As we enter the summer months, the time where TV tends to lag at the end of the traditional network season, with the occasional test pilot or burst of cable and streaming releases to break things up. But also the time where you just might find yourself with a little more time to binge-watch something you missed the first time around. Welcome to the Summer Binge Series, where we break down what might be worth catching up on when it gets too hot to stay outside.
Pretty much every Marvel fan out there has seen Avengers Endgame by now. At least once. And most of you probably watched the 21 preceding movies, and at least a few of the connected television series. But there’s a chance you haven’t seen them all, so we’ve put together a summary of the television and streaming series connected to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).
For the purpose of clarification, we’ve focused on live-action series, not animated, and those specifically listed as part of the MCU—the umbrella of current films overlapping the timelines of the Avengers and related movies. So, while there are other Marvel-owned series out there, like Legion and The Gifted, we’re not digging into the X-Men’s branches today.
Note: Despite attempts to stay largely spoiler-free for Avengers: Endgame, there may be a few references to themes in the movie in the below synopsis.
*Percentages next to titles are the average score, either combined or critic/audience the show carries on the aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Streaming Recent Marvel TV Shows
ABC, Season 6 begins May 10 on ABC
The first Marvel series to hit the small screen, and the longest running, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is one of the most overall connected to the MCU films. It focuses on Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg, reprising his role from the Marvel films) and the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a peacekeeping espionage agency dealing with international threats, largely of the natural, paranormal, and superhuman variety. It reflects changes in the larger film storylines including the attack on New York and the rise of Hydra, although in its most recent season was set pre-Infinity War, so it is so far removed from the most recent arc. The links to the films range from offhand comments to major story arcs, but whether or not you’re up on the films, the series is an action-packed superhero spy thriller, led by Coulson, Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen), and hacker Daisy “Skye” Johnson (Chloe Bennet), as well as their team of S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists and super-powered heroes.
Availability: Netflix, for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube
Agent Carter(86%)
ABC, 2 seasons, ended
Arguably as—or more—connected to the films in many ways, from Peggy Carter’s role in Captain America (and Cap’s heart) to the overlapping Howard Stark storylines, Agent Carter was a delightful espionage series focused on the titular Agent Peggy Carter. Set in the 1940s following the war, and the loss of Steve Rogers, it features Hayley Atwell as Peggy, teaming up with Stark’s butler Jarvis (James D’Arcy) and fellow SSR agents Jack Thompson (Chad Michael Murray) and Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj) for a variety of spy adventures full of smart, strong, female-led action. Unfortunately, at the time of airing, Agent Carter was rather neglected and overshadowed by the more testosterone-driven branches of the franchise. However, Peggy’s continual presence across several films—including Ant-Man, not to mention Endgame—have kept her on the radar, and don’t be surprised if more folks finally start seeking her out on Hulu.
Availability: Hulu, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Agent Carter trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p2VaIst0lU
Daredevil(92%)
Netflix, 3 seasons, ended
Daredevil marked the first of the Marvel shows created for Netflix, and the first leading up to the crossover series The Defenders, all of which share continuity with the MCU films. The series stars Charlie Cox (Boardwalk Empire) as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer-by-day who becomes the masked vigilante Daredevil, fighting crime in his NYC Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, thanks to his heightened senses. The series, much darker and grittier than some of its Marvel siblings, was well-liked among many fans, and while Netflix canceled it after season 3, there are rumors it could find a new life on Hulu or Disney+ down the line (although there is a two-year freeze on anything that Netflix previously owned).
Availability: Netflix, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Jessica Jones (87%)
Netflix, 3 seasons (season 3 release TBD)
Following quickly behind Daredevil was Jessica Jones, starring Kristen Ritter (Breaking Bad) as the titular former-superhero-turned-private-detective. Angry and reluctant to face demons from her past, Jessica channels her energy and superhuman strength into dealing with cases involving mysterious and remarkable abilities. Set in the same Hell’s Kitchen world as Daredevil, the first season also introduces fellow Defender Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and guest stars David Tennant (Doctor Who) as a particularly vicious villain. While the show had decent viewership and popularity, particularly among women and as a gateway to the other shows in the franchise, it was announced that the coming season would be the last.
