The Man without Fear. The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. Daredevil has many names in the Marvel Comics and his iconic superhero status has ensured numerous appearances in films and TV shows as well. The character is often depicted as gifted lawyer Matt Murdock, a man blinded in a childhood accident but gifted with extremely advanced senses and fighting skills. Dressed in red and armed with a baton, Daredevil protects his neighbourhood of Hell’s Kitchen while encountering all sorts of threats, from martial arts groups like The Hand to crimelords like Wilson Fisk aka the Kingpin.
Now, as Charlie Cox’s classic portrayal from Netflix’s Daredevil returns in Daredevil Born Again, we round up the vigilante’s screen appearances in order. To celebrate Daredevil’s solo MCU project, we rank all of his movies and shows while also offering you a guide to stream them.
How to watch Daredevil movies and TV shows in chronological order
There are multiple ways to chronologically watch Daredevil’s films and TV shows:
Standalone TV show appearances
- The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
- Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)
- Fantastic Four (1994)
20th Century Fox Daredevil Movies
Netflix’s Daredevil/Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Daredevil (2015-2018)
- The Defenders (2017)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
- Echo (2024)
- Daredevil: Born Again (2025)
Alternate Universe appearances
All of Daredevil’s early appearances are standalone appearances, including his supporting roles in movies/shows and Ben Affleck’s standalone origin movie.
However, the situation changed with Netflix’s Daredevil, a dark gritty series that introduced Charlie Cox’s take on the character. The actor not only portrayed the hero in the show’s three seasons but also its spinoff series The Defenders, which also featured other Marvel vigilantes like Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist.
Shortly after season 3, Netflix cancelled the series as the character was fully acquired by Disney-led-Marvel. Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil returned to the MCU now with cameos in Spider-Man: No Way Home along with the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo. Now, with Daredevil: Born Again, the character returns to take on villains like Kingpin, both in the courtroom and in the streets.
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
The first live-action appearance of Daredevil came in this cult classic TV movie, where Matt Murdock (Rex Smith) teams up with Bruce Banner. The film was intended to serve as a backdoor pilot for a Daredevil series, but that project never materialized. While it takes liberties with the character’s costume (opting for an all-black ninja look), it remains a notable moment in Daredevil’s history.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)
This beloved animated series brought Daredevil into the Spider-Man universe in a two-episode arc “Sins of the Fathers”. Matt Murdock serves as Peter Parker’s defense attorney before revealing his costumed identity. His appearance remains one of the most faithful adaptations of the character in animated form.
Fantastic Four (1994)
Daredevil made a brief animated appearance in The Fantastic Four episode “And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them”, offering his legal expertise and showing off his acrobatic combat skills. While his screen time was limited, it was a fun nod to his comic book roots.
Daredevil (2003)
Ben Affleck starred as the Man Without Fear in this early 2000s superhero film, which divided audiences with its mix of melodrama and action. Featuring Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan), Elektra (Jennifer Garner), and Bullseye (Colin Farrell), the film had an ambitious scope but struggled with its execution. The Director’s Cut, however, is a notable improvement and offers a more complete vision.
Elektra (2005) (Deleted Scene)
Though Elektra was marketed as a spin-off, a deleted scene featured Ben Affleck’s Daredevil, further tying the film to its predecessor. However, it was ultimately removed from the final cut, making Elektra a loose continuation rather than a true sequel.
Daredevil (2015-2018)
Marvel Television’s Daredevil on Netflix was a game-changer, with Charlie Cox delivering a definitive portrayal of Matt Murdock. The series focused on his battle against Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) and introduced key characters like Karen Page and Foggy Nelson. Dark, gritty, and filled with stunning action sequences, this series remains the gold standard for Daredevil adaptations.
The Defenders (2017)
This crossover event saw Daredevil team up with Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist to take on The Hand. While the Netflix miniseries had mixed reviews, Cox’s performance as Matt Murdock remained a standout, particularly in his complex emotional arc with former lover interest and fellow fighter Elektra (Élodie Yung).
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
Though Matt Murdock does not play a major role, an alternate Daredevil variant exists in the multiverse. He appears as a teenage son of Kingpin in an alternate universe. It’s his death that compels the villain to mess around with the multiverse and its time-space possibilities. Matt Murdock’s non-speaking cameo in the animated Spider-Verse films continues to fuel speculation about future appearances.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
In a jaw-dropping cameo, Charlie Cox reprised his role as Matt Murdock, serving as Peter Parker’s lawyer. Though brief, his return signified Daredevil’s official integration into the MCU. Considering how Spider-Man and Daredevil have often teamed up in the comics, it’s exciting to see if Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will ever reunite with Daredevil for some superhero adventures.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
Cox’s Daredevil had a more lighthearted turn in She-Hulk, displaying a flirtier and more comedic side. Sporting a yellow-and-red suit reminiscent of his early comic book appearances, this version showcased his versatility within the MCU. While he and She-Hulk briefly engage in combat, they go on to have a short-lived romantic fling. The role was perfect considering both Marvel heroes have a day job in the court of law.
Echo (2024)
Echo featured the return of both Daredevil and Kingpin, further exploring their complex dynamic. Though his role was limited in a fight scene with the titular protagonist, it helped set the stage for his next major solo project. Echo mainly revolves around Maya Lopez, the vigilante who was initially raised by Kingpin but later followed her own path. In a flashback from the first episode, we see Cox’s Matt Murdock in full costume, giving a tough time to Echo in a warehouse fight.
Daredevil: Born Again (2025)
The new Disney+ series marks a fresh chapter for Daredevil in the MCU. With Cox and D’Onofrio reprising their roles, this revival of Netflix’s show is expected to reimagine Daredevil while staying true to his legacy. The title is inspired by Frank Miller’s famous comic storyline, hinting at a deeply personal and action-packed narrative. Murdock returns as a lawyer and vigilante, with many new costumes and masks.
Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk returns as a villain although this time, he becomes the Mayor of New York. Amidst this political chaos, a new villain emerges: the street artist serial killer Muse. Other characters returning from the Netflix series include Murdock’s best friend/law partner Foggy Nelson, his ex-love interest and journalist-turned-legal partner Karen Page, FBI agent-turned-villain Bullseye, and the vigilante Frank Castle aka Punisher.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025-)
Marvel’s new animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, features yet another alternate universe version of Daredevil who works alongside the antiheroine Finesse. With the multiverse now an integral part of the MCU, this show might redefine the Man Without Fear for the franchise’s future.
How to watch every Daredevil Movie and TV Show streaming online in release order
If you want to experience Daredevil’s daring adventures in order of release date, our guide below shows you a recommended viewing sequence in release order. We also provide you with all the platforms and services where you can stream these shows along with any offers to watch them for free if available.
