Published Apr 23, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
Tom is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, with expertise covering everything from hilarious sitcoms to jaw-dropping sci-fi epics.
Initially he was an Updates writer, though before long he found his way to the TV and movies team. He now spends his days keeping Screen Rant readers informed about the TV shows of yesteryear, whether it's recommending hidden gems that may have been missed by genre fans or deep diving into ways your favorite shows have (or haven't) stood the test of time.
Tom is based in the UK and when he's not writing about TV shows, he's watching them. He's also an avid horror fiction writer, gamer, and has a Dungeons and Dragons habit that he tries (and fails) to keep in check.
Marvel and Disney have spent years expanding the MCU into the realm of TV shows, delivering a constant stream of Disney+ series that deepen the franchise’s world. With so many new releases arriving in quick succession, even dedicated fans can struggle to keep up. In the process, a number of exceptional Marvel shows, particularly those released before the Disney+ era, have been quietly overshadowed.
Fortunately, for Marvel Comics fans, this means there’s a wealth of quality television content waiting to be discovered. Some of the best Marvel TV shows have slipped into relative obscurity and are waiting to be unearthed. These shows aren’t just solid interpretations of beloved characters, they’re genuinely excellent in their own right.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)
A Definitive Spider-Man Story
Spider-Man: The Animated Series remains one of the most ambitious adaptations of the character ever put to screen. The 1990’s cartoon didn’t shy away from complex storytelling, weaving multi-episode arcs that adapted iconic comic storylines with surprising fidelity. Its serialized approach helped it stand out in an era dominated by episodic cartoons.
What makes Spider-Man: TAS especially impressive is how it handled Peter Parker’s personal struggles alongside his superhero responsibilities. The emotional weight of his relationships, particularly with Mary Jane Watson, gave the show a grounded core that elevated it beyond a typical animated superhero show.
Despite its influence, Spider-Man: The Animated Series is often overshadowed by more modern takes on the character. That’s a shame, because few adaptations have captured the full scope of Spider-Man’s mythology with such confidence and care.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009-2012)
A Bold Reinvention That Modernized Tony Stark For A Younger Generation
Iron Man: Armored Adventures took a major risk by reimagining Tony Stark as a teenager, but the gamble paid off. Instead of retreading familiar ground, the series explored Tony’s early years, blending high school drama with cutting-edge tech adventures. The result was a fresh, accessible entry point into the Iron Man mythos.
The show’s greatest strength lies in its character dynamics, particularly Tony’s friendships with the teenage versions Rhodey and Pepper Potts. Their interactions brought a sense of warmth and humor that balanced the high-stakes action. Meanwhile, the evolving threats from the show’s roster of familiar Iron Man villains kept the narrative engaging without becoming overly convoluted.
Despite arriving during a time when the MCU’s popularity was beginning to boom, Iron Man: Armored Adventures never gained the recognition it deserved. Its willingness to reinvent a well-known hero ultimately made it stand apart but also, unfortunately, easier to overlook.
Marvel Anime: X-Men (2011)
A Stylish And Mature Take That Pushed The X-Men Into Darker Territory
2011’s Marvel Anime: X-Men offered a striking reinterpretation of the mutant team, blending Western superhero storytelling with Japanese anime sensibilities. Centered on a fractured team still reeling from the death of Jean Grey, the series leaned into a more mature tone, exploring themes of loss, identity, and prejudice with an intensity few other superhero shows can match.
Visually, the X-Men anime stands out thanks to its sleek animation and dynamic action sequences. Characters like Wolverine and Storm were reimagined with a sharper edge, making them feel both familiar and refreshingly new. What’s more, the anime format allowed for more stylized storytelling than most Western X-Men animated shows.
However, its niche appeal likely contributed to its relative obscurity. Released as part of a broader Marvel anime initiative, Marvel Anime: X-Men never quite reached mainstream audiences. However, despite its relative obscurity, it remains one of the most distinctive X-Men adaptations ever produced.
Legion (2017-2019)
A Mind-Bending Psychological Drama Unlike Anything Else In Marvel’s Catalog
Legion is easily one of the most daring Marvel TV shows ever created. A loose spinoff of the Fox X-Men movies, the series follows David Haller (Dan Stevens), a mutant whose reality is constantly shifting, making it difficult to distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined. This premise allows the show to experiment with narrative structure in ways few superhero series attempt.
