2023 wasn’t the easiest year for film and television, mainly due to the actors and writers’ strikes. While Disney Plus didn’t release as much original content as previous years, it still saw another successful year and managed to deliver some great quality programming, new seasons to beloved shows, revivals, spin-offs, and more. As the year is coming to an end, it’s time to look back at some of the best Disney Plus series released in 2023.

Disney Plus is no stranger to releasing content fit for all its different kinds of fans, and 2023 was no exception. Fans of every genre will find something to watch and enjoy, from its top franchises Marvel and Star Wars, to many more familiar faces and documentaries. These television series managed to win over the critics and the audience in 2023, and rank among the overall best series within the extensive Disney Plus catalog.

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Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory????

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Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory

Cast

Bertie Gregory

Genre

Documentary, Nature

Number of seasons

1

Number of episodes

6

Episode duration

37–43 minutes

Release date

September 13, 2023

IMDB Score

8.9/10

Kicking things off is Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory, a six-episode documentary series by National Geographic. The series follows wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory as he travels around the world to see how some animals live in their native environments. It offers a revealing and intimate look into their daily lives. The first season features pumas, killer whales, wild dogs, elephants, and more.

This docu-series is a must-watch not only for National Geographic fans or nature and wildlife enthusiasts, but also for those looking for an entertaining and insightful look into the lives of animals. It is also a visual spectacle, as it features incredible landscapes, natural wonders, and stunning close-ups of all these beautiful animals. It has received critical acclaim for its unique storytelling and its breathtaking look at wildlife.

The Muppets Mayhem

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The Muppets Mayhem

Creators

  • Adam F. Goldberg
  • Bull Barretta
  • Jeff Yorkes

Based on

Characters created by Jim Henson

Cast

  • Lilly Singh
  • Bill Barretta
  • Leslie Carrara-Rudolph
  • Dave Goelz
  • Eric Jacobson
  • Peter Linz
  • David Rudman
  • Matt Vogel

Genre

Comedy, Musical

Number of seasons

1

Number of episodes

10

Episode duration

25–31 minutes

Release date

May 10, 2023

Rotten Tomatoes' Critic Score

86%

Rotten Tomatoes' Audience Score

95%

Metacritic Score

70

IMDB Score

8.0/10

The Muppets is one of the many iconic Disney-owned franchises, and in 2023, fans got to see some of the beloved puppets hit the small screen once more with the release of the musical comedy series The Muppets Mayhem. It follows Nora (Lilly Singh), a young music executive, as she deals with the madness of the classic Muppets band. With her help, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem try to record their album and face the modern music scene. Modern music stars such as Lil Nas X and Steve Aoki appear as special guests, as well as iconic figures such as Morgan Freeman and Peter Jackson.

With its first season consisting of ten 30-minute episodes, the series is a perfect binge-watching option for anyone familiar with The Muppets franchise or interested in the music industry. The Muppets Mayhem was a highly anticipated release that did not disappoint. Its charm and humor extended beyond fans of the Muppet franchise. It became one of the most hyped TV releases on social media, and it received mostly positive reviews.

The Mandalorian (Season 3)

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The Mandalorian

Creator

Jon Favreau

Based on

Star Wars by George Lucas

Cast

  • Pedro Pascal
  • Katee Sackhoff

Genre

Action-adventure, Science fiction

Number of seasons

3

Number of episodes

24

Episode duration

33–59 minutes

Release date

  • November 12, 2019 (Season 1)
  • March 1, 2023 (Season 3)

Rotten Tomatoes' Critic Score

85%

Rotten Tomatoes' Audience Score

51%

Metacritic Score

70

IMDB Score

8.7/10

One of the big-hitters of the year for Disney Plus was the highly anticipated third season of The Mandalorian. Although season 3 wasn’t as universally well-received as the previous two, it is absolutely worth the watch for those already invested in the series, and for fans of the films looking to expand their Star Wars horizons. The third season continues the journey of Din Djarin and Grogu following the events of The Book of Boba Fett, as the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history.

The Mandalorian became a massive hit after its release in 2019, and it remains one of the best and most popular series on Disney Plus to this day. While the third season got more of a divided response from fans, its eight episodes still managed to deliver a solid addition to the series and became one of the most streamed shows at the time of its release. It has been renewed for a fourth season, which is currently in development.

Ahsoka

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Ahsoka

Creator

Dave Filoni

Based on

Star Wars by George Lucas

Cast

  • Rosario Dawson
  • Natasha Liu Bordizzo
  • Mary Elizabeth Winstead
  • Ray Stevenson
  • Ivanna Sakhno

Genre

Science fiction, Action-adventure

Number of seasons

1

Number of episodes

8

Episode duration

37–57 minutes

Release date

August 22, 2023

Rotten Tomatoes' Critic Score

86%

Rotten Tomatoes' Audience Score

70%

Metacritic Score

68

IMDB Score

7.6/10

Where to watch

Disney+

Another entry for Star Wars fans and one of the overall best Disney Plus releases of 2023 is Ahsoka. Rosario Dawson, reprising her role from The Mandalorian, stars as Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan during the Clone Wars. Although the series continues some storylines from Star Wars Rebels, it is not necessary to watch it. Ahsoka follows the titular character’s quest to prevent the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn. For this, she teams up with her former apprentice, Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), and they must overcome their own issues before they can prevent the imminent catastrophe.

One thing Disney is known for compared to other streaming platforms is its commitment to its characters and its wide catalog of spin-off series. When Ahsoka Tano made her live-action debut in The Mandalorian, she became an instant fan-favorite, and it wasn’t long until a series about her was announced. Fortunately for fans, Ahsoka received mostly positive reviews, many of them highlighting Rosario Dawson’s performance as the titular character. It has become a must-watch for any fans of the franchise, and it is one of the best series Disney had to offer this year.

Loki (Season 2)

best-of-2023-disney-loki-season-2

Loki

Creator

Michael Waldron

Based on

Marvel Comics

Cast

  • Tom Hiddleston
  • Sophia Di Martino
  • Wunmi Mosaku
  • Owen Wilson
  • Eugene Cordero
  • Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Genre

Action-adventure, Science fiction, Superhero, Drama, Fantasy

Number of seasons

2

Number of episodes

12

Episode duration

41–56 minutes

Release date

  • June 9, 2021 (Season 1)
  • October 5, 2023 (Season 2)

Rotten Tomatoes' Critic Score

86%

Rotten Tomatoes' Audience Score

86%

Metacritic Score

65

IMDB Score

8.2/10

Where to watch

Disney+

Perhaps the most anticipated Marvel release of the year was the second season of the hit series Loki, which follows the God of Mischief and other members of the TVA as they work to restore the multiverse and save the TVA from an event that could destroy all timelines. Standing in Loki's way is Sylvie, his female counterpart and the first woman that Loki has ever loved. Without getting into spoiler territory, this season perfectly closes Loki’s character arc and has one of the best and most effective finales in the MCU.

The six-episode season may not have been as universally praised as its predecessor, but it still got a mostly positive reception from both the audience and critics. While many fans are getting tired of the current state of the MCU, Loki season 2 has been described as Marvel's top release of the year. The complete series is considered one of, if not the overall best entry in the MCU after Avengers: Endgame. The criticism of Marvel’s recent entries is more than justified, but if there’s one Marvel 2023 release worth every fan’s time, it’s the second season of Loki. The show surpassed expectations and stands as the best Disney Plus series of 2023.

MORE: Tom Hiddleston Teases Loki Potentially Bringing Back A Fallen Avenger