Disney gave us many iconic movies throughout the years; I, for one, bawled my eyes out watching The Lion King, fell in love with the charming Hercules, and thoroughly enjoyed the antics of Merida from Brave. But, besides all these widely popular movies, Disney also gave us plenty of entertaining TV shows.
In the early ‘80s, Disney Channel started as a family-oriented network, offering programs both to adults and kids. Later on, it ditched all of its content made for grownups and became the first channel dedicated exclusively to kids. As a result, most of the channel's programs are original shows created by the Disney studios. The channel is also known for finding talented child actors and propelling their careers to real stardom. Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Ryan Gosling, and many more famous actors and musicians started their careers at Disney.
Speaking about the shows themselves - both live-action and cartoon ones - are almost always centered on a teenager's life. Be it a regular teen or one with extraordinary talents and even otherworldly abilities, the adults in these shows are almost non-existent, leaving the center stage for kids. And while not all of Disney Channel's shows are crowd-pleasers, we've rounded up a selection of the best Disney TV shows to one list. So, scroll down below and vote for your favorite shows; don't forget to tell us why you liked them!
#1 Phineas And Ferb
Offbeat and very original, the animated series Phineas and Ferb might have never seen the light of day if not for the persistence of its writers - it took about 16 years of pitching the concept to various networks before securing a run on the Disney Channel. This cartoon follows Phineas Flynn and his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher on their summer vacation; the boys embark on a new grand and impossible project every day. To make it even more unique, the boys own a pet platypus Perry, who's an undercover detective. Definitely a show that never gets boring!
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64points
#2 Kim Possible
A teenage heroine fighting against evil forces, a clumsy sidekick, and another oh-so-unusual pet (this time, it's a naked mole-rat named Rufus) is a recipe for a hit animated series called Kim Possible. Full of self-referential jokes, James Bond parodies, adventure, and even romance, it's one of those shows that you’ll fall in love with from the first minute. Oh, and if that's not enough for you to give Kim Possible a try, here's a fun fact - Rufus, the naked mole-rat pet of Kim's, was voiced by the same Nancy Cartwright who gave life to none other than Bart Simpson himself.
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52points
#3 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody
This Disney Channel teen sitcom has been following the lives of troublemaker twins Zack and Cody since its premiere in 2005. Set in the Tipton Hotel, where the twins' mom works as a lobby singer, the show also follows the hotel's heiress London Tipton and its staff members. Full of actually funny jokes, never-ending mischief, and great acting, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is one of our all-time favorites.
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48points
#4 Gravity Falls
We're always up for mysterious supernatural adventures paired with offbeat humor, entertaining characters, and unexpected events. Gravity Falls, an animated Disney Channel series, gives all that and a bit more. Following twins Dipper and Mabel Pines, this cartoon shows us their summer vacation adventures in Gravity Falls, Oregon, where they're unraveling the small town's mysteries. Not only does this show resonate with kids, teenagers, and young adults, but it has also gained a cult-like following from the fans. In fact, this show was so good; it is said to be an inspiration for many newer animated series.
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48points
#5 Wizards Of Waverly Place
If Disney itself isn't magical enough to you, give Wizards of Waverly Place a go! The series centers around Alex Russo, a teenage wizard living in Greenwich, training with her siblings Justin and Max to become full-fledged wizards. And though this show brings us into a fantasy world, its main themes are still very down to earth - family, friendship, and adolescence. A definite hit in our book!
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46points
#6 Hannah Montana
If you've found this list by accident and are reading about the shows mentioned here for the very first time, then we bet that even you have heard about Hannah Montana. The series centers around Miley Stewart, played by Miley Cyrus, and her double life as a regular teenager and a pop superstar. The show talks about family and friendships and the importance of discovering one's identity. Though one of the most popular Disney Channel series, it wasn't only surrounded by fans but also by plenty of controversies considering Cyrus' public image.
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46points
#7 Good Luck Charlie
Good Luck Charlie is one of the few Disney Channel series meant for the whole family's entertainment, not just kids. The show focuses on the life of the Duncan family adjusting to the births of their fourth and fifth children, Charlotte 'Charlie' and Toby. Full of heart and good humor, Good Luck Charlie is a great contender among classic sitcom shows.
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44points
#8 That's So Raven
That's So Raven, starring the charming and ingeniously funny Raven-Symoné, is the highest-rated series in the history of the Disney Channel. And while some might attribute this popularity to its unique plot centered around a teenage girl with psychic vision, we think it's Raven-Symoné who propelled this show to its fame. Despite being hilariously funny, the series tackles serious topics, including racism and body image issues. An entertaining series aimed at helping teenagers? Sign us up!
