Dungeons & Dragons Meets Star Wars In Disney's Forgotten 8-Part Fantasy Series

Published Aug 9, 2026, 5:32 PM EDT

While some, like The Artful Dodger, don't incorporate any fantasy elements, Disney is also known for having a number of shows that fall into the adventure category that do. The most notable of these is The Mandalorian, a Star Wars TV series taking place after Return of the Jedi that pulls inspiration from Western movies and shows. There's also Agatha All Along, a magic-focused fantasy adventure set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But these are only some examples of series, specifically Disney+ original series, that embody these elements. One of the best is one that's not only underrated, but more difficult to watch than any other. This show is Willow, an eight-episode legacy sequel to the classic 1988 fantasy adventure movie of the same name.

The show takes place over 20 years after the movie, following six heroes, including Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis), as they contend with the villainous forces of the Gale, which threaten to destroy the world. The series was released with weekly episodes on Disney+ from November 2022 to January 2023, providing a compelling new story in the standalone movie's universe.

Not Many Legacy Revivals Get It Right, But Willow Was An Exception

Legacy sequels and revivals sometimes have trouble channeling what made the original movies or TV shows so good. However, Willow doesn't have this problem, weaving modern storytelling and filmmaking techniques with the classic feel of '80s adventure to create a series that harbors its own identity. Davis' performance is central, but it's not the only one that manages to captivate.

The show also features new characters like Ellie Bamber as Elora Danan, the future Empress of Tir Asleen, and Ruby Cruz as Tir Asleen's Princess Kit Tanthalos, and Erin Kellyman as knight-in-training Jade Claymore. These are but a few core characters whose narratives weave with the battle against the Gale, who, as the story continues, begin to show signs of prevalent connections to other antagonists, like the Crone and the Wyrm.

The show also touts positive LGBTQ+ representation thanks to the love story between Kit and Jade. It's one of the many high points for the series, which earned plenty of praise from critics: Reviews for Willow scored it a Certified Fresh 84% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 70 reviews. A fresh coat of paint on an old adventure series, the show was a perfect continuation of the classic film.

It Feels Like The Willow TV Series Never Happened

Unfortunately, Willow's fate makes it feel like the TV show never aired to begin with. In 2023, series creator Jonathan Kasden said the show was on hiatus, but that season 2 had already been written. But, on May 26, 2023, the show was removed from Disney+ as part of a streaming cost-cutting initiative led by CEO Bob Iger.

As of writing, there is no way to legally watch the Willow TV show. It's not available on any streaming platform, nor is it available to purchase digitally or physically from any storefront. It's as if the show never existed, despite being an exceptional masterpiece in the world of legacy sequels.

Though it's no longer available to watch, Willow remains a part of Disney's history, being an unsung series that was ripped away from an adoring audience all too soon. Now, three years later, it's next to impossible to watch. Although forgotten by many, the show left a mark on the platform, and on the budding franchise it could have someday built.

Release Date 2022 - 2023-00-00

Showrunner Jonathan Kasdan

Directors Philippa Lowthorpe, Debs Paterson, Stephen Woolfenden, Jamie Childs

Writers Jonathan Kasdan