The Disney+ series Marvel Zombies has roared onto the streaming scene with surprising momentum. In each of its first three days on Disney+, it ranked #1 on the U.S. Top 10 most‑watched list. The show even displaced Hulu’s Alien: Earth to shoot to the top of Disney+’s streaming charts.
With its bold tone, shocking ending, and confirmed viewership success, the miniseries is already shaping up to be one of Marvel Animation’s biggest streaming hits. Here’s how it got there—and where it might go next.
Release, Format & Production
Marvel Zombies premiered September 24, 2025—all four episodes dropped simultaneously at 3 a.m. ET on Disney+. Originally slated for October 3, the premiere was moved up. The series is part of Phase Six of the MCU and runs as a four‑episode event.
Each episode runs roughly 31–37 minutes, with some sources citing 32–38 minutes. Marvel Studios Animation labels it its first TV‑MA–rated animated show, allowing a grittier, more intense edge than typical Marvel fare. The show was created and directed by Bryan Andrews, with Zeb Wells serving as lead writer. Executive producers include Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Dana Vasquez‑Eberhardt, Andrews, and Wells.
Interestingly, the project began with ambitions of being a feature film, but licensing constraints—especially regarding Spider-Man rights held by Sony—pushed the creative team to retool it as a limited series instead. According to Andrews, they “originally thought of it as a movie… [then] turned it into a show.” Budget limitations were also cited as a factor in keeping it to just four episodes. Andrews said he aimed for breathing room in the storytelling: “Each episode [allows] more time for quiet, emotional moments.”
Cast & Characters
(L-R): Alexei Shostakov/ Red Guardian (voiced by David Harbour), Yelena Belova (voiced by Florence Pugh), Kamala Khan (voiced by Iman Vellani) and Blade Knight (voiced by Todd Williams) in Marvel Animation’s ‘Marvel Zombies’ on Disney+.
The show features a large ensemble of MCU and Marvel Animation voices reprising familiar or new roles:
- Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel
- Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Queen of the Dead
- Simu Liu as Shang‑Chi
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
- Paul Rudd as Scott Lang
- Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop
- Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams
- Todd Williams as Blade Knight (a fusion of Blade and Moon Knight concepts)
Randall Park, Awkwafina, Kerry Condon, Kenna Ramsey, David Harbour, Feodor Chin, Wyatt Russell, Rama Vallury, Greg Furman, Adam Hugill, Daniel Swain, Sheila Atim, Tessa Thompson, F. Murray Abraham, and Zenobia Shroff are also listed in the cast roster.
The ensemble navigates a world overrun by zombified Avengers, where alliances shift, and no one is safe.
Plot & Ending Explained
Thanos in ‘Marvel Zombies’ on Disney+
The timeline is set five years after a plague of zombie infection overtakes much of the Marvel multiverse. A small band of survivors—including Kamala, Blade Knight, Valkyrie, Shang‑Chi, and Katy—flee Wanda’s zombified former allies.
The heroes survive a Nova Corps blockade and arrive at Kamar-Taj, where they join forces with Spider-Man, disembodied Scott Lang, and sorcerers to thwart Wanda’s plan to harness a zombified Bruce Banner / Infinity Hulk as a vessel for the Infinity Stones.
During the final confrontation, Wanda begins draining the Hulk’s power. Facing devastating losses, Kamala reluctantly accepts Wanda’s offer to “help save the world.” She wakes up back in New Jersey, seemingly reunited with friends—but it’s revealed to be an illusion. The real world has fallen to Wanda’s control. Kamala has inadvertently surrendered Earth to the Queen of the Dead.
Director Andrews said addressing the bleaker elements in the conclusion required balance. They first tried a more subtle ending but later pushed it to land a “gut punch.” He explained: > “At first, we had a version that was really subtle … they said, ‘Hey, maybe go for it a little bit more… so people feel more of a gut punch.’ … I was very protective of not making it feel too overdone or too cliffhanger‑y. I think we found the perfect balance.”
Reception, Criticism & Viewer Reaction
Blade Knight (voiced by Todd WIlliams) in Marvel Animation’s ‘Marvel Zombies’ on Disney+.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 61% approval rating from 31 reviews. Metacritic assigns a 65/100 based on nine critics, signaling “generally favorable.” Critics describe it as bold but uneven. Collider’s review calls it “the MCU’s first adult animated series [that] never fully rises from the dead.” Some criticism highlights that the pacing is relentless.
Fan reactions are mixed. On Reddit, one user noted, “The ‘gore’ of the zombie comics is completely absent … we see people get cut in half, cut into pieces.” Another said, “Kamala was a good MC … Poor girl goes through it.” Others called the plot “filled to bursting with plot holes,” yet still “entertaining.”
Streaming Performance & Chart Domination
‘Marvel Zombies’ on Disney+
From day one, Marvel Zombies set streaming records. In each of its first three days, it held the #1 spot on Disney+ in the U.S. It also dethroned Hulu’s Alien: Earth in the charts.
The Direct reports that Disney and Marvel had internal expectations exceeded, calling its 5‑day opening a major success. In comparison, earlier Marvel Animation titles help frame the achievement: X-Men ’97 garnered 4 million viewers in its first five days. That places Marvel Zombies in rarefied company among Marvel’s animated output.
It’s not just the U.S. — the series is rapidly climbing global charts and earned headlines for its sweeping debut. The fact that Disney+ promoted the show as a “four‑part event” suggests confidence in its draw.
No Post‑Credits Scene & Season 2 Chances
‘Marvel Zombies’ on Disney+
Unlike most MCU projects, Marvel Zombies contains no post‑credits scenes. The credits roll over ominous music, with no tease for what might come next.
Still, Marvel hasn’t closed the door on future seasons. Brad Winderbaum, head of Marvel Television and Animation, called out: > “Please, like, people have got to subscribe to Disney+ and watch this show … If that happens, they will get more. And we are excited. We’re ready.”
Andrews added that there’s “so much material” waiting if a Season 2 gets greenlit. He also explained that the ending’s bleakness was planned: “We always knew it was going to be this way.”
Conclusion: A Dark Spin That Hits Hard
Blade Knight (Todd Williams) battles the undead on ‘Marvel Zombies’.
Marvel Zombies is more than a novelty — it’s a bold experiment in Marvel’s streaming strategy. The series adapts competition-style urgency: fast pacing, shocking beats, and a twist that lingers. With Disney+ series “Marvel Zombies” tops charts in the US from the start, the series delivered both on viewership and spectacle.
While critical reception is mixed, the show’s chart dominance is undeniable—and the story’s cliffhanger invites speculation. The question now: will Marvel give fans more undead horror in Season 2?
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