The 21st century has been an era of sequels, reboots, and spinoffs. While these projects have saturated the market for many years, some are worth checking out. One of the reasons that a spinoff could find unexpected success without imitating the original movie or TV show is by incorporating darker and more intense storylines. Since a spinoff doesn’t have the pressure and expectations that the original film or series might face, it can experiment with style and tone to exciting results. A good spinoff will root itself within the story’s universe while working to stand alone as an individual project.
When many of the best legacy movie sequels differentiate themselves by going down a darker path, this could mean that more mature and adult themes will play a large part in the project. This makes sense, as when a TV show takes on a more serious tone, more emotional strife will be incorporated into the narrative. Regardless of genre, a film or series creates its own legacy, and the success of a spinoff can’t rely on the popularity of the original project. If audiences don’t connect with these darker parts of the story, then it will show in the reception.
10 Torchwood (2006–2011)
Based on Doctor Who
Torchwood Sci-FiDrama
This Doctor Who spinoff follows the adventures of beloved character Captain Jack Harkness as he works for the Torchwood Institute, a small team in Cardiff dedicated to investigating extraterrestrial phenomena.
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*Availability in US Cast John Barrowman , Eve Myles , Burn Gorman , Naoko Mori , Indira Varma , Gareth David-Lloyd , Bill Pullman , Alexa Havins Release Date October 22, 2006 Seasons 4 Network BBC Streaming Service(s) HBO Max , Apple TV+ , Prime Video Franchise(s) Doctor Who Writers Russell T. Davies Directors Andy Goddard Showrunner Andy Goddard Expand
While Doctor Who spinoffs are rare, they’re always a welcome expansion of the Whovian universe, as there’s so much of the cosmos to explore without the Doctor. While the Doctor is a vital part of the original series, Torchwood premiered at a transitional time in the show’s history and focused on what happens to Earth after the Doctor departs, leaving it unprotected. Starring the fan-favorite companion, Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood follows him and his allies and takes on more mature subjects.
The show wasn’t afraid to leave behind the typical happy endings of
Doctor Who
.
Doctor Who has always been known for its family-friendly approach to its adventures. However, Jack and the members of the Torchwood team were rooted deeply in the flaws and desires of humanity. Despite this, Torchwood wasn’t just interesting because it introduced more sex and violence into the story. The show wasn’t afraid to leave behind the typical happy endings of Doctor Who. Since the characters in Torchwood didn’t have the resources and experiences of the Doctor, they had to deal with alien phenomena on Earth however they could.
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Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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1 |
94% |
76% |
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2 |
100% |
84% |
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3 |
100% |
89% |
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4 |
N/A |
68% |
9 Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)
Based on the Star Trek universe
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21 8.5/10 Star Trek: Picard Sci-FiDramaActionAdventure
After starring in Star Trek: The Next Generation for seven seasons and various other Star Trek projects, Patrick Stewart is back as Jean-Luc Picard. Star Trek: Picard focuses on a retired Picard who is living on his family vineyard as he struggles to cope with the death of Data and the destruction of Romulus. But before too long, Picard is pulled back into the action. The series also brings back fan-favorite characters from the Star Trek franchise, such as Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), Worf (Michael Dorn), and William Riker (Jonathan Frakes).
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*Availability in US Cast Santiago Cabrera , Alison Pill , Orla Brady , Michelle Hurd , Jeri Ryan , Brent Spiner , Harry Treadaway , Rebecca Wisocky , Evan Evagora , Isa Briones , Patrick Stewart Release Date January 23, 2020 Seasons 3 Network Paramount Streaming Service(s) Paramount+ Franchise(s) Star Trek Writers Terry Matalas Directors Jonathan Frakes , Patrick Stewart , michael dorn Showrunner Michael Chabon Expand
Sir Patrick Stewart returned to the Star Trek universe to reprise his role as Jean-Luc Picard for the spinoff continuation of the story in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the Star Trek films Stewart starred in. Stewart’s age and Picard’s experience of illness and trauma are a huge part of Picard‘s storylines, as the series goes so far as to kill off Picard at the end of season 1 and then resurrect him in a synthetic body. Though the series was markedly different from other Star Trek installments, it paved the way for additional serious parts of the franchise.
Related Where To Watch Every Star Trek TV Show & Movie
Every Star Trek TV show and movie is available to watch via streaming, allowing fans the chance to stream new worlds and civilizations.
Grief, loss, and the realities of growing old are not easy topics, but Star Trek: Picard understood that there was no better actor to tackle these issues than Stewart. He portrays a gravity and depth within Picard that is emotionally resonant with audiences of all ages. Each season sees Picard faced with an even more distressing and affecting storyline, pushing Stewart as an actor and demonstrating that Star Trek is in tune with the future of science fiction.
