Best Marvel Universe TV Shows, All 11 Ranked from Worst to Best

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

10. Cloak & Dagger

Cloak & Dagger is easily the least well known of all the Marvel TV properties, due to it not appearing on any major network. It airs on Freeform, a paid television channel with content that heavily skews toward teenagers and young adults.

Don’t think this says anything about Cloak and Daggers quality, however, as there’s quite an enjoyable show to found here.

Cloak & Dagger’s TV debut definitely takes on a bit of a teen-drama stint, but it doesn’t suffer for it. The show revolves around two teens named Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson, who both receive superpowers after the collapse of the Roxxon Gulf Platform.

As the two develop a relationship, they start to realize that their powers are made even stronger when they work together, complicating matters even more.

Cloak & Dagger certainly won’t be for everyone, but it’s a prime example of the diverse storytelling that the Marvel universe can have. Weaving a teenage soap drama in with a superhero show is something that works far better than it has any right to.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

9. Iron Fist

Iron Fist had a rough debut with an atrocious first season filled with a boring story, ridiculous twists, and poorly shot and choreographed fight sequences. Danny Rand’s debut was the first black mark on the otherwise stellar Marvel Netflix shows.

However, Iron Fist really redeemed itself with a strong second season, improving or fixing nearly every single aspect of the first season, and making for one of the best Marvel seasons on the streaming platform yet.

Finn Jones definitely grows into his role as Danny in the second season, however, it’s the supporting cast of Iron Fist that really shines. Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing and Tom Pelphrey as Ward Meachum, in particular, both do a phenomenal job with characters that both have their own fascinating subplots.

Iron Fist still may not measure up to the other Netflix shows, but at least we got a good season out of the show before its cancellation.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

8. The Defenders

The Defenders was the big events of the Netflix series, it was supposed to be “The Avengers” of Marvel TV, bringing all of the iconic heroes and disparate plotlines together. What we got, however, was a bit of an unfocused show that wasn’t really sure what it wanted to be.

The problem with The Defenders was that the plot just meandered too much, and it felt like things took forever to really get somewhere.

Despite that fact, it’s undeniable that the cast members have chemistry together, and seeing Matt Murdock together with the likes of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones can be a blast at times…… and Danny Rand is there too.

Couple this with the expanded role of Misty Knight, and you have some great character moments. In the end though, The Defenders just feels too drawn out compared to each of the heroes’ respective shows, even with a lower episode count.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

7. Marvel’s Runaways

Hulu’s only foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe came out pretty strong, feeling like fresh variation against the rest of the series and movies out there. Similarly to Cloak & Dagger, Runaways has a bit of a teen focus to it, but with a higher production value.

If you’re unfamiliar with Runaways, the series focuses on a group of six teenagers who rebel against their criminal parents, known as the Pride.

As their parents hatch a plan that threatens the world, the teens have to uncover what their parents are planning while also discovering their own powers.

Runaways, at times, can feel formulaic and predictable, but strong performances from its main cast, and their parents, help keep everything fresh.

The show almost feels like a Marvel Power Rangers in some ways, with a group of teens banding together to stop evil, and it’s definitely one of the most different Marvel shows out there.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

6. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agents of Shield is by far the show that’s expanded the most on the MCU proper, and it’s also been the most successful.

With five seasons and counting, the series focuses on the fan-favorite Phil Coulson as he assembles an elite task force of SHIELD agents to combat strange new cases, and the evil organization Hydra.

The first season of Agents of Shield may not have been the most engaging show in its first season, but it’s fixed most of its flaws in the following seasons. The show has, wisely, leaned more into its character development and humor, really making you care about its main cast.

What really makes Agents of Shield succeed so well is that it feels like a direct extension of the MCU, just in TV form.

It has the same kind of quirky humor, the same narrative twists and thrills, and plenty of super-powered action, all just on a smaller scale.

Marvel fans are sure to be pleased with the surplus of characters that are introduced through the show, but even those that only know the Marvel movies will still have plenty to enjoy.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

5. Agent Carter

Agent Carter was a brilliant spinoff for the MCU, a period piece focusing on an already well-loved and engaging character that appeared in the films.

