Many of Disney’s movies are now among the best animated movies of all time, and some of its TV shows also rank among the list of best animated shows. However, with so many great shows, especially in the fantasy genre, some also great shows have become forgotten or couldn’t reach a wider audience, for different reasons.
Among them is Star vs the Forces of Evil, a four-part animated fantasy show that has become one of Disney’s best and most underrated animated shows, and it made history in two important ways.
Star vs the Forces of Evil Is One Of Disney’s Most Underrated Fantasy Shows
Created by Daron Nefcy, Star vs the Forces of Evil is an animated magical girl TV series that premiered on Disney XD in 2015. Star vs the Forces of Evil introduces viewers to Star Butterfly (voiced by Eden Sher), a magical princess from the dimension of Mewni, and heiress to the royal throne of Butterfly Kingdom.
“Magical girl” is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy media, which, as the name says, focuses on a young female character with magical abilities.
Star is quite rebellious and reckless, and after setting fire to the castle and getting the family’s heirloom wand, she’s sent to Earth as a foreign exchange student to continue her magic training there and, hopefully, tame her a bit. Once on Earth, Star is taken in by Marco Diaz (Adam McArthur) and his family, and she quickly forms a strong bond with him.
Marco helps Star adapt to life on Earth, and he accompanies her on her chaotic but fun magical adventures. Star vs the Forces of Evil ran for four seasons, ending in 2019, with the final season airing on Disney Channel. Star vs the Forces of Evil was a critical success, being praised for its concept, animation, characters, and story.
Star vs the Forces of Evil is fun but also surprisingly deep, and it evolves along with its characters, going from a “silly” fantasy show to a more dramatic story with rich world-building as it goes deeper into Mewni, the Star family, and their enemies, most notably Toffee.
On top of that, Star vs the Forces of Evil gave its characters – both heroes and villains – character development, turning them into complex characters with interesting arcs throughout the show. Unfortunately, Star vs the Forces of Evil’s strengths contributed to it becoming an underrated show, especially its change in tone and focus, and it had some strong competition when it came out.
Star vs the Forces of Evil Made Disney History In 2 Huge Ways
Star vs the Forces of Evil joined a very special group of Disney animated shows as the first Disney XD series created by a woman, and the third in general after Pepper Ann in 1997 and Doc McStuffins in 2012. Star vs the Forces of Evil also broke records at Disney XD, with its premiere becoming the most-watched animated series debut in its history.
Star vs the Forces of Evil made Disney history, too, with its LGBTQ+ representation, as one scene in the episode “Just Friends” featured same-sex couples kissing at a concert. This became one of Disney’s first LGBTQ+ scenes, and though it wasn’t safe from some backlash, it was a key moment in Disney history. This made the show more diverse and inclusive, which continued in later seasons, most notably when Jackie was confirmed to be bisexual.
Could Star vs the Forces of Evil Be Revived?
In the era of reboots, it could be possible for Star vs the Forces of Evil to get a chance. During an appearance at MomoCon in Atlanta in May 2025, Nefcy expressed interest in a revival of Star vs the Forces of Evil, sharing that she has told Disney that she’s open to doing more Star vs the Forces of Evil (via ToonHive), and though she says Disney is aware of the show’s popularity, there’s no confirmation on a revival.
It might still be too soon for a Star vs the Forces of Evil revival, but what could work for it could be a different type of continuation, such as a movie or even a special episode, through which Disney could also test the audience’s interest in the show. Whether it’s revived or not, Star vs the Forces of Evil is a must-watch for fantasy fans, and it deserves a much wider audience.
Source: ToonHive.