In 2015, Daredevil marked the beginning of a multiyear pact between Marvel TV and Netflix that brought it and five additional original series to the popular streamer. However, Netflix canceled all six shows in late 2018 and 2019 ahead of the launch of Disney’s competing streaming service, Disney+. Last month, Netflix confirmed that its Marvel shows would leave at the beginning of March. Now, they have a new home on Disney+.
Disney, which owns Marvel, has officially announced that Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders will make their Disney+ premiere on March 16 in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The ABC-produced series Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will return to Disney+ on the same day.
Since Netflix paid to produce its own Marvel TV shows, they weren’t expected to ever leave the streaming platform. But apparently their presence on Netflix was predicated upon a licensing deal, which Disney declined to renew. That decision freed the shows to join the rest of the Marvel programming on Disney+.
Marvel’s former Netflix series were largely TV-MA, and they veered into some very non-family-friendly content. Disney’s solution for that is to revamp its parental controls, which will ask Disney+ subscribers to update their settings. Users will now be able to add pass codes to prevent any younger viewers from seeing anything that they shouldn’t. This may also open the door for Marvel’s R-rated films — Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Logan — to eventually come to Disney+ as well.
“Disney+ has served as the home for some of the most beloved brands in the industry, and the addition of these live-action shows brings more from the Marvel brand together, all in one place,” said Michael Paull, president of Disney Streaming, in a statement. “We have experienced great success with an expanded content offering on Disney+ across our global markets and are excited to continue that here in the U.S. as well by offering our consumers not only great content with the new Marvel additions, but also a set of features that help ensure a viewing experience most suitable for them and their family.”
