Daredevil & The Defenders Complete Timeline: What Order To Watch

It can be a chore to figure out exactly how to watch The Defenders, and other Marvel Netflix shows like Daredevil in order. The Defenders was originally a project by Marvel Television created for Netflix Originals. The characters of Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) all received their own series to set up the characters before coming together in their entirety for the first time in The Defenders, which became the collective term for Marvel’s Netflix superheroes. The universe also introduced Punisher (Jon Bernthal) who eventually received his own series as well. The shows detail different street-level heroes working in New York in the wake of “The Incident,” the term used to describe the events of The Avengers when New York saw rampant devastation.

The Marvel Netflix shows ended when all of them were canceled in 2019. All the actors involved were not allowed to appear in a non-Netflix Marvel production for two years after the cancellation. Mixed developments have made it wholly unclear whether the Defenders’ shows are considered canon in the MCU. However, Hawkeye saw a return appearance of Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, while Spider-Man: No Way Home reintroduced Charlie Cox as Daredevil, who has also appeared in She-Hulk. Both Daredevil and Kingpin are now set to appear in the upcoming Marvel series Echo, with Matt Murdock slated to also star in his own series, MCU Phase 5/the Multiverse Saga’s Daredevil: Born Again. Whether the Defenders’ previous Netflix adventures are canon or not, key elements of their shows are clearly being absorbed into the MCU. In any case, here’s the best way to watch the Marvel Netflix shows in order.

Netflix’s The Defenders Watch Order

• Daredevil Season 1
• Jessica Jones Season 1
• Daredevil Season 2
• Luke Cage Season 1
• Iron Fist Season 1
• The Defenders Season 1
• 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

The above is the Marvel Netflix shows order as originally released. While it might seem tempting to watch them out of order, binge the seasons of a particular character, or skip a character, this will have a negative impact on the viewing experience. Each of the shows includes references to the other series, and one character appears in all but one of the shows. Jessica Jones season 1 introduces Luke Cage, while Daredevil season 2 provides The Punisher’s story. Some seasons are more easily watched independently than others, but this Defenders watch order is undoubtedly the best.

It is worth noting that The Defenders and the related shows are not quite as light-hearted as some other entries into the MCU. Jessica Jones, in particular, can hit some viewers hard as it deals with trauma in a visceral way. Disney is acknowledging this and the introduction of the Netflix Marvel shows to Disney+ has led the platform to introduce new changes to provide age rating advisories for the series. With streaming platforms yet to adopt the practice of advising viewers on their respective sites regarding the best way to see interconnected shows, watching the Marvel Netflix shows in order of release date can fill this void.

Will Daredevil: Born Again include The Defenders?

While the Marvel Television Netflix series relocation to Disney+ hints at the potential for more appearances from the rest of The Defenders gang in the upcoming MCU movies and TV shows, it’s only Daredevil who’s set to reappear in MCU Phase 5. Moreover, consistent with Matt Murdock’s MCU appearances, it’s been confirmed that MCU Phase 5’s Daredevil: Born Again will not be Daredevil season 4. There’s no confirmation yet that Elden Henson’s Foggy or Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page will even return, let alone the Defenders. That said, it’s notable how Karen Page is deeply involved in Marvel Comics’ Born Again storyline, although those familiar with Netflix Marvel shows order may remember that this arc was already loosely adapted for the Daredevil series.

Furthermore, it’s also still unknown whether Daredevil season 4 will be a direct continuation or a soft reboot of the Charlie Cox character’s original storyline, so it’s also hard to guess whether his Netflix co-stars can logically be in the Daredevil: Born Again cast. When asked about the shows in 2021, Kevin Feige said “never say never” in response to being asked about the possibility of reviving The Defenders series. Along with this positive sign, Disney is also uploading the original Jessica Jones series under the title A.K.A. Jessica Jones, which hints that a new series or season could be coming to extend the Defenders watch order list.

The Defenders Set The Blueprint For Marvel Shows

After seeing Netflix’s Marvel shows in order, it would be even harder to imagine Disney not bringing back The Defenders, which clearly laid the foundations for the MCU’s ongoing and upcoming Disney+ shows. Serving as the blueprint not just for Daredevil: Born Again, but also shows like Hawkeye, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and other street-level Marvel series, Netflix’s Defenders proved that the format of superheroes on television works and can be wildly successful in the age of streaming. Now that the MCU has become the biggest movie and television franchise, Daredevil’s MCU future seems bright — yet, it would be a shame if the rest of the Defenders don’t get a seat at the table.

Next: What 2022 Revealed About The Future Of The MCU

Key Release Dates

• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

  Release Date:2023-02-17

• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

  Release Date:2023-05-05

• The Marvels / Captain Marvel 2

  Release Date:2023-11-10

• Captain America: New World Order

  Release Date:2024-05-03

• Marvel’s Thunderbolts

  Release Date:2024-07-26

• Deadpool 3

  Release Date:2024-11-08

• Blade 2024

  Release Date:2024-09-06

• Marvel’s Fantastic Four

  Release Date:2025-02-14

• Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

  Release Date:2025-05-02

• Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date:2026-05-01