Are the Marvel Netflix Shows Canon or Non-Canon?

The Marvel Netflix shows, such as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders, have long been a part of the Marvel universe, but their place in the grand scheme of things has been a matter of discussion. Some fans and critics argue that these series are non-canon, while others view them as integral parts of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In this article, we explore the history, the arguments, and the current status of these shows in the Marvel universe.

The Early Days and Integration

Initially, the Marvel Netflix shows were considered part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), similar to the films. However, they were not fully integrated into the main continuity. For instance, characters from these series would often reference events from the MCU films, but they did not directly interact with the primary storyline of the MCU. These shows also had their own distinct tone and production approach, leading to some inconsistencies in how certain events were depicted.

The Impact of Disney's Acquisition

Following the acquisition of Marvel Television by Disney, the status of these shows became more ambiguous. In 2019, it was announced that Marvel Studios would have sole control over the MCU, which likely led to a reevaluation of the Netflix shows' place within the larger Marvel universe.

Current Status and Official Statements

As of my last knowledge update in August 2023, Marvel Studios has not officially declared the Netflix shows as non-canon. However, some characters, such as Charlie Cox's Daredevil and John Travolta’s appropriately named Take on the Kingpin, were reintroduced into the MCU in projects like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye. These reintroductions suggest a potential re-evaluation of the status of the Netflix series.

While some fans and casual observers might expect one clear, definitive statement from Marvel Studios on the canon status of these shows, it appears that the situation remains unresolved. The lack of official clarification leaves room for various theories and interpretations.

Theories and Speculations

There are several theories about the canon status of the Marvel Netflix shows. One popular theory is that these series exist in a timeline where Loki took the Tesseract, and Thanos's army traveled into a future point in some timeline, but never returned. This theory suggests that the events in the Netflix shows occur in a separate timeline from the main MCU storylines.

Another theory involves a multiverse/ multiple timelines approach. In this scenario, the Marvel Netflix shows exist in a different reality where Phase 2 and 3 movies did not happen. For example, Agents of SHIELD and Inhumans are believed to exist in yet another timeline, much like the Marvel Netflix timeline. Cloak and Dagger, for instance, ties into the Misty Knight series, which in turn ties into Runaways. Helstrom could take place in its own timeline, separate from the main timeline.

In this multiverse theory, each show exists in its own reality. Agents of SHIELD explores both time travel and parallel universes, and Inhumans may or may not slot into one of these timelines. The Gifted timeline ends with a portal to another dimension/timeline, which could explain why some characters from the Netflix shows reappear in other MCU projects. The Hulk timeline and the Raimi Spider-Man and Amazing Spider-Man timelines also fit into this broader narrative.

It is important to note that these theories are speculative and lack official confirmation from Marvel Studios.

Conclusion

The definitive canon status of the Marvel Netflix shows remains unclear. While some characters have been reintroduced into the MCU, official statements from Marvel Studios on this matter are still absent. Fans, therefore, continue to speculate and theorize based on their observations and interpretations of the events and characters within these shows.

For those eager to delve deeper into the Marvel universe, the uncertainty surrounding the canon status of the Netflix shows adds an intriguing layer to the overall narrative. Stay tuned for any future announcements or developments that may provide clarity on this aspect of the Marvel universe.