Marvel's The Defenders Saga in Order Chronologically and by Launch Date

There was an thought to carry collectively a gaggle of Marvel heroes on tv in the course of the daybreak of the streaming period that might push the boundaries that the movies by no means might. That is the story of The Defenders Saga. Marvel Tv took an identical tactic to the MCU movies, the place they’d introduce every hero of their separate sequence earlier than teaming them up collectively. The unique plan included the heroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, who would unite to hitch a staff referred to as The Defenders. Alongside the way in which, different characters have been launched to the supporting forged, like Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, and Elektra. The Punisher, who was launched in Daredevil season 2, was given his spin-off sequence.

Initially airing on Netflix to nice industrial and important success, after Disney introduced they’d be launching their streaming service, Netflix started canceling all of the sequence, with the final two, The Punisher season 2 and Jessica Jones season 3, airing in 2019. Then, in 2022, the sequence was faraway from Netflix and introduced over to Disney+, the place they have been rebranded as The Defenders Saga. Disney+ added parental controls (and a few controversial scrubs and edits) with the addition of the extra mature-rated sequence, and now viewers might watch your complete Defenders Saga alongside the principle entries of the MCU.

For years, the canon of those Netflix reveals has been debated by followers, however in spite of everything this time, it is lastly been put to relaxation. Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming Brad Winderbaum has outright mentioned that Daredevil is canon to the MCU. If that wasn’t sufficient, the looks of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock (or Daredevil) in each Spider-Man: No Means Dwelling and She-Hulk: Lawyer at Legislation, in addition to Vincent D’Onoforio as The Kingpin in Hawkeye and a job in Echo proves that these sequence and characters are extra related to the MCU than ever earlier than. Disney+ added the sequence to the MCU timeline order on the streaming service, establishing them as a part of the sacred timeline and in addition branding Echo as a part of The Defenders Saga.

Daredevil: Born Once more premiered on Disney+ on March 4, 2025, so earlier than watching it, audiences might need to meet up with his story and that of the guy Defenders. If audiences by some means missed these sequence whereas they have been airing, now is a superb time to catch up. But, with seven mixed reveals that make up 14 seasons of tv with a complete of 166 episodes, there definitely is lots to deal with. Take a look at the way to watch all The Defenders’ sequence in chronological order and order of launch.

Marvel’s Defenders Saga in Chronological & Launch Order

The Defenders

Launch Date

2017 – 2016

Showrunner

Marco Ramirez, Douglas Petrie

Writers

Douglas Petrie, Marco Ramirez

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Not like different sophisticated timelines, The Defenders Saga could be very simple to observe together with. The chronological order of every season is similar as the discharge order. Whereas every season contains particular person episodes that characteristic flashbacks to earlier within the timeline, the viewing order of the sequence remains to be the identical as its launch. It is necessary to look at the reveals this fashion, because the characters typically cross over with one another, and their appearances mirror what they have been doing in their very own sequence. This order has just lately been confirmed by Disney themselves, as all of those reveals have been added to the official MCU timeline on Disney+.

Daredevil – Season 1

The primary sequence to kick off a brand new period of tales within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Daredevil season 1 launched audiences to Matt Murdock and his supporting characters Karen Web page, Foggy Nelson, Ben Ulrich, and the villains of Hell’s Kitchen, together with the rise of Wilson Fisk because the Kingpin. Launched and happening earlier than Avengers: Age of Ultron, Daredevil is established to happen after The Avengers, and it was the battle of New York that allowed the Kingpin to amass as a lot energy.

The sequence acts as a 13-episode origin story for Matt Murdock’s early profession as against the law fighter, with him getting his signature crimson swimsuit and his battle together with his arch enemy, Kingpin. Recognized for its brutal violence, long-take battle scenes, and unbelievable character work, Daredevil introduced the Man With out Worry into the MCU with arguably the most effective superhero adaptation. By the tip of the sequence, Daredevil is a totally shaped costumed crime-fighter whom the folks of Hell’s Kitchen know and criminals worry. Importantly, Daredevil meets Claire (Rosario Dawson), who will join the assorted Defenders.