Rather than focusing solely on action like many other Marvel TV shows, Legion dives deep into David’s psyche, exploring mental illness and identity with remarkable nuance. It’s as much a psychological horror as it is a superhero series, allowing it to explore territory many others can’t venture into.
Despite critical acclaim, Legion often feels absent from mainstream Marvel discussions. Its unconventional style may not appeal to everyone, but for those willing to engage with it, the series offers a uniquely rewarding experience.
The Gifted (2017-2019)
A Grounded X-Men Drama That Thrived On Its Human Stakes
Another loose spinoff of the X-Men movies like Legion, The Gifted carved out its own corner of Fox’s cinematic mutant universe by focusing on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Reed (Stephen Moyer) and Caitlin Strucker (Amy Acker) are two parents whose lives are upended when their children manifest mutant abilities. This family-driven narrative gives the series a strong emotional foundation.
Unlike more spectacle-heavy adaptations, The Gifted emphasizes the societal impact of mutants. It’s varied roster of characters all bring different perspectives to the struggle between Mutantkind and Humanity, creating a nuanced portrayal of prejudice and resistance. Just like Legion’s psychadelic strangeness, The Gifted’s tone helps it stand apart from other Marvel superhero shows, though in this case it’s because the story is so grounded.
Unfortunately, its connection to the larger X-Men franchise was never fully realized, limiting its reach. Had it been released in more recent years once the X-Men had been integrated into the MCU it would likely have fared much better. Even so, The Gifted remains a compelling and thoughtful take on Marvel’s mutant mythology.
X-Men: Evolution (2000-2003)
The Show That Redefined The X-Men For A New Era
Released in conjunction with the birth of Fox’s X-Men movies, X-Men: Evolution reimagined the iconic mutant team as high school students, focusing on their formative years. Still led by Professor Charles Xavier, the series explored the characters’ personal growth as much as it did their emerging powers. This approach allowed for deeper character development than many other adaptations.
In particular, X-Men: Evolution excelled at balancing its youthful tone with meaningful storytelling. Familiar X-Men characters like Cyclops and Jean Grey evolved over intricate multi-episode arcs, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging. The series stood out for how effortlessly it built toward larger conflicts without losing sight of its core relationships.
Despite its strong writing and memorable character arcs, X-Men: Evolution is often overshadowed by other animated X-Men projects, particularly X-Men: The Animated Series and, more recently, X-Men ‘97. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that it remains one of the most well-rounded interpretations of the team decades after it concluded.
Cloak & Dagger (2018-2019)
A Visually Striking Blend Of Romance A Superhero Drama
A series that’s somehow been all but forgotten, Cloak & Dagger offered a more intimate take on Marvel storytelling, focusing on Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph), AKA the titular Cloak and Dagger. Their intertwined powers and shared experiences create a compelling dynamic that drives the series forward.
In terms of tone, Clock & Dagger leans heavily into character relationships, giving it a distinct identity. Visually, the series stands out for its use of light and darkness to reflect both Cloak and Daggers abilities and emotional states. This stylistic approach enhances the storytelling, making even quieter moments feel impactful.
Despite its unique qualities, Cloak & Dagger never achieved widespread recognition. Its smaller scale and slower pace may have limited its appeal, but those same qualities are what make it so memorable.
Agent Carter (2015-2016)
A Stylish Period Drama That Gave The MCU One Of Its Strongest Heroes
One of the first MCU TV shows, Agent Carter brought Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) into the spotlight after her strong debut in Captain America: The First Avenger. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the series blends espionage, action, and period drama with impressive confidence.
The unique charm of Agent Carter lies in the fact that it's a period spy drama as much as it's a superhero series. It delivers high-stakes missions while maintaining a sense of wit and elegance. There’s truly no other Marvel TV show like it, and it stands on its own in such a way that it could exist in a vacuum without any connection to other comic book media and still be an exceptionally satisfying watch.
Despite its quality and connection to the MCU, Agent Carter was short-lived. It’s a rare example of a Marvel TV show that feels both essential and overlooked. Hayley Atwell may have returned to the MCU since as Captain Carter, but none of her appearances have captured the same magic.
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