Marvel's Small Screen Successes and Setbacks: A Ranking of Disney+ Shows
From the iconic "Incredible Hulk" to the grittier Netflix series featuring Daredevil and Luke Cage, Marvel Comics has a rich history of inspiring television adaptations. While previous 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 series of interconnected Disney+ shows, deeply entwined with the blockbuster film franchise.
With the recent addition of "Spider-Man: Freshman Year," we've reached 13 Disney+ Marvel series. This analysis reviews the first 12, aggregated from rankings by IGN's Marvel experts. "Spider-Man: Freshman Year" will be assessed separately.
Disney+ Marvel Shows Ranked

13 Images



-
Secret Invasion
Disney+ A widespread consensus places "Secret Invasion" at the bottom. Despite the source material's significance in Marvel Comics history, the series fell short. Director Ali Selim's admission of not reading the comics highlights a disconnect. While creative liberties can enhance stories, "Secret Invasion" lacked direction. Its attempt to emulate "Captain America: The Winter Soldier's" espionage tone was hampered by slow pacing, a jarring AI-generated opening, the unceremonious death of a key female character, and a forgettable new character.
-
Echo
Disney+A significant improvement over "Secret Invasion," "Echo" still ranks lower. Alaqua Cox's return as Echo delivers an action-packed story exploring her life on the reservation. The series balances 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 fight with Daredevil. Its predominantly indigenous cast and crew is noteworthy.
-
Moon Knight
Disney+Starring Oscar Isaac, "Moon Knight" underperformed in our rankings. The exploration of Marc Spector's multiple personalities, mystery, and action, along with the introduction of Scarlet Scarab, couldn't elevate it higher. While the cast, including F. Murray Abraham and Ethan Hawke, is strong, the series didn't achieve the impact needed for a higher ranking or a second season.
-
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Disney+Despite the chemistry between Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" faced challenges. Murky morals, heavy reliance on the Blip storyline, and a focus on espionage over action hindered its potential. Production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic likely impacted the final product. Nevertheless, the series significantly contributes to the MCU's current narrative, notably influencing the "Thunderbolts" film.
(To be continued... This is a partial output due to the length of the input. The remaining rankings will follow the same format.)