Disney has had to create a range of brand new content to make the Disney+ streaming service appear much more attractive to potential subscribers. They’ve therefore jump-started several brilliant projects to ensure fans are kept happy.
Some of the top Disney studios including their animation department, Lucasfilm, Marvel, and PIXAR, have all stepped up to create some of this content. However, many of the series simply wouldn’t have been made without the opportunity that Disney+ provides. We’re taking a look at the top 10 series on Disney+ that would not even exist without the streaming service.
THE MANDALORIAN
Star Wars is one of the biggest franchises in the world, yet they’ve never made a live-action TV show before. We’ve had a few brilliant animated series and so many other stories in various mediums, but Disney+ has finally provided a new opportunity.
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have finally been able to create a brand new TV show based on a Mandalorian character. Fans are especially excited about this show as Disney has allowed for the budget and resources for Lucasfilm to create the best version of this series that they can. Something this size needed Disney+ to work.
MOON KNIGHT
The Batman of the Marvel Universe, Moon Knight, has been a fan-favorite character for some time. Audiences wanted a film about the character, but they might be getting something even better, with a Disney+ series set to follow the street-level hero.
The series is going to delve into the bizarre psychology of the character. Not only this, Moon Knight himself isn’t exactly well known by mainstream audiences, and he’s a tough sell. Disney+ is the perfect place for this kind of experimental series to live.
FORKY ASKS A QUESTION
PIXAR very rarely makes TV shows. Often a smaller Disney studio will make a show based on the characters from the PIXAR films. Although PIXAR makes many short films, they usually wouldn’t have the chance to create a limited series like Forky Asks A Question.
Only PIXAR can really do this character justice. The budget required to create a whole show about the character, as well as the kid-friendly nature of the project, makes it a better all-around fit for the streaming service than something like Disney Channel.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEFF GOLDBLUM
Jeff Goldblum is a national treasure, and we’re not suggesting for a second that he couldn’t get his own TV show if he wanted to. However, we can imagine that there was something especially attractive for Goldblum about being on one of the biggest brands in the world.
Not only does Disney+ therefore attract the big names of the industry, unlike some other channels, but the series is free to do whatever it wants. Unburdened by ratings, the creators can play with this bizarre concept and push it to its limits, which will create a much more entertaining show.
SHE-HULK
Another Marvel project coming to Disney+ is She-Hulk. This one would have been even less likely to get a spot on a regular TV network. She-Hulk will likely require a big budget because of the special effects involved, and Disney+ is the sort of place where the character can actually be done justice.
She-Hulk is also kind of a strange character. She’s a lawyer by day and a hero by night but never leaves the Hulk persona behind her. Plus, Hulks are such significant characters that Marvel wouldn’t have allowed just any network to use one. Disney+ is the right size to house this massive hero.
ENCORE!
Kristen Bell is firmly part of the Disney family now, and she has proven her singing abilities due to her role as Anna. Such a big star, much like Goldblum, might not have customarily hosted a show like this unless it was on a massive service like Disney+.
The idea of it sounds really fun, but it may not have worked in a traditional format. While we can totally imagine this kind of reality show airing on TV, putting it on a streaming service like Disney and adding a bit of extra magic to it elevates the whole process.
LIZZIE MCGUIRE
Hilary Duff had her own successful TV show on the Disney Channel for many years in the early 2000s: Lizzie McGuire. The series was a hit amongst younger audiences, although the character has not been seen in some time, with her core audience having grown up.
A series like this wouldn’t bring older generations back to Disney Channel. However, by putting it on Disney+, we can imagine many adults visiting this revival to relive some of their childhood memories. It especially works since Duff is also now all grown up.
MARVEL’S HERO PROJECT
Marvel’s Hero Project doesn’t work on any other channel. The concept itself isn’t big enough to warrant a network putting money into it. It’s not the sort of show that will bring in considerable ratings, but is more like a fun and heartwarming show for something like Disney+.
The series takes a look at real-life, young heroes. They are kids who have done incredible charity work, or perhaps are looking after a loved one or done some other remarkable feat of endurance and strength. It’s going to be inspiring, and luckily, it won’t be canceled due to ratings.
OBI-WAN KENOBI
This is one project that audiences have been clamoring for ever since the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Ewan McGregor’s version of Obi-Wan Kenobi is incredibly popular amongst mainstream audiences and hardcore fans.
A film about the character was said to be in the works for some time, but it just never materialized. Disney+ gives Lucasfilm a proper platform to launch such a big series. This is probably one of the most anticipated series on this list purely because of McGregor’s performance.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES
No one completely understands High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which is why it likely could not have been greenlit on any other channel. However, Disney clearly has faith that the High School Musical brand will bring people into Disney+.
The metadrama is a difficult pitch to audiences as well. Plus, what channel would this have actually aired on? The studio clearly wants adults involved with this series as well, and Disney Channel wouldn’t have worked for that. Disney+ is the best option for this musical show.
