When Disney announced that it would be launching its own streaming service, it didn’t take long for Marvel Studios to announce a development slate full of streaming series that will directly tie into the movies. This made the Netflix shows that tied into the Marvel Cinematic Universe pretty much moot.
Before too long, fans’ worst fears came to fruition and all the Netflix shows were canned. Those shows never really connected to the MCU’s movies anyway, so it can be easy to assume they’re not worth checking out. But on the contrary, here are 10 reasons why Marvel’s Netflix shows are still worth watching.
They Offer Up A Darker Side Of The MCU
Since they’re beholden to PG-13 ratings and summer crowds, the MCU’s movies aren’t particularly dark. The climactic fight in Captain America: Civil War is intense and Killmonger’s plan in Black Panther tackles some challenging themes, but on the whole, the films in the MCU tend to play it safe.
The Netflix series offer fans a darker alternative to the movies. The villains won’t hesitate to torture people, blood gushes from the gunshot wounds, there are plenty of swear words, and the stories tackle difficult subjects like sexual assault.
Charlie Cox Is The Definitive On-Screen Daredevil
Netflix’s Daredevil series isn’t the first time the Man Without Fear has been portrayed on-screen. Ben Affleck starred as Matt Murdock in a 2003 movie, but it was deservedly panned by critics and failed to capture the essence of the character.
Charlie Cox has been playing a much more exciting incarnation of Daredevil on Netflix. It would be a shame if Marvel doesn’t find a way to branch him over into the movies, because Daredevil is basically Marvel’s Batman, and Cox has knocked the role out of the park so far.
The Netflix Shows Have Some Of Marvel’s Most Iconic Villains
From Loki to Thanos, the MCU’s big-screen outings have brought some of Marvel’s most iconic villains to life. But the movies haven’t tackled them all. The Netflix series has depictions of some of Marvel’s greatest antagonists.
Most notably, Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal of New York crime boss Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin, stands alongside the MCU’s greatest bad guys. But the Netflix series also have awesome villains like Jigsaw and the Hand.
Jessica Jones Tackles Timely Social Issues
While Black Panther dealt with the shameful history of colonialism and Captain Marvel shed light on gender discrimination, the MCU’s movies tend not to get too political. The Netflix series, on the other hand, had the freedom to explore topical subject matter. Jessica Jones tackles some very timely social issues.
The title character suffers from PTSD, while the mind-controlling villain Kilgrave paved the way for a discussion of consent. Plus, the second season had one of the first storylines on a major TV series to tackle the #MeToo movement.
They Work Brilliantly As Standalone Stories
If what’s holding you back from watching Marvel’s Netflix series is the commitment of 13 seasons of television across six different shows, don’t worry about having to watch every single one.
The shows are all connected in various ways, but you don’t have to watch all of them to be able to understand the storylines. Daredevil is a great series on its own; Luke Cage is a great series on its own, etc.
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Is Suitably Brutal
Like Deadpool and Wolverine, the Punisher is a character whose stories work best with uncensored ultraviolence, and that’s exactly what Netflix’s The Punisher gave fans.
Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle is just as brutal as he is in the comics. In one scene, he beats up a bunch of guys in a gym, using dumbbells and barbells to cave in skulls.
They’re Prime Binge-Watching Material
Marvel’s Netflix series are perfect for binge-watching. They’re incredibly addictive, and you’re never too far away from a riveting action sequence, so it's always a thrilling experience.
TV shows about the daily lives of politicians or corruption in the American city can get very dry in spots, or too heavy to be digestible. Shows about superheroes don’t have that problem.
They’re More Diverse Than The Movies
While it took Marvel’s movie series a decade to give a solo movie to a non-white superhero and even longer to give a solo movie to a female hero, the Netflix series have always been diverse.
They’ve featured BIPOC heroes, same-sex couples, and plenty of strong female characters. The Netflix shows have been far better at representation than their big-screen counterparts.
The Acting Is Spectacular
The acting in Marvel’s Netflix series is sublime, from Mike Colter’s brilliant portrayal of Luke Cage as an ex-convict who’s unbreakable on the outside and vulnerable on the inside to Krysten Ritter’s combination of dry wit and emotional substance in the role of Jessica Jones.
Rosario Dawson gives a winning turn as Claire Temple across several Marvel/Netflix shows, while Vincent D’Onofrio’s subdued performance made Wilson Fisk far more sympathetic than he had any right to be.
The Shows Exist As Their Own Little Cinematic Universe
The Netflix series might not feature cameos by Iron Man and Captain America, or even acknowledge the MCU’s major worldwide events, like Thanos’ finger-snap, but that doesn’t matter, because the shows exist in their own little cinematic universe.
Luke Cage appears in Jessica Jones; the Punisher begins his arc in Daredevil’s second season before spinning off into his own show; and the stars of the solo series teamed up to fight a common enemy in The Defenders.