Disney+ has quickly built an impressive library of Marvel content on its platform. First, the platform began releasing original Marvel TV shows that share continuity with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, giving us series such as WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Hawkeye. In March 2022, Disney also began the process of migrating its other original Marvel series over to Disney+.
The Defenders franchise originally found its home on Netflix and encompassed several different titles, including Daredevil, The Defenders, and Luke Cage. Two Marvel series that previously aired on ABC, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter, were also available to stream on Netflix. However, in March, all of those shows were taken off of Netflix and made available to stream on Disney+—and now all of Marvel’s live-action TV series are available on the platform.
This makes for a whopping total of 20 live-action Marvel series on Disney+, and that number is only continuing to grow. 2023 will give us even more Marvel Disney+ original series with the premieres of Echo, Loki season 2, Ironheart, and more. Here’s every live-action Marvel series and TV special on Disney+ so far, ranked worst to best.
20. Inhumans
Inhumans is the only Marvel show on this list that was unequivocally a failure. Inhumans follows the Inhuman Royal Family who, after a military coup, barely escape to Hawaii. Once there, they must overcome internal conflict to save the world and themselves. The series premiered on ABC in 2017 and ran for only one season before it was canceled. However, Anson Mount, who portrayed Black Bolt, recently reprised his role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Inhumans scraped by with a meager 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been slammed by critics and Marvel fans alike. Perhaps the biggest problem was that the show looked extremely cheap, which is odd for a Marvel production. The costumes, visual effects, and set design were so poorly put together that the characters honestly looked like cosplayers at times. Not only that, but it was painfully dull and did not come close to doing justice to the colorful, vibrant, and powerful Inhuman Royal Family.
19. Iron Fist
Iron Fist was one of the only Defenders shows that really missed the mark. The series hit Netflix in 2017 and starred Finn Jones as Danny Rand—a man who returns home to New York City after being presumed dead for 15 years. Once home, Danny must balance reclaiming his family’s business from the Meachum clan while navigating his secret identity as Iron Fist. The series received largely negative reviews and was canceled after two seasons.
Jones, unfortunately, wasn’t very convincing as Iron Fist, lacking the acting skills and martial arts background necessary for the role. Meanwhile, the show was dragged down by a very poor script and limited character development. One of the few charms of Iron Fist was Jessica Henwick’s stellar performance as Colleen Wing. Otherwise, there’s really nothing else in this series that stood out or solidified it.
18. The Punisher
After first appearing as Frank Castle (a.k.a. The Punisher) in Daredevil, Jon Bernthal went on to lead his solo series, The Punisher. The show follows Castle’s continued mission of vengeance against those responsible for the deaths of his family. However, he finds that the criminal underworld goes much deeper than what was done to him and sets off to fight it in the most lethal way possible.
The Punisher received some mixed reviews, but it certainly wasn’t a bad series. Bernthal’s portrayal of Punisher is nothing short of iconic. Still, the show was hurt by a very slow start and remains a bit shaky and predictable throughout. Also, the Punisher has always been a bit of a problematic character since his brutality is markedly wrong, regardless of whether his motive is seemingly right. Having a series devoted to Castle made it a little more difficult to find him relatable, especially as it almost seems to glorify his violence.
17. The Defenders
The Defenders was an exciting crossover event and the culmination of four of Netflix’s Marvel series. The show brought together a vigilante team consisting of Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones). After headlining their respective solo series on Netflix, these four vigilantes teamed up in New York to fight a common enemy: The Hand.
The Defenders was a huge delight, especially for fans of Netflix’s other Marvel series. The plot was strong, the dynamic between the team was unique, and it nicely balanced all of its characters. However, while The Defenders is a solid crossover event, it’s far from perfect. The show suffered from pacing issues and was a bit dragged down by the return of Iron Fist. Also, the series doesn’t properly introduce each of the characters and their stories, so those who haven’t watched the other series likely felt a bit lost. Still, these minor flaws are hardly noticeable amidst the show’s positives.
16. Luke Cage
Luke Cage premiered on Netflix in 2016 and introduced Mike Colter as Luke Cage, a man who gained super strength and unbreakable skin following a sabotaged experiment. In the series, Cage returns to his hometown of Harlem as a fugitive, struggling to get his life back together. However, when his city comes under threat, he’ll have to abandon his quiet life and confront his past to become Harlem’s hero.
Luke Cage was an excellent series that received highly positive reviews and won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award. The series offered strong performances across the board and was socially conscious. In addition to this, Colter absolutely nailed the role of Cage, providing a nuanced and soulful take on the hero. Despite strong social messages, performances, and themes, the show did suffer from uneven pacing and the plot and villains are underwhelming at times.
