Inside: Best TV shows in Spanish for class and Spanish learners on Disney+. The top appropriate Spanish language TV series on Disney plus for teens to learn Spanish in class or at home.
Author – Allison Wienhold
Published – April 22, 2025
Finding engaging content in the target language is one of the best ways to support your Spanish learners. If you’re looking to incorporate Spanish TV series into your Spanish classes or homeschool routine, Disney+ has a growing library of options perfect for learners of all levels. With access to Spanish audio, English or Spanish subtitles, and familiar storylines, these shows are a great resource for both language learners and teachers.
For full transparency, I started this blog post almost exactly 2 years ago in April of 2023. At that time I was deep in sharing Disney+ in Spanish resources. That is when I published Top 7 Short Spanish Movies on Disney+ & updated Spanish Class Documentaries on Disney+.
Since both of those posts have been well loved, it was time to finally finish this post of the best TV shows for Spanish class for language learning on Disney+. As always, please share most Spanish series on Disney plus I should add!
Why Use Spanish TV Shows in Class?
- Spanish shows build listening comprehension & exposes students to various Spanish accents of native speakers.
- Can provide comprehensible input in context of a new language with supplemental activities
- Reinforces vocabulary and grammar in real use in Spanish language skills
- Appeals to young audiences, keeping them engaged with screen time that serves a learning purpose.
- Encourages cultural exploration through cultural contexts and storytelling.
How to pick an appropriate TV show for Spanish class or learning?
Choose a show that is appropriate for your student’s age group and level of Spanish comprehension. It is important to choose a show that will not be too difficult or too juvenile for your students. You want them to be challenged but still be able to understand what is going on.
A good way to gauge this is by watching an episode yourself and taking note of any words or phrases that you think would be new to your students. Here are my favorite appropriate shows for Spanish class listed from youngest I would use them to oldest.
If you are new, read Teaching TV Shows in Spanish Class to learn more.
The Best Spanish TV Shows on Disney+
Elena of Avalor (Spanish version)
- animated series, fantasy, action
- 3 Seasons, 77 Episodes, 24 min
- 2016-2020, TV-G
I wanted to include at least one Spanish series for elementary learners. So, the Spanish version of Elena of Avalor is a great option on Disney+ of a Spanish series. My own boys used to watch Elena of Avalor on Disney Jr. when they were in preschool. This is the perfect show for a shorter attention span.
Latina princess Elena goes on adventures that help her understand the traits that make a good leader. Elena of Avalor is from the fictional kingdom of Avalor, a pre-colonial Latin-inspired land that is not based on a specific country. The show draws inspiration from various Latin American cultures and traditions.
Elena of Avalor has simple dialogue, repetition, and a focus on Latin American themes of love, family, and leadership. With very short 24 minute episodes, you can pick a specific cultural episode for an elementary Spanish sub plan. For example the episode A Day to Remember in season 1 is based around Día de muertos. There are also short Disney plus movies of Elena as well.
Violetta
- Dance, Teen Telenovela, Music, Romance
- Argentina
- 3 Seasons, 240 Episodes, 45 min
- 2012-2015, TV-G
Violetta was the 1st Spanish teen series collaboration with Disney Channel from Argentina. It stars now pop star, Tini Stoessel, now known as Tini. Students have loved Tini’s music for years in my Hispanic Heritage Month Music Bracket.
Violetta is the story of a super talented teen with an incredible singing ability. She must face and overcome many challenges on the path to following her dream. Violetta is a talented teenager returns to her hometown in Buenos Aires after living many years in Europe. Even though there were only 3 seasons, it has a ton of episodes in this teen soap opera.
Violetta would be great for middle school students or older kids. It is a great way to expose students to Spanish culture, music, and expressions in a school setting.
There is also a 2016 movie in Spanish on Disney+ Tini – The New Life of Violetta. In this 100 minute film Tini returns from a worldwide tour to unexpected news. Finding herself at a crossroads, she decides to spend the summer in Italy on a journey of self-discovery that sparks an artistic, musical and personal awakening.
Soy Luna
- Teen Telenovela, Music, Romance
- Argentina
- 3 Seasons, 220 Episodes, 45 min
- 2016-2018 TV-G
Violetta is connected to Soy Luna with the same creators and some crossover characters. Soy Luna is another series in Spanish produced in collaboration with Disney Channel from Argentina. It is super appropriate for Spanish learners or Spanish class.
Luna will find out love can make a difference in spite of time or distance when she moves to Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Mexico, with her adoptive parents. As she grows up, she starts meeting people from different places and living new experiences that might bring her closer to her origins. She will learn that passion, friendship and love may help her stay on the path to the life she’s always wanted for her.
Soy Luna is another interesting show to practice Spanish listening skills with a Spanish accent.
Bia
- Romance, Music, Coming of Age
- Argentina
- 2 Seasons, 120 Episodes, 33-43 min
- 2019-2020, TV-G
In the Spanish language show Bia, social media dominates fun, soapy, Spanish-language show. Like many on the list so far, it is a music focused, appropriate Disney series in Spanish.
