Wanda in WandaVision
Elizabeth Olsen starred in a nine-part sci-fi series that is as near to perfect as it gets. Elizabeth Olsen's best movies and shows stretch across a vast collection of genres, but sci-fi is perhaps the most common.
Be it her appearance in the timeline of the MonsterVerse or that of the MCU, Olsen has had many roles in the genre. In the modern age of streaming, some of the most rewatchable shows are sci-fi. The likes of Severance, Andor, 3 Body Problem, and Fallout, to name only a small handful, have become some of their respective streaming service's biggest hits in recent years. In fact, the former two could go on to be regarded as two of the best TV shows of all time, such is their quality. Evidently, sci-fi TV has never been more prominent than it is now, thanks to soaring small-screen budgets and franchise filmmaking. One of the biggest examples of such a show stars Olsen, continuing her work in the genre and becoming a perfect sci-fi thriller from start to finish: WandaVision. WandaVision Is The MCU's Most Consistent Series As far as being perfect from start to finish is concerned, WandaVision is undoubtedly the MCU's most consistent live-action series. Even those considered the best, like Loki, have weaker episodes that tend not to feel connected to the larger whole. For instance, Loki's two seasons clock in at only six episodes each, meaning the story of each needs to feel particularly close-knit, given the lack of overall runtime. However, episodes like Loki season 1, episode 3, and episodes 2 and 3 of season 2 can feel somewhat like filler, which, in such a short show, can be even more disappointing than usual. WandaVision, on the other hand, feels much more cohesive. The"weakest" episodes of WandaVision are the opening two, which are a lot shorter and focus more intently on the sitcom nature of the show. Aside from the IMDB ratings for WandaVision's first two episodes , the rest are all rated 8 or higher, with the highest being 8.9/10. However, as the show goes on, these two episodes become better when concerning the overall context of the show. As a sci-fi thriller that slowly unravels and explores how Wanda created a hex, imprisoned a town, and forced them to be part of her idyllic"TV" story, these two episodes are key to darkly foreshadowing future reveals. WandaVision episode 3 then kicks the show into high gear, and it never lets up until the finale. Although some consider the final episode to be"too MCU" in regard to the final fight scenes, the show overall is a highly satisfying mystery box within the sci-fi, thriller, and superhero genres. As a cohesive whole, WandaVision is the MCU's most consistent live-action TV show. WandaVision Is Considered One Of Marvel Studios' Best Live-Action TV Shows All of this led WandaVision to be considered among the best of Marvel Studios' live-action TV installments. Regarding critical ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, only one show ranks higher: Ms. Marvel. That show sits at a 98% approval rating, with WandaVision coming in at 92%, even above beloved shows like the original Netflix Daredevil. This all exemplifies just how well-received WandaVision was by critics. The fact that it was the first MCU TV show produced by Marvel Studios only bolsters this. As mentioned, only one of the subsequent 12 live-action TV shows produced by the studio in the MCU managed to outrank it on Rotten Tomatoes. Admittedly, critical rankings for the MCU's various TV shows differ from fan ratings. Using IMDb, the three best-reviewed MCU live-action shows are Loki, Daredevil: Born Again, and, of course, WandaVision. The former two shows hold an average episode rating of 8.4/10, with WandaVision falling just below that at 8.3/10. Regardless of what ranks above it in the eyes of critics or fans, the conclusion is the same: WandaVision is considered among the best of Marvel's live-action shows. Moreover, WandaVision's reception has only improved since its release, which its critical and audience ratings do not necessarily reflect. WandaVision's MCU Legacy Proves How Perfect It Was The final point worth raising to support how great WandaVision was is its MCU legacy. Concerning how intrinsically it is tied to the wider MCU via other shows and movies, WandaVision has impacted the MCU more than any other Disney+ installment. The development of Wanda Maximoff led directly into an MCU feature film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The loss of Vision and Wanda's children in the show was the primary motivation for Scarlet Witch's villainous turn in that movie. Doctor Strange 2 went on to become the third-highest grossing MCU film released since WandaVision, and the fourth-highest-grossing movie since Avengers: Endgame. Only big-hitters like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine earned more than it post-WandaVision, adding in Spider-Man: Far From Home if Endgame is the focal point, proving how much it resonated with audiences. Another thing worth mentioning is that, despite other MCU films featuring characters and minor plot points that were introduced in TV shows, Doctor Strange 2 is the only one that has acted essentially as a sequel to an MCU Disney+ story; WandaVision's plot is essential to that of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, rendering the latter more difficult to grasp without first watching the former. Thus far, no other MCU movie has been tied so vitally to a Disney+ show. The arguments can be made that Captain America: Brave New World does this with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but the former essentially repeats Sam Wilson's arc from the latter, meaning the show is not needed to understand the movie. Subscribe for deeper WandaVision and MCU analysis Dig into WandaVision's MCU legacy—subscribe to our newsletter for focused analysis of narrative threads, sequel links, and franchise context. Find clear breakdowns and perspective that sharpen how you view the show and its wider ties. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Even Thunderbolts*, which featured characters predominantly introduced and utilized in MCU TV shows, tells a story that does not link intrinsically to any of the small-screen stories it loosely ties to. This just goes to highlight the importance of WandaVision to the wider MCU, something that two unofficial sequels only further support. As of the end of 2026, WandaVision will have two sequels on Disney+. The first was Agatha All Along, which focused on one of Wanda's children, Billy Maximoff, and his journey to find his twin brother, Tommy, with the help of the titular witch, a key supporting character from WandaVision. The second unofficial sequel will be 2026's Vision Quest, set to release on Disney+ in 2026. This show centers on White Vision after the events of WandaVision, as he learns to reconnect with his humanity now that the memories of old Vision were implanted within him. Also part of this story is Tommy Maximoff, Billy's brother. With both shows being constructed as direct sequels to WandaVision, the latter can be argued to have three seasons. This is more than any other live-action Marvel Studios TV show to date, with only Loki and Daredevil: Born Again having two. This, the Doctor Strange 2 ties, and several other MCU Easter eggs like Monica Rambeau, another important WandaVision character, appearing in The Marvels, just go to show the legacy the show has had in the wider franchise. Evidently, WandaVision has had a lasting impact on the MCU, be it on the small screen or as part of theatrical releases. When adding this to the excellent critical and audience reception of the 2021 show, it becomes abundantly clear that Elizabeth Olsen starred in a perfect sci-fi thriller series under the MCU's banner. 81 8.8/10 7/10 WandaVision 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Adventure Drama Action Superhero Release Date 2021 - 2021-00-00 Showrunner Jac Schaeffer Directors Matt Shakman Writers Jac Schaeffer Franchise Marvel Cinematic Universe Cast See All
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