Disney+ Era: Ranking Marvel TV Shows

Marvel's small-screen adventures have spanned decades, from the iconic "Incredible Hulk" to the grittier Netflix series featuring Daredevil and Luke Cage. While previous attempts to integrate these shows into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) often faltered (remember "Runaways"?), 2021 marked a turning point. Marvel Studios launched a wave of interconnected Disney+ series, deeply entwined with the blockbuster film franchise.

With "Spider-Man: Freshman Year" (the 13th Disney+ Marvel show in just four years) on the horizon, we've ranked the preceding 12 series. Our team of Marvel experts compiled a collective ranking, reflecting diverse opinions. "Spider-Man: Freshman Year"'s placement will be revealed post-release.

Disney+ Marvel TV Shows Ranked

13 Images

12. Secret Invasion

A significant disappointment, "Secret Invasion" is widely considered the weakest Marvel Studios TV offering to date. Despite the source material's importance in Marvel Comics, the series deviated significantly. Director Ali Selim's admission of not reading the comics highlights a disconnect. While MCU adaptations often successfully reinterpret source material, "Secret Invasion" lacked compelling vision. Aiming for the espionage tone of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," the series centered on Nick Fury's battle against a Skrull invasion. However, slow pacing, a jarring AI-generated opening sequence, the unceremonious death of a key female character, and an underwhelming new character contributed to its low ranking.

11. Echo

A considerable improvement over "Secret Invasion," "Echo" still falls towards the bottom of our ranking. Alaqua Cox reprises her role from "Hawkeye," delivering an action-packed story of Echo's return to her reservation. The series balances her powers, past, and relationship with Kingpin. A shortened episode count left some viewers wanting more, but the series features impressive action sequences, including a standout fight with Daredevil. Its groundbreaking representation of Indigenous creatives both on and off-screen is noteworthy.

10. Moon Knight

Starring Oscar Isaac, "Moon Knight" surprisingly ranks lower than expected. The series explores Marc Spector's multiple personalities, blending mystery, mayhem, and surrealism. It draws inspiration from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Indiana Jones," and Fox's "Legion." While introducing Scarlet Scarab as a standout character and boasting a strong cast (including F. Murray Abraham and Ethan Hawke), "Moon Knight" failed to resonate enough for a higher ranking or a second season.

9. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Despite strong chemistry between Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" fell short of expectations. Murky moral dilemmas, heavy reliance on the Blip storyline, and a focus on espionage over action hampered its success. Production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic likely impacted the final product. Nevertheless, its narrative elements have become crucial to the current MCU, particularly influencing the "Thunderbolts" film.