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Jessica Jones – Season 1

The second installment in The Defenders Saga was additionally the final MCU entry of 2015, launched after Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man, however happening earlier than their occasions within the timeline. The sequence introduces Jessica Jones and establishes her early historical past, having gained powers after being experimented on as a baby. Afterward in life, she was emotionally and sexually manipulated by the villainous Kilgrave. Together with his potential to drive folks to do no matter he says, Kilgrave tortured and manipulated these round him, together with Jessica, giving her immense trauma and ruining her life. The present takes place after Jessica escapes him and works as a non-public investigator.

The sequence introduces audiences to Luke Cage (who would spin off into his personal sequence constructing as much as The Defenders Saga), who’s Jessica’s companion on the time. It additionally introduces Trish Walker, Jessica’s adoptive sister, who will turn into a significant participant within the character’s story to turn into a tragic villain. Jessica Jones acquired rave evaluations for its depiction of trauma and sexual assault and confirmed a extra mature facet of the MCU. It is maybe the darkest challenge Marvel has ever launched and a real character research about Jessica. Based on the MCU timeline, Jessica Jones season 1 takes place after Daredevil season 1 however earlier than Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Daredevil – Season 2

Much like Iron Man 2 being made to money in on the success of the primary entry and match into the construct for the team-up, Daredevil season 2 was shortly greenlit after the large hit of the primary season. The season is break up into two distinct halves, with the primary half specializing in Daredevil’s battle with Frank Fort, aka The Punisher. Whereas The Punisher nonetheless elements all through the sequence, the character turns into extra part of Karen Web page’s story, whereas Daredevil turns into preoccupied with the return of his previous flame, Elektra. The second half with Elektra is supposed to assist lay the groundwork for the then-upcoming The Defenders, as she re-enters his life searching for assist in the battle in opposition to The Hand.

The season has its highs and lows, however when it will get going, it is wonderful. The Punisher portion of the season is the spotlight with Matt and Frank’s distinctive views on killing enjoying an enormous position. The sequence continues to boost the bar with motion, however a weaker second half holds it again from being actually particular. By the tip of the season, the Punisher is freed and goes off to star in his personal spin-off, whereas Matt has retired from being Daredevil, as he misplaced Elektra and his two closest associates.

By way of timeline placement, it’s protected to say it occurs someday, both across the identical time or shortly after the primary Ant-Man. Season 1 takes place round six months after the primary season.

Again to Prime

Luke Cage – Season 1

Primarily a spin-off to Jessica Jones, Luke Cage follows the title character and explores his origin extra and his relationship together with his half-brother, in addition to establishing his relationship with cop Misty Knight and Claire Temple from the earlier sequence. The sequence additionally takes place after the occasions of Ant-Man within the MCU timeline. Luke Cage was so anticipated that Netflix crashed when the sequence premiered, and the sequence was famous for exploring race and politics. Its premiere in 2016 occurred proper because the Black Lives Matter motion was turning into a extra international and family idea and the highly effective picture of seeing a bulletproof Black man was one that might not be understated.

The sequence is notable for that includes two performers who would play separate characters within the MCU. The primary is Alfre Woodard, who within the sequence performs Mariah Dillard, after being in Captain America: Civil Conflict as Miriam Sharpe. The second is Mahershala Ali, who stars in Luke Cage as Mariah’s cousin, the villainous Cottonmouth, and some months later would win an Academy Award for showing in Moonlight. After profitable his second Academy Award for Inexperienced Ebook, Ali reportedly referred to as Marvel Studios and is about to play Blade in an upcoming movie, and has already lent a voice cameo on the finish of Eternals.

Iron Fist – Season 1

The ultimate member of The Defenders, Iron Fist launched audiences to Danny Rand, a wealthy child who was concerned in a airplane crash that killed his mother and father and stranded him within the Himalayas. He was then raised within the historic misplaced metropolis of Okay’un-Lun to be the last word warrior, turning into the Iron Fist and studying humility. Iron Fist was the sequence most closely centered on establishing The Defenders, because the present defined extra of the lore of the franchise with the villainous group The Hand.

Whereas sure characters like Colleen Wing acquired optimistic evaluations, Iron Fist was the primary true misfire for Marvel, with many discovering the sequence the weakest of The Defenders lineup. It appeared low cost in comparison with the opposite choices, and lots of the most fascinating components of Iron Fist’s mythology have been unnoticed or destroyed by the tip. With a personality whose whole model was being a martial arts grasp, the choreography was weak and did not do the character justice.

