The Unveiled Truths: What The MCU’s Top 10 Rotten Tomatoes Series Expose About the Epic Franchise
Discover the fascinating insights revealed by the top 10 Rotten Tomatoes series of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Unveiling post-Endgame challenges, underappreciated gems, the power of multiverse storytelling, and the return of beloved characters Marvel's TV triumphs and future prospects are explored
Summary
Marvel's expansion into TV with Disney+ has not affected the quality of its shows, as many of them have received high critical approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
The show "Ms. Marvel" has faced criticism from a small group of individuals, but it is important to note that these negative opinions come from a minority. This is evident in the show's impressive approval rating of 98% and its position as the highest-rated Marvel TV series.
Marvel's strategic incorporation of references to the Young Avengers in different Disney+ shows suggests that they are laying the foundation for a team centered around teenage characters. This approach aligns with the success and popularity of shows like "Ms. Marvel," "Loki," "Hawkeye," and "WandaVision."
The conclusion of the Infinity Saga with Avengers: Endgame marked a turning point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), leading to a significant expansion of TV productions. The top 10 highest-rated series on Rotten Tomatoes offer insights into this development, challenging the belief that WandaVision was Marvel's debut in television. In reality, the franchise has had numerous small-screen adaptations over the years. Although WandaVision was the first project solely produced by Marvel Studios, several characters from the popular comic franchise have made their way to TV. However, the majority of the MCU's expansion into the Multiverse Saga has occurred through Disney+ and the TV properties created since 2019. Shows like WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and Secret Invasion have contributed to the broader storytelling of the MCU after the events of Endgame. While critical reception for these TV installments has varied, the top 10 highest-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe TV shows on Rotten Tomatoes provide valuable insights into the franchise as a whole.
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10 Marvel’s Post-Endgame Problems Are Not Because Of Disney+
One surprising revelation about the franchise based on the MCU's top 10 rated shows may challenge common beliefs. Many Marvel fans have been quick to blame the recent shortcomings of the MCU on the expanding content on Disney+. However, the critical approval ratings of the MCU's TV shows seem to contradict this assumption. Since 2019, Marvel Studios has developed a total of nine Disney+ TV shows, excluding the animated shorts in I Am Groot. Interestingly, six out of those nine productions have secured a position in the top 10 among all Marvel-produced shows on Rotten Tomatoes.
9 Ms. Marvel Is The MCU’s Most Over-Hated Project
The projects, ranked from highest to lowest, include Ms. Marvel, What If...?, Hawkeye, Loki, WandaVision, and Moon Knight. Even the lowest-rated project, Moon Knight in 2022, still received an approval rating of 86% from critics and 89% from audiences. This indicates that the decline in quality of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since Avengers: Endgame cannot be solely attributed to Marvel Studios' expansion into TV. Instead, the main issues stem from the lack of a clear plan and the extended gaps between projects where beloved characters are absent.
The introduction of Ms. Marvel in 2022 unveils another intriguing aspect of the MCU. The titular hero, Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teenager, takes the spotlight in this show. Despite the negative perception from a vocal minority within the fanbase, online criticism of Ms. Marvel as a misstep for the MCU stands in contrast to the show's strong Rotten Tomatoes score. Such criticisms mainly stem from objections to the show's upheld social values.
When examining the critical reception of Ms. Marvel, its true impact becomes even more evident. Currently, Ms. Marvel holds an impressive 98% approval rating on the renowned platform Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing every other TV series produced by Marvel in history. Remarkably, this exceptional score positions Ms. Marvel above all previous projects from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the extensive lineup of films. This astonishing fact serves as undeniable evidence that the outspoken naysayers do not accurately represent the immense adoration that Ms. Marvel has garnered, making it one of the most unjustly criticized endeavors in the MCU.
8 Marvel’s Young Avengers Teases Made Sense
When it comes to the upcoming Marvel Disney+ shows, it appears that there will be more hints and indications for the Young Avengers in the MCU. With projects such as Loki season 2, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, and Ironheart, characters like Kid Loki, Wiccan and Speed, and Riri Williams respectively could be paving the way for this teenage superhero team. This will build upon the ongoing teases for the Young Avengers that have been present in Phases 4 and 5, particularly in the Disney+ shows.
7 Agents Of Shield Should Be Brought Back Into Marvel Canon
Phases 4 and 5 have already introduced a number of potential members for the MCU Young Avengers, including Kate Bishop, America Chavez, Ms. Marvel, and Eli Bradley/Patriot. These hints towards the formation of the Young Avengers were seen in Phase 4's various MCU TV shows, alongside characters like Kid Loki, Wiccan, and Speed. The Rotten Tomatoes scores for the top 10 Marvel shows reaffirm the significance of these Young Avengers teases. In shows like Ms. Marvel, Loki, Hawkeye, and WandaVision, these hints were cleverly included, making all four series part of the top 10 highest-rated MCU shows.
One of the most intriguing Marvel TV series in the top 10 Rotten Tomatoes ranking is Agents of SHIELD. Serving as a television sequel to The Avengers, Agents of SHIELD premiered in 2013 and centers around the resurrected Phil Coulson and his adventures within the eponymous organization in the ever-evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spanning across seven seasons, the show's connection to the official MCU timeline has consistently been questioned since its conclusion. Despite the appearances of notable MCU characters like Nick Fury and Lady Sif, as well as references to films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the series' alignment with the MCU became increasingly uncertain during its last two seasons.