15. Runaways
Runaways premiered on Hulu in 2017 and is perhaps one of the most unique shows on this list. The series follows a group of teenagers who unite against their villainous parents and attempt to stop them from creating the supervillain organization known as Pride. However, taking a stand against their parents isn’t easy, and the group is soon on the run and living on the streets.
The series boasts a unique premise, a very diverse cast, and a solid, emotional narrative. One wouldn’t think a series about teen heroes would work so well, but Runaways does. It’s all about a group of teens finding their power and their voice while uniting against an evil force. Runaways also finds a nice balance between the drama and superhero genres. The only flaw is that the show suffers from predictability and seems a little tentative to dive as deep into the characters and themes as it could have.
14. The Falcon and Winter Soldier
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was Marvel’s second original Disney+ series and sets up a fourth Captain America film. The series follows the mismatched duo of Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) as they contend with a new threat known as the Flag Smashers. The Flag Smashers are enhanced with a recreation of the Super Soldier Serum and believe that the world was better during the Blip.
This series definitely benefited from its exploration of social and political topics. Not only did it examine the connotations of society’s response to having a Black man take up Captain America’s shield, but also the stubbornness of politicians and the fallout when the government fails to protect its people. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier boasts a strong dynamic between Bucky and Wilson, as well as a poignant exploration of their grief. However, the show suffered from a poor plot, inconsistent tone, and very poorly developed villains who were predictable and unrelatable. As a result, it had some compelling messages, but a plot that didn’t complement them.
13. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premiered on August 18, 2022, and proved to be one of the MCU’s most daring and unexpected ventures. The series follows Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany), a career-oriented and top-notch lawyer who happens to be the cousin of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). When the two suffer a car wreck while traveling, some of Banner’s Hulk blood enters a cut on Walters’ arm, allowing her to transform into She-Hulk. Walters finds her life uprooted as she balances being a She-Hulk with being a lawyer, and begins specializing in superhuman affairs. Additionally, she faces sexism and harassment from misogynists who can’t stand the idea of a woman being a successful lawyer and a Hulk.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is a delight to watch and one of the most comedic MCU projects so far. It also boldly tackles raging issues of sexism; a large portion of the show is a very serious conversation on how women are treated in today’s society where communities like Incels exist. Only the most cold-hearted, delusional viewers will fail to sympathize with Walters, who is treated terribly, used, and attacked for merely being a woman. Despite a strong message and comedic merit, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law suffers gravely from holding very few ties to the MCU as a whole, as well as poor pacing and multiple underdeveloped storylines, that result in underdeveloped characters (hello, Titania).
12. Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion arrived on Disney+ on June 21 and proved to be quite the gritty spy thriller. The series follows Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) as they attempt to handle a large-scale Skrull infiltration of Earth and prevent the rebel Skrulls from sparking an international conflict and wiping out the human race. It’s a short and fairly self-contained series that doesn’t feature any Avengers or major heroes aside from Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle). However, it still manages to drop a few bombshells that will have long-lasting implications for the MCU.
Secret Invasion is different from the MCU’s other original series in that is much more mature, dark, and gritty. Jackson is excellent as always as Fury, and the show allows viewers to see his more personal side. Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emilia Clarke, and Olivia also all prove to be excellent additions to the MCU. However, Secret Invasion has a few problems, including fridging, the use of deaths for shock value instead of necessity, and predictability. While it’s a very interesting premise, it is more of a slow-burn that won’t appeal to everyone. Ultimately, Secret Invasion is an enjoyable and unique series, but its execution isn’t perfect and it’s not the most memorable MCU show.
11. Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones hit Netflix in 2015 and its first season definitely made me think Marvel had dropped their best series yet. The series follows one of Marvel’s darker characters, Jones (Ritter), a mysterious woman whose short-lived stint as a superhero ended in trauma and tragedy. After her superhero career ends, she works quietly as a private investigator. However, when Kilgrave (David Tennant), the man who ended her career, resurfaces, Jones must rise to stop him.
Ritter gave a compelling and nuanced portrayal of Jones, a woman struggling against her own demons. The series was also very unrestrained and delved deeper into mature themes and content. In doing so, it realistically and poignantly explores the human condition, inner conflict, and trauma. Honestly, Jessica Jones season 1 was as close to perfection as a show can get. Unfortunately, seasons 2 and 3 were good but definitely not great. The show lost its edge after season 1 and there was a noticeable decline in storytelling. Still, Ritter’s performance remained solid from the beginning of the show to the end.
Related: The 61 Celebrities Who Have Played Themselves In The MCU on We Got This Covered
10. Agent Carter
Even though it has been about six years, I am still mad that ABC canceled this gem of a Marvel show. Agent Carter premiered on ABC in 2015 and ran for two seasons. The series follows Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) as she works for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) post-World War II. While balancing work for the SSR with her chauvinistic fellow agents, she is also secretly helping Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) clear his name after being framed for supplying deadly weapons to the USA’s enemies.
