The Disney+ in 2021 was highly anticipated, particularly given that it came after the cancelation of Marvel's grittier Netflix shows, which provided a welcome contrast to the kinds of stories the studio typically tells on the big screen.
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Updated on January 17th, 2023 by Stacie Rook: 2023 is set to be a big year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+, with new shows Secret Invasion, Ironheart, Echo, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos set to premiere, ed by the returning Loki and What If...? in their second seasons.
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2022) - 5.2
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law undoubtedly suffered from its first trailer reveal because of the low quality of its visual effects, which remained an issue throughout the show's run, but—in opposition to its low IMDb score—She-Hulk was otherwise fairly well received by critics, thanks to its refreshing comedy, and Tatiana Maslany's acting as the titular hero.
She-Hulk also brought Daredevil back to the MCU ahead of his own much-anticipated Disney+ show, Daredevil: Born Again, an appearance that showed a lighter side of Matt Murdock. Perhaps the show's biggest detraction, though, was its inability to keep its tone consistent, a problem that became particularly noticeable in its final episode.
Ms. Marvel (2022) - 6.2
best new MCU characters introduced in 2022.
As a whole, Ms. Marvel did a fantastic job at exploring the life of Kamala Khan, enriched by the fantastic performance of Iman Vellani, and it set up The Marvels in a way that feels natural. One of the show's biggest criticisms, though, was in reference to the changes made to Ms. Marvel's powers, which made the hero's abilities more generic and less tied to the character's comic book counterpart.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (2021) - 7.2
Whilst it ranks lower on IMDb, there are still numerous areas where FATWS excelled, including its focus on the Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes dynamic. The titular heroes more than earn their time in the spotlight, and even though FATWS is a pretty straight spy show, it allows for moments of levity even when surrounded by an expanding cast of largely new characters.
Additionally, Falcon and the Winter Soldier's focus on Sam's complicated relationship with the Captain America mantle, and how it intersects with his identity as a Black man in America, was a crucial part of his story, and necessary to be explored on screen. In contrast to these successes, though, was the issue of pacing, which at times meant that moments of emotional impact were undermined in the show's hurry to get back to action sequences or quickly wrap up plot threads in the season's final episode.
Moon Knight (2022) - 7.3
Moon Knight marks the first time that the MCU has ventured into the genre of psychological horror. Its execution was met with praise for its darker tone, as well as its performances, particularly those of Oscar Isaac.
But in spite of Isaac's great work, as well as the introduction of another brilliant character in Layla El-Faouly, Moon Knight as a whole is irregularly paced—though the finale is one of Marvel's TV best—and suffers at times from an unfocused plot, a criticism that has also been leveled at several other MCU shows on Disney+, perhaps because of their shorter episode count.
What If...? (2021) - 7.4
Phase Four changed the MCU, as it moved into the world of animation, and had the freedom to explore some of the franchise's more visually complex ideas. While Jeffrey Wright's voice acting as The Watcher received praise, the premises of each episode were met with uneven success, at times not utilizing the show's concept to its fullest potential.
For example, the second episode titled "What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord," showed a true deviation from the main timeline of the MCU, and successfully explored its characters—including T'Challa and Thanos—in new and compelling ways. However, episode three, "What If... the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes," had a far more tenuous premise that didn't branch away from the main MCU timeline with nearly as much drama or intrigue.
Hawkeye (2021) - 7.5
Hawkeye is not the most plot-heavy of series when compared to others released on the platform, but the relationship dynamics in Hawkeye shine through to keep it entertaining all the while, with the long-awaited arrival of Kate Bishop alongside other newcomers like Maya Lopez, rounding out a strong cast of characters.
Hawkeye also did its job in further developing Clint Barton's character, and though the often-overlooked Avenger didn't dramatically change in this outing, the show's playful tone helped emphasize a different side of him. Even so, Hawkeye's reliance on Clint's past wrongdoings as Ronin to provide enemies—rather than using the series as an opportunity to establish a new villain—could be viewed as a missed opportunity.
WandaVision (2021) - 7.9
As the first of the MCU's Disney+ shows, there was a lot riding on WandaVision, and the series largely managed to deliver, with its brilliant use of sitcom conventions through the decades, bringing both structure and mystery to the setup. After her often irregular characterization in MCU movies, the consistent characterizing of Wanda in WandaVision was also welcome, giving Elizabeth Olsen the chance to shine as the saddest parts of Wanda Maximoff were explored.
WandaVision acted as a character study for its titular heroes, focusing on how a person's superpowers and emotional states intersect whilst balancing that drama with great comedic moments, both provided in equal measure in a terrific performance from Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness. For all its positives, though, the final episode received mixed responses, due in part to its revelations around Evan Peters' portrayal of Pietro. But as evidenced by IMDb voters, this hasn't affected the show's overall standing very much.
Loki (2021) - 8.2
A show that focuses on one of the MCU's most beloved characters was always going to have steep expectations. But Loki rose to the occasion in a series that established not only personal stakes for the character and his many variants, but universe-altering ones for the whole of the MCU due to its hand in the formation of the multiverse.
The interactions between Loki and Mobius in the show's first few episodes helped to keep things fresh even as significant exposition around the TVA had to be spoonfed to audiences. The dynamic between Loki and Sylvie also became one of the show's biggest strengths, humanizing the characters even when they were in wacky situations. Despite taking the top spot for IMDb voters, Loki's choice to leave the introduction of He Who Remains until the final episode was an unusual decision given that he wasn't at all mentioned prior to his appearance, and the move proved confusing for those with no prior knowledge of the character.
