The Ultimate Ranking of MCU TV Shows: From Worst to Best!

Warning! SPOILERS for Secret Invasion ahead. Presented below is a comprehensive ranking of every official MCU TV series, from worst to best. The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand rapidly, with a continuous flow of new TV shows debuting on Disney+. Previously, TV series were produced by Marvel Television, which had only loose connections to the main MCU. However, this is no longer the case, as almost all small screen productions, except for Moon Knight, now establish storylines or have repercussions on upcoming live-action MCU films. Therefore, it is vital for Marvel to ensure that every MCU audience member watches these shows. While this has sometimes proven to be a challenge, the issue is not due to a lack of quality.

Marvel, primarily a film studio, approaches these TV series as "six-hour movies," appointing directors instead of traditional showrunners. Although there have been some missteps, particularly with pacing reminiscent of old Marvel Netflix mistakes, the shows have still received widespread acclaim from both viewers and critics. Marvel Studios has made history by securing a staggering 23 Emmy nominations for 2021, a testament to the outstanding quality of their productions. So, how do the Disney+ TV shows from Marvel compare? Here is the official ranking of the initial MCU TV series released on the Disney+ streaming service.

9. Secret Invasion

Marvel Comics' Secret Invasion storyline was a highly anticipated crossover event. However, the MCU's adaptation of it failed to capture the essence of the original. Instead of a suspenseful invasion plot where any MCU character could potentially be a Skrull, Marvel Studios chose to focus solely on Nick Fury, excluding the Avengers from the narrative. This approach was later discarded when the Avengers were reintroduced as the central characters, including in the film Endgame.

The adaptation aimed to conclude Nick Fury's Skrull story, which was introduced in Captain Marvel, and introduce the concept of high-level impersonators. However, Secret Invasion failed to achieve two out of its three objectives. The reveal of James Rhodes as a Skrull was a clever twist, considering his political significance and proximity to the President. However, the timing of when Rhodey became a Skrull is illogical and undermines the story's impact. Furthermore, the Skrull predicament remains unresolved, with them still lacking a home and being exploited for their powers, now labeled as enemies of the people.

In contrast, Nick Fury evades responsibility, avoids his own final confrontation, abandons the Skrulls again, and returns to space without facing the consequences of his actions. Ultimately, the story has come full circle, leaving us exactly where we began. However, Nick Fury is set to have a new adventure in The Marvels, further disconnecting from the unresolved Secret Invasion storyline.

Secret Invasion, unfortunately, suffered from subpar writing, an excessive dependence on rushed resolutions for its twists and cliffhangers, pacing problems (especially in its finale), and character decisions that felt strangely unfamiliar. And not in the manner that was intended.

8. What If...?

Marvel Studios' inaugural animated series, What If...?, utilized the budding multiverse within the MCU to delve into divergent timelines where history unfolded in intriguingly distinct ways. The episodes encompassed a wide spectrum of quality, ranging from captivating character studies to amusingly Dragonball-inspired face-offs between Thor and Captain Marvel across continents. What If...? culminated in a riveting climax as the Watcher, unintentionally setting loose a supremely powerful Ultron infused with Infinity Stone capabilities, rallied the Guardians of the Multiverse to thwart his malevolent reign. However, despite its potential, the show never quite fulfilled its promise, its shortcomings becoming all the more apparent when compared to the conceptually akin yet significantly superior Star Wars Visions, which coincided with one episode of What If...?, heightening the contrast.

7. Falcon & Winter Soldier

Ranked seventh, The Falcon & the Winter Soldier showcases an impressive level of quality. Starring Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson and Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, this series delves into the aftermath of Thanos's snap and witnesses Falcon embracing his role as the new Captain America. With a similar style to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this espionage thriller sends its leading heroes on a global quest to defeat the Flag-Smashers, a group of terrorists. However, the show falls short in terms of its plot execution, as the revelation of the Power Broker feels expected and predictable, leaving little surprise for viewers as soon as Sharon Carter enters the scene. Additionally, the political messages within the show are underdeveloped and even sparked debate regarding their effectiveness in portraying systemic racism. Furthermore, the portrayal of the Flag-Smashers failed to fully engage the audience, as they initially appeared sympathetic but later acted out of character, ultimately meeting a sudden demise. It seemed that Erin Kellyman's character, Karli Morgenthau, was simply killed off due to Marvel's lack of long-term plans for her, rather than for narrative purposes.

