Ever since 1966’s animated seriesThe Marvel Super Heroes, audiences worldwide have been getting a constant and steady array of TV shows based on the iconic characters of Marvel Comics. As the medium has evolved and the genre has developed over the years, so too has the quality of these series often improved, delivering more exciting and complex superhero thrills to viewers.
Superhero stories are usually a delight, and when they’re presented in an extended format often spanning years, even more so. Whether a fun animated series likeThe Spectacular Spider-Manor one of thebest live-action superhero showslikeLoki, many ofthese series have earned the timeless love of Marvel fans, as shown by their impressive scores on IMDb.
15’Hawkeye' (2021)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
For far too long, the heroics of Clint Barton “Hawkeye” went underappreciated by fans of the MCU. That gradually started to change as the franchise evolved, until culminating in what’s probably one of the highest-quality Marvel shows Disney+ has put out:Hawkeye, which sees the titular hero team up with an adventurous young archer named Kate Bishop to neutralize a threat from his dark past.
The performances are fantastic, particularly those byJeremy RennerandHailee Steinfeld, whose chemistry often carries the series on its back. The solid script makes both Clint and Kate stand out as two of thebest heroes of the MCU’s Phase 4, and makes the six episodes fly by in a delightful flash. With a sweet festive spirit, an explosive finale, and an ensemble of memorable side characters, it’s no wonder why this show is so cherished by fans.
Series based on the Marvel Comics superhero Hawkeye, centering on the adventures of Young Avenger, Kate Bishop, who took on the role after the original Avenger, Clint Barton.
Watch on Disney+
14’Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' (2013 - 2020)
Today, it’s nearly impossible to tell with certainty whetherAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is still canon in the MCU. When it first aired, however, it certainly seemed so, which was something unprecedented in this massive franchise. But does it really matter?Canon or not, it’s a fantastic show full of hard-hitting moments and entertaining characters, andAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.definitely deserves another look.
The show was off to a bit of a rocky start, but it quickly picked up steam. By the time it ended, its fans were happy to call it one of the best Marvel shows ever made. It’s thrilling, full of engaging storylines and memorable characters that make it one of the most tragically overlooked major superhero TV series. Thrilling and action-packed, mixing the best elements of both the superhero genre and the spy genre, it’s everything you might want out of a show with this title.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
13’Hit-Monkey' (2021 - )
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
If unconventional Marvel shows are more your thing,Hit-Monkeyhas you covered.This relatively obscure character who saw his first appearance only a little over a decade ago surprised everyone by getting his own show from Hulu, an animated action spectacle about a wronged Japanese snow monkey who, mentored by the ghost of an American assassin, seeks revenge through the Tokyo underworld.
With its wild-fun concept and zany visuals,Hit-Monkeyquickly found its niche in the vastly saturated animated superhero show market. Now thata second season ofHit-Monkeyis certain, fans of the franchise who haven’t yet discovered the charm of this unorthodox assassin really ought to give the show a shot.
Hit Monkey
Watch on Hulu
12’Marvel’s Agent Carter’ (2015 - 2016)
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Although its run was tragically short-lived, any Marvel fan who hasn’t seenAgent Carterowes it to themselves and the show to give it a chance.Hayley Atwellkills it in the lead role, and the tone of spy intrigue hanging above the whole narrative makes it impossible to look away from. Everyone who has watched it knowsthe series is begging to get a second chance.
For those who watched the MCU movies and wished Peggy had been given more complexity, this show is the perfect fit.The character is incredibly fun to follow around, and all the new character additions are so interesting that it’s a crime the franchise will probably never see their presence again. With a team clearly dedicated to the period spy thriller excitement a show like this has to deliver, it’s not surprising that it turned out so well.
Marvel’s Agent Carter
11’Jessica Jones' (2015 - 2019)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Back in the good ol' days of Netflix’s Marvel shows, once the darker and more mature formula proved to work withDaredevil, the studio went ahead and tackled the story of one of the franchise’s more obscure characters up to that point,Jessica Jones. The show is fantastic, and it proves thatBatman isn’t the only superhero detective in town.
Admittedly, the second and third seasons pale in comparison to the absolutely enthralling first, but fans on IMDb argue that the whole show is worthy of praise. The grittier tone makes it easier to feel invested in the story, and what an entertaining story it is.Jessica is a fascinating protagonist, the story’s portrayal of trauma and PTSD is nothing if not realistic and compelling, and the different twists and turns are consistently effective.
