MCU: Every 2023 Marvel release ranked from worst to best

5. Secret Invasion

Secret Invasion is the first of this year's Marvel Cinematic Universe shows to arrive on Disney Plus. It was also highly anticipated as it aimed to bring an espionage twist to the beloved universe. But, despite its high ambitions and an intriguing premise similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the series unfortunately falls short in execution. The show, which had the potential to be a gripping reinterpretation of the comic book classic, struggles to maintain momentum and is actually pretty underwhelming. While it's constructed on solid foundations with some genuinely promising ideas, Secret Invasion fails to fully translate its source material's excitement and threat to the silver screen.

The series isn't without its merits, though. The performances, particularly those of Samuel L. Jackson and Olivia Colman, are standout elements that add to the narrative. Their respective portrayals of Nick Fury and Sonya Farlsworth bring much-needed dynamism to the screen, offering peeks at what could have been a much more compelling story. There are occasional insights and observations that kind of give the story a little deeper meaning, but these moments are too few and far between and fail to elevate Secret Invasion beyond its shortcomings. The show's inability to develop its good ideas into something more impactful leaves it feeling like a missed opportunity.

There was definitely potential, but the stars just didn't align here, leaving audiences feeling that Secret Invasion deserved a long-running arc to bring this one together (like the Infinity Saga got).