Set the Tone for 2026 with Your Favorite Returning Disney Plus Shows

A new year is here, but our love for beloved shows never fades.

This January, Disney Plus fans have plenty to celebrate as some of the platform’s most acclaimed series return with fresh episodes. Whether you’re seeking heart-pounding thrills or lighthearted laughter, these shows can help you shape the vibe for 2026.

Do you want your year to feel fast and thrilling like 9-1-1, or relaxed and humorous like Phineas and Ferb? Your watchlist can set the tone for the months ahead.

Thrills and High-Octane Drama

If 2025 left you craving excitement, now’s your chance to ramp up the pace. High Potential brings back the brilliant and unconventional Morgan Gillory, a single mother of three with an IQ of 160 who uses her genius-level intellect to solve crimes. Kaitlin Olson shines as Morgan, whose photographic memory and sharp calculations make her an unforgettable investigative consultant for the LAPD. The show’s midseason is now streaming on Disney Plus, picking up from the dramatic cliffhanger involving a stolen $20-million Rembrandt.

For adrenaline-fueled drama, 9-1-1 and its spinoff 9-1-1: Nashville return with new episodes. These series follow first responders balancing life-saving work with complex personal lives. In the latest 9-1-1 episode, long-held secrets come to light, while Nashville tackles the fallout of a massive city-wide cyberattack. These high-stakes stories remind viewers to embrace momentum and courage in the new year.

Laughter and Heartwarming Moments

If your goals for 2026 include slowing down and enjoying life’s small victories, shows like Abbott Elementary are perfect companions. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, this mockumentary-style series follows a dedicated but underfunded group of Philadelphia teachers navigating challenges with humor and heart. January’s episode, titled “Mall,” brings a major shift to the series while highlighting the triumphs found in everyday struggles.

Classic favorites also return to keep the year grounded in nostalgia and inspiration. The Simpsons continue their 36th season with fresh episodes, proving longevity and creativity go hand in hand. 

Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy maintains its spot as the longest-running scripted prime-time medical drama, with the seventh episode of Season 22, “Skyfall,” continuing from Jo Wilson’s sudden cardiac collapse. 

These shows remind us that persistence, storytelling, and memorable characters can set a lasting tone for the year ahead.