Disney+ is streaming ’smart’ 99% rated sitcom you can binge ahead of new season release
Topics: Disney Plus, Streaming, Film and TV, Disney
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: ABC
Topics: Disney Plus, Streaming, Film and TV, Disney
Disney+ subscribers are bingeing a top-rated sitcom series ahead of its season five premiere.
As fall draws nearer, we've got plenty to look forward to. From all the scary movies joining major streaming services in October, to the highly-anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things dropping on Netflix in November.
But in the meantime, Disney+ fans are loving an easy-to-watch TV series with near-perfect ratings.
There are currently 71 episodes to get stuck into, with another 22 on the way this October.
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The show premiered on ABC in December 2021, with episodes airing on Hulu the following day.
Back in 2024, all four seasons of the show joined Disney+ via Hulu, opening it up to a wider international audience.
A mockumentary-style sitcom, the show is set in a struggling public school in West Philadelphia and follows a dedicated group of teachers who are trying their best to support their students - despite overwhelming odds.
At the heart of the story is Janine Teagues - played by show creator Quinta Brunson - an endlessly optimistic second-grade teacher who believes she can change the world one lesson at a time.
She often clashes with her boss, Principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James), a self-absorbed and unqualified leader who prioritizes personal clout over the school’s needs. But Janine finds allies in Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph), a veteran kindergarten teacher, and Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter), a tough, resourceful second-grade teacher.
Rounding out the staff is Chris Perfetti as history teacher Jacob Hill, Tyler James Williams as substitute-turned-teacher Gregory Eddie and William Stanford Davis as school custodian Mr. Johnson.
The series we're talking about, of course, is Abbott Elementary.
Over on Rotten Tomatoes, all four seasons have scored an impressive average critics rating of 99 percent.
They gave Abbott Elementary's debut season 'top marks' for its 'empathetic yet sidesplitting critique of the US education system,' adding: "Plus some extra credit for a deftly handled will-they-won't-they dynamic."
Meanwhile, RogerEbert.com's Cristina Escobar said it 'works as more than just comfort,' adding: "It's smart TV for one, using the sitcom formula to its advantage."
Audience members rated it 89 percent, as one fan described the show as 'perfection.'
"Every character is fantastic, it's hilarious, and there's no boring episodes which is rare," they said.
"Truly going to be one of the sitcoms defining the 2020s," a second weighed in, adding: "Quinta Brunson's comedic writing is still iconic and grounded, and the cast is always stellar."
The show is set to return for its fifth season via ABC, Hulu and Disney+ on Wednesdays, starting from October 1.
The hype was already building on Reddit, where one fan said in response to season five's upcoming release: "Yay! Perfect amount of time between seasons. Rare these days."
"So happy! I’ve been missing new Abbott, my comfort show," a second social media user said.
"I'm so excited. Can't wait to see what season five has to offer," somebody else added.
All four seasons of Abbott Elementary are streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu, with its fifth season airing at 8.30pm ET/7.30pm CT on ABC from Wednesday October 1. Episodes will be available to stream the following day on Hulu and Disney+.