The static crackled as the screen flickered to life, a distorted sitcom reality bleeding into view. For weeks, social media timelines were awash with theories, each episode of WandaVision devoured and dissected with an intensity usually reserved for Super Bowl halftime shows. It felt like Marvel had finally cracked the code to television, only for the promise to dim with each subsequent series.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe gears up for what could be another monumental climax with Avengers: Doomsday, it’s worth pausing to reflect on how this chapter began. Unlike the Infinity Saga, which unfolded primarily on the big screen, the Multiverse Saga took its first steps on television. Before Black Widow hit cinemas in the summer of 2021, three TV shows had already dropped, setting the stage for a new era of interconnected storytelling.
Unlike the Netflix series and shows like Runaways and Agents of SHIELD, these new series fully embraced their connection to the MCU. The first few shows served almost as direct epilogues to the events of Avengers: Endgame.
The 'WandaVision' Spark
Remember back in January 2021? The world was still largely locked down, craving connection and novelty. Enter WandaVision, a series that dared to be weird, introspective, and genuinely engaging. The show, focusing on Wanda Maximoff’s grief over Vision’s death in Infinity War, was a gamble that paid off handsomely, earning widespread acclaim and making its lead characters compelling week after week.
Perhaps the show’s success was amplified by the fact that 2020 had been devoid of MCU content. WandaVision became a shared cultural experience, a collective breath of fresh air for both the characters and the audience. Over eight weeks, viewers laughed, debated theories, and embraced the show’s quirky charm.
Yet, despite a finale that some felt betrayed its earlier promise, WandaVision may have inadvertently set an impossibly high bar. Subsequent MCU TV shows have struggled to replicate its success with critics, audiences, or both. While series like Ms. Marvel and Loki garnered praise—at least until they became blatant setups for future films—the overall impact of Marvel’s TV foray is debatable. If keeping up with the movies felt like a chore, keeping up with the TV shows often felt like a double workload, especially when shows like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Secret Invasion seemed designed to set up storylines that ultimately fizzled.
Is there an MCU TV show order?
Think back to your last binge-watching session. Did you ever consider that some shows might have been better suited to a different format? Falcon and Moon Knight might have resonated more as films, while Eternals and the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World could have benefited from the extended canvas of television. Early on, part of the challenge stemmed from Marvel’s reluctance to fully embrace the medium of television. It wasn’t until She-Hulk and the creative reset of Daredevil: Born Again that this resistance began to soften. Had Marvel not acknowledged these shortcomings, Born Again might have remained a one-off, rather than earning additional seasons.
This critique primarily applies to live-action series. With the exception of Marvel Zombies, the animated shows (including What If…? and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man) seem more aware of their place within the larger narrative. This discrepancy is frustrating, especially given that some of Marvel’s strongest work across all media has been in animation. Imagine, for instance, how compelling characters like Black Panther or Iron Fist could be in animated form, free from the constraints of live-action continuity and the multiverse. The shows were created with the looming influence of prestige TV in mind, a shadow that will likely persist.
How many MCU shows are there?
Consider that the MCU’s television operation is now in a position where it must adapt to the norms of television rather than dictating its own terms. Future projects like Nova, Strange Academy, and the potential return of Jessica Jones will reveal whether Marvel can learn from past mistakes. These projects, like the ship of Theseus, are in a process of continual redefinition.
What is the best MCU TV show?
The lesson from the past five years is that you can’t simply graft a cinematic universe onto the small screen and expect it to thrive. To find success on TV, you need to understand the audience is a different animal altogether. The format demands a different type of story and pacing. Will Marvel truly embrace the unique opportunities offered by television, or will its TV efforts continue to feel like an afterthought?
Here’s to five years of MCU television: may the next five be more focused and less convoluted. What’s the one MCU show you think has truly nailed the formula, and why?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.