I Never Thought I’d Like An MCU What If…?, But Marvel Zombies Is A Bloody Good Time

Marvel Zombies continues an episode of the MCU’s What If…?, building on what came before with a more focused story, better-developed ideas, yet some familiar drawbacks. As far as upcoming Marvel TV shows are concerned, Marvel Zombies is the last of a specific bunch.

As many may know, Marvel Studios organized an overhaul of its TV productions, resulting in a switch back to quality over quantity. This explains why the franchise’s future consists more of upcoming Marvel movies than an onslaught of TV productions, as has become somewhat of a norm since 2021.

Therefore, Marvel Zombies‘ story is the last of several TV productions Marvel Studios is dropping all at once on Disney+, after Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda earlier this year. As a follow-up to What If…?, an MCU series I was mixed on, I was hesitant to bet entirely on Marvel Zombies being a home run.

But Marvel Zombies is, in many ways, a full realization of What If…?‘s central concept. It takes a more in-depth look at an alternate MCU world, resulting in better-developed “What if?” ideas, and features some creative action sequences to accompany it. Aside from a few lasting drawbacks to the What If…? formula, Marvel Zombies is a (mostly) bloody good time.

Marvel Zombies’ Animation Style Is Still A Frustrating Mixed Bag

One of my few complaints is the aforementioned drawbacks of Marvel Zombies: its animation style. The animation of What If…? was undoubtedly my biggest issue with the show from the outset. Firstly, I will admit that Marvel Zombies improves on this in some ways.

Some individual shots, locations, and action sequences look strikingly beautiful. As has always been the case with this animation style, it works perfectly to create visually stunning backdrops and action-heavy moments. Additionally, the overall composition and artistry in Marvel Zombies is better thought-out than it ever was in What If…?, further benefitting the animation style.

However, where the animation falters is in the character work. The visual designs look great, but the waxy faces of some iconic MCU characters remain frustratingly limited. This means that any emotional moments fall overly flat, as the art style does not allow for enough expression to be effective.

This wooden animation for the characters and their facial expressions then makes the voice acting and dialogue stilted. Some early character interactions are proof of this, with some dialogue coming off as overly expository and flat in a way they would not if real, tangible people were delivering them. Quite aptly, yet frustratingly, Marvel Zombies‘ character animation can often feel devoid of life.

Marvel Zombies’ Intriguing Story Takes What If To The Next Level

Despite the issues that come with Marvel Zombies‘ animation, the show does a good job of overcoming them. The set-up of the story builds on one of What If…?‘s more intriguing premises, with the superheroes of Earth being overtaken by a zombie plague. In Marvel Zombies, Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel leads a resistance to rid the world of this plague.

On the whole, the narrative structure is fairly simple. Nothing here is overly unpredictable or mindbreakingly fresh and unique, but it benefits from being a more extended version of What If…?. Seeing Marvel heroes in new scenarios, with new powers, new alliances, and traversing a changed MCU world is compelling as a longtime fan of the franchise.

For anyone unfamiliar with the MCU, references like the Raft being a floating haven from zombies, Blade being the avatar of Khonshu, Ikaris being locked in an eternal battle with Captain Marvel, or other MCU references will mean nothing. As such, Marvel Zombies feels made specifically for MCU fans.

All of these references worked to flesh out the series. Marvel Zombies, as its own series, feels much more complete as a typification of the potential What If…? had, with compelling characters, a strong pace, and fun Easter eggs for any Marvel fan to sink their teeth into.

Marvel Zombies Has Some Badass Action Sequences (& A Lot Of Violence)

Credit: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Marvel Zombies delivers on its TV-MA promise of blood, guts, and action. There is plenty of death and destruction here that will satisfy any zombie fan, with the added benefit of it taking place in an alternate MCU.

The action in Marvel Zombies is a highlight, allowing so many MCU heroes to use their powers in ways the mainline franchise has not showcased. From Blade being, well, Blade, only with added Moon Knight powers, to Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man, and many more being unleashed, Marvel Zombies‘ violent action is different from anything the MCU has shown before.

Marvel Zombies Exemplifies Some Broader MCU Issues

Credit: Custom image by Nicolas Ayala

It is hard to watch Marvel Zombies and feel overly invested in the way I was for, say, X-Men ’97​​​​​​. The latter felt like a story that needed to be told, with Marvel Zombies failing to accomplish this.

Perhaps the biggest reason for this is that it stems from What If…?, a show I have always felt banked on member-berries and Easter eggs than anything outwardly compelling from a narrative perspective.

Marvel Zombies improves this, but it’s less of a compelling, standalone story than an extension of the MCU’s potential, only reminding us of what the main franchise hasn’t given us. Blade being used, for instance, in a better way than the live-action franchise has is overly frustrating.

Ms. Marvel is one of the best MCU characters since Avengers: Endgame, yet the franchise has not reflected this. Marvel Zombies does, leaving the poor treatment of her character in “proper” MCU stories feeling even more underwhelming.

The same can be said for other characters like Shang-Chi, Kate Bishop, and Ironheart. The MCU’s lack of focus and insistence on quantity for quantity’s sake over the last few years has led to some genuinely great characters being sidelined, leading stories like What If…? and Marvel Zombies to utilize them in a way that only makes us wish the mainline franchise had.

The ending of Marvel Zombies then exhibits the MCU’s lack of focus by teasing a second installment. Whether that will even happen in the light of the MCU’s reversion to quality over quantity remains to be seen, exemplifying another broader franchise issue.

While it may be somewhat unfair to judge Marvel Zombies on this, I could not help but wonder how good these characters could be in other stories that have yet to be seen.

Still, Marvel Zombies, in isolation, is harmless fun. It has well-animated, violent action sequences, some great MCU references, and some good voice acting. It cannot escape some wider What If…?-adjacent issues that link to the wider franchise as a whole, but for those looking for a bloody standalone adventure, Marvel Zombies should satisfy.

Release Date

September 24, 2025

Network

Disney+

Directors

Bryan Andrews

Pros & Cons

• Marvel Zombies’ animation style works to craft beautiful backdrops, locations, and action sequences.
• Marvel Zombies’ TV-MA rating is used to its full advantage in bloody action moments.
• Marvel Zombies’ MCU references and characters are always fun to witness.
• Marvel Zombies takes What If…?’s concept to its full potential.

• Marvel Zombies’ animation style leaves character expressions feeling wooden and lifeless.
• Marvel Zombies feels more like a needless spin-off of a spin-off than it should.
• Marvel Zombies exhibits some wider MCU issues, such as wasted characters and setting up stories with an uncertain future.