Disney+ has become a powerhouse in the streaming industry, delivering high budget series from Star Wars, Marvel and original Disney properties. With massive production values, groundbreaking special effects, and A-list actors, these shows come with hefty price tags. However, not all of them justified their budgets. Some became global hits, while others failed to capture audiences. Here are 12 Disney+ shows that cost a fortune and whether they were worth it.
The Mandalorian, 2019–Present
When The Mandalorian premiered, expectations were high and somehow, it exceeded them. Set in the Star Wars universe but far from the Skywalker saga, the show carved out its own identity as a gritty space western centered on the mysterious bounty hunter Din Djarin. With its blend of old school cinematic storytelling, thrilling action, and emotional depth, it quickly became the crown jewel of Disney+. One of its biggest surprises? The instant fan obsession with Grogu, a.k.a. Baby Yoda, who melted hearts across the internet.
WandaVision, 2021
WandaVision wasn’t just Marvel’s first Disney+ series, it was a total genre shake up that left audiences hooked and confused in the best way possible. Blending classic American sitcom styles with eerie, unraveling mystery, the show dropped viewers into a strange, sitcom filtered reality crafted by Wanda Maximoff herself, as she grappled with grief and loss following the events of Avengers: Endgame.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, 2021
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stepped into the massive shoes left behind by Captain America and asked one powerful question: Who gets to carry the shield? This Marvel Disney+ series paired Sam Wilson Falcon and Bucky Barnes, Winter Soldier in a globe-trotting action thriller packed with political undertones, moral conflict and emotional baggage.
Loki, 2021–Present
Loki took everything we thought we knew about the Marvel Cinematic Universe and gleefully unraveled it. Following the alternate timeline escape of Loki during Avengers: Endgame, this Disney+ series threw the God of Mischief into the mind bending world of the Time Variance Authority TVA and into a brand new existential crisis.
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Hawkeye, 2021
Hawkeye brought Marvel storytelling down from the cosmos and multiverse to the snow-covered streets of New York during the holidays and it was a breath of fresh, grounded air. The series followed Clint Barton, the often overlooked Avenger, as he tried to reconnect with his family and atone for his dark past as Ronin, all while being pulled into a chaotic new adventure.
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The Book of Boba Fett, 2021–2022
The Book of Boba Fett promised to unravel the mystique of one of Star Wars’ most iconic figures and it delivered a bold, if divisive, character reinvention. Picking up after the events of The Mandalorian, the series showed how Boba Fett survived the Sarlacc pit and emerged not just alive, but changed. No longer just a ruthless bounty hunter, Boba sought to rule Tatooine’s criminal underworld with honor, not fear.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi, 2022
Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of the most anticipated Star Wars series of all time and it brought the emotional weight fans had been hoping for. Set ten years after Revenge of the Sith, the series follows a broken and exiled Obi-Wan, living in hiding on Tatooine while watching over a young Luke Skywalker. Ewan McGregor returned to the role with a worn, haunted energy that perfectly captured a Jedi who had lost everything.
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Ms. Marvel, 2022
Ms. Marvel burst onto the scene with a colorful, fresh take on superhero storytelling introducing Kamala Khan, a Pakistani American teenager from Jersey City who goes from fangirl to hero overnight. Played by breakout star Iman Vellani, Kamala was a relatable and charismatic lead who brought a grounded, coming of age energy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, 2022
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law brought a completely different flavor to the MCU, part legal comedy, part superhero satire, and fully self aware. Tatiana Maslany starred as Jennifer Walters, a sharp witted attorney who gains Hulk powers after a freak accident involving her cousin, Bruce Banner. But unlike Bruce, Jen does not lose herself, she gains a second identity that is glamorous, green and impossible to ignore.
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Andor, 2022–Present
Andor took Star Wars in an entirely new direction, diving deep into the gritty, morally complex world of rebellion and resistance. Set five years before Rogue One, the series follows Cassian Andor, portrayed by Diego Luna, as he navigates the early stages of the Rebellion against the Empire. It explores not only his personal journey but the broader, darker landscape of the galaxy under Imperial rule. Unlike other Star Wars shows, Andor delves into the politics, sacrifices and psychological toll of fighting an oppressive regime.
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Secret Invasion, 2023
Secret Invasion marked a significant shift in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing a darker, more paranoid tone as it unraveled a hidden war happening right under the surface. The series focuses on Nick Fury, Samuel L. Jackson and Talos, Ben Mendelsohn as they uncover a deep rooted Skrull conspiracy threatening the security of Earth. The shape shifting aliens have infiltrated key positions of power, posing an existential threat to humanity.
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Ahsoka, 2023
Ahsoka brings one of the most beloved characters in Star Wars lore, Ahsoka Tano, to the forefront of her own live-action series. Played by Rosario Dawson, Ahsoka is no longer the Padawan we first met in The Clone Wars; she is a seasoned warrior, a former Jedi and a key figure in the ongoing battle between the light and dark sides of the Force. The series picks up after her appearance in The Mandalorian and explores her quest to stop a new, rising threat in the galaxy.
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Disney+ has invested heavily in blockbuster level shows, but not all of them delivered on their promise. While series like The Mandalorian, Loki and Andor proved to be worth every penny, others like Secret Invasion and She-Hulk struggled to justify their massive budgets. As Disney continues its streaming strategy, future investments may lean toward quality storytelling rather than just high production costs.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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