Availability: Netflix, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Jessica Jones trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWHUjuJ8zxE
Luke Cage (89%/74%)
Netflix, 2 seasons, ended
After his introduction in Jessica Jones, actor Mike Colter moved to his own series, Luke Cage, focused on the titular Cage, a former convict (wrongly imprisoned), now back in his home neighborhood in Harlem. With unbreakable skin and superhuman strength, he sets on his own path to fight crime and corruption in his city, and struggles to find the “line between hero and villain.” The show costars Alfre Woodard and Mahershala Ali, as well as Rosario Dawson, whose character Claire Temple, appears to some capacity or another in all of the Defenders series.
Availability: Netflix, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Iron Fist (38%/73%)
Netflix, 2 seasons, ended
Perhaps the least successful of the standalone Defenders series, Iron Fist was met with support among viewers, if not critics, and its second season was considered moderately more successful than the first. Fifteen years after being presumed dead, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) returns to New York to reclaim his family business. He is torn between his desire to save his family legacy, and his calling as the Iron Fist—a martial arts expert with the secret ability to channel the mystical force of the “Iron Fist.”
Availability: Netflix, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
The Defenders (77%)
Netflix, mini-series
Bringing together the central characters from Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, The Defenders was a single, eight-episode crossover series, with one of the biggest build ups given the multiple series that came before it. While the series was considered the weakest in viewership of the five shows, it was highly anticipated, and overall met with positive praise for its storyline bringing the four heroes together and expanding on their characters, with the vigilantes teaming up to take on The Hand, an evil crime syndicate of mystical ninjas. The long game of layering four separate series to build up to a group show—definitely a peak Marvel move. (For those following at home, the series is set shortly after the second season of Daredevil and the first season of Iron Fist.)
Availability: Netflix, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
The Punisher (62%/87%)
Netflix, 2 seasons, ended
Despite debuting in Daredevil’s second season, The Punisher’s Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) is not part of the larger Defenders cross-over, but rather has his own a stand-alone series. Instead of dwelling on the supernatural elements found in many of the other Marvel stories, it rather focuses on the very human Castle, a former Marine who seeks vengeance on those who killed his family—and in the process, uncovers a much bigger conspiracy. While not as strong out of the gate as some of the other series, it still proved itself among many critics and fans as a fresh take on the comic thriller.
Availability: Netflix, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Runaways (86%)
Hulu, 3 seasons (season 3 release TBD)
We’ve already shared our thoughts on Marvel’s Runaways on Hulu. But for a recap, it’s about six teens who go on the run after discovering their parents are up to murderous deeds, while at the same time discovering many of their own hidden supernatural powers. While sharing continuity within the larger MCU. Runaways is primarily focused on the lives of the teens, giving a more serious treatment to younger characters than the majority of the MCU does. The insular quality of the series from the larger franchise and fun, teen-oriented (yet not childish) energy make the show a refreshing change, while still capturing the comic book action adventure vibe.
Availability: Hulu, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Cloak & Dagger (87%)
FreeForm, 2 seasons (currently airing)
Much like Runaways, Cloak & Dagger is a largely stand-alone series with a more youth-oriented focus. After the collapse of an oil rig in New Orleans, teenagers Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph) develop unexpected superpowers, leading them to form an unlikely friendship. While on the run, the two discover the depth of their feelings for one another—and the increased strength of their newfound powers when they work together. The second season is still airing on the Disney/ABC-owned platform FreeForm, and future tie-ins with other series in the MCU have been teased for the future, but as yet are unofficial.