Jessica Jones
10’WandaVision' (2021)
WandaVision, about two superpowered beings trying to live an idyllic family life while slowly discovering that not everything is as it seems, had a lot on its plate from the get-go. It was the first Disney+ MCU show, meaning it had the duty of showing audiences that this format could work as well as a movie blockbuster. For the most part, it succeeded. Though not everyone enjoyed its grand finale, the majority of its run made it seem one ofthe most innovative TV showsDisney+ had ever produced.
Despite some IMDb users being disappointed by certain elements, most felt that the show’s creativity and originality far outweighed whatever issues it might have had, making Wanda one of Phase 4’s most compelling characters.The format has a long way to go in order to be perfect, butWandaVisionremains one of the best MCU shows nonetheless.
WandaVision
Blends the style of classic sitcoms with the MCU, in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision - two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives - begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.
9’Wolverine and the X-Men' (2008 - 2009)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Featuring legendary voice talents such asNolan NorthandFred Tatasciore,Wolverine and the X-Menis a fun animated series where, after parting ways, the X-men reunite under Wolverine’s leadership to prevent a terrible war.Though not nearly as famous as a certain other animatedX-Menadaptation, it’s a strong enough show to stand on its own two feet as something fresh and unique.
Much to fans' dismay,the series only lasted a single seasonbefore it was canceled. Nevertheless, it left audiences with a positive aftertaste and many good memories, as IMDb reviewers praised its talented voice cast, stylish animation, interesting characters, and abundance of thrilling storylines.
Wolverine and the X-Men
Amidst chaos and disappearance of their leader, a group of mutants finds themselves under the reluctant leadership of a fiercely independent Wolverine. As they tackle a series of dangerous missions, they unravel a deeper plot that threatens mutant existence and work to avert a dark future foretold by their absent mentor.
8’Legion' (2017 - 2019)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
The star-studdedLegionis the story of David Haller, a troubled young man diagnosed with schizophrenia who discovers that he has special powers that might change his life forever.Not many people expected anything extraordinary fromLegion, which meant that viewers were taken by (delightful) surprise when it turned out to be a marvelously made, shockingly entertaining superhero story.
It was brilliantly directed, intelligently written, and had many fantastic performances. Although fans were sad thatLegiondidn’t get as much attention as it deserved during its run, they were ultimately satisfied when the story went out with a bang in the finale. It cemented it as one of thebest sci-fi shows in recent years, even for those who don’t typically like the genre.
David Haller, a troubled young man diagnosed with schizophrenia, discovers that the voices and visions tormenting him are manifestations of his mutant abilities. As he navigates a complex web of realities, he uncovers secrets about his past and faces powerful forces that threaten the fabric of existence.
7’Loki' (2021 - )
After Loki’s theft of the Tesseract duringAvengers: Endgame, theDisney+ showLokisees the character brought to the mysterious Time Variance Authority with a choice: to be erased from existence or help fix the timeline and stop a more significant threat. Now on its second season (which fans have loved so far), it’s rapidly cementing itself as the most beloved andhighly rewatchable Disney+ MCU show.
Marvel fans on IMDb were impressed by the show’s first season’s heartfelt story, endearing characters, and eye-catching visuals, and they were intrigued by what the game-changing finale could mean for the future of the franchise. As for the second season, it has thus far represented a step up in pretty much every sense that matters: Story, dialogue, visuals, and particularly fascinating character work.
6’The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes' (2010 - 2012)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
InThe Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Marvel’s most powerful superheroes team up to capture 74 villains who have broken out of prisonand do what they do best: Defend the Earth from widespread threats. One of thebest non-MCU animated Marvel shows, it’s a series that quickly garnered a loyal fanbase who still praise it as one of the best-ever adaptations of this legendary character line-up.
The series almost perfectly captured the magic of the comics, with engaging storylines mixed with clever characterization, slick animation, and two amazing seasons of Marvel’s most popular team beating iconic villains in all sorts of entertaining ways. There are plenty of media where you can have fun with the Avengers; but if you want an adaptation that’s truly faithful to the source material, this is it.
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is a 2D-animated series based on Marvel Comics' famous superhero team. It follows Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Wasp, Hawkeye, and other superheroes in storylines pulled straight from the comics. Despite its popularity, the show only aired from 2010 to 2012 and was replaced by Avengers Assemble.
