Warning: This article contains spoilers for all of MCU Phase 4’s Disney+ TV series.MCU Phase 4 is coming to a close. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige first announced plans for this phase at a press conference in 2014. Now that we’re here, it’s clear that Phase 4 marked a new direction for the franchise. Indeed, in the last handful of years, the MCU has branched out in many ways, from diverting from initially-grounded themes of realism to exploring narratives from different cultures. Throughout Phase 4, in particular, we have been introduced to new superheroes possibly becoming the new Avengers and new villains for them to contend with.

Perhaps the most defining characteristic of the MCU’s Phase 4 is its foray into television. Kicking off with WandaVision, and its ode to television, to, most recently, ending with the meta She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Phase 4 brought a varied collection of Disney+ TV series that ultimately helped to expand the MCU as we originally knew it. Between experimenting with direction, taking a stance on political and social topics, bringing formerly-supporting characters into the spotlight, and spotlighting stories and cultures we had never seen before, MCU Phase 4’s Disney+ series were met with overall success and critical acclaim. Here’s how we would rank all the series.

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8 Hawkeye (2021)

     Marvel Studios

Considered the more light-hearted of all the MCU Phase 4 Disney+ TV series, Hawkeye marks Clint Barton’s long-overdue first solo outing as the titular Avenger. Created by Jonathan Igla, Jeremy Renner reprises his role as Clint Barton, while Hailee Steinfield joins him as wannabe hero Kate Bishop. Hawkeye is set right after the events of Avengers: Endgame, and sees Clint trying to wrestle with the demons from his past — particularly the enemies he made as Ronin — while trying to spend time with his family on Christmas. He is pulled back into the fray when Kate inadvertently dresses as Ronin, causing Ronin’s enemies to re-emerge from the shadows.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Hawkeye effectively gives audiences the chance to dive more deeply into a character they’d been with for over ten years. The show allows us to see how lost and full of rage at the world he is while simultaneously practicing compassion and care for those around him. Indeed, the chemistry between him and Kate is perfect. Hawkeye is an overall pleasant and relaxing watch, not to mention filled with iconic character cameos and introductions (Echo, Yelena Belova, and Kingpin, namely).

7 What If…?

     Disney+

More than just diving into television, the MCU also made its foray into animation with What If…?. Featuring beloved MCU characters (and, in many cases, actors reprising their live action roles), What If…? is an anthology series that explores alternate versions of iconic MCU moments and delineates the multiversal consequences of those seemingly minute changes. Some major moments that were explored in season 1 include Peggy Carter receiving the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve, our favorite heroes surviving a zombie-pocalypse, and the original Avengers being assassinated the same week Nick Fury decides to recruit them for the Avenges Initiative. Though not without its issues, What If…? was ultimately audiences first real taste of the Multiverse throughout Phase 4. Per The Direct, season 2 is expected to arrive in 2023.

6 Loki (2021)

Loki is one of the MCU’s more cerebral Disney+ TV series. Created by Michael Waldron, the show is also set right after the events of Endgame, and features the Loki we saw steal the Tesseract in New York creating a new timeline. Because of his actions, he’s brought to stand before the TVA — the protectors of time — to meet his end, but is instead appointed by Mobius to help find a variant of himself named Sylvie that’s been causing havoc across different points in time. With Loki, we get new information on the Multiverse, are introduced to He Who Remains, a scientist who created the TVA in the 31st Century, and also learn that the Infinity Stones aren’t as big a deal as we thought. The six episodes were positively praised, especially for the acting performances and direction. Season 2 is already in production, and it’s said to be even a bigger multiversal adventure than Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

5 Moon Knight (2022)

     Marvel Studios / Disney

Created by Jeremy Slater, Moon Knight is the sixth series in MCU’s Phase 4 Disney+ series line-up. Starring Oscar Isaac in the leading role as Marc Spector/Steven Grant/ Moon Knight, the show deals with a man who lives with dissociative identity disorder and gets drawn into a mystery with Egyptian gods. Playing all of Marc’s different personalities, Isaac proves why he’s one of the best actors working today. More significantly, Moon Knight deals with mental health, Egyptian mythology, and explores a darker side of the franchise than we’ve seen before. As of this writing, season 2 has yet to be confirmed, but Isaac and Moon Knight director Mohammed Diab have recently teased the possibility, via a TikTok video of them in Cairo.

4 The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021)

Talking about refreshing, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is an MCU Phase Disney+ TV series that decided to go down the political road and, for the first time in the franchise’s history, really dive into timely social issues. Set after Avengers: Endgame where Sam Wilson was handed Captain America’s shield, the series deals with the uncertainty that Sam feels as a Black man in being the face of a nation built upon white supremacy. Though it was criticized for its pacing, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was very much Sam’s story of coming into his own as both a hero and as Captain America. In addition to the social commentary, the series reunited Sam and Bucky on a globe-trotting adventure to stop an anti-patriotism organization that believed life was better during the Blip. The Disney+ series featured the return of Baron Zemo and Sharon Carter, and introduced us to US Agent and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

3 Ms. Marvel (2022)

The amount of hate that Ms. Marvel initially received was unwarranted, which unfortunately made many reluctant to watch it. However, the Disney+ series broke ground in many ways by introducing to MCU fans the franchise’s first Muslim superhero. More than mere lip-service, Ms. Marvel explored Pakistani culture and traditions in a way many may not have seen before in a Hollywood production. Its triumphs lie in its creative visual style, Iman Vellani’s leading performance, its cultural specificity, and, in a twist-ending, the MCU’s first known mutant.

2 She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2022)

     Marvel / Disney

Created by Jessica Gao, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law is the last of MCU Phase 4’s Disney+ series. The series is based on Marvel Comics character She-Hulk / Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who specializes in cases involving superhumans. Indeed, the legal comedy was met with criticism and trepidation when its first trailer debuted a poorly CGI-ed She-Hulk. That being said, She-Hulk, with its meta-narrative and commentary on the MCU at large, has surprising become one of the best Disney+ series of Phase 4. More than just satisfying fans with cameos from beloved characters like Wong, Abomination, and, of course, Daredevil, She-Hulk turned its scope towards MCU “fans,” specifically, the misogynistic trolls online, by using Jennifer’s experience with online hate as a direct allegory for what many women in the franchise face in real-life. The series’ season 1 finale, in particular, demonstrated the MCU’s self-awareness, offering a fitting end to both She-Hulk and Phase 4.

1 WandaVision (2021)

     Disney Platform Distribution 

Last but not least, we have the masterpiece of TV shows that stays solid even outside the MCU: WandaVision. Created by Jac Schaeffer, the premiere MCU Disney+ series focuses on Wanda and Vision as they live their idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview and their reality moves through different decades of sitcoms and TV shows. It’s no wonder that the series received 23 Primetime Emmy Award nominations when you consider the phenomenal acting performances by Olsen and Bettany, the homage to past sitcoms, the technical achievement by those involved, and the heartfelt exploration of grief and nostalgia.