Summary
ManyMarveltelevision series have been released over the years, and some of them have remained more rewatchable than others. Animated series ushered in Marvel television in the 1960s with different iterations of various heroes, including Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four. Live-action series then became huge for the company with the Lou Ferrigno starringIncredible Hulkfrom 1977 to 1982, which remains one of the most iconic versionf of the Hulk. Other series have followed their paths, even creatingshared Marvel universes. Some have become beloved staples, while others have been forgotten.
The MCU timelinehas had a strange relationship with television over the years, beginning with a few tangentially related projects on ABC and Netflix before scrapping those and creating their own MCU series on Disney+. This began withWandaVision, which was beloved, butrankings of the MCU seriesindicate many others have disappointed. On the plus side, based on the rewatch value of several Marvel series, it’s clear there’s plenty to draw from going forward in the franchise’s future.
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10She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Is Light & Fun
1 Season, 9 Episodes
She-Hulk: Attorney At Lawhas been one of the most divisive entries in the MCU so far, and it is no surprise that the expensive series is not planned to return for a second season. Still, with the incomparable Tatiana Maslany in the lead, andfeaturing humorous trials with superhero defendants, the series shows an underutilized side of the MCU. Exploration of these stories feels fresh and original in the universe.
Accessible, comedic, and entertaining,She-Hulkbalances Jennifer Walters' two personas well with character drama and jokes that mostly land.The series is short and features fun appearances by Jameela Jamil as Titania and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil.She-Hulk: Attorney At Law’s endingintroducing Skaar to the MCU may have an impact on future universe events, which also makes the series worth revisiting on a different level.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Cast
Tatiana Maslany stars as Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk in Marvel’s Disney+ TV seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.She-Hulkis a half-hour comedy series that follows the story of Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner/Hulk’s cousin. Jennifer is an attorney who must juggle her life alongside being a 6-foot-7-inch hulk. Unlike her cousin, Jennifer is capable of managing her transformation at will. With these newfound powers, Jennifer will head-up a new superhero division at an opposing law firm while trying to learn what it means to be a hero. Additional casting includes Mark Ruffalo, reprising his role as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, with Tim Roth joining the cast as Emil Blonsky/Abomination, the villain who originally appeared inThe Incredible Hulkfilm.She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis a part of the MCU’s Phase 4 and originally aired in August 2022.
She-Hulk Pitch Meeting
Ryan George pokes fun at Marvel’s She-Hulk TV show in his Pitch Meeting series.
9Marvel’s Jessica Jones
3 Seasons, 39 Episodes
In the early stages of theDefenderssaga on Netflix, it seemed that the studio could do no wrong. Following excellent stories featuring Daredevil, the second character in the larger story was introduced in her own series starring Krysten Ritter. With some of the darkest and most intense stories that have been told in Marvel, the superpowered detective made a compelling onscreen lead.
While the earlier episodes are stronger than the later ones, all ofJessica Jonesis worth revisiting because of the excellent character at the center of the story. In addition,David Tennant’s Kilgrave is one of the most fearsome foes the studio has ever used in television.There is hope that Ritter may return to the MCU with recent changes to canon, but even if she does not, this story is strong and stands on its own.
Marvel’s Jessica Jones
Having left her brief career as a superhero behind, Jessica Jones works as a private investigator. When Kilgrave, her abusive former partner who possesses mind-control powers, resurfaces, it’s up to Jessica to stop him.
Jessica Jones Star Krysten Ritter Addresses MCU Return Theories Following Social Media Post
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8M.O.D.O.K. Is Zany And Hilarious
1 Season, 10 Episodes
Taking the premise of M.O.D.O.K. and imprinting it atop the story of a man’s midlife crisis is strangely appropriate for such an unusual Marvel villain. Taking the character at face value is difficult, but even trying to do something silly with him does not always work, such as inQuantumania. Here, the best M.O.D.O.K. stories are told in a style reminiscent ofRobot Chickenwith foul, slapstick humor.
Patton Oswalt, who voices M.O.D.O.K. in this series, provided the voice for another Marvel character, Pip the Troll, in the post-credits scene ofEternals.
Featuring celebrated actors in familiar roles, like Jon Hamm as Iron Man and Bill Hader as Samuel Sterns, the series is worth revisiting over and over. It is one of the funniest adult cartoons that the Marvel Universe has yet spawned, and fills a similar niche to theHarley Quinnseries. It is regrettable that it has been canceled, but the existing season is worth visiting or revisiting.
Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.
From the minds of Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt comes M.O.D.O.K., a mature, stop-motion animated comedy series starring the titular Marvel villain. The show follows M.O.D.O.K., having experienced decades of humiliation at the hands of heroes, and explores him out of employment during a mid-life crisis. M.O.D.O.K. attempts to put his life back together in the most chaotic way possible.
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Hulu’s M.O.D.O.K. might not be your typical Marvel show but it did a great job of throwing in easter eggs and references for longtime fans.
7Legion Reveals New Details With Each Rewatch
3 Seasons, 27 Episodes
A strange X-Men spinoff that nearly wound up crossing over with the Fox films,Legionwas critically acclaimed throughout its short run.Starring Dan Stevens as the mutant son of Charles Xavier,the series begins with a schizophrenia diagnosis that leads to an exploration of mutant powers. With a cast that includes Aubrey Plaza and Jean Smart, the series grew a dedicated viewership throughout its run.
Following the end of the show,Legionbecame well worth revisiting due to the density of its craft.Created by showrunner Noah Hawley, who previously developed theFargoseries, a great deal of thought and care went into every aspect ofLegion. Consequentially, subsequent rewatches tend to yield new and missed details each time due to the rich and thoughtful plotting and writing of the show. StarDan Stevens has spoken about MCU crossover possibilites, even now.
Legion
Legion is an FX Original Series created by Noah Hawley in conjunction with Marvel Television. The psychological horror/thriller series stars Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, and Aubrey Plaza. The release pertains to comic book character Legion, otherwise known as David Haller, as he deals with a diagnosed schizophrenia and the formation of his mutant powers.
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6The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Sets Up The MCU
2 Seasons, 52 Episodes
BeforeSecret Invasionbecame a Disney+ series, the story was told inEarth’s Mightiest Heroes. Before Spider-Man joined the MCU Avengers, he fought alongside the team inEarth’s Mightiest Heroes.Even before the Avengers assembled onscreen in 2012, a similar model of the team was realized in this popular seriesthat was built to air alongside the Infinity Saga.Earth’s Mightiest Heroeswas an excellent cartoon that popularized many Marvel heroes.
Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroeswas canceled in 2012 and was replaced byAvengers: Assemble, which skewed closer to the MCU version of the team.
Not connected to the MCU, at the time, it was important that Iron Man and Captain America be seen as two of the most important Marvel characters. This series went a long way in ingratiating these characters to audiences and building up a version of the Avengers team that would be replicated in the films. With Ms. Marvel, T’Challa and many others, the series provides a great look at how these characters were set up on-screen before the MCU, and in looking at how the live-action franchise may have been inspired by elements of it.
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is an animated television series following the formation and adventures of the Avengers, a team of superheroes including Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. The series explores their efforts to thwart various global threats and supervillains while highlighting themes of teamwork and heroism, appealing to audiences of all ages with its dynamic characters and engaging storylines.
5Hawkeye Is A Holiday Treat
1 Season, 6 Episodes
Hawkeyeis a seasonal joy that is worth visiting once a year or even more.Featuring memorable moments like the song fromRogers: The Musical, and the introduction of Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop,the small-scale, street-level series only grows stronger with each rewatch. With appearances by Kingpin, Echo, and Yelena, the short series also has some MCU repercussions that are likely to be expanded upon even further going forward.
Still, the threat at the center of the show is not world-ending, and the Tracksuit Mafia are funny and enjoyable villains, which keeps the overall tone relatively light throughout the storyline. The series is one of the better standalone entries in the MCU and is effective all on its own. The Christmas setting also gives it an annual flair that makes revisiting it each December even more fun.
Hawkeye
Still reeling from the fallout of Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) is drawn back into an urgent mission as the ghosts of his past threaten to destabilize his peaceful family life. Thrust into a new dynamic with young upstart Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), the original Avenger must escape a hit, uncover the secret of Kingpin’s return, and get home in time for Christmas.
4Spider-Man: The Animated Series Tells Important Comic Book Stories
5 Seasons, 65 Episodes
One of the best iterations of the wall-crawling hero, the ’90s animated series followed in the footsteps ofX-Menand began to tell many of the hero’s iconic comic book stories in Saturday morning cartoons.From “The Symbiote Saga” to “The Clone Saga” and even “Secret Wars”, many Marvel comics were adaptedin bright colors in this hit Fox series. Iconic Marvel heroes from The Punisher to Daredevil appeared in the series in prominent roles.
