The 10 Best Disney Plus Teen Series in 2025, Ranked
- Joao Nsita
- 36 minutes ago
- 14 min read
It’s a Monday morning in late August, and the familiar rhythm of London is shifting. The long, sun-drenched days of summer are giving way to a crisper, more focused energy. It’s that unmistakable “back to school” season, a time of new beginnings, fresh starts, and, for millions of us, the perfect excuse to dive into a new season of television. While the teen genre is more competitive than ever, Disney Plus has firmly established itself as a powerhouse, offering a slate of shows that are not only entertaining but also culturally significant, moving far beyond its classic animation roots to tell stories that are vibrant, diverse, and deeply resonant with today’s youth.
The teen shows of 2025 are a brilliant reflection of a generation that craves both epic escapism and authentic, grounded storytelling. On platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, the trends are clear: viewers are obsessed with sprawling fantasy worlds, superhero origin stories that feel relatable, and high school dramas that tackle real-world issues with heart and humour. Disney+ has expertly tapped into this, building interconnected universes with Marvel and Star Wars, launching massive book-to-screen adaptations, and creating original series that capture the joy and angst of being a teenager right now.
This is our definitive, descending ranking of the 10 best teen series available on Disney Plus in 2025. We’ve considered everything from critical acclaim and fan fervour to cultural impact and sheer binge-worthiness to bring you a comprehensive guide to the platform’s essential viewing. From the hallowed halls of East High to the mythical world of demigods, these are the shows that are not just capturing our attention but are defining the conversation.
10. The Mysterious Benedict Society
Synopsis: Based on the beloved book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict. They are tasked with going undercover at the L.I.V.E. Institute, a sinister boarding school run by Mr. Benedict’s nefarious twin brother, Dr. Curtain. The children must use their unique talents—logic, memory, intuition, and a healthy dose of defiance—to thwart Dr. Curtain's plot for world domination.
Why It's a Top Series: This show is a delightful and intelligent adventure that feels like a modern classic. It champions intellect, empathy, and teamwork over brute force, offering a refreshing alternative to more action-heavy teen shows. The aesthetic is wonderfully unique—a quirky, retro-futuristic world with a distinct visual style reminiscent of Wes Anderson. The performances from the young cast are exceptional, each bringing a depth and charm to their character that makes them instantly lovable. It’s a show that trusts its young audience with complex puzzles and mature emotional themes, all while maintaining a spirit of whimsical fun.
What to Expect in 2025: With the complete series now available to stream, 2025 is the perfect year for new audiences to discover this gem or for existing fans to revisit the entire adventure. The show's timeless quality and positive messaging about found family and celebrating one's unique intelligence continue to resonate. Its puzzle-box narrative makes it an incredibly satisfying binge-watch, as viewers can follow the clues and solve the mystery alongside the heroic quartet. For fans of the source material, the official Penguin Random House page for the book series is a great place to explore more.
9. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Synopsis: This meta, mockumentary-style series is set at the real-life East High, where the original High School Musical movies were filmed. The show follows a new generation of theatre kids as they navigate the drama of high school, first loves, and the intense, exhilarating world of putting on a school musical. Each season tackles a new production, from High School Musical and Beauty and the Beast to Frozen and, in its final season, a meta production of High School Musical 3.
Why It's a Top Series: What started as a show with a ridiculously long title quickly won over audiences with its huge heart, incredible musical talent, and a genuinely progressive and inclusive spirit. The series launched the careers of global superstars like Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett and became a cultural phenomenon in its own right. It expertly blended nostalgia for the original films with fresh, contemporary storylines that tackled issues of identity, anxiety, and friendship with nuance and care. The original songs are incredibly catchy, and the musical performances are consistently spectacular.
What to Expect in 2025: The show wrapped up its fourth and final season, making 2025 the year of the complete binge. Viewers can now experience the entire journey of the East High Wildcats from start to finish. The final season, with its meta-narrative and cameos from original movie cast members, serves as a perfect, heartfelt farewell. Its legacy as one of Disney+'s flagship launch titles is secure, and it remains a joyful, comforting, and endlessly rewatchable series for anyone who has ever been a theatre kid at heart. The official Disney+ page for the show is the best place to stream all seasons.
8. American Born Chinese
Synopsis: Based on the groundbreaking graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, this series tells the story of Jin Wang, a regular high school student trying to navigate his social life and his strict immigrant family. His life is turned upside down when he befriends Wei-Chen, a new foreign exchange student who is secretly the son of the mythical Monkey King. Jin is thrust into a celestial battle, forcing him to reconcile his everyday teenage life with a world of gods, magic, and ancient legends.
