The Best Shows on Disney Plus for Adults

Disney Plus is full of amazing content for kids and families, but they have plenty of content for adults to enjoy too! Here are the best shows on Disney Plus for adults!

When a lot of people think of Disney Plus, they tend to think of all of the movies and shows for kids. But Disney Plus also has a lot of great content geared towards adults as well. Some of my favorite shows from the past few years come from Disney Plus! Here are the best shows on Disney Plus for adults.

The Best Shows on Disney Plus

Star Wars Shows on Disney Plus for Adults

The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian is one of the best projects to come out of Star Wars in a very long time. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni captured the gritty feel and simple storytelling of Star Wars from the 70’s. The story is captivating and full of nostalgia. It brings in many aspects from Star Wars Legends books, comics, and video games, but not in a way that isolates more casual Star Wars fans.

The diverse selection of directors, like Taika Waititi, Bryce Dallas Howard, Deborah Chow, and Jon Favreau, makes the episodes stand out individually without taking away from the story. The Mandalorian was Disney Plus’ first big original series and it is definitely one of the best shows on Dinsey Plus.

The Book of Boba Fett

The Book of Boba Fett is a spin-off from The Mandalorian. Viewers are reacquainted with the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Fett escapes from the Sarlacc pit and finds himself alone in the deserts of Tatooine. He must fight to regain his place in the galaxy using his fearsome reputation.

The show pulls in a lot of Star Wars nostalgia to connect with fans. There are characters from The Mandalorian, Clone Wars, Bad Batch, and Rebels scattered throughout the series.

Andor

Andor is the origin story of Cassian Andor. It follows his story before he joins the rebellion and everything that led him there. Rogue One established Cassian as a morally gray character. This show continues to push that image of the character. It is certainly a darker, more adult version of Star Wars. The other characters introduced and explored by the show are all pretty morally gray. Each person is doing their best, either for themselves or the galaxy, to survive. It was also considered one of the best shows of 2022.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi is probably one of the most anticipated shows for Star Wars fans. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi after the events of Revenge of the Sith. He lives on Tatooine, goes by the name Ben, and watches over Luke from a distance. He isn’t the same Obi-Wan fans are used to. He’s scared, depressed, and without hope. But an old friend reaches out to him for help. And his decision to accept changes his path.

Kenobi is absolutely a fan-service show. It doesn’t change the Star Wars story, but it gives us more time with a fan-favorite character. If you’re an Ewan McGregor fan, this is a must-watch!

Marvel Shows on Disney Plus for Adults

WandaVision

WandaVision is one of the most unique television concepts I’ve ever seen. The first several episodes are designed to mimic classic sitcoms through the ages. There is a 1950’s Dick Van Dyke show episode that is entirely in black and white. The episodes transition into color and the sets and costumes change with the eras.

And underneath everything, WandaVision is a show about grief. What it means to grieve and the different ways people may cope with that grief.

This show is difficult to summarize without completely giving away a lot of the surprises. It gives Wanda Maximoff the spotlight and we learn more about her and her powers. This show also brings back several B characters from past Marvel movies. It’s so fun to see these characters interact outside of their original projects. This show is also the catalyst for many future Marvel events set to unfold in 2022.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TFATWS) is another amazing Marvel project that has more going on under the surface. It combines the action of a superhero movie with depth and insight into the characters. The show allows for more time to explore Sam Wilson (Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier) as characters.

It teaches us more about Sam’s backstory and his family. Bucky struggles with PTSD, therapy, and letting go of The Winter Soldier. We also see how the world is struggling after the events of Avengers: Endgame. TFATWS explores the true chaos and heartbreak that bringing back half of the population brought to many people.

But beneath the events of the Blip, this show is also about racism. Sam Wilson is a Black man taking up the mantle of Captain America. He struggles with deciding whether or not he should be Captain America. And those around him struggle with accepting Sam in that role. Despite him being an Avenger and veteran. The show also pulls storylines from comics that further expose racism. These storylines are also based, in part, on true events.

Loki

Get ready for a fun and trippy ride with Loki. The show starts with the events of Avengers: Endgame, where Tony and Scott attempt to retrieve the Tesseract. Instead, Loki ends up with it. He teleports himself out of captivity. Only to be picked up by a mysterious organization known as the TVA.

