This award-winning series is a surprisingly deep look at mental health, generational trauma, and the joy of musicals.

While Crazy Ex-Girlfriend goes to far darker places than we would ever want a Disney movie to go, its catchy songs and well-timed comedy keep it from ever becoming too bleak.

They both adore musicals and have a tendency towards drama.

All the movies, as well as High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, are streaming on Disney+.Ĭrazy Ex-Girlfriend: While Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, unlike Better Nate Than Ever, is decidedly not child-appropriate (it’s rated TVMA for a reason), the main character, Rebecca Bunch, played by the show’s creator Rachel Bloom, has more than a little in common with Nate. Throughout its run the High School Musical franchise has launched the careers of actors and actresses from Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens to Olivia Rodrigo. The High School Musical Franchise: Not only is Joshua Bassett in both Better Nate Than Ever and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but Tim Federle, Better Nate Than Ever’s writer and director, is the showrunner and producer of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Federle not only wrote the teleplay for the Better Nate Than Ever movie, but he also wrote the novel of the same name that the movie is based on. Speaking of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Tim Federle, the writer and director of Better Nate Than Ever, is the showrunner for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Joshua Bassett, who plays Nate’s brother Anthony, is best known to Disney+ audiences as Ricky on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. In addition to roles on BoJack Horseman, Space Force, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Kudrow also has a strong live theater and improv background, having been a member of comedy troupes including The Groundlings, and Unexpected Company. While best known as the lovable but eccentric Phoebe on Friends, Kudrow has a long resume besides just being the best Friend. Nate’s Aunt Heidi is played by Lisa Kudrow. She has also been on the revival of the classic kid’s sketch comedy show All That. Despite her young age, Aria already has an impressive resume of film and television roles, even getting a small part in Black Widow.

Nate’s best friend Libby is played by Aria Brooks.

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