The Ultimate Ranking of Netflix's Marvel TV Shows: Unveiling the Best and Dimming the Worst

Summary

Iron Fist is considered the worst of The Defenders series due to a lackluster protagonist, mediocre side characters, and pacing issues.

The Defenders, while entertaining, comes across as more of a continuation of Daredevil rather than an independent series, and lacks the ability to enhance the narratives of other non-Daredevil heroes.

Daredevil stands out as the standout show among the Defenders, boasting compelling characters, breathtaking fight sequences, and a formidable antagonist in Kingpin. Despite its cancellation, the show concluded with a satisfying ending and the character is set to make an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ranked from worst to best, here are all the Defenders shows from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on Netflix. The saga includes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher. These series debuted on Netflix, starting with Daredevil in April 2015. Unfortunately, all six shows were canceled, leaving many storylines unresolved.

In early 2021, the Defenders shows were moved to Disney+, indicating a potential integration into the MCU. This move also presented an opportunity for Marvel and Disney to either continue the unfinished stories or take a new direction and breathe new life into the characters. Despite their darker tone and graphic violence compared to the movies, the Defenders shows are becoming increasingly important in the MCU timeline, albeit less gory. While the shows share similarities like featuring Rosario Dawson as loyal friend Claire Temple, they also have distinct differences that spark debates about their overall quality. Here are the Marvel/Netflix Defenders shows, ranked from worst to best.

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Iron Fist

Having completed his martial arts training in the mystical and long-lost city of K'un-Lun, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) emerges as the formidable Iron Fist upon gaining the ability to channel his chi into his hand. He makes his return to the bustling streets of New York City, where a consequential choice awaits him - to either carry forward his family's business legacy or embrace his newfound title as the Iron Fist.

The series, despite featuring enjoyable fight sequences rooted in martial arts, is widely regarded as the weakest installment in The Defenders series. The main reason for this consensus is the lackluster performance of the protagonist, Danny. He comes across as dull, often whining and self-righteous, and his powers pale in comparison to those of the other Defenders. It is important to note that this criticism is not aimed at the actor, Jones, but rather the writing, which also results in disappointing pacing and mediocre side characters whose roles in the series remain unclear.

A more compelling approach would have been to shift the focus onto the captivating Colleen Wing (played by Jessica Henwick), whose formidable skills would have made her a far more fitting Iron Fist. Although she does adopt the role in the closing moments of the second season (after Danny finally acknowledges his shortcomings), the show's cancellation prevented any exploration of Colleen as the central character. Iron Fist never fully achieved its potential, but there is room for improvement if Disney+ chooses to revive it.

The Defenders

The Defenders thrillingly unites the beloved heroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist as they take on the sinister organization of mystical ninjas known as The Hand. While the ensemble cast brings an enjoyable element to the series, it feels more like an extension of Daredevil season 2 rather than a standalone show. Viewers must have seen Daredevil season 2 to fully grasp the storyline, and the events in The Defenders directly lead into Daredevil season 3, leaving unanswered plot details if watched out of order.

In addition, the series suffers from a slow pace and lacks innovative fight sequences, despite its concise eight episodes. Surprisingly, The Defenders places a peculiar focus on Iron Fist, who is arguably the least captivating character among the group. Unfortunately, even this heightened attention fails to contribute anything substantial to his story or the narratives of the other non-Daredevil heroes. While the motivation behind Netflix debuting an ensemble series is understandable, the end result is a sub-par show overall.

The Punisher

The Punisher follows the journey of Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) as he delves into a conspiracy involving his wife and children's death. Over the course of two seasons, he grapples with integrating his violent alter-ego, the Punisher, with his normal, quiet beginnings. Bernthal delivers a stellar performance portraying the anti-hero, using his traumatic past as a Marine to shed light on significant issues such as PTSD and gun violence.

Regrettably, the show progresses slowly, unnecessarily dragging out storylines that could have been condensed into a single season. Ben Barnes impresses as the villain Jigsaw in season 1, but the introduction of the original character, John Pilgrim, as the antagonist in season 2 hinders the overall narrative. It would have been more beneficial for the Punisher's origin story to explore a villain associated with established Marvel lore. Additionally, The Punisher is notably the most violent among the six series, potentially making it challenging to watch for those who are sensitive or faint-hearted.