As a substitute, it determined to deal with a narrative about company sabotage and hardly let Danny use his titular iron fist. Fortunately, future appearances will repair the character and set issues proper. By way of its’ timeline placement, it may be mentioned to be happening shortly after the occasions of Luke Cage and in between Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil Conflict.

The Defenders

Two years after Daredevil kickstarted the franchise and after 5 separate seasons, The Defenders sequence lastly united the assorted heroes of New York to battle The Hand, underneath the management of Alexandria (Sigourney Weaver) and a resurrected Elektra. The Hand’s aim was to make use of the Iron Fist to open the gates beneath New York Metropolis with a purpose to acquire extra of their resurrection elixir at the price of leveling the town. The sequence occasions happen proper earlier than the occasions of Captain America: Civil Conflict, so whereas the Avengers are preventing one another, a superhero team-up is going on in New York.

Whereas many had points with the sequence’ general story and villains, the spotlight of the sequence was the character interactions. Seeing these characters lastly working collectively was a dream come true, and every particular person dynamic between all of them labored rather well. Jessica Jones and Luke Cage already had a longtime relationship dynamic, however the sequence had enjoyable with the opposite varied pairings. Much like their Heroes for Rent comics, Luke Cage and Iron Fist have a profitable rapport, and Jessica Jones and Daredevil have an preliminary mistrust of each other that grows into mutual respect. Even the supporting characters, like Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, get an opportunity to shine collectively.

After The Defenders, the characters break off and go their separate methods, and whereas there will probably be a number of minor team-ups, that is the final time all 4 are collectively. The sequence was the bottom watched of the bunch, main Netflix to not make season 2, leaving it as a miniseries. Whereas there are nonetheless many extra seasons to return after this, the low viewership on their most anticipated team-up is the primary nail within the coffin for the Marvel Netflix reveals, as regardless of the standard, Netflix prioritizes viewership above all else.

Again to Prime

The Punisher – Season 1

Whereas not formally a member of The Defenders, The Punisher sequence very a lot occupies part of the street-level world The Defenders Saga was creating. Spinning off from Daredevil season 2, The Punisher was a slight palette cleanser to deal with a special hero and one which expanded Frank Fort’s backstory from what audiences have been advised in Daredevil season 2. Going down after Spider-Man: Homecoming within the MCU timeline, it’s totally standalone as Frank operates in his personal little world and will get to dive deeper into Marvel’s most complex anti-hero.

Whereas many incarnations of the Punisher have centered on the person going after criminals, The Punisher focuses on the character’s army background and the PTSD he and different veterans endure from. Transforming the character’s origin story to the place his household was murdered as a part of a army conspiracy reworks his whole battle on crime, to one thing a lot bigger. Frank is on a quest to avenge his household in any respect prices and kill anybody liable for their dying. Curiously, the sequence ends with Fort having introduced justice, and had the sequence not continued it might have made a becoming finish for the character of the Punisher having discovered peace.

Jessica Jones – Season 2

In 2018, Marvel and Netflix launched seasons specializing in all 4 of The Defenders, appearing as a sequel to the sequence showcasing the place the characters have been. The primary up was Jessica Jones season 2, launched on March 8 (in honor of Worldwide Ladies’s Day), virtually three complete years after the premiere season. Jessica Jones season 2 reveals that the principle character’s mom remains to be alive and has been given superpowers herself, pulling Jessica between the organic household she will be able to reclaim and the adoptive household she made with Trish Walker.

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It isn’t as polished as the primary season however it nonetheless manages to inform a compelling story that companies Jessica’s character arc very effectively. The season ends with Jessica Jones and her mom virtually discovering happiness earlier than Trish kills Jessica’s mom in an try to be a hero, as she’s turn into hooked on that concept. This kinds a rift between the 2 that may develop into the subsequent and last season. Whereas this one doesn’t have a concrete timeline placement, it and the next sequence launched in 2018 may be assumed to be happening between across the time of Physician Unusual and certain Thor: Ragnarok as effectively.

Luke Cage – Season 2

Launched in the summertime of 2018, Luke Cage season 2 has the character’s standing because the Hero of Harlem thrown for a loop when a brand new villain seems on the scene that manages to harm him, whereas additionally coping with the continual risk of Mariah Dillard. Luke has turn into well-known because the Hero of Harlem, however quickly, the villainous Bushmaster reveals up and rocks Luke’s world. The sequence ends with Luke Cage taking up the prison group with the thought of reforming it because the Sheriff of Harlem, however the implication is that Cage might turn into corrupted by his new energy.