Still, despite these criticisms that need to be addressed,

6. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

remains a remarkable triumph. The performances, especially from the two leads, were outstanding, and the story holds up well upon repeat viewing. This Disney+ series fearlessly delved into themes of social justice and boldly reshaped the Captain America narrative by introducing Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, a forgotten Black super-soldier.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law exemplified an exceptional grasp of the distinction between a film and a TV series within the MCU. Tatiana Maslany impeccably embodied the eponymous She-Hulk, also known as Jennifer Walters, the cousin of Bruce Banner, who acquires Hulk-like powers after being exposed to his blood. The show adeptly delved into the development of its supporting characters, employing a relatively conventional A-B plot structure, which was refreshingly unconventional for the MCU. Regrettably, despite its overall enjoyment, the series suffered from a lack of thematic cohesion, notably evident in its conclusion, where Jennifer Walters' emotional trajectory was glossed over in favor of She-Hulk breaking the fourth wall.

5. Hawkeye

There is an undeniable self-awareness to She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but its execution falls short, leaving the show uncertain of its own identity. The Disney+ series heavily relies on cameos, while also emphasizing Jennifer Walters' agency in her own narrative. The main focus seems to be Jennifer's journey of accepting her dual identity as She-Hulk and Jennifer, but the way this resolution is achieved remains unclear, as it is merely explained in the final episode rather than shown. While some episodes stand out as some of the best in the MCU so far, others fail to deliver. Regrettably, She-Hulk will mostly be remembered for its "World War Hulk" setup, overshadowing its potential as a standalone success.

In Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton transformed into the relentless vigilante Ronin after losing his family. Surprisingly, there were no significant repercussions from his time in the shadows once the dust settled from the final battle with Thanos. However, Hawkeye addressed this oversight when Kate Bishop, portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, donned the Ronin costume, unknowingly inviting Clint's old adversaries. Hawkeye offered a refreshing Christmas-themed experience, diverging from the typical Marvel films and TV shows by presenting lighter themes and lower stakes. The story even concluded with a heartwarming Christmas dinner. The on-screen chemistry between Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld was exceptional as they proved to be an effective duo.

Most viewers will remember Hawkeye because of its impact on the MCU's lore, even though it features the return of Vincent D'Onofrio as Kingpin - the character he portrayed in the previous Marvel Netflix TV shows, which were subtly implied to exist in the MCU once again. While D'Onofrio's performance was as exceptional as ever, the introduction of Kingpin was foreshadowed a bit too much, resulting in a lack of impact for the villain reveal. Hawkeye served as a launchpad for Alaqua Cox's Echo, a member of Kingpin's family who was betrayed by Wilson Fisk. She will have her own spinoff, although it remains unclear which direction Marvel will choose for her story.

4. Ms. Marvel

Despite being based on a superhero who debuted in 2014, Ms. Marvel faced low viewership compared to other MCU TV shows when it was released. This can be attributed partly to unfortunate timing, as the show had to compete with the releases of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Thor: Love & Thunder, both of which received more attention. It is unfortunate because Ms. Marvel offered a unique stylistic approach that differed from other Marvel productions. Notably, it introduced the first Muslim-American superhero in the MCU. The show had impressive cinematography, creative visual effects, and a well-developed supporting cast. However, the Clandestines, the villains in the series, underwent a rushed heel-turn and redemption arc, which undermined the overall storyline. Nevertheless, Ms. Marvel ended on a positive note with Kamala Khan, played by Iman Vellani, returning to Jersey to confront Damage Control.