Atwell portrayed Carter exceptionally, as she has done every time she’s reprised the role. Her dynamic heroism was the backbone of the show. Meanwhile, the agent plot was mysterious and well done, the show had a fun vintage flair, and it created origin stories for multiple Marvel characters. While the second season faltered in trying to find a strong storyline, the cast’s performances largely made up for that. Sadly, despite receiving glowing reviews, Agent Carter had low viewership and was cut by ABC. Now that it’s on Disney+, maybe it’s time for Marvel to revisit this show.
9. Hawkeye
Hawkeye is Marvel’s holiday-themed miniseries focused on Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner). The six-episode series premiered in November of 2021 and saw Barton teaming up with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) to confront enemies from his past. While all Barton wants is to make it home in time for Christmas, he is still haunted by his past as Ronin and must contend with those seeking vengeance.
This series proved to be a fun holiday twist on a strong Marvel origin story. Hawkeye introduced Steinfeld’s Bishop while also further examining one of the lesser-known Avengers and his Ronin storyline. Additionally, Alaqua Cox’s debut as Echo was a show-stealer, as was Florence Pugh’s reprisal of Yelena Belova. Finally, Vincent D’Onofrio’s return as Kingpin was the icing on the cake. It’s not a particularly deep or intricate show, but it’s fun, exciting, heartwarming, and relatable. This is one series that excels by not doing too much.
8. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a short TV special that arrived on Disney+ on November 25, 2022. It follows the eponymous heroes as they fret about how to make Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) Christmas special despite his lingering grief over the death of Gamora. As a result, they come up with the idea to kidnap Quill’s hero, Kevin Bacon. It’s a wild, funny, and festive special that is bound to get viewers in the holiday spirit, and it ends on a surprisingly touching note.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is exactly what one would expect from a holiday special. It’s reminiscent of the holiday specials from childhood, such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, but with a fun superhero twist. Bacon, Drax (Dave Bautista), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) steal the show with their hilarious antics. Of course, given that its purpose is holiday cheer, it’s not a particularly serious work. It’s enjoyable to watch, but wasn’t meant to have the same depth or cinematic quality as other series and specials on this list.
7. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. started it all. The very first TV series set in the MCU ran on ABC from 2013 to 2020 for a total of 7 seasons. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. follows high-ranking agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), who puts together a specialized team to investigate strange occurrences across the globe. They frequently find themselves contending with Hydra, as well as meeting powerful Inhumans.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s longevity isn’t surprising as it was quite a phenomenal series. With a stellar cast, connections to the comic books, exciting guest stars, and strong character development, the series really flourished. Not only that, but it had a seemingly endless supply of mysterious, dark, and thrilling adventures for the characters to handle each season. While it started off a little slow and shaky, by season 3 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. really found its stride, and each season thereafter was intriguing and impressive. Of course, being the very first Marvel series, we didn’t quite know everything Marvel could do on TV back then. That’s why some of Marvel’s newer content has managed to eclipse Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
6. Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel premiered on Disney+ on June 8, 2022, and quickly became one of the most beloved Marvel series to date. The series follows Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a typical 16-year-old who fangirls over the Avengers and gets frustrated by her overbearing parents. Kamala’s life changes when a bangle inherited from her great-grandmother awakens superpowers within her. She eagerly sets out to be a superhero, but finds that it’s much harder than it looks. Kamala struggles to balance school and superhero duties, while also keeping secrets from her friends and family. Meanwhile, she faces a very formidable enemy with a connection to her family’s past.
Ms. Marvel is one of the best Marvel Disney+ shows; it’s fresh, full of heart, and more diverse. The show features the MCU’s first Muslim superhero and poignantly delves into Kamala’s life as a Pakistani-American, as well as the history of her people. Meanwhile, Kamala’s charisma and her family dynamics are a strong foundation for this heartfelt story. The diversity, historical emphasis, and Vellani’s performance make Ms. Marvel a fresh breath of air for the MCU. However, it has received criticism for its framing of and association with Djinn. It also suffers from poor pacing and, while it gives Khan a strong origin story, it fails to fully develop the ClanDestines’ and DODC plot, leaving something to be desired.
5. Moon Knight
Moon Knight is the newest Disney+ Marvel original series and is one of the most unique. The series follows Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac), a mercenary who serves as the avatar for the Moon God Khonshu (F. Murray Abraham). However, Spector also suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID) and must learn to work with his other personality, Steven Grant, to stop the religious cult leader Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke) from awakening Ammit.