Why It's a Top Series: American Born Chinese is a visually stunning and thematically rich series that masterfully blends high-school comedy, Chinese mythology, and incredible martial arts action. The show boasts an incredible, star-studded cast, including Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. It’s a powerful and important story about identity, cultural heritage, and the struggle to find your place between two worlds. The action sequences are cinematic and breathtaking, but the heart of the show lies in Jin’s relatable journey of self-acceptance.
What to Expect in 2025: While fans eagerly await news of a second season, the first season stands as a complete and powerful story. In 2025, the show continues to be a critical darling and a standout example of culturally specific storytelling on a major platform. It’s a series that sparks important conversations about identity and representation, making it a fantastic watch for families to experience together. For a deeper dive into the original source material, you can explore the First Second Books page for the graphic novel.
7. Goosebumps
Synopsis: This modern reimagining of R.L. Stine’s iconic book series takes a more serialized approach to the beloved horror anthology. The series follows a group of five high school students who unwittingly unleash supernatural forces upon their town. As they work together to save their community, they discover that their own parents hold dark secrets from their teenage years that are connected to the very evil they are now fighting.
Why It's a Top Series: This show was a breakout hit, perfectly blending teen drama, mystery, and genuine spooky thrills. It brilliantly captures the spirit of R.L. Stine’s work while updating it for a modern audience, creating an interconnected story that is incredibly binge-able. The show is genuinely scary at times, but it never loses its sense of fun and adventure. The chemistry between the young cast is fantastic, and the underlying mystery about their parents' past adds a compelling layer of intrigue. The show’s aesthetic, particularly its use of classic horror tropes, has made it a hit on social media.
What to Expect in 2025: Following a successful first season, Goosebumps was renewed for a second season, which is expected to be one of the most anticipated releases for the platform’s "Hallowstream" event. The new season will feature a new cast and a new mystery, continuing the anthology format while promising even more scares and supernatural twists. It has solidified its place as a must-watch for anyone who loves a good teen horror story. For more on R.L. Stine's terrifyingly fun world, the official Goosebumps website is the ultimate resource.
6. Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Synopsis: This animated series, a spin-off from the acclaimed Star Wars: The Clone Wars, follows the adventures of Clone Force 99, also known as the "Bad Batch." They are a squad of elite clone troopers with unique genetic mutations that give them extraordinary skills. The series begins in the immediate aftermath of Order 66 and the rise of the Galactic Empire. As the galaxy changes around them, the Bad Batch must find their new purpose, navigating a dangerous universe as soldiers of fortune and renegades.
Why It's a Top Series: While animated, The Bad Batch tells a story with a maturity and complexity that appeals directly to an older teen audience. It’s a gritty, action-packed series that explores the grey areas of the Star Wars universe. The show is a masterclass in character development, turning what could have been one-note soldiers into a complex, found family. The relationship between the gruff soldiers and their young ward, Omega, is the emotional heart of the series. The animation is stunning, and the show is packed with connections to the wider Star Wars lore that reward dedicated fans.
What to Expect in 2025: The series concluded with its third and final season in 2024, which was praised by critics and fans as its best yet. In 2025, the complete saga is available, making it the perfect time for a comprehensive binge-watch. The show’s journey from a story about soldiers to a powerful tale about family and fighting for what’s right is incredibly satisfying to watch in its entirety. It stands as one of the best animated projects in the entire Star Wars canon. For an exhaustive guide to the Star Wars universe, Wookieepedia is an unparalleled fan resource.
5. Doctor Who
Synopsis: The legendary British sci-fi series returned with a bang, launching a brand new era on Disney Plus as its new global home. The new season introduces the charismatic Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion, Ruby Sunday. Together, they travel through all of time and space in the TARDIS, facing off against terrifying monsters, exploring alien worlds, and saving the universe with a combination of brilliant intellect and boundless compassion.
Why It's a Top Series: With showrunner Russell T Davies back at the helm, the new era of Doctor Who has been a triumphant return to form, capturing the magic, wonder, and heart that made the modern series a global phenomenon. Ncuti Gatwa is electrifying as the Doctor, bringing a fresh, vibrant, and emotionally expressive energy to the iconic role. The show is a perfect blend of thrilling sci-fi adventure, genuine horror, and deeply moving character drama. It’s a show that is unabashedly optimistic and full of heart, a perfect gateway for a new generation of fans.
