Avengers: Endgame was the culmination of over ten years of storytelling by Marvel Studios. It was a project that lived up to all the hype and anticipation it received, and it was hard to see where the Marvel Cinematic Universe could go after that. Then came ComicCon 2019 and the announcement by the head of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, that the MCU would be expanding to the small screen via limited series debuting on Disney +. Over three years later, Marvel's first wave of series has concluded, and it's importance to Disney + as a platform has never been higher. As the MCU reaches the finale of Phase Four with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane. So cast your mind back to the long ago year of 2021 when it all began, and let's rank every Disney + show in Marvel's Phase 4.
9 She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is a fun and unique entry in the MCU. It introduces Tatiana Maslany as the titular hero She-Hulk, whose real name is Jennifer Walters. It also sees the return of Mark Ruffalo and Hulk, Jennifer's cousin. As well as Tim Roth as Emile Blonsky AKA The Abomination who we have not seen since 2008s The Incredible Hulk. The series introduced a lot of obscure Marvel characters that we may never have seen outside a fourth-wall breaking legal comedy like She-Hulk. Where the show fails however is in the disjointed plot throughout the series and is something addressed by She-Hulk herself in the wildly entertaining finale that sees the character bringing her narrative concerns to the writers at Marvel and the head of the studio itself, K.E.V.I.N. Fun moments make She-Hulk an entertaining watch, but unfortunately lands it in the ninth spot on this list.
8 What If...?
The first animated entry into the MCU comes in the form of What If...?, a retelling of classic MCU stories with a new alternative universal spin on them. The series reintroduces characters thought to be long gone from the MCU such as Killmonger and Ultron, albeit in alternative roles, and is one of the last roles of the late great Chadwick Boseman as he reprises his role as a Star Lord version of T'Challa, a role that posthumously won Boseman a Creative Arts Emmy for his performance. The show gives us an interesting glimpse into different ways the MCU could have played out and even introduces characters we would go on to see in live action, further expanding the every growing universe of Marvel.
7 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is definitely one of the MCU's most grounded Disney + series thus far and showcases Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes settling into their new post Endgame lives without Steve Rogers, who is absent from the series but whose fate is not revealed. The series also sees the return of Captain America alum Baron Zemo and Sharon Carter, who join the cast on a wild ride to bring down the terrorist threat known as The Flag Smashers. We also see the introduction of a new Captain America in the form of John Walker, played by Wyatt Russell. A version of Cap who is dealing with PTSD from his military career and whose emotions take over in the series following the death of his friend at the hands of The Flag Smashers. This event in particular leads to one of the most harrowing scenes in the history of the MCU as John Walker stands over a man whom he has just murdered as blood drips from the sacred shield of Captain America. By the end of the series it is Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson who takes over the mantle of Captain America, complete with a brand-new suite courtesy of Bucky Barnes and his friends in Wakanda. Setting up Mackie's first solo outing as Cap in the upcoming Captain America: New World Order.
6 Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the first and thus far only Disney + MCU series to show the universe from the perspective of a teenager. Similar to the way the Spider-Man films explored Peter Parker's adolescence, Ms. Marvel does the same for Kamala Kahn in the perfect homage to John Hughes the MCU can offer. The series introduces the first on screen Muslim superhero, furthering the diversity within the MCU. Ms. Marvel also expands the legend and lore of the universe and presents devices and plot points sure to impact our favorite heroes in the future. The series succeeds in not just telling a successful origin story for the hero, but also shows the struggle of being a teenager and balancing responsibilities and love for your family.
5 Moon Knight
One of the opportunities Marvel has with the Disney + platform is the ability to introduce more obscure Marvel characters on the small screen to test the waters of audience interest. One of those such characters is Moon Knight appearing in his own series in 2022. A relatively unknown Marvel character with a cultish but rabid fan base, Moon Knight opens up a brand-new world of the MCU, introducing supernatural elements on a scale we have yet to see. This Emmy Award-winning series success can be partially credited to the suburb acting of Oscar Isaac as he takes on the multiple personalities that make up the mind of Marc Specter. Along with stunning locations and intense fight scenes, Moon Knight feels like a fresh outing to the MCU while maintaining the elements we love about the universe.
4
Hawkeye
Christmastime in the MCU, what a breath of fresh air. Hawkeye re-introduced our favorite avenging archer, Clint Barton, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a crime ring in New York City alongside a super-fan of his and archer herself, Kate Bishop. The series was a fun, action-packed holiday ride that saw the introduction of Kate Bishop, The Swordsman, Echo, and Pizza Dog. While also bringing back some fan-favorite MCU characters such as Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, and Kingpin from Marvel's Netflix world, played by returning Vincent D'Onofrio. The series does a fantastic job of allowing Clint Barton to carry on the legacy formed by his friends and former Avengers while also passing down his knowledge to an eager Kate Bishop.
3 WandaVision
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WandaVision more or less kicks off Marvel's Phase 4 and does so to a resounding impact. The series debut carried with it a significant amount of hype and pressure as it served as Marvel's first Disney + series and would thus set to tone for all series moving forward. Utilizing various sitcom tropes and downright satires, the show explores the profound effect of trauma and loss through the eyes of Wanda Maximoff's Scarlet Witch. With some surprise Easter eggs and cameos sprinkled throughout the series, WandaVision serves as a solid exploration of characters we had only seen snippets of in previous projects while furthering the future MCU narrative. Although, I still think Mephisto had something to do with it.
2 Werewolf by Night
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Disney
One of the final Phase 4 entries comes from the Marvel Special Presentation, Werewolf by Night. This one-episode short film is unlike anything else we have seen from Marvel Studios this far and plunges the universe into the occult and monstrous side of the MCU. It also serves as a potential platform altering entry on Disney + for Marvel. A complete homage to classic Universal monster films like Dracula, The Wolf Man, and Frankenstein, Werewolf by Night delivers something new and refreshing. A world we hope to see more of in the future.
1 Loki
Ever since his introduction in 2011s Thor, Loki has been a fan favorite among patrons of the MCU. Upon being announced as a Disney + series, it was hard to see what direction the studio could take the god of mischief. As it turns out, the story we see him embark upon in the series breaks open the multiverse of the MCU and will undoubtedly have an impact on the future of Marvel's fifth and sixth phases culminating with back-to-back Avengers films in 2024 and 2025. The series quickly became one of the MCU's strongest series thanks to the charm of Time Hiddleston and the introduction of actors such as Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Jonathon Majors, Loki is a profoundly entertaining emotional rollercoaster further exploring new nooks and crannies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.