While HBO Max and Netflix have built reputations for their acclaimed miniseries, Disney Plus also offers a selection of outstanding limited-run shows. Leveraging its ownership of Marvel, Star Wars, and other properties, the streamer hosts several high-quality miniseries that are considered exceptional from beginning to end.
WandaVision
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's foray into Disney Plus began with WandaVision, a nine-episode series that reimagines Wanda Maximoff's grief following Vision's death. The show creatively explores different eras of television, with Wanda and Vision starring in their own sitcoms that progress through distinct decades. This format allowed WandaVision to feel fresh each week, offering subtle clues about the unfolding narrative. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany were lauded for their performances, skillfully adapting to the varying acting styles of each era.
Toy Story Toons
Following the success of Toy Story 3, Pixar released a series of three shorts titled Toy Story Toons. These shorts focused on side characters, offering a way to continue exploring the beloved franchise's world. "Hawaiian Vacation" sees Barbie and Ken attempting to join Woody and the gang on a trip, "Small Fry" features a Buzz Lightyear toy impersonating the real one, and "Partysaurus Rex" shows Rex accidentally flooding a house with bath toys. The shorts are noted for being excellent, with a desire expressed for more installments.
Muppets Mayhem
The 2023 series Muppets Mayhem delves into the story of the Muppets' house band, the Electric Mayhem. The 10-episode series follows Nora Singh, a junior executive at a record company, as she works to get the band together to record an album, a feat they had never accomplished despite being active since the 1970s. The series is praised for its great music and solid story, making it an engaging watch for its entire run.
Silver Surfer
Released in 1998, the 13-episode animated series Silver Surfer offers a compelling origin story for the cosmic hero. The show depicts the Silver Surfer's pact with the planet-devouring Galactus to save his homeworld, Zenn-La, which leads him to become Galactus's herald. His encounter with Earth prompts him to betray Galactus, leaving him to wander space in search of his hidden home. The series is noted for its Japanese Ronin-inspired narrative and its ambitious Jack Kirby-influenced artwork, which uniquely blended 2D animation with 3D elements for celestial bodies and characters.
Devs
Created by Alex Garland, Devs is an eight-episode miniseries that explores the dark possibilities of a quantum computing company developing a machine capable of predicting the future. Similar to Garland's film Ex Machina, the series tackles profound concepts such as free will versus determinism. The tightly-plotted story features satisfying twists, and Nick Offerman's performance as the company's CEO is described as terrifying.
Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)
Before the 2008 CG-animated series, a 2D-animated series titled Star Wars: Clone Wars set the groundwork. Produced by Genndy Tartakovsky, this series consists of 25 shorts, ranging from three to five minutes, released between 2003 and 2005. These shorts were later compiled into two hour-long episodes on Disney Plus. The series, stylistically akin to Samurai Jack, focuses on vignettes of the Clone Wars, primarily featuring Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, with appearances by Yoda and Mace Windu. It is lauded for its action-forward approach and flawless direction, considered a pinnacle of animated perfection in the Star Wars universe.
Andor
Andor is presented as the most mature and greatest Star Wars series to date. The 24-episode series spans two seasons and follows Cassian Andor's journey from a thief to a key figure in the Rebel Alliance. It offers a detailed and sophisticated look at life under the Empire's rule, surpassing even the films in its depiction of the galaxy's oppressive regime. Watching Andor followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story provides what might be the most impactful Star Wars character arc.