Amazing. Fantastic. Uncanny. Marvel's popularity has grown exponentially in the last two decades, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) proving a cinematic giant. That success extended to their Netflix series—Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher—which are now available to stream on Disney+.But which show is the best? If you’re juggling time between other Marvel series like Hawkeye, She-Hulk, and Secret Invasion, which of the so-called “Defender Saga” is worth watching? In true Marvel style, let's pit these heroes against each other and see who comes out on top.

6. Iron Fist

There’s no bad Marvel show from Netflix. It's just that some are stronger than others. Nonetheless, the worst thing about Iron Fist is the critical mauling it got, with claims that the series is bad being based solely on misconceptions over “whitewashing”. Daniel Rand (Finn Jones) is an outsider to the mystical city of K'un-Lun, but he overcomes this. And it could be argued it's more racist to suggest only people from Asia can learn martial arts.

Take Iron Fist on its own merits, and these really are numerous.

The story is intriguing, exploring a section of the Marvel Universe few other cinematic installments do, making for an endearing and enjoyable run. There’s a melding of the spiritual and the industrial, as Danny is welcomed back to Rand Enterprises (not with open arms) after a long absence following the death of his parents.

Iron Fist’s narrative alters considerably across its two seasons, also changing aesthetics to give viewers a lot of interesting visuals. Over its 23 episodes, you warm to Joy and Ward Meachum (Jessica Stroup and Tom Pelphrey respectively) in particular, and, in Season 2, meet Typhoid Mary, normally a Daredevil villain played by the mesmerizing Alice Eve.

But the stand-out star is Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, who is extremely likable, capable, and superb in action sequences.

5. Luke Cage

Luke Cage has undeniable style and is perhaps the most distinctive of the Netflix shows. That's particularly prevalent with the first two episodes, helmed by Sherlock’s Paul McGuigan. While his Luke Cage efforts aren't so twisting as his work on the BBC hit show, his flair is evident, especially in episode two, Code of the Streets.

Mike Colter captures the character perfectly, a warmth and heart shining through his powerful exterior. Season 1 antagonists, Cottonmouth (Mahershala Ali) and Diamondback (Erik LaRay Harvey) prove especially sinister, and yet are somehow charming—as long as you don't cross them.

It certainly has its fair share of moments to make your jaw drop too.

Sadly, the first episode drags and introduces its themes too slowly. In fact, in Moment of Truth, Luke only notably displays his powers once. Fortunately, the pace picks up and Season 2 hits new heights, particularly in its vicious rivalry between Bushmaster (Mustafa Shakir) and Mariah Stokes-Dillard (Alfre Woodard).

There are two extra characters who make quite an impression too: Luke Cage’s beloved Harlem; and the hip hop-jazz fusion from composers, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

4. The Punisher

Frank Castle made his Netflix debut in Season 2 of Daredevil, and Jon Bernthal’s performance resulted in this two-season show, essentially a spin-off, that focuses on the Punisher’s ongoing war against crime. It’s a life he initially seems reluctant to be drawn back into, but his need for justice and vengeance soon gets the better of him.

With his rifle trained on the entire criminal underworld, the vigilante punishes those who deserve it. Except he’ll stop at nothing.

He doesn’t find anything wrong with torture. After all, criminals deserve it. That, he argues, is the only difference between him and heroes like the Avengers: Frank will do what has to be done.

The reason for Castle’s quest was established in Daredevil, but Season 1 of The Punisher is essentially still an origin story, with Frank’s grief the driving force throughout the narrative. It has a slower, more contemplative start that many anticipated, but it works well in building up solid character work and increasing tension.

The fight scenes are bloody and brilliant, and Marvel doesn’t shy away from the brutality of Frank’s actions and emotions. His history with Billy Russo is especially interesting to see unfold across Season 1, and the macabre villain takes up his comic book moniker, Jigsaw, at the season’s finale,

Unusually, the chief villain in Season 2 is an original character, not based on anyone from the comic books. Nonetheless, John Pilgrim was apparently informed by the formidable assassin, Mennonite.

3. The Defenders

Seeing heroes interact is always great fun. In fact, it’s one of the things that quickly set Marvel Comics apart from its competitors, pitting two of their biggest names, Namor and the original android Human Torch, against each other in Marvel Mystery Comics #8 (1940).

