Superhero fatigue is upon us. More specifically, Marvel fatigue appears to have settled in among fans. While the Batverse and rebooted DCU feel new and exciting, some viewers have begun to tire of Marvel, especially as it struggles through one of its most disconnected phases. The fear that Marvel will recycle more superhero tropes or lean too much into fan service may have even led some fans to take a break from the franchise.
However, there are a few MCU TV shows that are worth watching. They feel new and refreshing, are self-contained enough that you don’t have to watch numerous other MCU projects beforehand, and stand well on their own rather than serving solely as a lead-up to a movie or other show. Use our guide to discover the five MCU shows that you’ll love regardless of how you feel about Marvel right now. Catch them all on Disney+ right now.
WandaVision (2021)
WandaVision isn’t the most self-contained show on this list, as it ties into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Still, I say it’s worth watching due to its unique premise. The show follows Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) in the 1950s as they start their life together in the charming town of Westview, though everything isn’t as it seems.
More than a set-up for another movie, WandaVision is a searing character study of Wanda. The series explores her grief over losing Vision, and the unique forms her denial takes. The fact that each episode pays tribute to classic TV is another bonus that makes WandaVision distinct and charming. Ultimately, WandaVision is unique, refreshing, and really gives Wanda room to experience her grief, denial, and anger, choosing character development over superhero thrills.
Ms. Marvel (2022)
Ms. Marvel tells the story of Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a superhero-obsessed 16-year-old, who suddenly finds herself with powers of her own. The series is a superhero origin story, but it avoids feeling repetitive by focusing on Khan’s family history and how it ties into her powers. It maintains the humor of a teenager learning to cope with powers, but also morphs into a much more interesting story about a girl finding her identity.
Ms. Marvel goes beyond the typical superhero origin story, which allows it to frame its themes of family, identity, and culture exceedingly well. The show is also an excellent example of how to handle diversity and representation in a celebratory rather than stereotypical way. One of my favorite parts was that it even leaves room to develop the Khan family as a whole, and it’s easy to walk away from the show loving them.
Moon Knight (2022)
Moon Knight centers on Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID), who becomes entangled with the Egyptian gods through his alter egos. The series is as close as you can get to self-contained, often feeling like it exists in its own universe entirely. The story is so unique, through its deep dive into mythology and mental health, that it’s quite unlike any MCU show.
Moon Knight thrives off of some aspects that have been missing in the MCU, especially that touch of absurdity and unpredictability. The show does a good job of representing DID respectfully, and is one of the few MCU projects to really center its mental health themes and delve into the lingering effects of trauma. With sophisticated themes and a zany, wildly unexpected premise, Moon Knight will defy any MCU expectations you have.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in an alternate universe where Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) is under the mentorship of Norman Osborn (Colman Domingo) while struggling to balance his personal and superhero lives. As a spin on Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will feel a little familiar, and it definitely leans into the superhero side of the story, with its comic-book-esque design and integration of numerous Spider-Man characters.
Still, the show stands out for how well it portrays the high school experience. It even strives to show all the perspectives of teens hailing from wildly different circumstances and walks of life. While there’s a whole lot of superhero action, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man also has a lot of heart. You can really feel the passion that went into the show, and it makes the story of Spider-Man so exciting while also adding a unique layer of wholesomeness and charm.
Wonder Man (2026)
Wonder Man follows Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen), a struggling actor who gets his big break by landing the role of Wonder Man, but risks losing it due to his real-life, secret superpowers. While the show does hearken to Iron Man 3 (2013) via Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), it’s still pretty self-contained. Like WandaVision, it offers lower stakes and less superhero action, focusing instead on a compelling character study.
I love that Wonder Man chooses to dig so deep into a relatably vulnerable lead protagonist. It also shows that the superhero genre need not be restrictive. The series is a superhero show, a meta commentary on Hollywood, and a charming bromance, all in one. Few shows in the MCU are as unapologetically bold and ambitious as Wonder Man.
