series acted as a successful marriage of both serialized cartoons and episodic series. While it didn’t reach the level of success of other shows of the era, there is a reason Star vs. the Forces of Evil has a committed fanbase to this day: it is, by all accounts, an incredibly well-made show worthy of standing the test of time.

Star vs. The Forces of Evil

Release Date

January 18, 2015

Seasons

4

7

Amphibia Evolves From a Concise Cartoon to a Sprawling Epic

Created by Matt Braly

Sandwiched between Disney Channel juggernauts Star vs. the Forces of Evil and The Owl House, Amphibia didn’t have quite the splash of popularity that it deserved when it first premiered. Thankfully, many would re-evaluate their dismissal of the series before it finished airing as it became one of the best series to ever debut under Disney. What started as a cute and wholesome cartoon that introduced protagonist Anne to the world of Amphibia evolved into a complex, overlapping narrative that explored Anne’s colorful past and the true origins of the world.

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Amphibia is a charming series that feels emotionally and humorously driven. Across its three seasons, Amphibia provides a fulfilling journey that has a tonality not dissimilar from other fantastic series, but is still unique in its own way. Those who are part of the group that missed Amphibia while it was airing should consider giving it a try if they’d like to watch a Disney Channel series that tries something new.

Release Date

June 17, 2019

Seasons

3

6

The Proud Family Is an Incredibly Unique Sitcom

Created by Bruce W. Smith

The Proud Family broke multiple barriers by being both created by and almost entirely composed of black artists. Beyond this, it also uniquely adapted the sitcom format to the world of animation, making it a highly rewatchable series overall. The titular Proud family, led by series protagonist Penny, established itself as one of the most charming Disney families to ever hit the small screen.

Years after its conclusion, The Proud Family continued to be a beloved Disney cartoon, winning several awards for both its impact and sheer quality. This would eventually lead to the revival series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which, while not on the same level as its predecessor, still impressed fans and found an audience of its own. It’s wonderful when series take more creative risks and offer diverse stories, but it is especially grand when these stories are told by those they are depicting, which is what makes The Proud Family such a legendary series.

Release Date

September 15, 2001

Seasons

3

5

Kim Possible Is a Timeless Adventure

Created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle

It is kind of impossible to have a conversation about impactful Disney Channel cartoons without mentioning the ever-popular Kim Possible. The series debuted in 2002 and sent waves across the entire channel as a genre-defining action-packed adventure with likable characters, interesting plots, and a theme song for the ages. Even decades after its debut, Kim Possible holds up as an absolute highlight of the channel’s legacy.

Kim Possible is also one of the few Disney cartoon series to ever be adapted into a live-action format, with a 2019 Disney Channel Original Movie re-introducing the series to modern audiences. While Kim’s presence in pop culture may not be as strong as it once was, it would be hard to find a 2000s kid who doesn’t remember her iconic escapades. There is a charm to this series that hasn’t been replicated since, and its impact on Disney’s faith in producing cartoons cannot be overstated.

Release Date

June 7, 2002

Seasons

4

4

The DuckTales Reboot Somehow Outdoes the Original Series

Developed by Matt Youngberg and Francisco Angones

While many Disney Channel fans might quickly proclaim DuckTales as their favorite Disney cartoon, a follow-up conversation would likely be needed to determine which series they are referring to. The original series, released in 1987, is still talked about to this day, largely for its depiction of Scrooge McDuck and his nephews along with its catchy theme song. When Disney announced it would be reinventing the series in 2017, fans were understandably skeptical. To their surprise, and by some miracle, the DuckTales reboot managed to somehow top the original in both scope and quality.

The original DuckTales series had some high highs, but it also had a fair few forgettable and lackluster episodes, whereas the 2017 reboot prioritized quality at every turn. The series was overflowing with a spirit that rivaled even its predecessor and found a new, more narrative-driven tone that added a lot to the success of its most ambitious creative decisions. The timelessness of the premise argues that both series deserve to be remembered, but it is not hard to see why so many consider the reboot to be the superior series. It’s a genuinely well-constructed cartoon that honors the legacy of Disney cartoons old and new.

Release Date

August 12, 2017

Seasons

3

3

The Owl House Is an Inspired Queer Narrative

Created by Dana Terrace

The Owl House is Disney’s most recent narrative-driven cartoon, and it truly capitalizes on the foundations set by its predecessors. The show’s fandom sprung up rather quickly and remained a consistent reason for the show’s success, although the series is good on its own merits. Full of clever writing and legendary voice work, The Owl House explored its narrative beats in a nuanced, one-of-a-kind manner that made the series a top contender for one of Disney’s best.

The show, which follows the lovable Luz and her journey into the magical Demon Realm, was praised for its representation of both Luz’s Dominican-American heritage and her queerness. In a stunning move for the Disney company, the series did not shy away from a front-facing sapphic relationship. The fan reaction proved this to be a successful decision that, when added on to the well-crafted nature of the series, made it exactly the kind of show many audiences had been longing for. Unfortunately, Disney pulled the plug on the series rather hastily, forcing it to rush an ending that, while less than perfect, ultimately stuck the landing and did not diminish the overall brilliance of this undeniably phenomenal series.

The Owl House

Release Date

January 10, 2020

Seasons

3

2

Phineas and Ferb Perfects the Serialized Cartoon Structure

Created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh

Phineas and Ferb is, through and through, a thoughtful, hilarious, and charming series that captures the joys of childhood through its unique blend of humor and absurdity. The show follows a pretty linear episodic structure, with the plot of each episode being split between the summertime escapades of titular brothers Phineas and Ferb and the secret agent alter-ego of their pet platypus, Perry, in his attempts to foil the dastardly deeds of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.

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Phineas and Ferb was a home run for Disney both in terms of success and acclaim. The series produced some of the biggest outputs of merchandise and supplementary material in the history of Disney Channel, and the cultural impact of the show’s characters is something that remains even years after its bittersweet conclusion. The beloved nature of the show gave it a perfect chance for a comeback, and it is receiving just that with a promised sequel series currently in production.

Phineas and Ferb

Release Date

August 17, 2007

Seasons

4

1

Gravity Falls Is One of the Greatest Narratives of All Time

Created by Alex Hirsch

In just two seasons, series creator Alex Hirsch managed to craft a compelling Disney Channel cartoon with Gravity Falls. The show follows twins Dipper and Mabel Pines and their summer escapades with their Grunkle Stun in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls. By utilizing an overarching narrative to an extent that no prior Disney cartoon had and funneling that into an intricately crafted and endlessly interesting location overflowing with lovable and hilarious characters, Gravity Falls broke every barrier imaginable and became one of the most beloved shows of the era.

Years after its conclusion, Gravity Falls is still one of the most talked about shows in Disney Channel’s history, with the recent release of The Book of Bill and continuous discussions of a series revival being timely examples of the show’s impact. There is so much heart and creativity poured into every single episode, with each one pulling out all stops to create a colorful and, at times, dark story that wowed audiences at the time and continues to impress them today. While it does have some tough competition, it would be a disservice to Gravity Falls to call it anything less than the best Disney Channel cartoon of all time.

Release Date

June 15, 2012

Seasons

2