Not content with conquering Hollywood, Marvel has invested heavily in the television industry in recent years. Some of the MCU’s biggest stars have brought their characters to television, while Marvel has also taken the opportunity to introduce less established characters.
Disney+ features new shows every few months, like the current broadcast moon knight, which has been omitted from this list because it is not yet complete. With so many shows to watch, here’s a guide that separates the mediocre from the wonderful.
Inhumans (2017) IMDB Rating: 5
A train accident on arrival, Inhumans been wonderfirst major flop of mcu. The series follows a royal family from outer space, who are forced to flee to Earth after a military coup. Each member of the family has a unique power, such as the leader Black Bolt who can cause destruction with his voice, and their giant dog Lockjaw, whose power is to be the best boy.
The show holds a staggering 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been criticized for being boring, having weak characters, and being noticeably low-budget.
iron fist (2017-2018) IMDB Rating: 6.5
After being presumed dead for 15 years, the billionaire olive tree queen Danny Rand returns to New York to recover his father’s business. After spending the last decade and a half training with Buddhist monks, Danny calls upon the mystical power of the Iron Fist to fight crime.
While the other Defenders shows have received varying levels of positive reception, opinions on iron fist were mixed. The fight scenes are enjoyable, but Danny is a less interesting protagonist than Matt Murdock and Jessica Jones.
The defenders (2017) IMDB Rating: 7.3
The culmination of the Defenders saga, The defenders gathers Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist to battle the villainous group The Hand. Although each hero comes from a different background, they are brought together by a common desire to protect their city.
Although not as epic as The Avengers, it’s always fun to see these four heroes together and the banter and fights that ensue. All the actors bounce off each other well, and the blasted Iron Fist shines best as a team.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) IMDB Rating: 7.3
Following the retirement of Steve Rogers, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finds Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Macky) struggling with the concept of becoming Captain America. When new enemies emerge, Sam joins forces with Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) to save the day once again.
The series is very similar to the mcu movies, which is to its detriment because it looks like an action movie spanning six episodes. The show still succeeds however due to the winning chemistry shared between Mackie and Stan, and the time given to their characters who are usually relegated to supporting roles in the movies.
Luke Cage (2016-2018) IMDB Rating: 7.3
The third hero introduced in the Defenders saga, Luke Cage (mike colter) first appeared in Jessica Jones before receiving his own show. Luke Cage follows the indestructible hero with a heart of gold who fights to protect his city.
Led by the likeable Colter and boasting an excellent supporting cast, the show manages to be socially conscious and explore the characters and environments of the mcu had largely ignored until now. Although nearly impossible to kill, Cage is never dull and easy to invest in his journey from convict to hero.
What if…? (2021-) IMDB Rating: 7.5
An anime series that follows alternate storylines in the mcu and the resulting implications. These storylines explored include Peggy Carter being Captain America instead of Steve Rogers, T’Challa becoming Star-Lord, and a zombie apocalypse.
Many actors reprise their roles, including Chadwick Boseman, Hayley Atwelland Benedict Cumberbatchhelping to keep it connected to the pre-established characters that audiences know and love.
Agents of SHIELD (2013-2020) IMDB Rating: 7.6
Marvel’s first attempt at a TV show set in the MCU, Agents of SHIELD follows a team within the agency who face new threats and enemies in each episode. Led by Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), the series also introduced famous comic book characters to the MCU for the first time, like Ghost Rider.
While the series began with mixed reviews, subsequent seasons bridged the gap between the show and the mcu and improved in quality. The greatest example is the destruction of SHIELD in Captain America: The Winter Soldierwhich has a major impact on Agents of SHIELDthe plot.
Hawk Eye (2021) IMDB Rating: 7.7
Following the titular character in retirement, Hawk Eye finds Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) called to help the young Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) after inadvertently putting herself in danger. Only wanting to spend Christmas with his family, Barton is instead forced to confront his dark past as a Ronin.
Losing his hearing from his years as an Avenger, Hawk Eye shows the consequences of a heroic lifestyle on someone who isn’t a literal god or super-soldier. Renner and Steinfeld are a winning combination, and the developing master/student dynamic is the beating heart of the enjoyable action series.
Jessica Jones (2015-2019) IMDB Rating: 7.9
Jessica Jones (Kristen Ritter) is a private detective working in New York. Possessing super strength, Jones gave up his life as a superhero after a traumatic experience with the villainous Kilgrave (david holding).
Suffering from PTSD after this ordeal, the series explores dark subject matter over its three seasons and is a more mature story than most other MCU offerings. Ritter and Tennant are fantastic in the lead roles, with Tennant’s absence in later seasons felt as the show never manages to recapture the magic of its villainous turn.
Wanda Vision (2021) IMDB Rating: 8
Wanda Vision find Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson) living a peaceful life in the suburbs with her husband Vision (Paul Bettany). How this storyline unfolds remains a mystery as the series skips time periods and explores each era of television.
The show is anchored by strong performances from the two leads, whose chemistry has been a highlight of the films. Kathryn Hahn shines as a friendly neighbor who seems to know more than she is letting on. A delicious series that mixes humor and drama, Wanda Vision also explores the theme of mourning.
Loki (2021-) IMDB Rating: 8.3
Finally giving the fan-favorite character his moment in the spotlight, Loki begins with another universe’s version of the character sent to the Time Police. Facing being erased from existence, Loki is forced to join forces with Agent Mobius (Owen Wilson) and help fix the timeline.
Sometimes feeling more like Doctor Who than the MCU, Tom Hiddleston is a joy to watch as he navigates multiple timelines and universes in his quest for freedom. Eventually, he crosses paths with other versions of himself, including Alligator Loki, the tallest of them all.
The Punisher (2017-2019) IMDB Rating: 8.5
The Punisher follows Frank Castle (Jon Berntal) as he tries to get out of his crusade as a vigilante. Soon he is drawn into a plot that offers new information about his family’s death, and his quest for revenge begins again.
The Punisher has always been a violent property for Marvel and this series is no exception, as Castle shoots, stabs and gouges his eyes out to find the truth. Bernthal is fantastic in the lead role, perfectly encapsulating the rage that still lives beneath Castle’s stoic exterior.
daredevil (2015-2018) IMDB Rating: 8.7
daredevil follows Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a lawyer by day and a crime-fighting vigilante by night. Left blind after a childhood accident, Murdock quickly develops heightened senses that aid him on his journey to justice.
The pinnacle of Marvel television, daredevil earns a spot among the greatest television shows of all time. Murdock’s struggle with his vigilantism and his faith is a great story, and Cox is superb as a character. Vincent D’Onofrio also excels as the villainous Wilson Fisk, with both actors seen as irreplaceable in the eyes of fans.
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