MCU: All 10 Marvel Disney Plus shows ranked from worst to best

6. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

It goes without saying that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was one of the most eagerly-anticipated of the MCU Disney Plus shows. Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes were already one of Marvel’s most enjoyable double acts, and the fallout of Avengers: Endgame set the stage for a poignant but ambitious adventure we were all ready to see.

The show delivered on that front to an extent, giving us all of the above and much more. However, this is the show that struggled most with pacing, leaving many of us wondering if it would have worked better as a movie. It succeeds with the story that it tells, yes, but the six-episode format sees it drag on a little in its first few episodes before it finally hits its stride halfway through.

The show shines brightest when it tackles real world issues, having important conversations about racism in America and PTSD, as the spectre of Captain America’s legacy looms over all of it. Its finale is also a standout moment, giving Anthony Mackie’s Sam the spotlight (and shield) he deserved at the end of the thrilling episode. And Mackie’s buddy chemistry with Sebastian Stan carried the show, as the pair were always easy to watch, even when the story was moving too slowly.