The Best Disney+ Releases of 2024, Ranked

As 2024 draws to a close, Disney+ has solidified its position as a powerhouse streaming service, delivering a diverse slate of content that spans Marvel’s superhero spectacles, Star Wars sagas, Pixar animations, and prestige dramas. This year, the platform premiered a mix of original series, blockbuster films fresh from theatres, and unexpected gems that captivated audiences worldwide. From critically acclaimed revivals to boundary-pushing new stories, Disney+ releases have sparked conversations, broken viewership records, and reminded us why the service remains essential for entertainment enthusiasts.

What sets this year’s lineup apart? Amid industry strikes and shifting viewer habits, Disney+ leaned into quality over quantity, blending nostalgia with innovation. Hits like animated throwbacks and live-action epics dominated watercooler talk, while surprises in the FX catalogue—available via Disney+ bundles—elevated the platform’s prestige profile. We’ve ranked the top 10 based on a blend of critical reception (hello, Rotten Tomatoes scores above 90%), audience buzz (Nielsen metrics and social media trends), cultural impact, and sheer rewatchability. These aren’t just shows and movies; they’re events that defined streaming in 2024. Let’s count them down.

Our Ranking Criteria

To keep things fair, we evaluated each release on several fronts: narrative strength and originality, production values (visuals, scores, effects), performances, thematic depth, and broader influence—from box office precursors for films to Emmy buzz for series. Viewership data from Nielsen and Samba TV factored in, alongside critic aggregates from Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. We prioritised Disney+ originals and exclusives, including bundled FX/Hulu content accessible on the platform globally. Spoiler-free, of course—dive in at your own pace.

10. Wish (Animated Feature, Streamed December 2023–January 2024)

Ariana DeBose voices Asha in Disney’s ambitious tribute to its 100th anniversary, a musical fantasy where a young dreamer challenges a tyrannical king who hoards wishes from his starry kingdom. Directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasuntram, Wish dazzles with vibrant animation inspired by classic Disney art styles, from Snow White watercolours to Tangled‘s glow. Songs by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice pack punchy hooks, though some critics noted they lack the timeless magic of Alan Menken’s work.

Streaming post its modest theatrical run, Wish found a devoted audience on Disney+, earning a 44% critics score but 79% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes.[1] Its charm lies in meta-commentary on Disney’s legacy—wishes as creativity stifled by corporate control—resonating amid real-world animation layoffs. A solid family watch, it ranks here for its visual spectacle and DeBose’s powerhouse vocals, proving Disney’s animation engine still hums.

9. Echo (Marvel Series, January 2024)

Marvel’s most grounded street-level series yet, Echo follows Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she confronts her Kingpin past in her Oklahoma hometown. Directed by Sydney Freeland and Catriona McKenzie, this five-episode miniseries pulses with indigenous representation, blending sign language, family drama, and brutal action. Cox’s raw physicality anchors the show, supported by Chaske Spencer and Vincent D’Onofrio’s chilling return as Wilson Fisk.

Debuting with a TV-MA rating—the first for Marvel Studios—it prioritised character over CGI chaos, earning 66% on Rotten Tomatoes.[2] Viewers praised its cultural authenticity, with Choctaw and deaf community input shining through. While pacing dips in quieter moments, Echo signals Marvel’s pivot toward mature, diverse tales post-Endgame. Essential for Daredevil fans, it sets up bigger MCU threads without overwhelming.

8. Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (Animated Anthology, May 2024)

This anthology expands the Tales format with two arcs: Morgan Elsbeth’s dark rise (from The Mandalorian) and Barriss Offee’s Imperial fall. Voice talents like Diana Lee Inosanto and Meredith Salenger bring nuance to animation studio Mir’s crisp style, evoking Clone Wars grit.

At 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, it thrived on fan service and moral complexity, exploring Order 66’s ripples.[3] Short but sharp, episodes unpack loyalty and redemption in the Empire’s shadow. Streaming alongside Ahsoka, it boosted Star Wars’ animated renaissance, proving bite-sized stories can pack galaxy-sized impact. A treat for lore hounds.

7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Live-Action Series, January 2024)

Rick Riordan’s blessing graced this eight-episode adaptation, with Walker Scobell as the demigod discovering his Poseidon heritage amid monster hunts and godly teen drama. Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri shine as Annabeth and Grover, while the ensemble—Adam Copeland as Ares, Glynn Turman as Chiron—elevates campy fun to epic scope.

A 97% audience score belies a respectful 79% critics’ nod, smashing Disney+ records for a live-action debut.[4] Faithful to the books yet cinematic, it captures middle-grade wonder with practical effects and New Zealand vistas. Season 2 greenlit, it revives YA fantasy post-Shadow & Bone, hooking a new generation on Greek myths.

