Internally, Marvel Says Ironheart is the Worst Thing They’ve Ever Done

Marvel’s Ironheart Struggles Amidst Delays and Poor Reception

Marvel’s Ironheart series has faced significant internal and external criticism, with sources within the studio reportedly describing it as their “worst” project to date. YouTuber Nerdrotic, known for sharing industry production rumors, claimed the series underwent nearly a dozen revisions and was shelved for over two and a half years before its premiere. This lengthy delay was corroborated by actor Anthony Ramos, who stated that filming concluded approximately three years ago. Despite its June 2025 premiere, Ironheart has been poorly received by audiences. Initial feedback was negative, and the series quickly saw its ratings drop on Rotten Tomatoes. Although no official cancellation has been confirmed, Ironheart continues to rank among the lowest-viewed Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Disney+. Its first season has not been renewed.

Further demonstrating its struggles, Ironheart‘s first three episodes were notably absent from streaming viewership charts for a week after release, suggesting lower engagement compared to other shows like Mob Land. The series holds a dismal 3.6 out of 10 on IMDb, making it one of Marvel’s lowest-rated projects. On Criticalist, it scored an 11. Public reception to its trailers was also overwhelmingly negative; the first trailer garnered 543,000 dislikes against 200,000 likes on YouTube, while the second performed even worse with 98,000 dislikes versus just 47,000 likes.

Critically Divided Marvel Universe: Ironheart vs She-Hulk – Fan Frustration Over Storylines and Execution

Despite the series’ overwhelmingly negative reception, Ironheart‘s premiere episode did achieve a 5.3 out of 10 on IMDb, notably surpassing She-Hulk‘s sixth episode, “Just Jen,” which scored 4.7. This She-Hulk episode itself faced particular criticism for its sitcom-like tone that reportedly did not blend with the main storyline. Its plot involved Jennifer Walters as a bridesmaid battling Titania at a wedding, alongside a subplot about a man faking his death to avoid marriage. More broadly, both Ironheart and She-Hulk have drawn criticism from fans for perceived weaknesses in their storylines, subpar CGI, inconsistent tones, weak special effects, unpredictable writing, and plots that either lacked punch or were too scattered, despite featuring compelling lead characters. Fans express growing frustration, suggesting Marvel may be overlooking deeper creative issues within its Disney+ series. Comics writer Matt Morrison, commenting on Kabooooom.com and No Flying, No Tights, criticized Ironheart‘s post-credit scene, stating it fell flat and diminished the hero’s victories.

A YouTube analysis identified Ironheart as one of Marvel’s worst launches in history, attributing its failure to execution issues rather than factors like race or gender. The analysis cited a lack of audience interest, problematic storytelling, perceptions of it as “feminist garbage,” and the choice of an obscure character over a young white male playing Iron Man. It also claimed a “massive astroturfing operation” by mainstream media to boost the series. The future of Ironheart remains uncertain. Series creator Chinaka Hodge hinted at the show’s precarious status in an interview with TV Line. However, some narrative elements of Ironheart may continue, with YouTuber Nerdrotic suggesting that characters from the series are expected to appear in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for December 2026. This integration suggests Marvel’s intent to keep certain narrative threads alive despite less positive project reception. In Ironheart‘s first episode, Riri Williams is expelled from MIT for using AI to cheat and returns to a “heartbroken” Chicago. She then grapples with an emotional AI, influenced by drive-by incidents and holograms of her father’s closest friend.

From a production standpoint, Robert Downey Jr. reportedly attempted to support the project and lead actress Dominique Thorne. During the filming of Avengers: Doomsday, Downey Jr. made video calls to Thorne, praising her work in Ironheart‘s early episodes. This gesture aimed to strengthen the series’ impact and legitimize Riri Williams’ character within the Marvel universe, though it seemingly had little effect on audience reception. In light of recent project performance, Marvel appears to be repositioning its film calendar. Avengers: Doomsday has been postponed to December 2026, while Secret Wars is now slated for December 2027.

In Case You Missed It

For those who are invested in the fate of Riri Williams and her high-tech adventures, Marcus Thompson’s recent article “Ironheart May Not Get a Second Season” delves into the uncertain future of this Marvel production. Published on July 5th, 2025, the piece explores the mixed critical reception and lackluster viewership numbers that might spell an end to Riri’s story for now. Despite its intriguing introduction of Mephisto, Ironheart’s performance leaves fans wondering about a potential second season. Dive deeper into the analysis and speculation surrounding this young hero’s armor at Ironheart May Not Get a Second Season. If you’re interested in the latest trends in superhero entertainment and want a deep dive into why some shows fail to capture the audience’s imagination, be sure to check out Sophie Laurent’s recent piece titled “Ironheart May Be Marvel’s Next Flop” (July 1, 2025). Sophie meticulously analyzes the public reception and critical reviews of the new Disney+ series, painting a nuanced picture of its uphill battle for success. Dive into the details and see where Ironheart stands in the landscape of Marvel’s streaming ventures by clicking Ironheart May Be Marvel’s Next Flop.