Unleashing Marvel Magic: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Marvel TV Shows

Are you ready to dive into the world of superheroes and thrilling adventures? Look no further because we have compiled a list of the best Marvel TV shows that will leave you on the edge of your seat! From the supernatural suspense of "Helstrom" to the electrifying action of "Iron Fist," and the mind-bending mysteries of "WandaVision," this lineup has something for every Marvel fan. Join us as we explore the captivating worlds and incredible stories of these must-watch series, guaranteed to keep you hooked from start to finish. Get ready to indulge in the Marvel universe like never before!

Helstrom (2020)

The television show Helstrom, released in 2020, was the final live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) show on Hulu before the launch of Disney Plus. Unfortunately, it received significant negative criticism and was canceled after just one season. The show is considered difficult to watch, as it consists of a gloomy and predictable series of exorcist and paranormal tropes, with very little connection to the original comic book characters. Following the story of two siblings with demonic abilities, it lacks likable characters, well-developed plots, strong performances, and impressive visual effects. If you are interested in a supernatural story about fighting demons, I recommend checking out the show Evil on Paramount Plus. If you are looking for superhero content, there are many other MCU shows that are more enjoyable to watch. —Samantha Nelson

Agent Carter (2015-2016)

While WandaVision explores the aftermath of losing a loved one for an immensely powerful superhero, Agent Carter takes a different approach by delving into similar themes but with a focus on powerlessness. After the events of Captain America: The First Avenger, Peggy Carter, Captain America's "best girl," mourns his supposed death and tries to continue her heroic work in an environment that is increasingly dismissive of female heroes.

Just like the real-life societal shift that occurred during World War II, with women taking on traditional men's work and then being sidelined when the soldiers returned, Agent Carter tackles the sexism and condescension faced by Peggy Carter (portrayed brilliantly by Hayley Atwell) in her job at the FBI-like Strategic Scientific Reserve. When her male colleagues treat her disrespectfully, viewing her as a sidekick who only gained equality because of Captain America's influence, she is forced to secretly fight against America's enemies with the help of Howard Stark's butler, Jarvis (portrayed by James D'Arcy). The series is sharp, with meaningful conflicts, an overarching plot reminiscent of Marvel movies, and a noir-style portrayal of gender dynamics and the life of a private investigator. Atwell and D'Arcy make an exceptional team, and the show's visual style captures the essence of the era it references. It is undeniably a modern MCU show rather than a period piece, but it successfully incorporates beloved elements of costuming, cinematography, humor, and storytelling from that era. —TR

Iron Fist (2017-2018)

The first season of Iron Fist received rightful criticism for its portrayal of Danny Rand, a privileged white man using his "Chosen One" powers to overshadow the people of color who should have been his loyal allies. However, the second season, under the direction of showrunner Raven Metzner, made a remarkable course correction by shifting the focus away from Danny and developing the supporting cast.

Sacha Dhawan delivers an outstanding performance as Davos, Danny's former ally turned bitter rival. Misty Knight, a law enforcement officer from the show Luke Cage, challenges Danny's vigilante abilities and works to find better solutions to the problems faced in Chinatown. The show still struggles with developing some of the supporting characters, and it suffers from having too many subplots and villains. However, it manages to end in a surprising place compared to where it began. It is unfortunate that there was no continuation or spinoff to further explore the show's potential in the realm of mystical kung-fu. —SN

Inhumans (2017)

Originally planned as an MCU movie and its own separate sub-franchise, Inhumans faced several challenges due to its premise. The show revolves around an isolated society of superpowered individuals who live by their own rules, secluded from the rest of the world. However, a series centered on characters disconnected from human society lacks the relatable aspects that make MCU characters compelling. Furthermore, the plot focuses on a coup that could potentially change the oppressive oligarchy governing the Inhumans, but fails to create significant stakes for viewers.