The TVA acts as guardians of events across time. They apprehend people that don’t follow their preordained paths in life. These people are known as Variants. Aside from time travel and talk of the Multiverse, Loki is an in-depth look at what truly determines who we are. And whether we are destined to make the same mistakes forever.

Hawkeye

If you like Marvel and Die Hard is your favorite Christmas movie, then Hawkeye is the show for you! Hawkeye also introduces fans to a new hero: Kate Bishop. Kate was a young child during the Battle of New York (aka the first Avengers movie). She watched Clint Barton, Hawkeye, shoot down aliens with a bow from her apartment window. She latches onto him to cope with her trauma from the alien attack.

Kate becomes a skilled archer, fighter, and swordsman in an effort to not feel helpless. She gets caught up in a web of trouble that stems from Clint’s time as Ronin during the Blip. Clint reluctantly steps into a mentor role for Kate. This show explores Kate’s past and establishes her as an important character in the future of the MCU. It also focuses on Clint’s PTSD from being an Avenger, Ronin, and losing his best friend.

Moon Knight

Moon Knight is another thrilling show from Marvel Studios. It introduces fans to Steven Grant, an awkward man in London, England. But Steven actually has Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and shares his body with a mercenary. This mercenary also happens to possess super-human abilities. He is the avatar of an Egyptian god, delivering justice wherever he sees fit.

This show explores so many unique concepts. There’s the mental component, which focuses on the characters’ struggles with DID and his alters. And there’s also ancient Egyptian mythology. The show’s diverse focuses divide it, some parts feel like Indiana Jones, but others are full of emotional gravitas.

Ms. Marvel

The first episodes of Ms. Marvel come across as a show geared toward younger audiences. However, the show increases in mature themes and valuable lessons as it continues. It tells the story of Kamala Kahn, a Pakistani Muslim teenager that unlocks amazing powers. It is rich in culture. And features a unique style of cinematography that combines animation elements with live action. The show also educates the audience on Partition, the splitting of India and Pakistan. Plus, it’s a must-watch to understand future Marvel projects and the current state of the MCU.

She-Hulk

She-Hulk is a combination of MCU superhero show and a comedy law sitcom. It is both hilarious and action-packed. The show is about Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, and how she became a reluctant superhero. Jennifer is a lawyer that becomes a Hulk after an incident with her cousin Bruce Banner. She continues her work as a lawyer, tackling cases for clients that also have powers. It’s a great look at how enhanced individuals live with regular people in the MCU.

In addition to great comedy, action sequences, and fourth-wall breakdowns, She-Hulk also tackles the theme of sexism. It shows the unfair treatment of women in society. And showcases the woes of modern dating.

What If…?

What If…? Is an animated series from Marvel Studios. And before you throw it out because it’s animated, the show is canon to the MCU. This means that characters and events from this animated show will appear in later shows and films. Also, it’s quite good. What If…? reimagines events from the MCU in unexpected ways across the multiverse. The episodes are compelling, exciting, and a lot of fun!

National Geographic Shows on Disney Plus for Adults

The World According to Jeff Goldblum

Since Disney owns National Geographic, some of the best shows on Disney Plus are documentaries. The World According to Jeff Goldblum (TWAJG) is a documentary where Jeff Goldblum explores familiar objects like sneakers and ice cream. He dives into the science and history behind these ordinary things. It’s such a fascinating show! Plus, I love Jeff Goldblum, so it’s fun to learn about things with him as the guide.

Running Wild with Bear Grylls

What could be better than a survival show with your favorite celebrities and Bear Grylls? If you’re looking for a little adventurous entertainment, Running Wild with Bear Grylls is where it’s at!

Among the Stars

Among the stars is a six-part docuseries that follows astronaut Captain Chris Cassidy as he dons his spacesuit for one final mission. The mission is a series of spacewalks to repair some very expensive equipment. The docuseries also follows other astronauts, Luca Pamitano and Drew Morgan. Cassidy also accepts a mission to the International Space Station as a commander.

If you are interested in NASA or astronauts, this show is for you!

