Watch Netflix Marvel Series in Order: A Full Guide to 'The Defenders' Saga

Long before the multiverse became a household name, the streets of Hell's Kitchen provided a raw and visceral look at heroism. Prepare to witness the gritty evolution of the street-level heroes who traded cosmic battles for the dark alleys of New York City. This chronological roadmap of Netflix’s Marvel slate will reveal how hidden connections and shared scars transformed a group of loners into a formidable force of justice.
The list starts with a shadow which emerges as a private investigator discovers that some scars never truly heal.
Daredevil season 1 (April 2015)
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The story begins with Matt Murdock, a man who lost his sight as a child but gained extraordinary abilities. By day, he runs a struggling law firm, but by night, he stalks the rooftops to protect his neighborhood.
Matt learns that saving a city requires more than just fists; it requires a will that cannot be broken. His victory over Fisk creates a power vacuum that ripples through the underworld, setting the stage for more gifted individuals to emerge.
This season introduces the initial power vacuum in Hell's Kitchen that future heroes must navigate.
Jessica Jones season 1 (November 2015)
Jessica Jones is a private investigator who prefers a bottle of whiskey over a superhero costume. She possesses incredible strength, but her spirit is fractured by a past encounter with a mind-controlling villain named Kilgrave.
Her struggle highlights the reality of being a gifted person in a world that often exploits such talents. During her investigation, she crosses paths with a mysterious man named Luke Cage, whose skin is as tough as his heart is guarded.
Jessica’s encounter with Luke Cage provides the first direct link between the standalone character arcs.
Daredevil season 2 (March 2016)
The stakes rise as Matt Murdock encounters Frank Castle, a man who believes that criminals do not deserve a trial. This ideological clash forces Matt to defend his belief in the legal system while a mystical threat known as The Hand begins to emerge.
At the same time, the return of Elektra Natchios complicates Matt’s personal life and pulls him deeper into an ancient war. The legal battles in the courtroom become just as intense as the ninja ambushes on the rooftops.
Frank Castle’s introduction here sets the stage for his own violent journey of retribution later.
Luke Cage season 1 (September 2016)
Luke Cage moves to Harlem to find peace, but he instead finds a community being torn apart by political and criminal greed. His unbreakable skin makes him a symbol of resilience, but his heart remains vulnerable to the history of his neighborhood.
The conflict with Cottonmouth and Mariah Dillard explores the intersection of power, heritage, and the responsibilities of a public hero. Luke realizes that he cannot hide his gifts when his people are suffering.
Luke’s public exposure as a hero creates the social climate for the eventual team-up.
Iron Fist season 1 (March 2017)
Danny Rand returns to New York after being presumed dead for fifteen years, wielding the power of the glowing Iron Fist. He seeks to reclaim his family’s company while fighting the infiltration of The Hand within his own legacy.
His arrival brings the mystical elements of the Marvel universe to the forefront, bridging the gap between corporate espionage and ancient martial arts. Danny’s struggle for identity is the final piece of the puzzle before the heroes converge.
Danny Rand’s hunt for The Hand provides the central motivation for the heroes to unite.
The Defenders (August 2017)
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist finally cross paths when The Hand threatens to level the entire city. This crossover event forces these loners to function as a team, despite their conflicting personalities and methods.
They discover that their individual battles were merely parts of a much larger conspiracy buried beneath the streets of Manhattan. The aftermath of this war leaves each hero changed and sets new trajectories for their personal lives.
The conclusion of this battle leaves Matt Murdock missing and the other three questioning their roles.
The Punisher season 1 (November 2017)
Frank Castle returns to the shadows to hunt down those responsible for the murder of his family. He discovers a conspiracy that goes far deeper than the local mob, reaching into the highest levels of the military and government.
The story is a visceral exploration of grief and the consequences of a life built on violence. Frank refuses to be a hero, choosing instead to be the terminal solution for the world's most corrupt individuals.
Frank’s isolation here happens simultaneously as the other heroes deal with their post-Defenders lives.
Jessica Jones season 2 (March 2018)
Jessica attempts to return to her life as a private investigator but is pulled into a mystery regarding the source of her powers. She learns that she was not the only one subjected to illegal experiments by a shadowy organization.
The season explores the messy reality of family and the blurred lines between being a victim and a villain. Her relationship with her sister, Trish Walker, begins to fray under the pressure of hidden ambitions.
This exploration of Jessica's past occurs while the power dynamics in Harlem are shifting.
Luke Cage season 2 (June 2018)
Luke Cage struggles with his status as a local celebrity and the rising threat of Bushmaster, a man with a personal vendetta against the Stokes family. The battle for the soul of Harlem forces Luke to consider making alliances with his enemies.
By the end of the season, Luke makes a controversial choice to take over the criminal throne to ensure order. This move shifts his role from a neighborhood hero to a powerful figure with questionable motives.
Luke’s rise to power in Harlem sets a dark precedent for the street-level hierarchy.
Iron Fist season 2 (September 2018)
Danny Rand steps up to protect the streets in the absence of Daredevil, attempting to live a more grounded life. However, his old friend Davos arrives to steal the Iron Fist, believing Danny is unworthy of the mantle.
The conflict forces Danny to realize that the power is a burden that might be better shared or passed on. The season ends with a dramatic shift in how the mystical energy is channeled among his allies.
Danny’s departure to find the history of the Fist happens just as Matt Murdock resurfaces.
Daredevil season 3 (October 2018)
Matt Murdock returns, physically and spiritually broken, only to find that Wilson Fisk has manipulated his way out of prison. Matt must decide if he should stay within the law or cross the line to stop Fisk permanently.
The introduction of Dex, a marksman who impersonates Daredevil, ruins Matt's reputation and forces him into the shadows. It is a story of redemption and the reclaiming of a symbol that was almost lost to darkness.
Matt’s final victory over Fisk re-establishes the status quo before the final chapters of the saga.
The Punisher season 2 (January 2019)
Frank Castle tries to live a quiet life on the road but is drawn back into violence when he protects a young girl from a mysterious hit squad. He realizes that he cannot escape his nature as the Punisher.
The return of a disfigured Billy Russo forces Frank to confront the ghosts of his past one last time. He eventually accepts his role as a permanent fixture in the war against crime.
Frank’s acceptance of his mantle occurs as Jessica Jones faces her final moral dilemma.
Jessica Jones season 3 (June 2019)
Jessica is forced to hunt down a highly intelligent psychopath while dealing with the fallout of Trish Walker’s descent into lethal vigilantism. The sisters find themselves on opposite sides of the law, leading to a tragic confrontation.
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This final chapter serves as an epitaph for the Netflix Marvel era, emphasizing that heroism often comes at a devastating personal cost. Jessica finally decides what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind for New York. This concluding season wraps up the character arcs started in the first season of Daredevil.
Whether viewers are a seasoned fan or a newcomer, following this gritty timeline reveals the true soul of Marvel’s street-level justice.
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What do you think about rewatching all these Marvel series again in chronological order and connecting the dots? Let us know in the comments.
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Edited By: Itti Mahajan
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