Warning: This list contains spoilers for Hawkeye.
Arguably the biggest selling point for Disney+ as soon as it launched over two years ago was the slate of original content it would be debuting going forward. More than the movies it put out, Disney+ lined up an impressive array of television shows, including some set in the MCU and Star Wars universe.
2021 marked the release of several major programs from intriguing fantasy series to foll0w-up seasons for already successful shows and more. The ratings from IMDb help display that Disney+ is putting out some of the best TV of any streaming service these days and 2022 will likely be filled with more hits.
Big Shot (7.5)
A lot of subscribers will likely be surprised to find Big Shot ranked among Disney+'s best shows of the year. The trailer for it wasn't very popular and seemed to border on the edge of being flat-out cheesy. However, Big Shot ultimately surprised those who gave it a chance.
The show centers on Marvyn Korn (John Stamos), a basketball coach with an anger problem who is punished and sent to work with a girls team at a private high school. Most critics felt that the show didn't do anything new but it featured quality performances and was ultimately heartwarming.
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (7.5)
One of the most anticipated shows on the streaming service to not be a Marvel or Star Wars property was The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. The series works as a sequel to the original film series, set decades after the events of those movies, even bringing back Emilio Estevez as Gordon Bombay.
The premise is similar as it sees a ragtag group of kids come together to form a beloved hockey team under Bombay's guidance, though he's back to his reluctant ways and is pushed by Alex (Lauren Graham), the mother of one of the children. Like Big Shot, this worked because it's funny and has heart.
What If...? (7.5)
As noted, the MCU debuted its slate of big-budget TV shows on Disney+ this year. The only one to not rank among the ten best was The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, though it just missed the mark. The MCU's first dip into animation, What If...? proved to be a hit.
Based on the comic book series of the same name, the show tells stories of everyone's favorite heroes from alternate universes. Although not every episode was considered great, most were met with critical acclaim for some of the unique (and sometimes better) takes on the characters and especially for the animation style.
Diary Of A Future President Season 2 (7.6)
If you go to IMDb, you'll see that Diary of a Future President actually only holds a 6.1 rating as a series. However, a deeper dive shows that season 1's episodes received lackluster ratings but season 2, which aired in 2021, scored much better. The 7.6 rating is the average of those season 2 episodes.
Starring Gina Rodriguez and Tess Romero as Elena Cañero-Reed, the show follows her as a teenager with dreams of one day being President of the United States. Flash-forwards show her actually as President, meaning the series depicts her early road to success. Despite better reception in season 2, the show was canceled.
The Mysterious Benedict Society (7.7)
Based on a series of children's books, The Mysterious Benedict Society proved to be one of Disney+'s sleeper hits. In a lot of ways, it works like a kid's version of Netflix's The Umbrella Academy because it sees gifted orphans with special abilities recruited by a wealthy benefactor.
For the most part, the show was met with widespread acclaim as audiences were captivated by the cast, family-friendly tone, and mystery of it all. It was noted that things get off to a slow start but there are major rewards for sticking to it. Season 2 is already one that fans are excited about.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 2 (7.8)
One of the first standout shows when Disney+ launched was High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Season 1 was whimsical, played well off of the movie franchise, and had great music. It also helped introduce the world to Olivia Rodrigo before she broke out as a huge pop star.
Season 2 aired in 2021 and while good, it didn't quite live up to the original. Part of it was due to the odd choice to focus on a Beauty and the Beast play instead of something from High School Musical and part of it was because the COVID-19 pandemic hampered the filming to the point where the finale lacked a lot of what it needed.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (8.0)
Since Disney took over the Star Wars franchise, some fans have had mixed feelings about their output, specifically with the films. However, the shows have been a strong point including The Mandalorian and animated series like The Clone Wars and Rebels.
2021 saw the debut of a new animated show in The Bad Batch, which is a spin-off of The Clone Wars centering on a group of clone troopers with unique genetic mutations. Along with fun characters and a great familial bond at the center, the show also worked because it gave a rare look at the universe following the immediate rise of the Empire.
WandaVision (8.0)
The first MCU series for Disney+ ended up being WandaVision and it got things off to a trippy start. The show dealt with the grief that Wanda Maximoff suffered after the death of her brother in Avengers: Age of Ultron and her love Vision in Avengers: Infinity War. The series was a pop culture hit as social media buzzed every week with theories about where the show was going and what everything meant.
Not everything paid off but there's no denying the performances of Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn (who is getting her own spin-off show). Along with praise for everything from the acting to the story to the special effects, WandaVision also help set the stage for the MCU's future, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Hawkeye (8.1)
The latest MCU show is taking a much more grounded approach than the ones that came before it. Instead of having world-altering implications, Hawkeye is about street-level crime, which is a welcome change. The show sees Clint Barton get the spotlight as he has to atone for his sins as Ronin while also taking a young archer under his wing.
Kate Bishop has been a welcome addition to the franchise, becoming a fan favorite already thanks to Hailee Steinfeld's portrayal. Bringing in Yelena Belova and even marking the return of Wilson Fisk from Netflix's Daredevil series has viewers excited. People everywhere are captivated by this series.
Loki (8.3)
When Loki was first announced, it wasn't clear how it would impact the greater MCU. With the titular Loki arrested by the Time Variance Authority for breaching the timeline, it seemed like his adventures would be separate from everything else but fans couldn't have been more wrong.
The end of the show has the potential to change everything for the franchise going forward, including introducing a new major villain. Tom Hiddleston was lauded for his work as was Sophia Di Martino as Loki variant Sylvie, and the rest of the supporting cast. Throw in a great musical score and some impressive visuals and it's no wonder people are eagerly anticipating season 2.