We’d already seen some characters meet and crossover in other shows, with Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) acting as a linchpin; she does the same in The Defenders too, so their meetings feel organic and uneasy alliances are soon established.

The plot, involving the Hand and Elektra (Élodie Yung), continues from Daredevil and Iron Fist.

It’s not vital you’ve seen those first, but you’ll certainly gain more of an emotional connection and understanding if you’ve at least watched Daredevil Seasons 1 and 2 beforehand. (What’s more, The Defenders leads beautifully into Season 3, with a loose but enjoyable adaptation of the sublime comic storyline, Born Again.)

Clocking in at just eight episodes (which makes it a great series to binge-watch), the narrative is tighter, more akin to the taut storytelling of the other Marvel shows on Disney+ like WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Moon Knight.

The real joy is watching the leads and supporting cast interact. Though they don’t immediately get on (where’s the fun in that?), by episode four, Royal Dragon, their dynamics are cemented and the path runs smoother—just before a fission builds between them again.

2. Jessica Jones

Approaching Marvel canon, Jessica Jones might not immediately stand out for televisual adaption. Yet Netflix proved it could do the acclaimed comic series justice, reflecting its gorgeous noir tone.

The series has a great conceit: Jessica Jones is a private investigator with superhuman strength. She's an unwilling superhero.

Krysten Ritter's Jessica is grumpy, sarcastic, at times horrible, but with a caring nature nestled deep within her. That comes to the fore in Season 2, when she’s forced to make tough decisions for her nearest and dearest.

As Luke Cage introduced Misty Knight (Simone Missick), Jessica Jones also welcomes another comic heroine: Trish Walker, aka Hellcat (Rachael Taylor), who takes more focus in Season 2 and 3. Their dynamic works well, but the highlight is Jess’ relationship with Kilgrave, played by Doctor Who’s David Tennant.

Kilgrave's power is manipulation. You do as he says—without question. Known in the comics as the Purple Man, his obsession with Jess is surprisingly scary. This is a power play, physically and mentally, allowing the series to explore abuse and PTSD.

There are some minor issues, including a slower pace. Jess’ job isn't properly explored, and Will Simpson's (Wil Traval) potential is never fully realized. Nonetheless, Jessica Jones is well worth your time, for its sensitive take on heavy topics, for one of the best MU villains, and for Krysten Ritter: a magnetic, complex, and strangely lovable lead.

1. Daredevil

As the first Marvel Netflix original, there was a lot riding on Daredevil. The weight of expectations was scary big. Fortunately, Daredevil is the Man Without Fear.

Saving a stranger from an oncoming car, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) was blinded by radioactive material. But this heightened his other senses, giving him an extra advantage in the form of a radar-like awareness. He can hear heartbeats. He can smell adrenaline. He can "see" in complete blackness.

Of course, that's not all Matt is: he’s a Catholic attorney who dresses up as the Devil! He must stop the evils that are pulling Hell's Kitchen apart, while questioning how far he goes before he turns into a monster himself.

Cox is exceptional as Daredevil. It’s an incredibly thoughtful, captivating, and layered performance. If it weren’t for his impressive acrobatics, you’d swear he really were blind. Similarly, Vincent D'Onofrio is a stunning Wilson Fisk (the Kingpin), bringing a depth and surprising sadness to the role. It's hard not to sympathize with him.

Both were so great, they’ve been integrated into the MCU, via Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye (both 2021).

Daredevil’s one-shot action scenes are particularly noteworthy. Check out the sublime hallway fight in Cut Man; the stairwell variation in New York’s Finest; and the 11-minute prison brawl in Blindsided.

The incredible action sequences aren't the only things that define Daredevil. It's also Daredevil's relationships: with his enemies, including Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) in Season 3; with best friend, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson); and with his loves, Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Elektra.

Every episode of Daredevil cements the programme as one of the greatest TV shows of modern times.

Disney+: The Streaming Home of Marvel

All these series have now been canceled on Netflix, but that’s not the end for these heroes and villains. They’re now back at Marvel alone, so a new multiverse of possibilities has opened up. Plus, there’s lots more to watch, including What If?, Agents of SHIELD, and Runaways!

And if you’ve binged all the Marvel series on Disney+, why not explore their comic book adventures for more action, mystery, and adventure?