6. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Score: 84%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Packed with blockbuster action and deft character beats, Falcon and the Winter Soldier proves itself worthy of Captain America's legacy with its globetrotting intrigue, mature social commentary, and the sparky rapport between stars Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan.
While there's no denying Flag-Smasher ranks among the all-time worst MCU villains, there was still a lot to love about this series. The exploration of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes' friendship was a joy, as was seeing more of Baron Zemo. John Walker was a highlight, though Anthony Mackie's transformation into Captain America in the finale remains the standout moment.
5. Moon Knight
Score: 86%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Its entertainment value may wax and wane a bit, but Moon Knight ultimately settles into a mostly enjoyable -- and refreshingly weird -- spot in the MCU firmament.
We hate to say it, but Moon Knight is among the most disappointing series on this list. There was nowhere near enough superhero action in the show, and the messy final couple of episodes pointed to those scenes in the asylum being heavily reshot. Still, we loved Khonshu and there's no denying that Oscar Isaac's trippy performance kept us hooked from start to finish.
4. WandaVision
Score: 91%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Part loving homage to TV history, part off-kilter mystery, WandaVision is a wonderfully weird and strikingly bold step into the small screen for the MCU - and a perfect showcase for Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany.
An argument could be made that the theories surrounding this show, such as Mephisto being the big bad, got out of hand and somewhat lessened the experience. Putting that aside, though, it was a blast speculating each week and seeing the mystery in Westview unfurl; emotional, action-packed, and compelling, this show was superb, though we do wish they hadn't wasted Pietro.
3. Hawkeye (TIE)
Score: 92%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Hawkeye starts slowly, but the street-level action is a refreshing change of pace for the MCU -- and the chemistry between its leads sparkles even when the plot lags.
Hawkeye ended up massively exceeding expectations, and the friendship between Clint Barton and Kate Bishop was another of those MCU relationships it was a delight to get caught up in. The Kingpin's debut was a welcomed surprise, while the Christmas setting also felt like something new from Marvel Studios. Swordmaster's arc was a tad disappointing, but that's our only gripe.
3. Loki (TIE)
Score: 92%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: A delightful diversion from the MCU as we know it, Loki successfully sees star Tom Hiddleston leap from beloved villain to endearing antihero -- with a little help from Owen Wilson -- in a series that's as off-kilter, charming, and vaguely dangerous as the demigod himself.
Our first real exposure to the Multiverse, Loki delivered an engrossing mystery and showcased a wonderfully wacky side of the MCU we hadn't seen before courtesy of the TVA. We loved spending time with the God of Mischief's Variants, while that exposition-heavy finale brought a new threat into this world in the form of the standout Jonathan Majors as He Who Remains.
2. What If...?
Score: 94%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: What If...? may not add much to the larger MCU narrative, but surprising takes on beloved characters and some of the best action sequences in the entire franchise make for engaging viewing.
What If...? was definitely something of a mixed bag, with some episodes vastly better than others. However, when you look back at the stories revolving around T'Challa, Doctor Strange, and Captain Carter, the score above feels justified. The Guardians of the Multiverse episodes were fun, and Infinity Ultron was an impressive threat we actually wish had been saved for live-action!
1. Ms. Marvel
Score: 98%
Rotten Or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Ms. Marvel is a genuinely fresh addition to the MCU -- both stylistically and substantively -- with Iman Vellani ably powering proceedings with her super-sized charisma.
There's no denying that there was a steep decline in quality in Ms. Marvel's third, fourth, and fifth episodes, but they were still very good, and the first, second, and sixth chapters were among the best hours of television we've seen from Marvel Studios. Iman Vellani is a megastar, we're in love with her family, and can't wait to see more of this hero in The Marvels this November.