In BIA, an artistic girl has suffered the loss of her sister. Though she grieves, Bia (Isabela Souza) sees the world through an artist’s eyes, making paintings that reflect what she sees. Her friends and acquaintances are also making music, shooting videos and dancing. But some teens take their status as influencers so far that they stop being kind to the people helping them. Can Bia and her friends follow their dreams without getting sidetracked?
Entrelazados (Intertwined)
- Drama, Comedy, Fantasy, Music
- Argentina
- 2 Seasons, 17 Episodes,
34–54 minutes - 2021-2023, TV-PG
Entrelazados is a newer time traveling fantasy show for teens in Spanish on Disney Plus. Intertwined would be a good show for Spanish learners who prefer more comedy and fantasy with their drama. They travel back to 1994, which is fun and nostalgic for teachers or millenials like myself practicing Spanish 😉
Intertwined follows the stories of characters linked through time by music and by a magical bracelet. Allegra finds it and tries to change the relationship between her mother, Caterina, and her grandmother, Coco, to fulfill her dream of being part of the musical theater company Eleven O’Clock. Along the way, Allegra will learn that she is not the only time traveler and that there are more people connected by the bracelet.
There is also a 1 hour musical special on Disney Plus in Spanish Intertwined Live.
Tierra Incógnita
- Mystery, Horror, Drama
- Argentina
- 2 Seasons, 16 Episodes,
30-43 minutes - 2022-2023, TV-14
The show Tierra Incógnita is a newer, popular thriller series on Disney Plus created in Spanish from Argentina. Tierra Incógnita is a PG-appropriate show, created in Spanish, that is engaging. The TV-14 age rating on Disney+ means it may not be suitable for younger viewers due to themes, violence, and some jump scares.
In my opinion, Tierra Incógnita would work well in a Spanish classroom for grades 8-12. Of all of the shows on the list Tierra Incógnita is what I would choose to use in upper level Spanish class. I know many teachers, including mi amiga Profe Sierra, are currently using Tierra Incógnita in Spanish class.
If you want ready-to-go plans, check out my resources below.
- Tierra Incógnita blog post
- Season 1 Tierra IncóGuide in the MCL Shop or the same Season 1 Tierra Incógnita guide on TPT.
- Tierra Incógnita character intro slides & free bonuses below
I have found that before starting a new show both watching the trailer and introducing characters in Spanish makes watching a new show a lot more enjoyable. It is especially true if a lot of characters show up in a short amount of time in the first episode.
If you want to introduce the characters of the show Tierra Incógnita in novice Spanish, I have an editable Slideshow all ready to go. Just enter your email below and the free resources will be sent to you.
Tips for Using TV Series in Spanish Class
- Turn on Spanish audio with Spanish subtitles for intermediate or advanced learners ready for the next level.
- It’s a good idea to use English subtitles for total beginners.
- Watch in short segments and use lesson plans or discussion questions to check comprehension.
- Pair viewing with character introduction (see above) or worksheet for active engagement.
Read more about Teaching TV Shows in Spanish Class
What Language & Subtitles for TV shows in Spanish class?
On Disney+, you can change the language & subtitles to Spanish if you would like. As always, do what is best for your students and situation. Here is my go-to way.
- Heritage & Upper-level classes – Spanish audio & Spanish subtitles
- Lower-level classes – Spanish audio & English subtitles
- Exploratory or Culture class – English audio (& maybe Spanish subtitles for fun)
If you are doing all Spanish, you need to stop and discuss a lot for comprehension checks. Otherwise, students will likely zone out & fall asleep.
How to Teach a TV Show in Spanish Class – PD Video
What about Spanish TV Shows NOT for students?
If you are looking for TV programs for adults or to keep up your own Spanish, check out Best Netflix Shows in Spanish. Please note the shows in that blog posts are not to show in school.
Movies for Spanish Class on Disney+
If you are not able to pull off showing a continuous Spanish TV show, one-time movies are always a great option.
- My top appropriate movies for Spanish class Blog post (includes movies from multiple places)
- Disney Movies for Spanish Class Documentaries – on Disney+
- My Movie Guide Bundle for Spanish class
Top 7 Short Spanish Movies on Disney+ – Spanish short films are great if you are short on time!
Spanish Disney+ Movies
Watching Spanish series on Disney+ is a fun and effective way to support Spanish learners with real-world input. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or at home, using shows with Spanish subtitles, English subtitles, or native Spanish speakers can boost listening skills, build vocabulary, and encourage cultural discussions.
Summary – Key Takeaways of Spanish TV Series on Disney+
- Ideal for middle school, high school, or younger students, depending on the series.
- Spanish series are a great way to provide authentic listening input.
- Best used with subtitles to support different proficiency levels.
- Tierra Incógnita is the best option for high school Spanish class.
- Combine viewing with reflection or discussion for deeper learning.