The series definitely explores much darker territory than we’re accustomed to in Marvel TV series, and is unique in its exploration of DID and Egyptian mythology. Meanwhile, the performances from Oscar, Hawke, and May Calamawy are stellar. Moon Knight is wild—even weird—but it’s refreshing to see a different side of Marvel. The only real downfall is that the ending of Moon Knight is very underwhelming. The conclusion simply doesn’t match the tone and grandeur of the rest of the series. What’s strange is that the series definitely gives you the feeling of building up to something huge, and the lackluster ending leaves the series feeling incomplete.
4. Loki
Loki premiered in 2021, finally fulfilling every Loki fan’s dream of a solo project for the God of Mischief. The series focuses on an alternate Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who created a new timeline when he managed to steal the Tesseract in Avengers: Endgame. However, the mysterious Time Variance Authority (TVA) catches up with him, allowing him to learn how time and the multiverse really work. Loki season 2 arrived in 2023 and continues Loki’s story as he struggles to save the Sacred Timeline and TVA after it is thrown into chaos.
Loki makes perhaps the smoothest transition from the big screen to TV. Hiddleston jumps back into the role of Loki as if no time has passed at all. Meanwhile, Loki finally gives him a substantial story arc, and we get to see more of his anti-hero side, as well as his romantic side. Owen Wilson has incredible chemistry with Hiddleston on screen, as does Sophia Di Martino as Sylvie. The only flaws are that Loki is meant to “explain” the multiverse, leading to there being some pretty dense episodes information-wise, and the pacing struggles in season 2. Season 2 gets off to a somewhat shaky start as it struggles with that information density and shifts between going too fast or too slow. However, as it nears its end, it manages to come together very well and deliver a finale that allows Loki to keep its ranking as one of the top Marvel shows.
3. Werewolf by Night
Werewolf by Night is a TV special that premiered on Disney+ on October 7, 2022. The Halloween special follows Jack Russell (Gael GarcÃa Bernal), a lycanthrope, or werewolf, who heads to Bloodstone manor along with a band of other monster hunters. The hunters are gathered to pay their respects to the late Ulysses Bloodstone, a legendary monster hunter who wishes to find an heir to his powerful relic, the Bloodstone. Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), Ulysses’ estranged daughter, also shows up in hopes of claiming the family relic. However, things take a brutal and bloody turn when the hunters are pitted against one another and a frightful monster to determine who gets the Bloodstone.
Werewolf by Night is one of the MCU’s best television offerings so far. The tone, simple visual effects, and the predominantly black-and-white picture will transport you straight back in time to 1930s horror. Werewolf by Night is a clever throwback to vintage horror, as well as a reinventing of the beloved TV specials of the ’60s and ’70s. Werewolf by Night also boasts pheromonal performances from all three leads and balances humor and campiness with macabre thrills. Meanwhile, Michael Giacchino’s score and directing were nothing short of brilliant. Werewolf by Night took an ambitious departure from Marvel’s typical projects and proved enormously successful in doing so.
2. Daredevil
Netflix had some real gall when they canceled this critically acclaimed series in 2018 after three seasons. However, Disney+ is developing another Daredevil series, so my broken-heartedness is somewhat relieved. Daredevil follows Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a lawyer-by-day who fights crime at night as a masked vigilante. Murdock developed heightened senses after losing his sight in an accident and uses his abilities to fight against the criminal underworld led by Wilson Fisk (D’Onofrio).
The series as a whole is phenomenal, but Cox’s performance as Murdock is hands-down the highlight of the show. His performance is nothing short of iconic and he fulfills the role so well, you simply can’t imagine anyone else as Daredevil. Cox is also complemented wonderfully by D’Onofrio’s iconic performance as Kingpin. Additionally, the show delves into some dark territory, while exploring moral conflicts and the nature of justice. The brooding tone manifests itself in everything from the plot to the score to the tantalizing cinematography. Season 2 floundered just a bit without Kingpin as the main villain, but seasons 1 and 3 were as close to flawless as a TV show can get.
1. WandaVision
WandaVision was the very first Disney+ original series and it definitely cemented that Marvel is really onto something with its TV projects. The series follows Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), who is living an idealized suburban life with her husband, Vision (Paul Bettany), but everything is not as it seems. Her perfect life starts to fall apart amid increasingly odd occurrences, including their movement through different decades and sitcom tropes.
WandaVision is by far Marvel’s most decorated TV series and boasts numerous accolades, including eight Emmy nominations. The series really is nothing short of outstanding. While Marvel fans appreciated it setting up Wanda as the Scarlet Witch, others appreciate the poignancy of the series’ exploration of grief. Still others will find amusement in the off-kilter setting, sitcom nostalgia, and in the show’s breaking of the fourth wall. The plot is emotional, funny, and mysterious, all tied into one. Olsen, as always, is amazing as Wanda and her and Bettany’s chemistry is palpable. Meanwhile, Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) was an unexpected surprise, and was such an instant fan-favorite that she landed her own spinoff. WandaVision truly encompasses Marvel’s brilliance.
(featured image: Disney+)