Limitless with Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth teams up with leading researchers and fitness gurus to study how to live longer. Each episode of the series focuses on a different tactic proven to help people live longer and healthier. The show tackles themes like stress management, cognitive ability, and physical endurance. It is not just a health or fitness show. There is something for everyone to learn. In fact, many of the episodes deal with popular health trends, like fasting and cold showers.

Seven Toughest Days

Join Dwayne Fields as he is dropped into some of the Earth’s most extreme locations. His task is to keep himself and his small crew alive for seven days as they journey to their extraction point. They witness some of the most amazing natural occurrences along the dangerous journey.

More Shows on Disney Plus for Adults

Snowdrop

Snowdrop is a Korean drama that follows a love story that takes place in Seoul, Korea in 1987. During that time, Seoul was experiencing democracy protests that would force free elections. This is a story of political intrigue, college drama, and enduring love.

After Netflix’s success with adding Korean television to their platform, Snowdrop is Disney Plus’ attempt to do the same.

Once Upon a Time

Of course, a show on ABC that retells classic fairytale stories through a more modern lens would end up on Disney Plus. I watched Once Upon a Time during its original run on ABC. The first several seasons are so fun! It’s a definite must-watch for fairytale fans.

The show focuses on Emma Swan, a bondswoman in Boston, that finds herself in a small town full of interesting characters. We learn that the town, Storybrooke, is actually a fairytale world that was moved to our world via a dark curse. As the show progresses, the audience learns what fairytale characters the townspeople represent. It also pieces together the past from the fairytale world to explain how they all ended up in the real world.

Agent Carter

Another ABC show that found its way to Disney Plus is Agent Carter. The show follows the adventures of Agent Sharon Carter after Captain America: The First Avenger. Carter and Captain America have a whirlwind romance in the movie. The show explores her feelings and struggles after he crashes a plane and disappears forever. This show introduces the audience to Jarvis, Howard Stark’s butler, and turns him into a truly beloved character. While I didn’t really like Season 2, the first season of this show is fantastic.

The Addition of MA Rated Shows

On March 16, 2022, Disney Plus added new parental control features to the platform. They also added TV-MA-rated content. This was a new development for the U.S. version of the platform. This move to MA content was led by Marvel Studios. Marvel reacquired all of their programs from Netflix. These shows definitely earn their MA rating and are not at all for children.

Daredevil

Daredevil is a gritty, film noir-style superhero show. It focuses on Matt Murdock, a man that fights injustice by day as a lawyer. He also, physically, fights it by night as a masked vigilante. Matt is also blind, with heightened senses. Daredevil is one of Marvel’s “street-level” heroes. His focus is crime and evil within his own neighborhood. But that doesn’t make his villains any less terrifying.

Jessica Jones

Another street-level hero, Jessica Jones is a reluctant hero with PTSD. After experiencing a massively traumatic event, she puts being a superhero aside. Despite her super strength and durability. She opens her own detective agency in New York City. Jessica Jones is based on an adult graphic novel. Her story is definitely not for children.

Luke Cage

After an experiment goes wrong and leaves Luke Cage with super strength and unbreakable skin, he becomes a fugitive. Cage attempts to rebuild his life in Harlem. But he eventually is forced to fight for the city. And confront his past.

Iron Fist

When his family tragically dies in China, Danny Rand is adopted by the people of a magical lost city. They teach him their fighting style. Danny returns to New York City and fights against criminals using his mastery of kung-fu and the power of the Iron Fist.

The Defenders

The Defenders is a single-season story arc where Matt Murdock (Daredevil), Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Danny Rand (Iron Fist). Must band together to save New York from a huge threat. Every character has their own personal baggage. And they are used to working alone. But only together can they save the city.

The Punisher

The Punisher is about Frank Castle, a vigilante out for revenge. After punishing the criminals that killed his family, Castle uncovers a larger conspiracy. Now he seeks to uncover the truth once and for all.

Disney Plus isn’t just for kids! There’s plenty of entertainment for adults as well. And there’s constantly an influx of new material as well. If you haven’t checked out what Disney Plus has to offer, you need to do so!

Also check out my show recommendations for Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Plus, my list of the best Disney Channel Original Movies.