Luke Cage

Luke Cage's superhuman abilities, acquired through a tampered experiment, give him immense strength and an invincible skin. As he strives to reconstruct his life in Harlem and confront his criminal history, he grapples with the challenges of being a formidable superhero. With a strong focus on social issues like racism and the rich culture of Harlem, Luke Cage remains grounded in reality while still embodying the essence of a superhero. Notably, the show boasts a predominantly Black cast, indicating a positive shift towards inclusivity within the franchise.

Considered by many as one of the finest seasons within the Defenders saga, the first season of Luke Cage stands out. Mike Colter flawlessly portrays the conflicted yet heroic protagonist, especially in his dynamic with the antagonist Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes, played brilliantly by the Academy Award-winning Mahershala Ali. However, the second season fails to reach the potential set by its predecessor. Despite an impactful original soundtrack, the addition of the Jamaican villain Jon "Bushmaster" McIver, portrayed by Mustafa Shakir, leads to a convoluted plot.

Luke Cage season 2 delves deeper into the personal histories of secondary characters, detracting from the action and well-structured flow, and ultimately resulting in an unsatisfying conclusion. In the end, Luke assumes leadership of Harlem's Paradise, a role previously held by his adversaries. Disappointingly, this sets the stage for his potential corruption, and unless the series continues on Disney+, his story remains unresolved and devoid of redemption.

Jessica Jones

The success of Jessica Jones largely stems from its protagonist. Similar to Luke, Jessica, a private investigator, gained her superhuman abilities through an experiment. She possesses a moody and abrasive nature, which initially presents challenges but ultimately endears her to audiences. Jessica is a formidable character, both physically and intellectually, and her backstory, personality, and intelligence are integral to the plot. Additionally, Jessica Jones delves into her reluctance to conform to the typical female superhero archetype.

In Jessica Jones season 1, it is revealed that the antagonist Kilgrave (played by David Tennant) had previously subjected her to mind control and coerced her into committing the murder of Luke's wife. The season delves into dark themes such as drug abuse, alcoholism, trauma, and Jessica's struggles with PTSD resulting from being under Kilgrave's control. Furthermore, Kilgrave proves to be a formidable villain who embodies the traits of abuse, obsession, and a sense of entitlement over Jessica, leading to unnervingly realistic situations. While Kilgrave's absence slows down the pace in season 2, the storyline picks up momentum again in season 3 when Jessica is compelled to put an end to her best friend's vigilante rampage. The three seasons consistently maintain a noir-like ambiance, which is occasionally lightened by Jessica's sarcastic wit, offering some relief while navigating through the emotionally challenging content.

Daredevil

Vigilante Daredevil, also known as lawyer Matt Murdock, experienced permanent blindness during his childhood. This impairment granted him heightened senses that he utilizes to combat crime within his hometown, Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. The inner struggle that Daredevil frequently faces is the conflict between his day job as a lawyer and his involvement in violent vigilantism. Interestingly, this raises questions about his ethics and unwavering commitment to Catholicism. Among the Defenders, Daredevil possesses the most captivating abilities, such as the remarkable talent of distinguishing individuals through their distinct breathing patterns. These exceptional attributes contribute to Daredevil being hailed as the paramount show among all the Defenders.

Daredevil features skilled martial artist Murdock, whose acrobatics and fight scenes rival those of Danny. The series boasts a strong supporting cast, including colleagues Foggy Nelson and Karen Page. It shares a common thread with The Punisher in its graphic display of violence, adding an extra layer of horror. Furthermore, Daredevil excels in showcasing gritty, street-level fighting unlike any other Marvel series.

The standout villain of seasons 1 and 3 is Kingpin, also known as Wilson Fisk, portrayed impeccably by Vincent D'Onofrio. His complex nature elicits both genuine fear and sympathy. Seasons 2 and 3 introduce intriguing characters like Frank Castle, Elektra Natchios (Matt's ex-girlfriend), and Bullseye. Despite these additions and their intricate storylines, Daredevil manages to maintain a cohesive narrative. Even though the show was unfortunately canceled before its time, it concludes with the most satisfying ending among the Defenders shows.

Fortunately, Daredevil's story didn't come to an end. Marvel seems to agree that Daredevil is the top-notch Defenders show. In fact, Kingpin and Daredevil are the first Defenders characters to make an appearance in the MCU. But that's not all. Daredevil will be receiving a new 18-episode season on Disney+ called Daredevil: Born Again, making it the longest original series on the platform. Excitingly, Matt is set to embark on a quest to find Jessica in the upcoming series Echo, fueling anticipation for another Defenders' appearance in the MCU. With his connection to The Avengers and his involvement in the search for Jessica, Daredevil is playing a crucial role in finally integrating part of The Defenders saga into the MCU.