TV show · 2021 · Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy · English
Curator score: 6.5/10 (165.4K ratings)
One question changes everything.
Overview
Taking inspiration from the comic books of the same name, each episode of this animated anthology series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments.
Ratings
Curator score: 6.5/10
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
TMDB: 8.1/10
Production
Marvel Studios
Cast
Jeffrey Wright
Where to watch
Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict
A clever, fast-moving Marvel anthology that works best as a playful alternate-universe sampler rather than a must-watch prestige series. It’s strongest when it reimagines familiar MCU beats with a sharper genre twist or a darker emotional turn, but the hit rate varies from episode to episode and the show can feel more like bonus material than essential storytelling.
Best for
Marvel fans who enjoy multiverse what-ifs and continuity Easter eggs
Viewers who like animated anthologies with short, self-contained episodes
People looking for brisk, low-commitment superhero viewing
Fans of alternate-history premises and remix storytelling
Skip if
You want a tightly serialized story with consistent character development
You’re not already invested in Marvel continuity
Anthology inconsistency frustrates you
You prefer grounded drama over comic-book high-concept spectacle
Overview
What If...? is at its best when it treats the MCU like a toy box and then asks, “What if one change broke everything?” That premise gives the series a lot of freedom: some episodes are funhouse-mirror riffs, some are surprisingly melancholy, and a few deliver genuine spectacle. Jeffrey Wright’s Watcher gives the show a clean framing device, and the animation lets it move quickly through big ideas and big set pieces without the cost or logistical limits of live action.
Worth noting
The downside is the nature of the format itself. Because each episode resets into a new timeline, the emotional investment can be uneven, and the series sometimes feels more like a collection of premium extras than a fully essential chapter in the Marvel saga. The best episodes are inventive enough to stand alone; the weaker ones lean too hard on recognition and fan-service.
Bottom line
Season 1 is the most consistently worthwhile, with the strongest balance of novelty and payoff. Later seasons continue the anthology approach but are more variable, so the show remains a good occasional binge rather than a series that steadily escalates. If you like Marvel, animation, and alternate-universe storytelling, it’s an easy yes; if you’re looking for depth and consistency first, it’s a mixed bag.
2019 · Curator 7.2/10 (232.5K ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
A sharp animated anthology with high-concept episodes, varied tones, and the same hit-or-miss appeal for viewers who enjoy short-form speculative storytelling.