The release ofYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manhas continued a trend inMarvelestablished in 2023, which gives me hope forthe MCU’s future. Marvel Studios has been known for its ambitious storytelling, both in film and television. One aspect of the MCU’s television output has drawn the ire of some audiences, but the MCU’s latest series has seemingly countered this, continuing a trend that can hopefully continue.
For years, Marvel Studios followed a strict formula when it came to its TV series being released as part ofthe MCU timeline. While some projects likeDaredevil(2015-2018) thrived on Netflix for multiple seasons, the Disney+ era of Marvel was marked by self-contained, single-season shows. The MCU’s strategy was clear: use TV as an expansion tool, not a long-term storytelling medium.Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manhas seemingly bucked this trend, which began years prior.
2025 Continues A Marvel Trend That Started In 2023
You’re Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Continues A Marvel Trend
In 2025, Marvel has introducedYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, a fresh take on Peter Parker’s early years. Not only has it been well-received, but it has already secured multiple seasons, making it the third straight year whereMarvel has launched an ongoing animated series. This marks a notable shift in Marvel’s TV strategy.
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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is setting up a truly tragic future narrative for one of its characters that Spidey fans spotted immediately.
The MCU’s television output has largely been dominated by one-and-done series. Most of its Disney+ projects, fromWandaVisiontoHawkeye, have been designed as limited series, leaving audiences wanting more yet rarely delivering follow-ups. This structure had its benefits, allowing for tighter, focused narratives. However, it also meant that Marvel’s TV offerings felt more like extended prologues or side adventures rather than full-fledged sagas. Marvel’s live-action series rarely received second seasons –Lokibeing a rare exception.
Something changed in 2023. That year, Marvel Studios releasedMoon Girl & Devil Dinosaur, an animated series based on the Marvel Comics character Lunella Lafayette. While many expected it to be another one-off project, the show was renewed for a second season. This was the firstsign that Marvel was willing to invest in long-running TV storiesagain.
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Marvel’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man promised to explore Peter Parker’s origin story as Spider-Man, but still failed to live up to the task.
Then cameX-Men ‘97in 2024, arevival of the belovedX-Men: The Animated Seriesfrom the 1990s. Given its nostalgic appeal and Marvel’s renewed interest in the X-Men, the show was met with huge acclaim. Unsurprisingly, it was renewed for additional seasons, proving that Marvel was willing to let animated projects run beyond a single season.
Marvel’s Release Trend Was Almost 2 Years Longer
Interestingly, Marvel’s shift toward long-running animated series could have started even earlier. In 2021, Marvel released two animated projects:Hit-MonkeyandSpidey and His Amazing Friends. WhileSpidey and His Amazing Friendswas moregeared toward younger audiencesand has continued airing new seasons,Hit-Monkeywas a different story. The adult animated series (that isn’t part of the MCU) released its second season in 2024.
Had Marvel committed to its animated slate earlier, this ongoing trend could have started as far back as 2021. However,2022 was an empty yearin this regard. The absence of new ongoing animated series that year may have been due to Marvel’s behind-the-scenes restructuring, particularly as the studio refined its TV strategy. AnticipatingX-Men ‘97andYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s longevity was likely a major factor in the 2022 break.
Nevertheless, from 2023 onward, Marvel has clearly established a pattern: one new ongoing animated series per year. This means that despite 2022’s gap, Marvel’s current strategy could continue for years if they remain committed to this approach. Moreover, this could be a signal of things to come, and this ongoing trendmight make its way into Marvel’s live-action output also.
Why Marvel Having A Still Ongoing Show Release Every Year Since 2023 Is A Big Deal
The MCU Has Avoided Ongoing Series
This shift toward ongoing animated series isn’t just a minor scheduling coincidence – it’s a big deal for several reasons. First, it highlights Marvel’s willingness to invest in long-term storytelling separate from the films. Before 2023, Marvel Studiosrarely explored multi-season storytelling outside of live-action projects likeDaredevil. Now, animated series are filling that gap, offering richer, more developed narratives over multiple seasons.
The success of these shows could prove that the MCU could make ongoing live-action television. This is the MCU’s most conspicuous gap in their output model and could provehelpful as the MCU prepares to depict new franchises, like the behemoth that is X-Men and its swathe of compelling characters.Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and the like,could pave the way for this in the future.
Second, aside fromLoki, animated shows are the only new Marvel projects consistently receiving multiple seasons. This signals that Marvel sees animation as a vital component of its storytelling. Instead of treating animated projects as secondary content, Marvel appears to beplacing them at the forefront of its TV lineup. Indeed, upcoming projects expand upon the movies and their mythology in ways that could prove essential to canon, such asEyes of Wakanda.
Finally, this trend represents a shift in how Marvel approaches audience engagement. Multi-season series build dedicated fan bases over time. While limited series can be exciting, theydon’t always foster long-term viewer investment. With animated series spanning multiple years, Marvel has the opportunity to create lasting connections with audiences in a way that standalone projects simply can’t.
You’re Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Opens The Door For Other Ongoing Series
Image via Disney+
Marvel Studios’ recent commitment to ongoing animated series is a breath of fresh air. For years, I have wanted Marvel toembrace long-term TV storytelling. WithMoon Girl & Devil Dinosaur,X-Men ‘97, andYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, it seems like the studio is finally listening.
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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has already referenced several events from the live-action MCU’s timeline, so many more could also be depicted.
There’s so much untapped potential in Marvel’s vast universe. Animated series allow for more creative freedom, enabling stories that might be too complex, expensive, or risky for live-action adaptations. Thisopens the door for more ambitious projects in the future.
Several Marvel franchises would suit ongoing series, such as a Blade monster-of-the-week show, or a high school drama set in the Xavier Institute For Gifted Youngsters. The possibilities are endless, and if Marvel continues its current trajectory, these ideasmay not be far from reality.
In the ever-evolving landscape of superhero entertainment, having a new ongoing Marvel series release every year is an exciting prospect. With the success of its recent animated projects, Marvel has agolden opportunity to redefine its TV strategy for years to come. I hope this trend, marked byYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,doesn’t just last for a couple of years – but for the long haul.
