Returning Disney+ Series Offer Different Ways to Shape Your 2026

Returning Disney+ Series Offer Different Ways to Shape Your 2026

A new year often comes with fresh goals, renewed energy, and a desire to reset. But while calendars flip and resolutions change, some things remain constant—like the shows audiences keep coming back to.

This January, Disney+ welcomes the return of several acclaimed and long-running series, giving viewers more than just new episodes to look forward to. For many fans, these shows double as mood-setters, helping define the pace and tone they want to carry into 2026.

Sharp and Electrifying Energy

For those looking to inject urgency and excitement into the year ahead, Disney+ offers no shortage of high-stakes storytelling.

High Potential sets the tone with its sharp blend of crime-solving and character-driven drama. Led by Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory, a LAPD cleaning lady turned investigative consultant, the series follows a single mother with a genius-level IQ who uses photographic memory and razor-sharp logic to crack complex cases. The show’s midseason return picks up from a cliffhanger involving a stolen USD 20-million Rembrandt painting, raising the stakes as it resumes streaming on Disney+.

The adrenaline continues with the return of 9-1-1 and its latest spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville. The long-running franchise once again dives into the lives of first responders balancing personal struggles with life-or-death situations. 9-1-1 resumes with the seventh episode of Season 9, where long-buried secrets surface, while 9-1-1: Nashville revisits the aftermath of a city-wide cyberattack in its debut season.

Together, these series offer fast-paced narratives that mirror the kind of year defined by momentum, risk, and decisive action.

Wholesome, Grounded, and Lighthearted

Not all New Year intentions revolve around speed and intensity. For viewers leaning toward balance and openness, Disney+ also delivers stories rooted in humor, warmth, and everyday resilience.

Abbott Elementary returns this January with a new episode titled “Mall,” continuing its acclaimed mockumentary-style look at a group of dedicated teachers navigating life in an underfunded Philadelphia public school. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the series highlights small victories amid daily challenges, offering a reminder that growth often comes quietly and collectively.

For audiences thinking long-term rather than short-term, Disney+’s enduring icons provide another source of inspiration.

Built to Last

Few shows embody longevity quite like The Simpsons and Grey’s Anatomy. As both series continue into 2026, they reflect consistency, reinvention, and the value of staying power.

Now in its 36th year, The Simpsons continues to deliver fresh episodes, with its latest installment already streaming on Disney+ as of January 4. Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy extends its record as the longest-running scripted prime-time medical drama, returning with the seventh episode of Season 22, titled Skyfall. The episode follows the fallout from Jo Wilson’s sudden cardiac collapse during the winter finale, maintaining the show’s tradition of emotional and high-stakes storytelling.

A Watchlist That Sets the Tone

As 2026 begins, Disney+ positions its lineup not just as entertainment, but as a reflection of the energy viewers want to bring into the year—whether that means intensity, comfort, or endurance.

Subscribers can stream these returning favorites and explore more titles available on the platform. For updates, follow Disney+ Philippines on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and TikTok.