Let’s be real: Disney has a huge footprint in scripted kids’ content, which means a handful of people control most of the narratives our children see on screen.
Some parents find comfort in the big, brand name. Others have grown more skeptical.
But thanks to Disney’s pairing with other studios and streaming services (Hulu, National Geographic, History Channel, and ESPN+, to name a few) there’s a lot of family-friendly programs on Disney+ that don’t bear the Disney logo.
And I mean A LOT.
Many of those shows are rated TV14, but that’s often because of the more mature way it communicates its content and less to do with the maturity of the content itself. (It doesn’t involve tons of action or animation, so it can lose some of the younger viewers at times).
Not to mention, there are plenty of beloved, classic titles available on Disney+ like Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and American Idol. But here are 10 spectacular non-Disney series you may have never seen that the whole family can watch and enjoy:
This miniseries is a masterful blend of rich history, wonderful storytelling, and spectacular hosting. Many of us know the story of Mt. Vesuvius: In AD 79, a cataclysmic volcanic eruption stole the lives of thousands of people, entombing them forever in layers of ash.
It’s a story marked by dread and doom.
But using ancient records and modern technology, Pompeii: Out of Time investigates the lives and stories of real people who may have survived the disastrous eruption. Extrapolating on the data, they recount the details and tell the stories of what it must have been like to try to escape.
In doing so, this miniseries honors the dignity of human life, taking this horrible historical event and transforming it into one filled with hope. You find yourself rooting for these people, caring about their lives, and silently begging them to GET OUT OF THERE.
I have a confession to make: I don’t like cooking shows. (I know, I’m sorry!) But I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love I Draw, You Cook and its fresh, fun spin on the niche genre.
I love how this series incorporates both art and cooking to create a dish inspired by a child’s imagination, emphasizing creativity as well as culinary arts.
From beginning to end, each episode is loaded with fun as the chefs compete to make a dish that wins the child’s favor (a feat that, as a mom of six, I know is very difficult!) I Draw, You Cook has a lighthearted air of encouragement, whimsy, and joy that is unrivaled in other cooking shows.
All too often, my kids and I were in tears because we were laughing so hard. Then, to top it all off, the kid weighs in as the judge, which adds another spectacular layer of fun and unpredictability.
Maybe your kids know Chris Hemsworth as Thor, or maybe they know him from the original Limitless series that aired back in 2022 (which is also available on Disney+). Maybe they’ve never heard of Chris Hemsworth at all. Whatever the case, in this series they’ll get to know Hemsworth as a guy who wants to be his best — and teach viewers how to do the same — by exploring the science of human growth.
Episodes examine the importance of learning new skills, maximizing strength, enduring pain and suffering, regenerating damage, and coming to grips with mortality. It also incorporates the coolness of seeing celebrities as they really are — not only with Hemsworth, but also with the likes of singer Ed Sheeran and drummer Ben Gordon, who make guest appearances.
This thrilling docuseries leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering if Chris will be able to pull everything off by the end of each high-stakes episode (and wondering if you’ll be able to pull them off in your own life!)
As someone with a background in psychology, I am absolutely in love with this series. But the good news is that anyone — psychology background or not — would find Brain Games utterly fascinating.
Through fun games, experiments, and interactive illusions, each episode exposes how your brain really works — even when you least expect it — to leave you laughing and speechless.
You may find yourself digging deep, determined to defeat the next brain challenge, only to be tricked once again by the marvel that is the human brain.
Oddly, getting pranked by your own brain is deliciously addicting, so don’t be surprised if you or your kids race for the remote, begging to watch just one more episode. And then another. And another. For seven full seasons.
The Food That Build America is a captivating look at how we have the foods and beverages we know and love today. From pizza to Pepsi, it takes viewers on a journey to discover the grit and ingenuity it took to launch some of the most behemoth brand names in the food industry.
This series still has the feel of a narrative as these unbelievably true stories are told mostly through reenactments. Those stories are also combined with dynamite drop-ins from engaging historical experts. I love this series because after you watch the episodes, it’s fun to find the foods, try them yourselves, and form your own opinion about which ones are your favorites.
For example, after watching the episode about Pepsi and Coca-Cola, we all took the Pepsi challenge (an activity my kids loved) and discovered that most of us tend to favor Coke. What about you? Go watch the series, try the foods, and find out what your favorites are!
While this series does at times have more mature content (a few episodes deal with weird ways people died), Dan Akroyd takes us on a fascinating journey through history to describe some of the craziest things we never knew happened.
Totaling 50 truly unbelievable episodes over the span of three seasons, this series is sure to thrill, tickle, and (sometimes) delightfully disgust viewers of all ages.
From mile-long sink holes to a pig who gets tried in a court of law to a man who’s been struck by lightning seven times (and survived each one!), The Unbelievable with Dan Akroyd proves that sometimes facts really are stranger than fiction.
This series originally aired on the Discovery Channel, so you can only stream select seasons of Expedition Unknown on Disney+, and accessibility depends a lot on your region and subscription bundle. But the episodes that you can access, I recommend doing so.
This series combines the thrill of treasure hunting with fascinating historical accounts as we follow archeologist Josh Gates around the world to unearth hidden stories and also (usually) gold.
From Jesse James’ buried treasure to the legendary Amber Room the Nazis stashed away, viewers adventure alongside a professional to see and experience ancient accounts and modern-day expeditions.
Wander around the world with Waldo, Wenda, and Wizard Whitebeard to solve mysteries and save the day, all while getting a dose of world geography and culture.
Though this series is primarily for younger kids, this twist on the classic Where’s Waldo? books has delighted my older kids (and me!) time and time again.
It’s quirky, clever, full of adventure and chock full of entertaining education. In the span of 2 seasons (a total of 40 episodes), viewers travel all around the globe from Austria to Australia and everywhere in between. One episode even goes to Antarctica. Overall, this is a solid series for families of all ages.
I don’t know or care a whole lot about the bladesmith trade (which is highly specialized blacksmithing), but it is still fascinating to watch these contestants take scrap metal and turn it into functional weapons.
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t even know blacksmiths existed anymore. I figured machines made all of our weapons and cutlery. Now, every time I slide my chef knife out of its wooden sheath, I’m going to wonder how it was made (and what it was made out of!).
I will add the disclaimer that this show is rated PG, but occasionally the contestants do sprinkle in some colorful language. There’s also a “kill test” at the end of each episode where they test the weapon on a dummy, and that can get a bit graphic at times.
But if you have a history buff or a kid who’s interested in swords, knives, or weapons of any kind, this might be a fun show to watch. I mean, when else do you get to watch a blacksmith at work??
This documentary lives up to its TV-MA rating, so viewer discretion is strongly advised. But if you have older kids, this series has the power to open their eyes (and parents’ eyes, too!) to see Hurricane Katrina in an entirely new and more accurate way.
For the very first time, survivors and first responders get to tell their stories and share what really happened during this devastating disaster. In doing so, National Geographic gives us an up-close look at the reality of suffering and survival, creating one of the most riveting docuseries I have ever seen.
Image: National Geographic/Paolo Verzone
Kelsey Gillespy is a blogger, author, speaker, and homeschooling mom of several.
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