What to Expect in 2025: The first season of the new era sets up a major, overarching mystery about Ruby Sunday’s origins, which will be a driving force for future seasons. The show has been revitalised with a bigger budget and a global platform, promising even more ambitious and cinematic adventures to come. In 2025, Doctor Who feels more relevant and exciting than ever, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of British pop culture and a must-watch for sci-fi lovers of all ages. For all the latest news, behind-the-scenes content, and classic episodes, the official Doctor Who website is the place to be.
4. Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.
Synopsis: A charming and heartfelt reimagining of the classic 80s series Doogie Howser, M.D., this show is set in modern-day Hawai'i. It follows Lahela "Doogie" Kameāloha, a 16-year-old prodigy who is juggling a budding medical career with the challenges of being a teenager. With the support of her loving, and sometimes meddling, family, Lahela navigates the pressures of her demanding job at the local hospital while also dealing with first loves, friendships, and finding her own path.
Why It's a Top Series: This show is a pure delight. It’s a warm, funny, and incredibly endearing family-friendly series that perfectly balances medical drama with coming-of-age comedy. The Hawaiian setting is breathtaking and provides a beautiful, vibrant backdrop that is a core part of the show's identity. Peyton Elizabeth Lee is fantastic in the lead role, bringing a perfect blend of intelligence, vulnerability, and comedic timing. The show’s focus on the importance of family ("'ohana"), friendship, and cultural heritage gives it a wonderful depth and heart.
What to Expect in 2025: With two fantastic seasons available to stream, Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. remains a top-tier comfort watch on the platform. While fans are eagerly hoping for news of a third season, the existing episodes offer a complete and satisfying journey. It’s a show that consistently leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling, a perfect, optimistic escape that the whole family can enjoy. The show's focus on a young person excelling in a high-pressure environment is inspiring, a theme you can also find in movies on our list of the Top 7 Best Coming of Age Movies of All Time.
3. Ms. Marvel
Synopsis: This series introduced the world to Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teenager from Jersey City who is a massive Captain Marvel fangirl. Her life is a relatable mix of high school drama, family expectations, and trying to find her place in the world. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers an ancient family bangle that unlocks incredible, cosmic powers. As she learns to control her new abilities, she must become the hero she has always admired.
Why It's a Top Series: Ms. Marvel was a groundbreaking and critically acclaimed addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a vibrant, joyful, and incredibly stylish series that received universal praise for its authentic representation of Muslim and South Asian culture. Iman Vellani is a revelation as Kamala, perfectly capturing the character’s infectious optimism and relatable awkwardness. The show’s unique visual style, which incorporates animation and street art into the live-action, is a creative triumph. It’s a superhero origin story that is as much about embracing your heritage and finding your own identity as it is about fighting bad guys.
What to Expect in 2025: After her big-screen debut in The Marvels, the future is bright for Ms. Marvel. Fans are eagerly awaiting an announcement for Season 2, which will no doubt explore her new role as a leader of the Young Avengers. In 2025, the first season remains essential viewing, a benchmark for representation in the superhero genre and one of the most creative and heartfelt projects in the entire MCU. For more on the character's comic book origins, the official Marvel Entertainment website is the best source. The journey of a young hero is always compelling, a theme we explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Coming of Age Movies.
2. Loki
Synopsis: While a Marvel Studios series, the show's focus on identity, destiny, and complex relationships gives it a massive appeal for an older teen audience. The series picks up with the 2012 version of Loki who escaped with the Tesseract in Avengers: Endgame. He is immediately apprehended by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a bureaucratic organization that exists outside of time and space. He is forced to team up with the stoic Agent Mobius to hunt down a dangerous variant of himself, a journey that sends him hurtling across time and forces him to confront the very nature of his identity and purpose.
Why It's a Top Series: Loki is arguably the most ambitious and critically successful of all the MCU shows. It’s a mind-bending, time-traveling sci-fi epic that is as much a character study as it is a superhero adventure. The chemistry between Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Owen Wilson (Mobius) is absolutely electric, a witty and surprisingly heartfelt buddy-cop dynamic that forms the core of the show. The production design is stunning, and the show's exploration of themes like free will, destiny, and self-acceptance is incredibly sophisticated.
