Marvel's Small Screen Successes and Setbacks: A Disney+ Era Ranking

From the iconic "Incredible Hulk" to the gritty Netflix series featuring Daredevil and Luke Cage, Marvel Comics has a rich history of inspiring television adaptations. While past attempts to integrate live-action shows into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) often faltered (remember "Runaways" and "Cloak and Dagger"?), 2021 marked a turning point. Marvel Studios launched a new era on Disney+, creating interconnected series deeply entwined with the blockbuster film franchise.

With the recent addition of "Spider-Man: Freshman Year," we're revisiting the twelve preceding Disney+ Marvel shows. Our IGN experts have collaboratively ranked them, offering a comprehensive overview. "Spider-Man: Freshman Year" will be included in a future update.

Disney+ Marvel TV Show Rankings

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12. Secret Invasion

Surprisingly, "Secret Invasion" received widespread criticism, ranking last in our assessment. While a pivotal event in Marvel Comics, the series disregarded much of the source material. Director Ali Selim's admission of not reading the comics, while sometimes yielding fresh interpretations, resulted in a lackluster adaptation here. The attempt to emulate "Captain America: The Winter Soldier's" espionage tone fell flat due to slow pacing, an unconvincing AI-generated opening, the unfortunate death of a beloved female character, and the introduction of an improbable new character unlikely to reappear.

11. Echo

A significant improvement over "Secret Invasion," "Echo" still falls towards the lower end of our ranking. Alaqua Cox's return as Echo delivers an action-packed narrative centered around her life on the reservation, balancing her powers, past, and relationship with Kingpin. A shortened episode count left some viewers wanting more, but the series boasts impressive action sequences, notably a thrilling fight with Daredevil. Its groundbreaking representation of Indigenous creatives both on and off-screen is commendable, making it a unique and emotionally resonant addition to the MCU.

10. Moon Knight

Starring Oscar Isaac, "Moon Knight's" lower ranking might be unexpected. The series, exploring Marc Spector's multiple personalities, blends mystery, mayhem, and surrealism, drawing inspiration from various sources. While introducing the standout character Scarlet Scarab and featuring a strong cast (F. Murray Abraham, Ethan Hawke), "Moon Knight" failed to resonate strongly enough with our voters to secure a higher position or a second season.

9. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Despite the 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 overall impact. Production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the final product, affecting its narrative flow. Nevertheless, the series' narrative elements have become crucial to understanding the current MCU, particularly in relation to the "Thunderbolts" film.

(To be continued...)