5 Things Marvel Can Learn From the Failures of the MCU Disney+ Shows

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In brief, the arrival of “Ironheart” marks the conclusion of Marvel Studios/Television’s initial phase that primarily consisted of live-action TV series. Notably, this was the final production without a designated showrunner. As we move forward with upcoming projects such as “Wonder Man,” “Vision Quest,” and potential new “Daredevil” shows, they will be overseen by showrunners from conception to completion. The Marvel Cinematic Universe initially aimed to revolutionize television production, but encountered numerous challenges along the way.

It’s clear that the strategy to primarily base the franchise’s future on Disney+ streaming series has not been as successful as expected, and many of these shows didn’t achieve great artistic success. Yet, this doesn’t diminish the valuable insights that productions like “Secret Invasion” or “Ironheart” can offer for both large and small screen Marvel Cinematic Universe projects in the future.

1) What Works in MCU Movies Doesn’t Translate to TV

One key lesson that Disney and Marvel should learn from the missteps in Phases 4 and 5 of the MCU is the importance of managing budgets effectively. The exorbitant costs associated with productions like “Secret Invasion” ($212 million), “WandaVision” ($225 million), and “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” (over $200 million) are simply unsustainable. Remarkably, these shows often cost more than recent MCU films such as “Shang-Chi” or “Thunderbolts.” Despite the high investment, these series frequently suffered from lackluster visual effects and uninspiring backdrops reminiscent of low-budget B-movies. This only underscores the misuse of funds on these productions.

fans can’t consume so much content at once. For example, making Ms. Marvel essential viewing for The Marvels potentially harmed the box office success of what could have been a highly profitable Captain Marvel sequel.

2) Don’t Debut Major Superheroes on Television

Streamed programs trapped behind a paywall don’t have as broad an audience or accessibility, except for rare exceptions like Squid Game or Stranger Things. It’s crucial to understand that creating shows that must be seen before watching a new movie is not the way to go. Characters such as Kamala Khan and Moon Knight should also have their tales told in more concise movie formats. If you’re not going to allow these Marvel Comics characters to star in television series that make use of the unique aspects of serial storytelling, then simply produce standalone movies for them instead.

3) Also, Don’t Debut Villains on Streaming

Discussing character introductions, Marvel Studios/Television’s unusual choice to introduce significant villains and characters (specifically Kang and Mephisto) within streaming platforms was a significant mistake. Initially, this move in the early 2020s aimed to make these shows essential viewing. One might have thought that any Disney+ series could unveil the next Thanos. However, it only served to make the Marvel Cinematic Universe seem overly complex and difficult to navigate. It would be more effective to premiere these new antagonists and characters on the big screen, where they can make a lasting impression.

4) Bring Back the Special Presentations and Embrace Multi-Season Shows

Going ahead, TV shows should focus on adopting certain types of narratives. To begin with, it’s crucial to establish multi-season productions as a standard. Avoid elongating a two-hour origin movie into a six-hour miniseries. Instead, treat these as TV series and develop captivating characters, immersive worlds, and engaging weekly storylines that viewers would eagerly anticipate each week. Shows like Agatha All Along, WandaVision, and Loki received exceptional reviews due to their episodic storytelling, serving as excellent examples. Take a leaf from these shows’ playbooks rather than following the path of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Just as we’ve seen with “Werewolf By Night”, it’s high time for the return of those Special Presentation series. Longer, 45-minute productions could provide a perfect platform to introduce fresh Marvel characters and enable filmmakers to infuse their unique styles into this expansive franchise. The potential in these projects is enormous, and it seems strange that audiences haven’t been treated to another one in years. By expanding on the legacy of “Werewolf by Night”, we can create even more exciting Special Presentations!

5) Make Sure These Shows Are Ready to Roll Before Filming Begins

It’s crucial that upcoming Marvel series have well-developed scripts and clear creative plans in place before filming begins. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for making changes right up until the final moments, adding important scenes during reshoots or even filming key post-credits sequences just days before a movie’s release. This approach has sometimes led to issues with Phase 4 and 5 films. However, applying this strategy to television proved to be a significant misstep.

One important distinction is that television series are much more expansive than movies. For example, WandaVision ran for about 350 minutes (almost twice as long as Avengers: Endgame) and consisted of nine episodes. The upcoming Daredevil: Born Again aims to produce 18 episodes. Due to the fact that these series are developed without finalized scripts or consistent tone adjustments, they frequently encounter numerous issues during production. Series like Born Again, Echo, Secret Invasion, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier have faced notorious production problems that might have been prevented if they had clearer creative visions from the outset.

Before any additional Marvel Disney+ series are given the go-ahead, it’s crucial that everyone agrees on the creative goals, script quality, and visual style of the project. The fact that Marvel Television is distancing itself from Marvel Studios and placing more trust in showrunners suggests they’re learning from their past errors. However, despite the substantial financial investment and extensive promotion, the current performance of MCU Disney+ series has been less inspiring than promising. Here’s hoping this serves as a guide for improvement when more Marvel characters move to television screens.

All episodes of Ironheart and Secret Invasion are now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-07-14 00:10