What to Expect in 2025: With its second season concluding in a truly epic, universe-altering fashion, the complete saga of Loki is now available to binge. It tells a complete, profound, and incredibly satisfying story that fundamentally reshapes the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2025, it stands as a masterpiece of television, a show that will be studied and discussed for years to come. Its complex narrative will keep you guessing, a quality it shares with the films on our list of 6 Edge of Your Seat Thriller Movies That Will Keep You Guessing.
1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Synopsis: Based on the globally beloved book series by Rick Riordan, this series tells the story of 12-year-old Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is a demigod—the son of the Greek god Poseidon. After being accused by Zeus of stealing his master lightning bolt, Percy is thrust into a world of gods, monsters, and mythical quests. With his two best friends, the brilliant satyr Grover Underwood and the fierce demigod Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, Percy must embark on a perilous cross-country journey to find the bolt, clear his name, and prevent a devastating war among the gods.
Why It's a Top Series: This is the adaptation that fans have been dreaming of for over a decade. With author Rick Riordan heavily involved as a creator and executive producer, the series is a remarkably faithful and lovingly crafted translation of the source material. The casting is perfect, with Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri embodying the iconic trio with incredible charm and chemistry. The world-building is spectacular, bringing the magical world of Camp Half-Blood and the grandeur of Olympus to life. It’s a show that perfectly balances epic adventure, heartfelt emotion, and a wonderful sense of humour.
What to Expect in 2025: The first season was a massive, record-breaking hit for Disney+, and the show was quickly renewed. Season 2, which will adapt the second book, The Sea of Monsters, is one of the most anticipated television events of the year. Expect an even bigger and more ambitious season, with new characters, more dangerous monsters, and a quest that takes the heroes to the treacherous waters of the Bermuda Triangle. In 2025, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is not just a great teen show; it’s a full-blown cultural phenomenon and the undisputed king of Disney Plus teen television. The show's focus on a powerful friendship is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies About Friendship. The trio's adventure is gripping, much like the stories on our list of 6 Must-Watch Action Adventure Movies.
Conclusion
In 2025, Disney Plus has proven itself to be an absolute powerhouse in the world of teen television. The platform offers a rich, diverse, and incredibly high-quality slate of shows that speaks to the breadth and depth of the teenage experience. From the mythological quests of a demigod and the cosmic battles of a superhero, to the heartfelt drama of the high school theatre club, this list represents the best of the best.
These shows are more than just entertainment; they are conversation starters, trendsetters, and a source of comfort and inspiration for millions of young viewers. They are a testament to the fact that stories made for teenagers can be ambitious, intelligent, and universally resonant. The only challenge now is deciding which of these incredible worlds to dive into first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which show on this list is best for a younger teen audience? High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. are both excellent choices for a younger teen or family audience, with positive messaging and a lighter tone.
2. Do I need to have read the Percy Jackson books to enjoy the show? No, the show is a fantastic introduction to the world and does a great job of explaining the mythology. However, if you are a fan of the books, you will appreciate how faithful the adaptation is.
3. Is Loki too complicated if I haven't seen all the Marvel movies? To fully appreciate Loki, it is highly recommended that you have at least seen the first Thor movie and the Avengers films, as the show's premise is directly tied to the events of Avengers: Endgame.
4. Are any of these shows finished, or are they all ongoing? High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and Star Wars: The Bad Batch have all concluded, so you can binge-watch their complete stories.
5. What is "meta" about High School Musical: The Musical: The Series? "Meta" means the show is self-aware and often references itself or the genre it belongs to. The show is set at the school where the original movies were filmed, and the characters are often talking about the movies, creating a fun, layered experience for fans.
6. Which of these shows is the most critically acclaimed? Loki has received widespread critical acclaim for its ambition, writing, and performances, earning numerous award nominations. Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Ms. Marvel also received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics.
7. I love horror. Which show should I watch? Goosebumps is the best choice for a teen-focused horror experience on this list, offering a great blend of scares and mystery.
8. Are all these shows based in the United States? No! Doctor Who is a quintessential British series, primarily set in the UK (and all of time and space!).
9. How can I find out when the next seasons are coming out? Following the official Disney Plus social media accounts and reputable entertainment news sites like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter is the best way to get the latest news on renewal announcements and release dates.
10. Do any of these shows have a big "shipping" culture online? Absolutely. "Shipping" (wanting two characters to get into a relationship) is a huge part of the fan culture for shows like Percy Jackson (Percy and Annabeth), Loki (Loki and Mobius), and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