6. Shōgun (FX Series, February–April 2024)

James Clavell’s epic reborn: Cosmo Jarvis as stranded Englishman John Blackthorne navigates feudal Japan’s power plays, clashing with Hiroyuki Sanada’s Lord Toranaga and Anna Sawai’s Lady Mariko. Directors like Jonathan van Tulleken craft a visually sumptuous world of samurai intrigue and cultural collision.

Boasting 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 18 Emmy noms, Shōgun dominated discourse, blending historical accuracy with Shakespearean drama.[5] Available on Disney+ worldwide, its global appeal underscores FX’s prestige arm. A masterclass in tension, it redefines period epics for streaming.

5. The Bear Season 3 (FX Series, June 2024)

Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) pushes his Chicago sandwich shop toward Michelin dreams in this anxiety-fueled chapter. Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas amplify the chaos, with guest stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Bob Odenkirk stealing scenes.

Despite a divisive 89% score, it averaged 1.2 billion minutes viewed, per Nielsen.[6] Christopher Sturridge’s direction elevates kitchen frenzy to art-house poetry. Season 3 experiments with form—montages, dream sequences—rewarding fans amid burnout themes. Disney+ delivery amplified its cultural footprint.

4. Agatha All Along (Marvel Series, September 2024)

Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness breaks free from Wanda’s spell, assembling a coven for a Witches’ Road quest. Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, and Joe Locke join in this horror-tinged musical, directed by Jac Schaeffer with campy flair.

At 82% critics and 75% audience, it embraced MCU weirdness, blending sitcom vibes with coven carnage.[7] Themes of grief and reinvention resonate, with standout songs and practical magic. A bold pivot for Marvel post-Multiverse, it proves villains deserve spotlights.

3. Inside Out 2 (Pixar Feature, Theatrical June 2024; Disney+ October 2024)

Pixie Riley’s puberty hits with new emotions: Maya Hawke’s Anxiety leads the pack, voiced alongside Amy Poehler’s Joy. Kelsey Mann directs this emotional sequel, grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide.

91% on Rotten Tomatoes, it humanised teen turmoil with mind-bending animation.[8] Streaming exploded Disney+ metrics, affirming Pixar’s comeback. Deeper than the original, it tackles mental health with humour and heart—essential viewing.

2. Deadpool & Wolverine (Marvel Film, Theatrical July 2024; Disney+ November 2024)

Ryan Reynolds’ merc and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine team for multiverse mayhem, skewering MCU tropes with R-rated glee. Directors Shawn Levy deliver meta-action, cameos galore, and a killer soundtrack.

78% critics, 95% audience, and $1.3 billion box office—Disney’s R-rated record.[9] It revitalised Marvel fatigue, blending nostalgia with irreverence. Streaming primed for holiday binges.

1. X-Men ’97 (Animated Series, March 2024)

Seamlessly continuing 1990s glory, Professor X’s “death” sparks Cyclops-led chaos against Magneto and Sentinels. Voices like Cal Dodd and Chris Potter reprise icons, with Larry Houston and Beau DeMayo crafting episodes that honour and evolve the source.

98% on Rotten Tomatoes, Emmys in tow, it shattered animation records.[10] Nostalgia meets fresh stakes—genocide threats, queer subtext—in fluid animation. The gold standard, proving revivals can transcend.

Honourable Mentions

  • Doctor Who (Ncuti Gatwa’s era): Whimsical reinvention.
  • Descendants: The Rise of Red: Gen-Z musical fun.
  • Bluey specials: Heartwarming brevity.

Conclusion

Disney+’s 2024 triumphs—from X-Men ’97‘s perfection to Shōgun‘s sweep—highlight a service evolving with its audience. Amid competition, it balances blockbusters and bold swings, promising more in 2025 with Daredevil: Born Again and Andor S2. Which ranked highest for you? Stream now and join the debate—these releases cement Disney+ as 2024’s streaming king.

References

  1. Rotten Tomatoes, Wish (2023).
  2. Rotten Tomatoes, Echo (2024).
  3. Rotten Tomatoes, Tales of the Empire (2024).
  4. Variety, “Percy Jackson” Viewership, Jan 2024.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes, Shōgun (2024).
  6. Nielsen, Top Streaming Weeks 2024.
  7. Rotten Tomatoes, Agatha All Along (2024).
  8. Rotten Tomatoes, Inside Out 2 (2024).
  9. Box Office Mojo, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
  10. Rotten Tomatoes, X-Men ’97 (2024).