Inhumans gained some interest from MCU fans when an alternate version of Black Bolt, one of the main characters, appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, this did not make Inhumans any more captivating or enjoyable to watch. The acting feels stiff, the writing appears clumsy, and the main antagonist, Maximus, comes across as an overtly evil and predictable character. Even when the action shifts from the moon to Earth, the story lacks depth and fails to resonate with viewers. The series may technically deliver what its title promises, but it ultimately falls short of delivering an engaging and compelling narrative. —Tasha Robinson

Runaways (2017-2019)

To be completely honest, Runaways would likely have a higher ranking on this list if the titular characters had decided to run away sooner. The original comics series, created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, allowed the young protagonists to discover early on that their parents were powerful supervillains, leading them to run away together out of fear and frustration. This premise provided intriguing storylines about homeless kids coming to terms with their powers and fighting villains without adult guidance. However, the television adaptation spent the entire first season with the characters indecisive about what to do after discovering their parents' dark secrets. Instead, the show focused equally on their parents' power struggles and relationship dramas, diluting the attention on the main characters.

Subsequent seasons did devote more time to the young heroes, but the show was hindered by an overcrowded cast and a misguided attempt to make the parents more relatable despite their exploitative and murderous actions. Furthermore, the show often introduced short-term and quickly resolved subplots, such as a plot about mind control spread through cell phones, which prevented the development of significant stakes or a cohesive narrative. While Runaways is not a terrible young adult adventure, it suffered from a decline in quality as the seasons progressed, resulting in diminishing returns. —TR

The Punisher (2017-2019)

Jon Bernthal gives an intense and powerful performance as Frank Castle, the Marine-turned-vigilante known as The Punisher. His portrayal in Daredevil season 2 was a standout, and the first season of The Punisher remains one of the strongest stories in the Netflix MCU. Although the character's legacy is problematic, showrunner Steve Lightfoot successfully avoids turning the show into a mere revenge fantasy by including thought-provoking plots that explore topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the military industrial complex, and ethical hacking. The show is also supported by a fantastic ensemble cast, with Ben Barnes delivering a charming yet villainous performance, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach bringing much-needed levity as Micro, Frank Castle's partner.

However, the second season fails to recapture the magic of the first season. Micro's absence is sorely felt, and the character of DHS agent Dinah Madani transitions from a fierce foil to a victim. The second season's plot feels repetitive, covering similar conflicts to those presented in the first season without offering much that is new or compelling. While many Netflix MCU shows experienced a decline in quality after their first season, The Punisher's second and final season was the most disappointing. —SN

Cloak & Dagger (2018-2019)

The Freeform show Cloak & Dagger started strongly, driven by the powerful chemistry between Tandy Bowen (aka Dagger) and Tyrone Johnson (aka Cloak), two teenagers trying to understand their new powers and the accident that granted them. The show diverged from the comics canon and explored a mix of wonder, romance, and societal issues such as police brutality, addiction, and corporate corruption.

Unfortunately, as the series progressed, it lost some of its initial charm and failed to live up to its potential. The storyline became muddled with unnecessary brutality, characters were poorly developed, and each season ended with near-apocalyptic conflicts. While not a terrible young adult adventure, Cloak & Dagger suffered from diminishing returns and failed to fully deliver on its promise. —SN

Loki (2021)

It's important to note that this ranking of Loki was done before the conclusion of the show's first season. As of this assessment, the ending feels more like a setup for future Marvel movies rather than a satisfying conclusion in its own right. The first season of Loki takes viewers on a mind-bending journey filled with game-changing revelations for the MCU, particularly for the character of Loki, who has undergone significant changes throughout the films. However, some of these changes have been reversed or retracted. Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of Loki remains exceptional, with his expressive presence making the show stand out regardless of its flaws. Although Loki offers creativity, vibrant visuals, and enjoyable moments, it often feels rushed and lacks the opportunity for deeper character development and emotional exploration that some other shows on this list provide. It is the most entertaining MCU show on Disney Plus, but as of now, it feels like an unfinished story. —TR

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

Although The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is considered a rushed and somewhat clumsy story, it still manages to excel in portraying the journeys of former Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson as he assumes the mantle of Captain America. The show touches on themes of grief, loss, and mentorship, showcasing the struggles faced by these two characters individually as they come to terms with the absence of their mentor. At first, they resent each other for not living up to their mentor's legacy, but eventually, they bond and learn from their respective experiences.

Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan bring warmth and complexity to their roles, creating vulnerable and relatable characters despite some of the show's broader storytelling elements. The show does have flaws, including rushed narrative moments and heavy-handed speeches, but at its best, it successfully delivers an impactful action bromance. —TR

WandaVision (2021)

WandaVision takes some time to reveal its true nature as a story about navigating grief and loss in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame. The series centers around Wanda Maximoff, who, in complete denial, creates a sitcom-style reality featuring a recreated version of her deceased love, Vision. The show's creators explore various sitcom eras, showcasing their creativity and delivering a unique visual and stylistic experience compared to other MCU shows.

The standout features of WandaVision are the freedom to creatively explore the characters and the depth of emotions portrayed by Wanda as she confronts her rage, guilt, and selfishness. While the finale of the show feels messy and leaves loose ends to set up future movies, WandaVision remains an enjoyable and wild ride throughout its duration. It successfully balances weirdness, emotional depth, and creativity, making it a remarkable addition to the MCU. —TR

Hawkeye (2021)

It makes sense that many of the Marvel shows that come after Avengers: Endgame focus on the aftermath of that movie and the characters dealing with loss and identity. However, Hawkeye feels different. It's smaller in scale and lacks originality compared to other shows. While it does incorporate a plot thread from Black Widow and a villain from Daredevil, it mainly serves as an introduction to a new hero, Kate Bishop, and explores lesser-known Marvel Comics characters. The show isn't bad, but it's not particularly impressive either. —TR

What If…? (2021)

What If...? is often overlooked compared to other MCU shows, possibly due to viewer fatigue or a perception that it doesn't impact the overarching MCU storyline. However, this series shouldn't be dismissed. The first few episodes follow a familiar pattern, but later episodes become darker or more fun. The season finale integrates all the previous episodes in surprising ways and ties up loose ends. While individual episodes may vary in quality, the overall season is cohesive and leads to an exciting conclusion. —TR

Moon Knight (2022)

Is Moon Knight part of the MCU? Executive producer Grant Curtis says it is, but the connections to the larger universe are minimal. This gives the creators more freedom to tell a thrilling and strange story centered around the mysterious Steven Grant. The series has a mix of worldwide and personal stakes, and Oscar Isaac's performance adds to its strength. While it has some pacing issues and gets distracted by irrelevant plot points, Moon Knight stands out as a strong addition to the MCU. —TR

Werewolf by Night (2022)

Werewolf by Night combines classic Hollywood horror with a story about misfits and monster-hunters. It's a self-aware and cheesy Halloween special that adds a unique flavor to the MCU. While it doesn't feel like a direct part of the MCU, it's confirmed to be part of the overall narrative. This side story raises intriguing questions and provides an enjoyable and ghoulish experience. —TR

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, directed by James Gunn, aims for cheesy entertainment but ends up being a bit grating. Its shorter length doesn't allow for a smooth flow between action, humor, and sentiment. The story focuses on Mantis and Drax trying to give Peter Quill a traditional Earth Christmas, resulting in forced conversations about the meaning of Christmas. While the special features familiar characters, it lacks the cleverness and charm of the original Guardians of the Galaxy films. —TR

If you're a fan of the Marvel Universe, then you're in for a treat with this impressive lineup of TV shows. From the supernatural thrills of "Helstrom" to the nostalgic charm of "Agent Carter," and the action-packed adventures of "The Punisher," there's something for every Marvel enthusiast. And with the upcoming releases like "Hawkeye," "Moon Knight," and "Werewolf by Night," it seems like the excitement is just getting started. So grab your popcorn and get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Marvel TV shows, because there's no shortage of entertainment coming your way.