7 Cancelled Disney Shows Not Enough People Talk About

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Disney is famous for its classic animated films, but it’s also been a major force in television. From beloved shows on the Disney Channel over the years to the exciting series now available on Disney+, the company has created content for all ages and interests, spanning a wide variety of genres.

Lots of people fondly remember classic Disney shows like Kim Possible and Lizzie McGuire, and newer hits on Disney+ such as Daredevil: Born Again. However, some fantastic Disney series were cancelled before their time and don’t get the recognition they deserve. Here are seven of those shows – you might even be surprised by a few, as you may not have heard of them before!

7) Teen Angel (1989)

There were actually two shows called Teen Angel. Though ABC (now owned by Disney, interestingly enough) had a version in the late 1990s that only lasted one season, we’re focusing on the original Disney Channel series from 1989. That show, also lasting only one season with 12 episodes, starred Jason Priestley – who later became famous on Beverly Hills, 90210 – as Buzz Gunderson. Buzz is a teenager who died in a car accident in 1959 and is now a guardian angel tasked with completing missions before he can enter heaven.

It’s surprising that Teen Angel, even though it only lasted 12 episodes, actually got a sequel called Teen Angel Returns. This follow-up series also featured Brian Priestley and aired just a few months after the original ended. Interestingly, Jennie Garth, who would later star in Beverly Hills, 90210, was also in Teen Angel Returns. Despite the shows having a generally positive and thoughtful tone, they’ve largely been lost to time, and it’s very difficult to find episodes now.

6) Hailey’s On It! (2023-2024)

Unlike everything else on this list, Hailey’s On It! is a cartoon with a clever idea. Fourteen-year-old Hailey Banks hates taking chances, but a scientist from the future tells her she’s the only one who can stop global warming. To do it, she needs to overcome her fears by completing a series of challenges—which would be difficult enough on its own! But to make things even harder, time-traveling robots are trying to prevent her from succeeding.

This charming series was a delightful mix of humor and heart, focusing on Hailey’s journey to manage her anxiety while trying to save the world. It boasted a talented voice cast, including Auli’i Cravalho, Manny Jacinto, Julie Bowen, and Sarah Chalke, with a fun cameo from Weird Al Yankovic. Though critics enjoyed the show, it was sadly cancelled after just one season and hasn’t received much attention since.

5) Willow (2022-2023)

The 1988 movie Willow is a beloved fantasy adventure, so audiences were excited to hear Disney+ was creating a sequel series. Taking place over 20 years after the defeat of Queen Bavmorda, the series centers on six unexpected heroes who embark on a perilous journey. They must confront their personal struggles and unite to protect the world from the Gales – a sinister power serving the Crone and allied with the Wyrm. The series delighted viewers and critics alike, and notably featured Warwick Davis reprising his role as Willow Ufgood, alongside a guest appearance by Joanne Whalley as Queen Sorsha.

The show Willow didn’t last long on Disney+. Although a second season was planned, Disney cancelled it after just one season, citing budget cuts. Then, only a few months later, Disney+ removed the show from its streaming service altogether. This means few people are discussing how good it was, and even those who enjoyed it can’t easily rewatch it.

4) American Born Chinese (2023)

It’s a shame more people didn’t discuss American Born Chinese when it was released, because it might have gotten a second season. This Disney+ series, which premiered in 2023 and had only eight episodes, was based on the excellent graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The story follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang), a teenager struggling to fit in at school. His life gets complicated when he’s asked to help a new exchange student, Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu), and he unexpectedly gets caught up in a conflict between powerful Chinese gods.

The show American Born Chinese was truly excellent, featuring exciting action and a talented cast – Michelle Yeoh as Guanyin and Ke Huy Quan as Jamie Yao. It received a lot of positive feedback and was considered by many to be one of Disney+’s best series. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to low ratings, which is especially disappointing because the season ended with a major cliffhanger.

3) Renegade Nell (2024)

You might not have heard of Renegade Nell, which is a shame because it was a really good historical fantasy adventure series. It came out on Disney+ in 2024, but unfortunately only lasted one season of eight episodes. The show follows Nell Jackson (played by Louisa Harland), a young woman who becomes a notorious highwaywoman after being wrongly accused of murder. With the aid of a magical creature named Billy Blind, Nell soon learns she’s destined for something much bigger than she ever thought possible.

Renegade Nell was a really enjoyable show, packed with action, magic, and adventure. Critics loved it, and viewers who watched also gave it high praise. Unfortunately, like other Disney series with lower ratings, it was cancelled after one season due to the cost of production. Despite this, Renegade Nell remains a fantastic series and is definitely worth watching.

2) The Muppets Mayhem (2023)

Look, I really want the Muppets to make a comeback on TV, but The Muppets Mayhem just didn’t quite hit the mark, and honestly, it feels like a lot of people have already forgotten about it. It was the last Muppet show ABC Signature made before things changed over at 20th Century Television. The show centered around Nora, a record executive played by Lilly Singh, who was trying to help Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem finally record their first album. It was funny seeing that classic Muppet energy clash with the way the music industry works today – naturally, there was a lot of Muppet mayhem involved!

Despite positive reviews and a dedicated fan base, Disney+ cancelled The Muppets Mayhem because it didn’t attract enough viewers. Many believe the show suffered from insufficient marketing and a general lack of awareness, highlighting the importance of promoting TV series to build an audience.

1) Girl Meets World (2014-2017)

Following the popular show Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World stands out as one of the few sequels that did well. It aired on the Disney Channel from 2014 to 2017, spanning three seasons. The show centers on Riley Matthews, the daughter of Cory and Topanga from the original series, and her best friend Maya as they experience the ups and downs of teenage life and school.

The show was well-liked and had a dedicated following, and it even featured Carpenter before he became a famous musician, but it’s largely been forgotten today. The original Boy Meets World still gets much more attention.

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2026-04-11 03:13