10. luke cage
Bringing Luke Cage to live-action had been on the cards for decades. Even acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino wanted to bring him to life in the 90s. Ultimately, Mike Colter debuted as the 70s-inspired brawler on Netflix in September 2016. As a result of a sabotaged experiment, Cage uses his incredible strength and seemingly invincible state to bring justice to the streets of New York. Naturally, he runs into some familiar MCU faces in nearby neighbourhoods.
Luke Cage went on for two seasons and hasn’t been mentioned since in the MCU, but fans are still hopeful that Disney+ will give him another shot.
9. wandavision
Surprised it isn’t at the top? We’re sorry folks, but WandaVision has some pretty stiff competition in the MCU. Its ever-changing tone and riff on different genres may have been divisive for some fans, but this deeply tragic story behind Wanda Maximoff’s grief following Avengers: Endgame was compelling to explore. As always, Elizabeth Olsen knocks it out of the park, alongside an inspired performance by Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness.
8. the falcon and the winter soldier
Many expected Anthony Mackie’s debut as Captain America to hit the big screen first, but Disney+ saw Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes team up following the events of Avengers: Endgame. The path to becoming Cap was never going to be easy though, as a new villain in the form of John Walker aka U.S Agent was also after the shield. Seeing the dynamic between Wilson and Barnes develop was the highlight of the show, giving them time to reflect on the tragic loss they’d suffered as a result of the Blip.
The show’s success has greenlit a fourth Captain America movie, which will continue Sam Wilson’s journey.
7. hawkeye
Hawkeye has a mixed reception among MCU fans but this solid adaptation of Matt Fraction’s beloved comic run is worth checking out. Largely absent during his first appearance in the MCU, Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye had to prove his worth over the course of multiple sequels. Now, paired up with the superb Hailee Steinfeld, Renner’s Hawkeye has never been better. Fans of Daredevil will want to deep into this one too. If you know, you know.