As you might expect, the show focuses on Agent Peggy Carter as she secretly aids Howard Stark, who finds himself falsely framed for supplying weapons to enemies of the United States.

Hayley Atwell continues to do a fantastic job of playing Carter with all the gumption and confidence the character deserves.

It’s also nice to see the past more embellished upon in the MCU, which primarily focuses on the present, outside of specific instances like Captain America: The First Avenger.

Sadly, as good as Agent Carter was, the series was prematurely canceled after only two seasons. The show had a fantastic critical response, but viewership fell quickly in the second season. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we ever see of Agent Carter.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

4. The Punisher

If there’s one thing The Punisher is known for its gratuitous violence, and Netflix’s series certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

Frank Castle’s story is a dark and violent one, and The Punisher definitely benefitted from being on Netflix, not having to hold anything back.

Jon Bernthal once again gives a riveting performance as Castle, filling the character with all the necessary violence and rage.

The Netlfix series has everything you’d expect from The Punisher, however, there are also some surprisingly emotional stories at the show’s core that deal with hefty issues, like the United State’s treatment of veterans after they return, and the real struggles of dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The Punisher isn’t a philosophical show by any means, but there’s a genuine heart behind the dark tale of Frank Castle, and it helps it be one of the best Marvel series yet.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

3. Luke Cage

The first live-action adaption of Luke Cage was one of Netflix’s most highly anticipated projects from Marvel’s deal with Netflix, and as it turned out, fans had reason to be excited.

Mike Colter does a fantastic job of portraying the Hero of Harlem, bringing tons of charisma to the role.

Luke Cage sports so much style it’s amazing, and it’s easily the most aesthetically pleasing of all the various Netflix shows.

The series takes inspiration from the blaxploitation films of the 1970s and it’s made all the better for it, telling a genuinely interesting superhero tale while also providing commentary on current events in America.

Colter’s performance is bolstered by a wealth of fantastic supporting actors, like Mahershala Ali as Cottonmouth, Theo Rossi as Shades, and Simone Missick as Misty Knight.

The second season also provides some great character development and twists, both in terms of heroes and villains.

Luke Cage helped show how diversity for superhero shows, in more ways than one, and once again, it’s a pity we might never see what happens after the end of season two.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

2. Jessica Jones

Just like Luke Cage, Jessica Jones is a superhero show that deals with some weighty and hard-hitting topics, like sexual assault and PTSD.

Jessica Jones is the epitome of what makes Netflix’s best Marvel series work, focusing on characters first and superpowers second.

Jessica Jones does a great job of setting a gritty noir tone filled with plenty of mystery, and Krysten Ritter provides a great performance as the show’s heroine.

Opposite Ritter is David Tennant, who provides an absolutely unsettlingly creepy performance as the Purple Man, still managing to be one of the very best villains the MCU has ever had.

The first season of the show plays out like an exceptionally paced drama, with all the acts and development you might want. The second season doesn’t quite hit the lofty heights of the first, but it succeeds by doubling-down on its main characters and fleshing them out even more.

More than anything, Jessica Jones is a shining of example of how a superhero show can be more, by making the superhero parts feel like a natural part of its story.

Best Marvel Universe TV Shows

1. Daredevil

The show that started it all on Netflix, Daredevil has shown time and again what superhero shows should aspire to. The Devil of Hells Kitchen has been begging for a proper live-action adaption, ever since the poorly received 2003 film.

The first season of Daredevil builds an incredible dynamic between Matt Murdock and Kingpin, both of which are played brilliantly by Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio respectively.

The way that the show builds a sympathetic villain in Kingpin is truly commendable, and D’Onofrio returns once again in season three to great effect.

Daredevil also has some mindblowing action scenes, like the single-shot hallway sequence in the first season, or the intense Daredevil vs Bullseye fight in the third series.

Although Daredevil certainly feels more superhero-y than something like Jessica Jones, similarly, the show gets that it can succeed by putting characters first and heroes second.

With a strong supporting cast of Karen Page, Foggy Nelson, Claire Temple, Frank Castle and more, Daredevil has a wealth of supporting characters.

With a third season that even tops the first two, Netflix’s Daredevil went out on a high note if this is the last we’ll ever see of it.