Availability: FreeForm, Hulu, for rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Inhumans(11%/45%)
ABC, 1 season, ended
Perhaps a sign that when you do many things, you can only do so many of them well. With their massive, multi-phase universe Marvel has built, there are bound to be a few duds, and it seems like the consensus was that Inhumans was the biggest. The series focused on the Inhuman Royal Family fleeing their home city after a military coup. Inhumans, a humanoid race with the added development of extraordinary and supernatural abilities, previously appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, the new series did not connect directly with that arc or with other parts of the franchise. Marvel double-downed with the premiere, launching it in IMAX theatres for a limited two-week run leading up to the series debut on ABC, but unfortunately, the show couldn’t support the hype, and after the first eight-episode season, it was canceled. But, hey, if you’re a completest…
Availability: No free streaming. For rent/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu
Upcoming Marvel TV Shows
With ongoing series down to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Runaways, and Cloak & Dagger, what is next for Marvel television? Hulu and Disney have just announced two new series joining the lineup, and several of limited-run series featuring characters from the Avengers films are already in development for Disney+, the new on-demand streaming service coming from the conglomerate in November.
Marvel on Hulu
Ghost Rider has been under discussion for some time, after the Robbie Reyes incarnation of the character (played by Gabriel Luna) appeared in a story arc during Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fourth season, and has since been announced by Hulu. Luna was confirmed as reprising his role as the avenging “demon,” a human who transforms into a flaming supernatural skeleton with super powers.
Helstrom is the story of Daimon and Ana Helstrom (Hellstorm and Satana), siblings and children of a powerful and mysterious serial killer. Their mission? To hunt down the worst of humanity, but they may have differing views on what that means.
Disney+
(See our article on Disney’s New Streaming Service)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will reunite Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), who seem to have bonded through their mutual friend Cap over the last few Captain America and Avengers films. It is expected to debut during the first year of the Disney+ streaming service.
WandaVision is already underway, and pulls its title (unsurprisingly) from Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Vision, whose relationship ended up playing a not insignificant role in the last few Avengers films. Both Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are confirmed to reprise their roles. Like the other new Disney+ series, while expected to live in the MCU, the short run series are likely to diverge slightly, and where the story picks up is unknown, given where those characters were left in the films. WandaVision is expected during the second year of Disney+.
Loki is perhaps going to be one of the most anticipated of the limited series—at least if Tom Hiddleston’s fans have any say. The trickster is very beloved by Marvel fans (and in general) and his hijinks are likely to be a lighter spot in the MCU-scape. Like WandaVision, Loki is planned for the second year of the streaming service.
Finally, an Untitled Hawkeye series is planned, focusing on Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner)’s story line, and the continuation of the Hawkeye legacy to his daughter, Kate Bishop (one of several of the above plot lines potentially hinted at in Endgame).
While we’re largely talking live action series, we would be remiss not to include one final addition, Marvel’s What If…?, which is also planned for Disney+. Based on the comic, What If…? is an animated series in which each episode explores different possible outcomes from key moments in the MCU history.
How to Watch
Netflix – You can start with a free month trial, and then choose between three plans:
- $8.99 – limited to 1 screen at a time, and no HD availability
- $12.99 – up to 2 screens streaming at the same time, basic HD availability
- $15.99 – up to 4 screens streaming at the same time, basic and Ultra HD availability
Netflix has apps for mobile devices, as well as streaming devices including Roku, Apple TV, Tivo, Chromecast, and Fire TV. You can also watch online at Netflix.com.
Hulu – Subscribing is easy, you can start with a free trial month, and then choose from several plans:
$5.99/month with limited commercials
$11.99/month commercial free
$39.99/month commercial free + live TV of up to 50 channels, as well as on demand feature.
Hulu can be watched through Hulu.com online, as well as apps for Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, Xbox, and mobile devices.
FreeForm – True to its name, FreeForm is a free streaming platform for many series and movies out of the ABC/Disney family. The site does play ads, but by watching select ads or movie trailers, viewers earn points good for skipping commercials later. FreeForm can be watched online and through mobile and TV apps.
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