6 The MCU's Phase 5 Is Wise To Bet On Daredevil: Born Again
Agents of SHIELD may still be uncertain in terms of its status as canon to the MCU, as Marvel Studios has yet to confirm it. However, the Rotten Tomatoes score of the show suggests that it deserves to be considered as part of the MCU. With a rating of 95%, Agents of SHIELD is the second highest-rated Marvel TV show, surpassed only by Ms. Marvel. The show's consistent quality is evident throughout its seven seasons, as the 95% overall rating is an aggregation of each individual season's score. The unwavering dedication of its fanbase further solidifies the argument for bringing Agents of SHIELD back into the MCU canon.
Similar to Agents of SHIELD, Daredevil is another Marvel TV show that ranks in the top 10 based on Rotten Tomatoes scores. However, its status within the MCU canon remains unclear. Despite being produced on Netflix and having three seasons, it is uncertain if the events of the show are considered canon. Nonetheless, Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio have reprised their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin, respectively, in MCU projects such as Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Hawkeye. Whether or not the storyline of Netflix's Daredevil is part of the MCU canon, it is confirmed that these two characters are, as they are set to appear in the Phase 5 TV show, Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil: Born Again, featuring Cox's Daredevil and D'Onofrio's Kingpin, is set to premiere in 2024 as an 18-episode series. However, due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, there may be a potential delay. What sets Daredevil: Born Again apart is that it will be the largest Marvel Studios production to date, with a season consisting of 18 episodes, surpassing the previous nine-episode limit. This strategic move for Phase 5 has proven to be a wise bet, especially considering that Netflix's Daredevil has achieved a commendable score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, ranking it within the top 10 of Marvel's series.
5 Marvel’s First Animated Show Was A Success
The success of What If...? being among the top 10 highest-rated MCU shows uncovers another aspect of the franchise. With an impressive approval rating of 94%, What If...? stands as the third highest-rated show on Rotten Tomatoes, just behind Agents of SHIELD and Ms. Marvel. Introducing Marvel's inaugural foray into animation, the series encompasses nine anthology episodes that delve into diverse universes within the extensive Marvel multiverse. The overwhelmingly positive reception of What If...? undoubtedly signifies the resounding triumph of Marvel's maiden venture into animated storytelling.
4 Luke Cage Should Be Brought Back Alongside Daredevil & Punisher
Luke Cage, one of Netflix's Marvel productions set in the same universe as Daredevil, is ranked among Marvel's top 10 shows on Rotten Tomatoes. With the reappearance of Daredevil characters in the MCU, there have been calls for the reintegration of other Netflix shows like Jessica Jones and The Punisher into the franchise. While Daredevil: Born Again has been confirmed to feature Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher, no other Marvel Netflix characters have been confirmed yet.
Interestingly, Luke Cage is often excluded from discussions about bringing the Netflix characters into the mainline MCU. However, the fact that Luke Cage is the only other Marvel show from the Netflix universe in the Rotten Tomatoes top 10 suggests that the character should be reintegrated. Mike Colter's portrayal of Luke Cage was remarkable, and the show received positive responses from critics, evident in its 87% approval rating. Therefore, considering the critical reception, it is worth contemplating the return of Luke Cage to the MCU.
3 Marvel’s Pacing Problems In Phases 4 & 5 Persist
Despite the positive reception of Marvel's top 10 TV shows on Rotten Tomatoes, there are also negative aspects to consider. One such issue is the continued problem of pacing in the post-Endgame era of Marvel. A recent reveal sheds light on the fact that Anthony Mackie's Captain America will be absent from the MCU for a total of 26 projects between Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World. The expansion of content in the Multiverse Saga is the main reason for this, showcasing the pacing issues with Phases 4 and 5 as characters have long periods of absence after their debut.
This problem is also evident when examining the top 10 rated MCU shows on Rotten Tomatoes. WandaVision, Loki, Hawkeye, and Moon Knight all make the list, but only one major character from these shows has made a subsequent appearance as of the release of Secret Invasion. Wanda Maximoff appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but the other characters remain absent. Although Loki season 2 is set for release in October 2023, the problem still persists.
2 Marvel Has A Noticeably Underrated Series
The TV series, Cloak and Dagger, often goes unnoticed in discussions about the highest-rated Marvel shows on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite its connection to the MCU and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 87%, it is rarely mentioned online. Cloak and Dagger, produced for Freeform, is ranked as the eighth highest-rated show in the franchise's history.
1 Loki Being An Integral Multiverse Saga Character Was A Great Choice
The revelation at the end highlights the remarkable success of Marvel's top 10 series on Rotten Tomatoes, particularly the connection to Loki. Among critics, Loki stands as the fifth highest-rated Marvel show, boasting an impressive rating of 92%. Additionally, it secures the second highest rating from fans, reaching an audience approval rating of 92%. These ratings clearly demonstrate the brilliance of incorporating Loki into the Multiverse Saga. The unwavering adoration for this character exhibited by both critics and audiences alike serves as a testament to his enduring appeal. As we eagerly await Loki season 2, it is evident that his storyline will undoubtedly contribute further to the overarching narrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
