The newest Marvel series Wonder Man is a hit. Released on January 27, 2026, the show starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II quickly reached the number one spot on Disney Plus in multiple countries. It also earned some of the highest audience and critic scores for any Marvel Studios project.
The series follows Simon Williams, a struggling actor in Hollywood who happens to have superpowers. Instead of focusing on big superhero fights, the story is about his friendship with another actor and his daily struggles. This fresh approach is being praised by viewers who were looking for something new from Marvel.
Wonder Man Sets New Records for Marvel on Disney Plus
The show’s success was clear within hours of its release. Data from tracking services shows Wonder Man quickly became the most-watched series on Disney Plus in the United States and Canada.
It also hit the number one position in many other countries. These include Australia, Japan, Sweden, and New Zealand. This widespread popularity across different regions shows the show’s global appeal.
On the review website Rotten Tomatoes, the series set a new standard. Within just 12 hours, it earned a 90% score from critics and an 89% score from general audiences. Those numbers have since stabilized at a solid 91% from both groups. This makes it one of the highest-rated Marvel Disney Plus shows ever released.
“Superhero Fatigue Is Old News: Disney Plus Acknowledges Wonder Manโs MCU Record.” This was the headline from a report noting the show’s instant critical success.
Even Disney’s official social media account promoted the show, telling followers “Wonder Man is your next watch”.
A Different Kind of Marvel Show
Wonder Man stands out because it is not a typical superhero story. The creator, Destin Daniel Cretton, and Marvel’s head of television, Brad Winderbaum, wanted to try something different.
The core idea was to make Simon Williams’s superpowers a problem for him, not a gift. He is an actor trying to make it in Hollywood, but his abilities get in the way of his dream. In the world of the show, there are rules against superpowered people working in the entertainment industry.
The story is really about Simon’s friendship with Ben Kingsley‘s character, Trevor Slattery. Trevor is a disgraced actor once known for pretending to be a terrorist in Iron Man 3. The two form an unlikely partnership as they both try to land roles in a movie remake.
Fans and Critics Praise the New Direction
Early reactions from critics who saw the show praised its unique style. Many noted it felt different from other Marvel content.
One critic on social media said, “#WonderMan is fantastic! An introspective MCU journey unlike any we’ve experienced before, anchored by an all-time bromance”. Another called it “one of the most solid and fresh series in the MCU”.
Fans who binge-watched all eight episodes shared similar thoughts. Many called it the best Marvel TV show to date.
A viewer online stated, “Absolutely loved this. This is single-handedly the best MCU TV show to date. love the unique vibe and story path”. Another fan advised others, “If you’re not vibing with it immediatelyโฆ stick with it. It’s one of the most rewarding MCU entries in recent memory”.
The chemistry between the two lead actors, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley, is repeatedly mentioned as a major highlight.
The Creative Team Behind the Success
The series was co-created by Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings for Marvel. The idea for the show actually started as a joke on the set of Shang-Chi about making a series for Ben Kingsley’s character.
Cretton worked with head writer Andrew Guest, known for shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, to develop the story. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige was involved in shaping the main character, deciding to make him a struggling actor instead of a wealthy industrialist like in the comics.
This focus on a smaller, character-driven story is part of a reported new direction for Marvel television. The goal is to create satisfying shows that can stand on their own, even if they don’t directly connect to a bigger movie.
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Where to Watch Wonder Man
All eight episodes of Wonder Man are available to stream right now. The show is an exclusive series on Disney Plus.
This means viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and across the globe can watch it through the Disney+ streaming service. The entire season was released at once, which led many fans to enjoy a full binge-watch session.
The next Marvel series coming to Disney Plus is Daredevil: Born Again, with its second season scheduled to start on March 24, 2026.
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