FollowingX-Men ‘97’s wider universe teases, talk has increased about the potential of a revival series for this Spider-Man. Some threads were left hanging in the show’s narrative, and taking the opportunity to explore some of those stories could make for another hit for Disney+. Until then, these five excellent seasons are available for compulsive watching.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series
Spider-Man: The Animated Series follows Peter Parker as he develops spider-like superpowers after being bitten by a neogenetic spider. He uses his abilities to fight crime while managing the challenges of his personal life in this animated adaptation of the iconic Marvel superhero’s adventures.
3Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Has An Enormous Library Of Episodes
7 Seasons, 136 Episodes
Initially derided for its only tenuous connections to the MCU, this weakness has since become a feature of the long-running Marvel series.Intended as the first series connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe,the show focuses on Agent Phil Coulson and his team as they face many threats throughout the Marvel Universe. Featuring an excellent supporting cast that included Chloe Bennet and Ming-Na Wen, the series built up a fan following over its extended run.
With the introduction of many Marvel characters, including Quake and Ghost Rider, there is a great deal to enjoy in the show’s many episodes. While not of the same narrative density or universal importance as the Marvel Disney+ series,Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.was able to create its own world and fill it with its own characters overtop the existing Marvel lore. It is not required viewing, but it is one of the strongest standalone TV series that the universe has created, and all of the many episodes are perennially rewatchable as solid network TV.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a television series that follows Agent Phil Coulson as he assembles a team within the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division to investigate mysterious phenomena, safeguarding the world from extraordinary threats. Debuting in 2013, the series expands on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s exploration of covert operations.
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2Daredevil Set A New Standard For Marvel Storytelling
One of the most celebrated series in Marvel’s history, the Netflix’sDaredevilset a new standard for storytelling featuring the character. Starring Charlie Cox as the blind lawyer Matt Murdock, the show was stolen by its villainous lead in Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime.The show ran for three beloved seasons on Netflix before being canceled. The upcoming Disney+ seriesDaredevil: Born Again, however, intends to continue its stories.
Daredevilwas so important to Marvel that they built an entireDefenderssaga around his character. Now,details and characters from his series are being slowly integrated into the larger storytelling of the MCUdue to the effectiveness and importance of their characters and roles. To date, this show stands effectively its own with its darkness and its deep, rich character explorations and phenomenally shot fight scenes. This is a series that grows not just better, but more relevant, with every rewatch.
Daredevil
Daredevil is a Netflix original series starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock. The TV show ran for three seasons before being canceled by Netflix, despite being critically praised. Kingpin was the main antagonist in seasons 1 and 3 and also introduced Jon Benrthal’s Punisher in season 2. Daredevil was followed by Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil: Born Again Seems To Be Wisely Avoiding The Least Interesting Storyline From The Netflix Series
Many parts of the Netflix series are carrying over to Daredevil: Born Again, but it may be leaving its least interesting aspect in the past.
1X-Men: The Animated Series Is The Best Adaptation Of The Team’s Iconic Stories
5 Seasons, 76 Episodes
X-Men: The Animated Seriesis one of the all-time greatest Marvel shows, and it holds up on every subsequent rewatch. Covering the stories of so many iconic X-Men comic books,the entire popular narrative canon of the mutants was established for many audiences throughout this lengthy series.Drawing from ’90s Jim Lee influences and featuring an iconic theme, the team members and the style of these X-Men have arguably created the most definitive, lasting versions of these characters.
X-Men ‘97, a 2024 sequel toX-Men: The Animated Series, premiered its first season to rave reviews, feeling like it picked up immediately after this show ended. The series’ style is timeless and effective, and newly produced episodes remain as relevant as the original series.X-Men: The Animated Seriesis not only the most rewatchable Marvel television series, but it is also important for the blueprint of how so many of these characters are seen.It will be interesting to see how theMarvel Cinematic Universepulls from this animated series when they introduce these characters to the universe.
X-Men: The Animated Series
X-Men: The Animated Series is a television show based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. The series, which aired from 1992 to 1997, follows the adventures of a team of mutant superheroes, led by Professor Charles Xavier, as they fight for peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants in a world filled with prejudice and fear.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