The sequence additionally picks up from The Defenders, seeing Misty Knight adjusting to her new cybernetic arm after hers was minimize off within the team-up sequence. Each Iron Fist and Colleen Wing present up, establishing the ties that have been shaped in that sequence. The Luke Cage and Iron Fist team-up episode is a pleasant callback to the character’s comedian ebook historical past and helps to repair Danny’s character, turning him into the traditional zen Iron Fist from the comics. Misty and Colleen’s pairing is a reference to their working relationship within the comics the place they’re dubbed the Daughters of Dragon, and at one level, have been deliberate to get their very own spin-off that did not find yourself taking place.

Again to Prime

Iron Fist – Season 2

After the disappointing response to Iron Fist season 1, the sequence underwent a slight overhaul in season 2 with a shortened episode order. It is a huge enchancment on the primary and a genuinely pleasurable watch that embraces the most effective elements of the Iron Fist mythology. Following Matt Murdock’s supposed dying on the finish of The Defenders sequence, Danny Rand is impressed to turn into a vigilante to fill the outlet left in Daredevil’s absence. The sequence provides two new main threats: ‘Typhoid’ Mary Walker (Alice Eve) and Davos (Sacha Dhawan).

Mary Walker is a special-ops agent whose dissociative id dysfunction was triggered when her squad was attacked within the fictional MCU nation of Sokovia ‘Mary’ being a sort candy character, ‘Walker’ the fighter, and a mysterious third, who’s a serial killer. Davos seeks revenge on Danny for turning into the Iron Fist as a substitute of him, and by the tip of the sequence, is taken into custody aboard the Raft whereas Colleen Wing turns into the brand new protector of New York Metropolis whereas Danny goes to journey the world alongside Ward to attempt to determine who he’s.

Daredevil – Season 3

Daredevil’s season three sees Matt Murdock recovering after the occasions of The Defenders sequence, being taken care of by nuns, to find one in all them is his long-lost mom. When Wilson Fisk is launched from jail and begins working his prison empire underneath home arrest, he even hires a disturbed FBI agent named Ben Pointdexter to put on the Daredevil costume to tarnish the character’s legacy. Matt should resolve to have a standard life, or turn into against the law fighter as soon as extra and produce steadiness to the town. The season digs deeper into Matt and Karen’s historical past collectively and has a few of the finest character work within the MCU.

Season three of Daredevil is the peak of the Netflix Marvel reveals, with a near-perfect season that highlights what makes the character so nice. Matt is on the lowest level in his life as he is misplaced his religion and function in life, however he can’t relaxation till Kingpin has been defeated for good. It culminates in a brutal and emotional battle between Daredevil, Kingpin and Dex, which is an exceptional motion scene to cap off the sequence with. The sequence ends with Matt, Foggy, and Karen all reunited and dealing collectively, with Daredevil persevering with his battle on crime. In the meantime, Dex undergoes experimental surgical procedure to repair his backbone, and as he opens his eyes, a touch as to his future as Bullseye is revealed.

Shortly after the sequence premiered, Netflix canceled it, and lots of thought it might be the tip of Daredevil. But Charlie Cox reprised his position as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Means Dwelling in 2021 and in 2022, suited again up as Daredevil in She-Hulk: Lawyer at Legislation. Most just lately, he made a brief cameo within the new Marvel Studios sequence Echo earlier than the Man With out Worry returns in his Disney+ sequence, Daredevil: Born Once more.

Again to Prime

The Punisher – Season 2

Choosing up after the final season ended, The Punisher season 2 finds Frank Fort attempting to regulate to life after having killed everybody liable for his household’s homicide. The sequence strikes Frank out of New York as he wanders the mid-west and finds himself defending a younger woman from being murdered. The sequence digs deep into the thought of if Frank Fort can go on not being The Punisher; if he cannot, can the image of deadly drive nonetheless do good? The sequence ends with The Punisher as a personality that might proceed for years, lastly embracing his position because the executioner within the prison underworld.

