Disney+ Era Marvel TV Shows Ranked

Marvel Comics have long been a rich source of inspiration for television, from the classic "Incredible Hulk" series to modern hits like "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," and the gritty Netflix shows introducing characters like Daredevil and Luke Cage. While previous attempts to weave these live-action TV shows into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have met with mixed success — think "Runaways" and "Cloak and Dagger" — Marvel Studios ushered in a new era in 2021. This pivotal shift began with Disney+ launching a series of shows deeply integrated with the MCU, leveraging the popularity of their blockbuster film franchise.

As we welcome the charming "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" as the 13th Disney+ Marvel show within just four years, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the Marvel Studios television journey so far. Here at IGN, our team of Marvel aficionados gathered to rank the 12 Disney+ Marvel TV shows released up to this point, culminating in an aggregated ranking. Keep an eye out for how "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" will fit into this list after its run concludes.

Every Marvel TV Show in the Disney+ Era Ranked

13 Images12. Secret Invasion

Disney+It's quite surprising to find ourselves discussing "Secret Invasion" as a disappointment, especially given its significance in Marvel Comics lore. This series, unfortunately, ranked unanimously as the weakest Marvel TV show to date. Despite its comic book roots as a landmark event, the show disregarded much of that legacy. Director Ali Selim's admission of not reading the comics and his belief that they were unnecessary for storytelling reflected poorly on the final product. While the MCU has successfully reinvented stories in the past, "Secret Invasion" fell short.

The series attempted to emulate the espionage atmosphere of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," focusing on Nick Fury's (Samuel L. Jackson) mission to thwart a Skrull invasion. However, slow pacing, an AI-generated opening sequence, the abrupt death of a beloved female character, and the introduction of a bizarre, likely one-off superpowered character relegated "Secret Invasion" to the bottom of our Disney+ MCU series list.

11. Echo

Disney+Despite landing in the 11th position, "Echo" marks a significant improvement over "Secret Invasion." Alaqua Cox reprises her role as the deaf Cheyenne superhero Echo from "Hawkeye," delivering an intimate and action-packed narrative about her journey back to the reservation. She grapples with her powers, her past, and her complex relationship with Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio), the Daredevil villain who raised her.

Although "Echo" was affected by the trend of shorter series runs, leaving some fans wanting more, it boasts stunning action sequences, notably the opening fight with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). Furthermore, it broke new ground with a predominantly indigenous cast and crew, making it a unique, emotionally resonant addition to the MCU, even if it didn't achieve the same impact as higher-ranked shows.

10. Moon Knight

Disney+It might come as a surprise to see "Moon Knight," starring Oscar Isaac, ranked so low. The series explores the tumultuous life of Marc Spector, an antihero battling multiple personalities amid a backdrop of mystery and violence. This surreal narrative blends elements of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Indiana Jones," and Marvel's "Legion," yet it failed to captivate our voters enough to climb higher.

The introduction of Scarlet Scarab (May Calamawy) added a fresh hero to the MCU, and the strong performances from F. Murray Abraham as Khonshu and Ethan Hawke as Dr. Arthur Harrow bolstered the cast. However, "Moon Knight" couldn't secure a second season or a higher spot on our list.

9. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Disney+Expected to soar, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" faced challenges in taking flight. Starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprising their film roles, the series benefitted from their undeniable chemistry. Yet, it was weighed down by murky ethical dilemmas, an over-reliance on the Blip's timeline, and a focus on espionage over aerial heroics.

As the second Marvel TV show to hit Disney+, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" was originally slated to be the first released. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its release was delayed, allowing "WandaVision" to debut first. The impact of the global health crisis on the show's production, which was paused from March to August 2020, remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the series has become crucial for understanding the current MCU, particularly with its connections to this year's "Thunderbolts" film.