The Marvel Cinematic Universe and other Marvel adaptations have brought to life many exciting TV shows, and there are some that I would love to forget to be able to watch again for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised when the MCU decided to expand with new formats on Disney+, as it allowed the franchise to explore smaller characters and new kinds of stories. It is true that the MCU’s TV shows have faced some issues.
Thankfully, those are being fixed. Marvel Television went through an overhaul, with longer development windows and formal showrunners now part of the process for future Marvel projects on the TV side. Despite some issues, I believe multiple MCU series are among the best Marvel has produced, and along with shows from Netflix’s The Defenders Saga, animation, and more, they make up the Marvel TV shows that I would love to be able to watch again for the first time.
10
Daredevil
Netflix’s The Defenders Saga (2015-2018)
I wanted to start the list with the project I consider to be the best Marvel TV show we have gotten so far. Netflix’s Daredevil had it all. The darker tone of the story was perfect for Matt Murdock, with gripping action and plot twists.
|
My Ranking of Daredevil’s Seasons |
|
|---|---|
|
Season |
Year |
|
Daredevil Season 3 |
2018 |
|
Daredevil Season 2 – Punisher Arc |
2016 |
|
Daredevil Season 1 |
2015 |
|
Daredevil Season 2 – Elektra Arc |
2016 |
In a time when the MCU mostly presented lighter offerings, Daredevil and the other projects in The Defenders Saga offered a different take on Marvel heroes. I loved how Matt grappled with his religion while dishing out violence as he took on criminals at night.
Daredevil
9/10
- Release Date
-
2015 – 2017
- Showrunner
-
Steven S. DeKnight
Casting for the series was perfect, with Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio making it hard for me to picture anyone else as Daredevil and Kingpin. Netflix’s Daredevil was all-around fantastic, with bloody action, mature themes, compelling characters, and intriguing stories. Daredevil beating Kingpin in season 3 was the perfect ending to that journey.
9
Jessica Jones
Netflix’s The Defenders Saga (2015-2019)
After Daredevil, my second favorite The Defenders Saga series was Jessica Jones. Krysten Ritter’s casting as Jessica stands as one of the best for any Marvel adaptation. She made the character relatable and complex, with multiple layers to her that always kept Jessica interesting.
Jessica remains a unique live-action Marvel hero.
Cox’s Daredevil was a more traditional hero. Ritter’s Jessica Jones was not really in line with that, being able to be even grittier in her pursuit of justice. It also helps the show’s reputation that it featured one of the best live-action Marvel villains of all time.
Jessica Jones
- Release Date
-
November 20, 2015
- Showrunner
-
Melissa Rosenberg
David Tennant’s Kilgrave was despicable, controlling women to do as he pleased with his powers. I was fully immersed in the world of the show from the start, with the decision to make Jessica a victim reclaiming her life giving the show an emotional hook. Jessica remains a unique live-action Marvel hero.
8
Spectacular Spider-Man
Standalone Animated Series (2008-2009)
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Disney+’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. However, while the show was great, it is no match for what I consider to be Spider-Man’s best animated series. Spectacular Spider-Man truly felt like the comics were being translated into animation.
Spectacular Spider-Man’s Peter Parker returned for a cameo role in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
It presents well-built origin stories for many classic Spider-Man characters from the comics. Peter Parker’s relationships with iconic players, such as Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, and Mary Jane Watson, were exciting to watch develop throughout the show. It was a mix of classic Spidey with a more modern spin.
The Spectacular Spider-Man
- Release Date
-
2008 – 2008
- Directors
-
Victor Cook, Jennifer Coyle, Dave Bullock, Troy Adomitis, Dan Fausett, Kevin Altieri, Michael Goguen
The world-building was immersive, Peter Parker had strong character development, and the animated show pulled from different Spider-Man eras. Sadly, the show was canceled after just two seasons. I would love to forget it to be able to relive the magic of those perfect seasons of Spider-Man stories.
7
Loki
MCU TV Show (2021-2023)
While Daredevil: Born Again will likely end up as my favorite Marvel Studios series after season 1 ends its run, Loki currently holds that place. Tom Hiddleston’s character became one of the franchise’s most popular early on. After watching him in the Avengers movies, the Thor franchise, and more, Loki deserved his project.
Disney+’s Loki made history for the MCU. It was the first Marvel series on the streamer to return for a second season, separating it from the rest of the limited series from the MCU’s first wave of shows. That decision could not have been more right.
Loki
7/10
- Release Date
-
2021 – 2022
- Network
-
Disney+
Loki single-handedly made Kang the Conqueror a major threat to the entire MCU. I loved how the show allowed us to get an extensive look at the multiverse and time travel in the franchise. Watching Loki’s beautiful arc to becoming the multiverse’s protector again for the first time would be magical.
6
X-Men ‘97
Animated Sequel Series (2024-)
Another animated entry on the list is X-Men ’97. Ever since Marvel Studios got the rights to the X-Men back, I’ve been anticipating how Kevin Feige would handle the mutants. While the show is not canon to the MCU, X-Men ’97 eased any possible concerns.
Related
I Wish I Could Forget These 10 MCU Movies So I Could Watch Them Again For The First Time
Every MCU fan would love to watch certain films in the franchise again for the first time, and I believe some MCU movies would be the best to do so.
