Along with the release of Marvel Studios’ Echo on Disney+ came the announcement that all the Netflix shows in Marvel’s Defender series are now canon to the MCU. When Echo arrived on the platform, Daredevil, Iron Fist, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and The Defenders all landed under the official MCU timeline tab.
There’s no way to be certain if this move signals any resurgence of the Defenders in the MCU, but it’s a welcome move nonetheless. Each of these series is unique in its own way, and while some undoubtedly stand at a higher quality than others, they offer something many fans feel the MCU is in short supply of as of late: maturity. With tons of new Marvel content to dive into, we felt it prudent to develop a list of the best Defenders watch order for newcomers to the franchise.
‘The Defenders’ Watch Order Is Fairly Straightforward
Similar to the MCU, the best way to watch the Marvel Defenders series is in release order. But, unlike the MCU, the release order is also in chronological order. If you want a more traditional television approach, the option to watch each series one by one is always available. However, if you want to experience an interconnected universe in timeline order, here is the best Defenders watch order for each season of the Netflix Marvel shows:
- Daredevil Season 1
- Jessica Jones Season 1
- Daredevil Season 2
- Luke Cage Season 1
- Iron Fist Season 1
- The Defenders
- The Punisher Season 1
- Jessica Jones Season 2
- Luke Cage Season 2
- Iron Fist Season 2
- Daredevil Season 3
- The Punisher Season 2
- Jessica Jones Season 3
There you have it, the definitive watch order for Marvel’s Defenders Saga. Although Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is the only titular character from the above series to appear in the MCU, with three appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo, he isn’t the only one confirmed to reprise his role. Jon Bernthal has already confirmed his return as the Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again, but news of an MCU Punisher series is, unfortunately, nothing but rumors and speculation.
Are the Marvel Netflix Shows Worth Watching?
The short answer to this question is an unequivocal yes. Each show in Netflix’s Defenders saga, which aired from 2015 to 2019, is much more violent, darker in tone, and more grounded than any TV series the MCU has produced to date. They are 100% worthy of a watch, especially if you’re a fan of quality superhero content and comfortable with more graphic and mature stories.
If you’re an MCU lover who isn’t a fan of graphic content but doesn’t want to feel out of the loop for any of these characters’ potential future appearances, fear not. One of Marvel’s special talents is incorporating established and beloved characters into projects seamlessly so that hardcore and casual fans alike can enjoy them. There may be some nods and subtle Easter eggs for long-time fans of the Netflix Marvel properties, but there is no possibility they’re expecting everyone to be aware of all the intricate details of these shows.
Time Will Tell How Much of an Impact Marvel’s Defenders Will Have in the MCU
The famous Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), who made his debut in Daredevil, is already a major MCU figure with much more to come. After an appearance in the Hawkeye finale and a larger supporting role in Echo, Wilson Fisk is set to headline the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again as the feature villain. Marvel producer Brad Winderbaum also went as far as to say he would be the next Thanos (Josh Brolin) of the street-level MCU, so there is much to be excited about in this corner of Marvel going forward.
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