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43points
#9 The Suite Life On Deck
A sequel to The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, it follows the same up-to-no-good twins Zack and Cody, yet this time, their adventures are set in SS Tipton, a school boat. Besides attending school there, they travel around the world, experiencing different cultures and embarking on various adventures. Though it is basically the same show as the original series, the viewers get to watch Zack and Cody grow up and graduate from high school this time. Also, with the twin brothers being older, their schemes and plots get more elaborate, and one might argue, funnier.
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40points
#10 Jessie
Jessie, a young girl with big dreams, moves to New York and secures a job as a nanny for a wealthy family. And who doesn't love a heartwarming, adventurous, and entertaining nanny story? If you agree with us, give Jessie a try - it's a genuinely funny show, with enjoyable performances by a very loveable cast.
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39points
#11 Lizzie McGuire
Disney is famous for its great coming-of-age series, and Lizzie Mcguire adds to this list. Played by the one and only Hilary Duff, Lizzie navigates the ever-so-relatable teenage life issues and problems - from finding your identity to feeling the need to be accepted by your peers. Clever, funny, and sincere, this show had us glued to our TV screens.
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38points
#12 Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is a genuine coming-of-age story set throughout the years of middle school to college. Its main character, Cory Matthews, gets to live through many real-life situations, learning about important life lessons. Though the show is inherently funny and warm, it also talks about pressing cultural issues, such as child abuse and underage alcohol use.
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35points
#13 Liv And Maddie
Everybody loves twins on screen - it's double the trouble, the cuteness, and fun! This time, though, both Liv and Maddie are played by only one actress, Dove Cameron. And she managed to do it so well that the roles secured her an Emmy! Full of great jokes and relatable teenage drama, it's an entertaining and soft-around-the-edges show that plenty of kids loved following.
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34points
#14 Shake It Up
We don't know if it's Zendaya or the perfectly choreographed dance sequences, but Shake It Up is as entertaining as it gets. Even if you're not into the whole dance world, you'll find the series' main characters, CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue, adorable and relatable. This show never forgets to address real life, too, often speaking about the duo's various misadventures and school troubles.
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32points
#15 A.N.T. Farm
Centered around the life of Chyna Parks, an 11-year-old musical prodigy, A.N.T. Farm is very refreshing by allowing us to meet talented and gifted kids. We get to follow the trio - Chyna, Olive, and Fletcher - getting into various adventures at their school for gifted kids while using the talents to their advantage. An original premise, funny jokes, and great characters secure these Disney Channel series a high position on our list.
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31points
#16 K.C. Undercover
Who could ever get enough of Zendaya? Definitely not us! So here's another show where she steals the limelight portraying K.C. Cooper - a high school student and an undercover spy. This series is one of the few centering around a scholarly protagonist and valuing the importance of education. And that is a massive plus for us!
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31points
#17 Dog With A Blog
Everything's better with a dog, especially when it can speak our language. Dog With a Blog gives us exactly that - an entertaining series centered on a freshly minted family who discover that their pet dog Stan can talk. It's fun to watch this family's life being discussed by their pet, and Stan never lacks a fresh perspective on any happenings.
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29points
#18 Ducktales
Nothing's better than a classic story about a duck's life. In all seriousness, though, the animated series DuckTales is a reboot of the 1987 series of the same name. Once again, we get to meet Donald and Scrooge and follow the adorable triplets - Huey, Dewey, and Louie - on their adventures. And if you're usually skeptical with these reboots, give DuckTales a try - it's almost better than the original series!
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29points
#19 Austin & Ally
At least for a second, everybody has dreamed about being a star on stage, and Austin & Ally allows us a glimpse into this fantasy world. The series follows Austin, a charismatic singer, and Ally, an introverted songwriter. Chances are the duo meet and start as friends, later falling in love with each other. It's very entertaining to watch these two polar opposites gradually become friends and venture into bigger careers in the music industry.
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28points
#20 Lilo & Stitch: The Series
If you loved the offbeat and adorable pair from the Lilo & Stitch movie, you will surely fall for this series, too! Continuing the plotline of Stitch! The Movie this cartoon explores the topics and adventures even further. Funky experiments, crazy adventures, and the cutest characters are undoubtedly a combination destined for success.
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27points