The X-Men series showed that Marvel knows exactly how to treat these characters. Cyclops finally got his due after years of being abandoned in the movies. Other characters like Gambit and Rogue also finally had time to shine. It showed the X-Men are more than Wolverine.
X-Men ’97
8/10
- Release Date
-
March 20, 2024
- Directors
-
Jake Castorena
As a fan of X-Men: The Animated Series, it was mind-breaking to be able to return to the show’s world and pick back up with the mutants. What was more shocking is that I feel X-Men ’97 is even better than the original. I would love to experience this expansive X-Men world again for the first time.
5
Hawkeye
MCU TV Show (2021)
I know this might be a more controversial pick, but I love Hawkeye. I think the MCU’s street-level side has plenty of room for some light-hearted tales amid the darker tone of projects like Daredevil: Born Again and Echo. Hawkeye should be turned into a multi-season series.
I had wanted to see Hailee Steinfeld join the MCU for a long time. When she was rumored for Kate Bishop, I knew it was the perfect role for her. Hawkeye proved that right, with her character being fun, dynamic, and quite resourceful.
Hawkeye
7/10
- Release Date
-
2021 – 2020
- Writers
-
Don Heck, Jonathan Igla
The MCU series’ best aspect was the chemistry between Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop and Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton. Seeing Hawkeye as a mentor to a younger hero who decided to follow that path after being inspired by him was emotional. Hawkeye deserved to shine after being the least explored of the Avengers, and the series had great character development for Clint.
4
WandaVision
MCU TV Show (2021)
There is no denying that WandaVision is Marvel Studios’ most important TV show to date. The series was the first to come from Marvel after the MCU decided to expand into Disney+. I was a fan of how the show was a love letter to TV and sitcoms.
WandaVision has some of the most creative ideas I have seen from the MCU. The show was also anchored by two heroes who deserved their time as leads. Paul Bettany’s Vision and Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch have impeccable chemistry together. Wanda Maximoff would become an MCU fan-favorite.
WandaVision
7/10
- Release Date
-
2021 – 2020
- Showrunner
-
Jac Schaeffer
The show set up so much for the future of the MCU. Wanda would become the main villain of the Doctor Strange sequel, while two spinoff series, Agatha All Along, and the upcoming Vision show, continued key characters’ stories. Going through the mystery of Wanda’s hex and what was really going on for the first time again would be exciting.
3
Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Marvel TV Show (2013-2020)
Sadly, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has become the source of one of the never-ending debates when it comes to Marvel. Is the show MCU canon? One would think so, as the series featured the return of stars from the franchise, like Samuel J. Jackson’s Nick Fury, in guest roles.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was led by Clark Gregg, reprising his role as Phil Coulson. The character had died in 2012’s The Avengers, but the show found a way to bring him back from the dead. I loved that decision. Coulson had always been a charismatic character, and through his team, we got to see a different side of the MCU.
The Marvel series reacted to many events from the films. The fall of SHIELD/HYDRA in Captain America: The Winter Soldier was particularly important for the show. I’m sad that it now seems to no longer be considered MCU canon. Reliving the series’ MCU connections and new stories, like Ghost Rider’s debut, for the first time again would be thrilling.
2
Agatha All Along
MCU TV Show (2024)
I have to admit, I was one of those who did not see the point of making an Agatha Harkness series. Sure, Kathryn Hahn’s witch was WandaVision‘s breakout character. However, I was expecting Marvel to focus on more important heroes in the MCU’s overall story.
Well, I am glad to say I was mistaken. You should never bet against Jac Schaeffer, who developed both WandaVision and Agatha All Along. The concept of the Witches’ Road and the formation of the coven made the series eventful, with plenty of mysteries and twists each week.
Agatha All Along
7/10
- Release Date
-
2024 – 2023
- Showrunner
-
Jac Schaeffer
Agatha went through an arc that made her less selfish by the end. We were introduced to the MCU’s Lady Death. Billy Maximoff returned and brought his brother back. Agatha All Along ended up being a fun adventure that expanded the franchise’s magical corner in exciting new ways.
1
The Punisher
Netflix’s The Defenders Saga (2017-2019)
Finally, another series from Netflix’s The Defenders Saga that I would love to watch again is The Punisher. When he debuted in Daredevil season 2, I was immediately glued to the screen as Jon Bernthal brought to life the most interesting live-action Frank Castle. That continued in his spinoff series.
Related
Daredevil: Born Again Episode 4 Review – I Was Not Prepared For How Emotional Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Return Would Be
Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 brings back the Punisher for a heartfelt sequence and shines the spotlight on Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk.
The Punisher was an action-packed show, as one would expect. However, the bloody violence was not there just to catch eyeballs. Frank had a lot of issues to resolve and people to kill to make up for past traumas and move forward. The Punisher is the perfect darker Marvel series.
The Netflix series featured a nuanced version of Frank. I enjoyed his action-packed moments in the show. However, what made the series sing were the quieter moments. Frank and Karen’s chemistry helped make him more vulnerable — more human. Thankfully, Bernthal’s Punisher is now back in the MCU in Daredevil: Born Again.