Ms. Marvel, one of the Disney+ TV shows, has made a significant impact on the shared universe, especially with its final episode which establishes its star as the MCU's first official mutant. There has been speculation about how Marvel would incorporate mutants and the X-Men into the MCU, but Ms. Marvel successfully achieves this feat with finesse. As Phase 4 progresses, it will be exciting to witness the further development of this concept, and Kamala Khan is poised to become a pivotal character in the future of the MCU.

3. Loki

In the third position, we have Loki, featuring the return of Tom Hiddleston as the mischievous god after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Following the inadvertent creation of a parallel timeline by the Avengers, Loki managed to escape with the Tesseract during the Battle of New York in 2012. However, he was apprehended by the Time Variance Authority, introducing a fascinating time travel escapade. Hiddleston's character joined forces with Sylvie, portrayed by Sophia Di Martino, who happens to be another version of Loki, leading to an unexpected romantic connection. Together, they unraveled the true source of power within the TVA and set forth the emergence of the new Marvel Multiverse.

Loki, despite its flaws, has some notable pacing issues in Episode 3 and certain plot elements that don't quite fit, such as the inexplicable nexus event caused by the romantic spark between Loki and Sylvie in Episode 4, which occurred on a world about to be destroyed. Sadly, the finale of Loki highlights a core issue with MCU TV shows, as Loki himself is overshadowed by the introduction of Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror. This focus on setup leads to a somewhat unfocused Season 1 finale, with a lengthy information dump.

Nevertheless, Loki is incredibly enjoyable, and the dynamic between Hiddleston and Di Martino, in particular, is absolutely perfect. The series truly embodies a "Journey Into Mystery," with numerous twists and turns, particularly evident in the Easter-egg-filled Episode 5. It showcases the immense potential of the Multiverse concept, presenting Marvel with a plethora of ideas to explore in the future.

2. Moon Knight

Moon Knight is a remarkable departure from the typical MCU Disney+ TV shows, presenting a unique and captivating storyline. The character of Marc Spector, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, stands apart from the mainstream MCU, with the only indication of its placement in the timeline being the phases of the moon. Oscar Isaac's portrayal of the character's Dissociative Identity Disorder presents a real challenge, as he seamlessly transitions between Steven Grant and Marc Spector, sometimes within the same scene. Moon Knight delves into Egyptian mythology and the supernatural, incorporating inventive twists that pay homage to the comics.

While many Disney+ TV shows struggle to create satisfying conclusions, Moon Knight delivers a thematically strong ending, albeit slightly rushed in certain aspects. Notably, May Calamawy's Layla undergoes a transformation into her own superhero persona, the Scarlet Scarab, deserving of a spinoff series. The post-credits scene effectively ties up loose ends while setting the stage for future developments, showcasing a skillful twist that enhances the overall worth of the show.

1. WandaVision

Starting with WandaVision, Elizabeth Olsen stars as Wanda Maximoff, and Paul Bettany as Vision. This show stands out as the most innovative among the Disney+ TV series within the MCU, as it combines the elements of a superhero sitcom. The execution of the core concept is impressive, with viewers initially as bewildered as Wanda herself, gradually uncovering the truth. The clever writing effectively handles revisions to the Scarlet Witch's origin story, presenting Wanda in a formidable new light. Notably, there are unforgettable dialogues throughout the series, such as Vision's poignant line, "What is grief but love persevering?" In addition, the remarkable soundtrack, including the Emmy-nominated song "Agatha All Along," adds further depth to WandaVision's excellence.

WandaVision marked Marvel Studios' debut in television production, raising the standards for the future. While subsequent Disney+ TV series have yet to surpass this benchmark, it is important to acknowledge that these are early stages. Marvel's second wave of TV shows has now commenced, introducing fresh MCU characters through the Disney+ platform. Marvel is only just embarking on this journey, and undoubtedly, the studio will learn from any missteps, ensuring that future MCU TV shows will only get better.