Top 15 TV Shows From The ‘90s On Disney+ To Watch, According To IMDb

As soon as Disney+ was announced, people who were kids during the ’90s were pumped up. They knew that their favorite movies and television shows from their childhood were going to be available to be streamed, some for the first time since they originally aired.

In fact, this area is one of the strongest for Disney+. The catalog of shows that it offers up from the ’90s is almost unmatched. Memorable animated series, live-action sitcoms featuring characters who are timeless, and of course, one long-running animated show that is as iconic as it gets. Using the ratings on IMDb, you can pick out the best of the bunch.

Updated on December 15th, 2021, by Kevin Pantoja: Since it debuted a little over two years ago, Disney+ has remained a true streaming juggernaut. Part of its success is obviously the string of new original shows set in both the Star Wars universe and in the MCU. However, that catalog of classic TV shows from the past is still a major reason why subscribers stick around. In fact, due to some licensing deals ending, even more shows from the ’90s are available to stream today than there were back in 2019. If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgia itch and see if something you loved when you were younger still holds up, the ratings at IMDb for ’90s TV series are a great barometer to figure out what to watch.

15 Pepper Ann (1997-2000) – 7.1

It seems like Pepper Ann is one of the more forgotten animated shows from the decade. Premiering in 1997 as part of Disney’s “One Saturday Morning” block, the show actually made history as the first animated series for the company to be created by a woman.

One thing that helped set the show apart was that the titular character was older than a lot of protagonists you’d see in cartoons. She was in middle school and the series dealt with the things she went through during adolescence. All 65 episodes (most featuring a different gag in the opening sequence similar to The Simpsons) are available to stream.

14 The Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999) – 7.1

The success of The Lion King is almost unmatched when it comes to Walt Disney Animation Studios. Instead of being an adaptation of a famous fairytale or known story, it was its own original concept and spawned a massive franchise with sequels, TV shows, a Broadway play, and more.

One of those TV series to come from it was The Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa. It followed the popular duo from the film as they lived life using their “Hakuna Matata” motto. Reuniting the original voice actors (at least for season 1), it was well-received during its time.

13 Smart Guy (1997-1999) – 7.4

While his older twin sisters Tia and Tamera were shining brightly as the stars of  Sister, Sister, Tahj Mowry wasn’t about to be left behind. He landed his own major role on the WB sitcom Smart Guy. Mowry portrayed T.J. Henderson, the series’ protagonist.

Smart Guy centers on T.J., a child genius who moves from fourth grade to high school classes, putting him in the same school as his older siblings. The beloved show spans 51 episodes and all are available on Disney+ to relive this late ’90s classic.

12 Out Of The Box (1998-2004) – 7.5

It’s almost difficult to fully classify this series as something from the ’90s since it only aired during two years in the decade but it does indeed count. The show takes the idea of using your imagination to the fullest as every episode goes down in a playhouse made entirely of cardboard boxes.

Once in there, anything can happen as the hosts would join with children to act out plays, perform music, make crafts, and more. The show had an interesting run, disappearing for a few years and coming back from time to time, so it’s surprising that it’s all up on Disney+

11 Dinosaurs (1991-1994) – 7.5

Airing on ABC, Dinosaurs was actually something of a hit series. Using puppetry, the series follows a family of dinosaurs as they live seemingly normal sitcom lives during prehistoric times. It worked because of how relatable the funny it all was, despite the wacky setup.

The series featured memorable characters and made lines like “NOT THE MAMA” iconic pop culture staples. The finale was one of the most talked-about in history as things ended with the implication that dinosaurs were about to become extinct.

10 Talespin (1990-1991) – 7.6

Seasons were certainly a lot longer back in the ’90s. One would think that Talespin lasted several years considering it has 65 total episodes but that was only actually one season’s worth. This animated show works as a spin-off of sorts from The Jungle Book.

It features characters from that classic, including Baloo the Bear and Louie the Ape. In Talespin, Baloo is recast as something of a pilot from the Pacific Islands and the whole thing seems to have been set at some point in the 1930s. Though it only lasted one season, it did produce a video game and a comic book.

9 Darkwing Duck (1991-1992) – 7.6

The Disney Afternoon block of shows produced some instant classics. Talespin was among them, as was this action-adventure comedy. Darkwing Duck follows Drake Mallard as he dons a superhero costume and fights crime alongside his daughter and sidekick.

