8 Underrated Marvel TV Shows (Including 4 that Are Not in the MCU)

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Over the past ten years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the leading source of superhero shows, moving from traditional TV series to a focus on its streaming service. Just in 2026, Marvel has released the well-received Wonder Man and plans to launch the second season of Daredevil: Born Again in March, along with a special featuring The Punisher and the new series VisionQuest. Plus, the return of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man shows Marvel’s dedication to offering a variety of animated stories. However, with so many new projects, older or smaller shows can easily get overlooked.

Today, Disney+ is the main place to watch Marvel shows, but the history of Marvel on TV is actually quite complicated. For years, Marvel licensed its characters to different networks, leading to many separate shows being made with varying levels of creative freedom. This resulted in several series that don’t quite fit into the main Marvel story timeline, or whose place in that timeline is unclear after changes at Marvel Entertainment. Before Disney bought Fox and made deals with Sony, many Marvel characters appeared in shows and movies outside of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because of all this, a lot of excellent Marvel TV shows haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve.

8) M.O.D.O.K.

The Marvel series M.O.D.O.K. is unusual for its focus on adult-oriented comedy, using a unique stop-motion animation style. It centers on the supervillain M.O.D.O.K. (voiced by Patton Oswalt) as he tries to manage his evil organization, A.I.M., while also dealing with a failing marriage and the challenges of everyday suburban life. The show is praised for its clever, self-aware humor and its loving references to lesser-known comic book details, including cameos that most mainstream Marvel projects would overlook.

Although M.O.D.O.K. was a creatively bold show, it arrived at a difficult time for Marvel TV. It debuted on Hulu as the studio was increasingly concentrating on live-action series for Disney+. Because it wasn’t directly connected to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, many viewers who prefer interconnected stories didn’t see it as essential. Sadly, the show was cancelled too soon, preventing it from reaching a larger audience who might have enjoyed its unique and unconventional approach.

7) Guardians of the Galaxy

The animated Guardians of the Galaxy show is often seen as simply a tie-in to the live-action movies, but it actually created its own unique feel by building out a huge and imaginative universe. Though it features the same core team, with Star-Lord voiced by Will Friedle, the animated series often goes to stranger and more unexplored parts of the Marvel universe, delving into the history of the Spartax Empire and the beginnings of the Symbiotes.

The Guardians of the Galaxy animated series stands out because it takes the time to really explore how the team members interact, blending exciting space adventures with the strong sense of family that the franchise is known for. Many overlook it, likely because it originally aired on Disney XD and was assumed to be for younger viewers. However, the show actually offers complex storylines and visually impressive animation that’s comparable to the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Because it exists separately from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, it also offers a unique and refreshing take on the characters.

6) The Gifted

The TV show The Gifted took a realistic approach to the X-Men story by telling it through the eyes of parents, Reed and Caitlin Strucker, who learn their children are mutants. The show is set in a world where the X-Men are gone, and a government agency is trying to capture anyone with special abilities. It focused on the drama of simply trying to survive, and the social issues the mutant story represents, rather than big, colorful superhero action.

Originally airing on Fox, The Gifted faced tough competition from the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe on other channels. When Disney bought Fox, the show was ultimately cancelled, as the company planned to relaunch its mutant characters within the main Marvel storyline. This business decision left a well-made, character-focused series feeling overlooked, even though it had strong acting and explored interesting themes.

5) Runaways

Inspired by the popular comic books, Runaways centers on six teenagers who learn their parents are secretly part of a group of supervillains called the Pride. What makes the show stand out – featuring characters like Alex Wilder and Nico Minoru – is its focus on the emotional impact of this betrayal, rather than just the superpowers and technology involved. The series successfully combines the drama of a teen soap opera with the excitement of a superhero story, creating a fresh and unique feel compared to other Marvel shows.

