From the legendary Incredible Hulk TV series to network successes like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and even the gritty Netflix street-level shows that brought Daredevil and Luke Cage to streaming audiences, Marvel Comics have a rich history of inspiring television adaptations. Previous live-action TV efforts to connect with the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe often faltered—who still recalls Runaways or Cloak and Dagger?—but 2021 marked a turning point. This pivotal moment began when the Mouse House loaded its flagship streaming platform, Disney+, with new series intricately woven into the multibillion-dollar film franchise that made Marvel Studios famous.
As the delightful Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man swings onto our screens as the 13th Marvel show on Disney+ in just four years, we felt it was an ideal time to revisit the Marvel Studios television that preceded it. Much like the Avengers sharing a shawarma meal amid the wreckage of New York, the Marvel specialists at IGN convened to break it all down, each ranking all 12 Disney+ Marvel TV shows to date and combining those rankings. We'll update this list with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man once the series concludes.
Every Marvel TV Show in the Disney+ Era Ranked
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12. Secret Invasion
It feels genuinely odd to reflect on the fact that we received a Secret Invasion series—and that it was so poorly received that our voting panel nearly unanimously deemed it the weakest series Marvel TV has ever produced. From a comic book standpoint, Secret Invasion is a landmark, game-changing event in Marvel Comics lore, yet this show disregarded that legacy. Director Ali Selim frequently stated he hadn't read the source material and felt it unnecessary for crafting a compelling story. The MCU has shown that when creators have a clear vision, departures can yield compelling new interpretations of classic tales, but Secret Invasion simply lacked the depth and creativity required.
Attempting to recapture the Cold War espionage vibe of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Secret Invasion centered on Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) battling a Skrull infiltration. However, sluggish pacing, an AI-generated opening sequence, the abrupt and disrespectful fridging of a beloved female character, and the introduction of a bizarre superpowered character likely never to return cemented this series at the very bottom of the MCU's Disney+ television offerings.
11. Echo
The jump in quality from Secret Invasion is substantial, so while Echo lands in 11th place, it's far from being as criticized as our lowest-ranked entry. Alaqua Cox reprises her role from Hawkeye as the deaf Cheyenne superhero Echo in this tight, action-focused story about her return to the reservation, where she grapples with her abilities, her history, and her bond with the man who raised her—Daredevil's notorious antagonist, Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio).
Like many later Marvel Studios TV projects, Echo underwent edits and a reduced episode count, leaving some viewers wanting more. Still, it features standout action scenes, including a thrilling clash with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) that sets a high bar from the start. The series also broke new ground with its predominantly indigenous cast and creative team both on and off screen. Though it may not have resonated as strongly as some higher-ranked shows, it remains a compelling, emotionally rich, and distinctive addition to the MCU well worth watching.
10. Moon Knight
You might be surprised to see this Oscar Isaac-led vehicle ranked so low, but it simply didn't generate enough enthusiasm among our voters to climb higher. The multiple personas of Marc Spector fill this dark antihero tale with intrigue and chaos as the titular hero fights to keep his sanity amid bursts of brutal combat. This surreal series blends elements of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Indiana Jones, and Marvel's own Fox-era X-Men-inspired series, Legion.
As with most Marvel series—both pre- and post-Disney+—the writers ensured to introduce a new hero, Scarlet Scarab (May Calamawy), who emerged as a standout by the finale. Backed by F. Murray Abraham voicing Khonshu and Ethan Hawke as the sinister Dr. Arthur Harrow, Moon Knight boasted a talented cast but ultimately couldn't punch its way to the top of our rankings or secure a second season.
9. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
While it had the potential to be a high-flying success, The Falcon & the Winter Soldier struggled to gain altitude. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise their film roles as the title duo, and fans appreciated their on-screen dynamic. However, this second Marvel TV series on Disney+ was hampered by ambiguous morality, an overreliance on the Blip timeline, and a focus on spy intrigue over spectacular aerial action.
Notably, this was the first TV project developed by Marvel Studios and was initially set to debut first. The COVID pandemic reshuffled the release calendar, however, letting WandaVision take the premiere spot. It's unclear how much the global health crisis affected the final product, but production halted from March to August 2020. Despite its flaws, many story elements from this series are crucial for understanding the MCU's current landscape, especially with this year's Thunderbolts* film.