Darkwing Duck is a staple of discussion when it comes to early ’90s animation. The series only ran from 1991 until 1992 but still managed to produce 91 episodes across three seasons. It even managed to have some crossover with Ducktales in the accompanying comic books.

8 Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1988-1990) – 7.6

Although only the final season of Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers aired in the ’90s, it still had enough to qualify. It also has more total reviews on IMDb than the entries tied with the same rating. The show takes the established characters of Chip and Dale and puts them in a unique situation.

Along with other rodents, they work together to solve crimes. The clever show even modeled the two leads after famed characters like Magnum P.I. and Indiana Jones, making for some iconic looks. 65 episodes were made across three seasons and it boasted a legendary opening theme song.

7 Recess (1997-2001) – 7.8

ABC’s One Saturday Morning block of shows was one of the bigger hits during the back half of the ’90s. It could be argued that the biggest show to come from it was Recess. It premiered in 1997 and ran all the way until 2001, which included six seasons and four movies.

The premise of Recess is about what you’d expect given the title. A group of kids have adventures and even form their own kind of society, all taking place during their breaks from the everyday slog of school. The characters ended up crossing over with Lilo & Stitch: The Series as late as 2006.

6 Boy Meets World (1993-2000) – 8.0

There’s no doubt that Boy Meets World is basically the quintessential ’90s sitcom. The series was a huge hit, spanning seven seasons and 158 episodes. It focuses on the life of Cory Matthews as he goes through adolescence with his brother Eric, best friend Shawn, and girlfriend Topanga at his side

In fact, Cory and Topanga remain a beloved sitcom couple. The series is endlessly quotable, still funny today, and featured a slew of guest stars who would go on to have tremendous careers. The show also does a great job handling emotional and cultural issues of the time period.

5 Gargoyles (1994-1996) – 8.1

It was easily one of the most anticipated animated shows mentioned when fans were discussing what was coming to Disney+. That’s because not only was Gargoyles a tremendous series on its own but it was hard to find on other streaming services before this one.

In it, a group of gargoyles reawaken after a thousand years in a petrified state in New York. They become the city’s protectors at night just like they were in Scotland during their original life. Gargoyles ran from 1994 until 1997, spawned a video game, and was the subject of a convention that ran until 2009.

4 Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998) – 8.4

There have been plenty of takes on Spider-Man in animated form over the past several decades. However, the greatest is often considered to be Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which aired from 1994 until 1998, featuring five seasons and a total of 65 episodes.

The show was groundbreaking for the way that it adapted major comic book arcs that would take several episodes to wrap up. It also saw Spider-Man crossover with the likes of the X-Men, Iron Man, Punisher, and more. It’s disappointing that the series ended without a proper conclusion.

3 X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997) 8.4

Before the days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the best thing on screens involving heroes from Marvel were these shows. Along with the aforementioned Spider-Man entry, there was X-Men: The Animated Series, which lasted five seasons and 76 episodes.

From its legendary opening theme song to the huge comic arcs adapted like “Days of Future Past” and “The Dark Phoenix Saga,” this series is everything a fan could want. For many, this was the first thing they binged when Disney+ launched, looking to relive their childhood.

2 So Weird (1999-2001) – 8.5

It’s not often that a show that was a mid-season replacement becomes something that people consider to be great. Of course, that’s just part of what made So Weird such a special series. It helped that it was so much more different than everything else on the Disney Channel.

The series followed a teenage girl who traveled the country with her rockstar mother, experiencing major paranormal events along the way. In a lot of ways, people considered it to be a take on The X-Files that was aimed at children and that lines up given how well it was received.

1 The Simpsons (1989-Present) – 8.6

It’s telling when a show can debut in 1989 and still be on the air going into 2022. The Simpsons is that series, featuring more than 30 seasons and over 700 episodes. All of them, and the 2007 feature film, are currently available on Disney+. It’s one of the most popular things on the streaming service.

The show simply follows the exploits of a working-class family in Springfield. The series has remained relevant for decades and somehow always manages to predict the future with its take on pop culture. Along with its popularity, The Simpsons has won an astonishing 30+ Emmy Awards.

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