Whereas the second season strays away from the traditional Punisher tales, it is nonetheless an pleasurable watch. The daddy-daughter relationship between Frank and Amy helps to present him closure in that a part of his life. It frees him to maneuver on and return to a metropolis that wants him tipping the scales of justice again in his favor. Like Daredevil, it appeared like Punisher could be left behind as Netflix canceled the sequence after this season. When it was introduced that Daredevil: Born Once more would go into manufacturing, folks puzzled if there was area for the Punisher’s return alongside the person himself.

It was lastly confirmed that Jon Bernthal would return in a considerable position within the sequence. In February 2025, it was subsequently revealed that Marvel Studios was engaged on a Particular Presentation that includes Frank Fort/The Punisher, with Bernthal co-writing the highly-buzzed about authentic with director Reinaldo Marcus Inexperienced. Marvel’s Brad Winderbaum mentioned of the just lately introduced particular: “It is like a shotgun blast of a narrative, but additionally has all of the pathos and emotion that you really want out of a Frank Fort story. It is so thrilling.” The Punisher Particular Presentation is slated to premiere in 2026 together with the second season of Daredevil: Born Once more.

Jessica Jones – Season 3

The ultimate piece of The Defenders Saga, Jessica Jones season 3, premiered after it was already confirmed by Netflix that it might be the ultimate season. The sequence finds a serial killer after Jessica, who should staff up along with her adoptive sister Trish, who has lastly gained the powers she craved. Nonetheless, Trish has turn into unhinged, and after brutally murdering somebody, it attracts her and Jessica into battle with each other. Within the last episode, Luke Cage visits Jessica, providing the 2 one last reunion after how shut they’ve turn into, hinting that in the future they could discover their method again to one another like within the comics.

Trish Walker finds herself being taken to the supervillain jail the Raft, which additionally contains Luke Cage’s half-brother Diamondback and Iron Fist’s adoptive brother Davos. With what number of sibling-type relationships outline the sequence (and the MCU), it’s becoming for Jessica Jones and this nook of the Marvel Universe to finish on a private battle the place sisters are turned in opposition to each other. As a result of variety of folks in New York, one assumes this storyline is unfolding proper earlier than the occasions of Avengers: Infinity Conflict and Thanos snaps half the inhabitants.

After 4 years, The Defenders Saga got here to an in depth…however current Marvel developments have modified the standing of your complete franchise.

Echo (2024)

Learn Our Evaluate

In 2024, the primary new MCU story that dropped was Echo. Echo was a spin-off of Hawkeye that adopted Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she returned to her residence in Oklahoma after having shot her adopted uncle, Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin. Echo was labeled a Marvel Highlight sequence and the primary TV-MA challenge that Marvel Studios had launched. The sequence not solely featured Maya Lopez but additionally prominently featured Kingpin and in addition an look by Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, within the first episode.

When The Defenders Saga was added to the official Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, it additionally seems they made one other change. Echo was added within the particular part concerning The Defenders Saga, which means that Echo is a part of the grounded street-level tales that began with Daredevil all the way in which again in 2015. Echo‘s mid-credit scene featured Kingpin watching tv with the trace that he’ll run for mayor, a plot level that may decide up in Daredevil: Born Once more.

Daredevil: Born Once more – Season 1

Daredevil: Born Once more is the subsequent entry in The Defenders Saga and sees fan-favorite characters like Daredevil, Kingpin, Karen Web page, Foggy Nelson, Bullseye, and the Punisher epically return to the MCU. This definitely offers followers hope that the remainder of The Defenders will make their grand return someday sooner or later. The Disney+ revival sequence as soon as once more focuses on Matt Murdock as this blind lawyer-turned-former vigilante opts to show his consideration to his skilled life and preventing for justice versus cleansing up the streets of New York by night time as his superhuman alter ego.

Murdock continues to content material with the infamous crime lord and businessman Wilson Fisk A.Okay.A. Kingpin within the sequence, who’s operating for mayor of New York Metropolis and hopes to grab energy via politics and the federal government, with the scheming Fisk “flexing his darkness and his energy” with a purpose to “principally gaslight a metropolis, after which finally a rustic, after which finally a world.” Fisk is a grasp of manipulation, and an knowledgeable at getting underneath the hero’s pores and skin.

The primary season of Daredevil: Born Once more debuted on March 4, 2025 and consists of 9 episodes, whereas the second season is scheduled to premiere in 2026, with every installment being part of Part 5 and Part Six of the MCU, respectively.

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