MCU: All 11 Marvel Disney Plus shows ranked from worst to best

4. Hawkeye

I think it’s safe to say that Hawkeye came as a surprise to everyone. While we all love the quirky-but-also-moody veteran Avenger Clint Barton (and honestly a solo adventure for the archer was long overdue), the show wasn’t necessarily topping fans’ most-anticipated lists when it came to the upcoming Disney Plus shows at the time. That is, until the truly excellent first trailer changed everything, previewing the festive treat that awaited us.

Set during the holidays, Hawkeye saw Clint attempt to juggle a family holiday in New York City with protecting a young woman from some very dangerous people. Needless to say, it doesn’t work out and he is caught between his past and his present, as his need to be a hero one more time forces him to confront what he had become during the Blip and how his friendship with Black Widow ultimately saved him. And friendship is one of the show’s core themes, as that young woman he protects, Kate Bishop, becomes one of his most-trusted allies, helping him take down one of New York’s biggest threats.

Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld are at the center of an unexpected buddy comedy that is surprisingly important to the MCU’s story going forward, introducing another Young Avenger and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin in the process.

We expected compelling, deep, and powerful storytelling from Hawkeye and we got all of that. What we didn’t expect was the fun, joyful, and uplifting festive adventure that we got along with it. And that makes Hawkeye a standout entry in Phase Four that overdelivered in so many ways – and one worth revisiting every year during the holidays.