Wonder Man reviews are in and the show just joined an elite list of MCU titles

It isn't a secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled to find consistency in releasing high-quality projects throughout the course of the Multiverse Saga. At times, fans feel like the superhero giant was finally back to form thanks to big releases like Spider-Man: No Way Home or Loki. However, the very next movie or TV series dashed our hopes yet again, making it clear that the studio prioritized quantity over quality. But at long last, 2025 seemed to break this trend.

While Captain America: Brave New World was released to mixed reviews, Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps were all praised by critics and fans alike. As such, a big question going into 2026 was whether the MCU could keep the winning streak going, and fortunately, that seems to be the case.

Early reviews for Wonder Man are here, and they are nothing short of spectacular. The upcoming Disney+ series joined the ranks of WandaVision and Loki by earning a 92% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes (at the time of writing this). However, when the reviews started to pour in, it was among the five highest-rated MCU projects with a score of 96%. There's no denying it: Simon Williams' upcoming adventure will be unlike anything superhero fans have seen before, and early reactions reveal there's plenty to be excited for:

A common theme in most Wonder Man reviews is the praise for Yahya Adbul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley's performances. FandomWire doubles down on this idea while also highlighting that the series marks a "unique direction" for the MCU, yet one with a strong and compelling story. The complete review also praises the series for its use of superpowers, as Simon's special abilities tend to be a disadvantage for him instead of a strength, which is unlike most superhero projects.

Geekcentric host Justin Lawrence also highlights how different Wonder Man feels from any other MCU series, favoring character deconstruction and strong performances over action and "spectacle". Characters make or break a story, and fortunately, it seems that fans will instantly connect with Simon Williams and his arc.

Journalist Christopher Mills advises fans to keep their expectations in check, as Wonder Man is not riddled with huge cameos or nods to what's to follow, unlike other MCU series and movies. However, this approach is what makes the series feel so unique and refreshing in a cinematic universe that has been nearly 18 years in the making. Speaking of which, the complete review also highlights that fans don't need to have any prior Marvel knowledge to enjoy Wonder Man, which is definitely a plus.

Of course, not every single Wonder Man review can be positive. Journalist Jonathan Sim says the series can feel "disposable" and "short of greatness", which is perhaps tied to the idea that it doesn't feature any big, explosive superhero moments. Wonder Man appears to be a character study that prioritizes personal moments over high stakes. So, keeping that idea in mind before diving into the series seems to be the best strategy to fully enjoy it for what it is.

All things considered, fans can expect greatness from Wonder Man. Yahya Adbul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley are described as scene-stealers with incredible chemistry. Furthermore, Simon Williams' journey to conquer Hollywood despite his superpowers holding him back will be equally fun and emotional. If we're talking about superhero debuts, it seems Wonder Man is as good as it gets, and the best part is that we won't have to wait long to watch it for ourselves.

Wonder Man will be released on January 27, 2026, on Disney+.