Although Runaways was meant to connect with the bigger Marvel Cinematic Universe, it didn’t often feature crossovers with other MCU stories and didn’t receive much promotion. The first season started slowly, which turned some viewers off, but those who stuck with it were rewarded with deeper storylines about alien groups and magical worlds. The show is still a well-made and touching take on teenage rebellion, and Marvel fans should consider rewatching it now that it’s available to stream for free.

4) Cloak & Dagger

Cloak & Dagger stands out as one of Marvel’s most visually striking and thoughtful shows, using its unique setting to explore important social issues. The series follows Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson, two teens from different worlds who become connected through a painful event and gain unusual powers linked to light and darkness. Unlike typical superhero stories, Cloak & Dagger makes New Orleans a central part of the narrative, weaving in local Voodoo traditions and history to create a rich and mystical atmosphere.

As a huge Marvel fan, I always felt Cloak & Dagger was unfairly overlooked. What I really appreciated was how real it felt – it tackled tough issues like racism, shady corporations, and addiction with a genuine honesty you just don’t see much in superhero shows. Even though it had a fun team-up with the Runaways, it was on Freeform, which meant a lot of adult viewers just didn’t know about it. And while it technically fit into the larger Marvel universe – part of the ‘Sacred Timeline,’ even – it wasn’t directly connected to the big-screen Avengers, so people missed out. Honestly, it has some of the most consistently well-developed characters of any Marvel series, and it’s a real shame more people didn’t give it a chance.

3) Hit-Monkey

Hit-Monkey is a surprisingly emotional animated series for adults, despite its wild premise. It centers on Monkey, a Japanese macaque who becomes a skilled assassin with the help of the cynical ghost of an American hitman named Bryce. The show is visually striking and blends dark humor with intense action, all while exploring themes of loss and revenge. It offers a gritty, modern take on the Marvel universe, focusing on the criminal underworld of Tokyo and its internal conflicts rather than large-scale events.

Despite being one of the best animated superhero shows available, Hit-Monkey hasn’t found a large audience. This is likely because it was made during a different period for Marvel TV and doesn’t have the same promotional support as projects from Marvel Studios. Plus, with no majorly famous character leading the show, many people simply missed it. This is a shame, as it’s arguably the most creatively bold animated series Marvel has ever made.

2) Agent Carter

Even though Agent Carter played a key role in the origins of SHIELD, it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The show follows Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) as she works as a secret agent for Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) in the years after World War II, facing sexism and challenges in a male-dominated world. It’s beautifully designed, perfectly capturing the look and feel of the 1940s and creating a distinctive, film-noir style unlike anything else in the MCU. The series also powerfully portrays Peggy’s emotional journey as she deals with the loss of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) while pursuing her career goals, solidifying her place as one of Marvel’s most important heroes.

As a huge Marvel fan, I was really disappointed when Agent Carter got cancelled after just two seasons – especially with that cliffhanger! It felt like a promising show that never quite got the chance to shine. Then, when Marvel started handling their own TV shows, Agent Carter kind of got pushed to the side, treated like it didn’t really count as part of the main MCU story. It’s great to see Peggy Carter pop up in movies and What If…?, but honestly, losing her own series feels like a real missed chance to delve into the early days of organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. and build out that part of the Marvel universe.

1) She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is a surprisingly good Marvel series that didn’t get the attention it deserved, largely because it was so different from other Marvel shows. The series centers on Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany), a lawyer who gets superpowers like her cousin, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), but still tries to keep her job. What made She-Hulk unique was its use of humor, specifically a legal comedy format, and its direct acknowledgement of, and commentary on, the often negative aspects of being a Marvel fan.

Many viewers misunderstood the playful, self-aware style of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, seeing it as a lack of direction. This caused a divided reaction and overshadowed the show’s smart writing and its thoughtful look at what it means for women to be independent. The final episode, in particular, took a bold risk by avoiding a typical superhero battle, making it one of the most creative choices Marvel had ever made. Despite being a well-developed character study, some viewers criticized the show for not following the usual action-packed formula, leading many to believe it was a brilliant, but underappreciated, series on Disney+.

What lesser-known Marvel TV shows do you recommend fans check out? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-03 21:17