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Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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1 |
86% |
52% |
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2 |
85% |
30% |
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3 |
97% |
89% |
8 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Directed by Gareth Edwards
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12 8.8/10 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 12+Action Sci-FiAdventure
Set in the weeks leading up to Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story provides additional context for the Rebellion’s plan to destroy the Death Star. Rogue One follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) as she enlists the help of Rebel Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) to locate her father, Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), after the Empire kidnaps him.
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*Availability in US Director Gareth Edwards Release Date December 13, 2016 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Writers Tony Gilroy , Chris Weitz Cast Felicity Jones , Diego Luna , Ben Mendelsohn , Donnie Yen , Mads Mikkelsen , Alan Tudyk , Jiang Wen , Forest Whitaker Runtime 134 Minutes Franchise(s) Star Wars Expand
For audience members familiar with the original Star Wars trilogy, the tragic ending of Rogue One was an inevitability, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful. The prequel film follows the events leading up to the destruction of the planet Alderaan and the individuals who made it possible for the Rebels to obtain the plans for the Death Star. Rogue One is unlike any other Star Wars movie in tone and style, as it’s supposed to reflect the individual sacrifices and losses of the overlooked characters in the series.
Rogue One
was popular enough to warrant its own prequel series,
Andor
, which received positive critical and audience acclaim.
Rogue One was popular enough to warrant its own prequel series, Andor, which received positive critical and audience acclaim. While the forces of rebellion are an enduring facet of every Star Wars film, the grim and gritty realities of this resistance are never darker than in Rogue One. Led by Felicity Jones and Diego Luna as a pair of doomed but determined resistance fighters, Rogue One isn’t afraid to leave the audience with the crushing reality of the cost of war.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) |
84% |
87% |
7 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–Present)
Based on Law & Order
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11 9.4/10 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit TV-14CrimeDramaMystery
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit centers on the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit, a specialized team of detectives who investigate and solve cases of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. Under the leadership of Captain Olivia Benson, the unit deals with complex and sensitive crimes, balancing empathy for victims with the pursuit of justice.
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*Availability in US Release Date September 20, 1999 Writers Dick Wolf Cast Christopher Meloni , Mariska Hargitay , Richard Belzer , Dann Florek , Michelle Hurd , Stephanie March , Ice-T , BD Wong , Diane Neal , Tamara Tunie , Adam Beach , Michaela McManus , Danny Pino , Kelli Giddish , Raúl Esparza , Peter Scanavino Franchise(s) Law and Order Seasons 24 Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Peacock , Netflix Directors David Platt , Jean de Segonzac , Peter Leto , Alex Chapple Showrunner Robert Palm , David J. Bruke , Neal Baer , Warren Leight , Rick Eid , Michael S. Chernuchin , David Graziano Creator(s) Dick Wolf Expand
After over twenty seasons and hundreds of cases, Law & Order: SVU has surpassed the original series, Law & Order, in many ways. Arguably the most popular installment of the Law & Order franchise, SVU immediately connected with audiences because it went further with the violence and difficult subject matter than the first Law & Order. While there are plenty of upsetting stories in every Law & Order show, SVU consistently goes further, helping viewers work through these painful realities by seeing them onscreen.
Benson and Stabler’s relationship in Law & Order: SVU is a fun aspect of the show, as their working and personal dynamic helps to lighten the intense mood of the series’ storylines. The advantage of being such a long-running series means that SVU has evolved with the times and touched upon the social and political changes of the past several decades, serving as a time capsule of these eras. Looking back at each season of Law & Order: SVU provides insight into the cultural climate and the importance of telling unheard stories.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Law & Order: SVU (1999–Present) |
78% |
83% |
6 Logan (2017)
Based on the X-Men universe
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14 8.4/10 Logan RAction Sci-FiSuperhero
Logan sees the titular hero, AKA Wolverine, in his twilight years as his healing factor has begun to fail him, and he has begun to age more rapidly. Set several years in the future, Logan finds himself caring for an ailing Professor Xavier, whose mind has begun to succumb to dementia, making him an incredibly dangerous mutant that can cause widespread destruction accidentally. But when the preoccupied Logan is asked to meet with a woman that requests he transports a young girl to a mutant haven known as Eden, he learns that she may have his DNA and that the fate of mutant-kind may rest in her hands.
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*Availability in US Release Date March 3, 2017 Writers Michael Green , Scott Frank , James Mangold Cast Hugh Jackman , Patrick Stewart , Dafne Keen , Elizabeth Rodriguez , Daniel Bernhardt , Richard E. Grant , Doris Morgado , Boyd Holbrook Franchise(s) X-Men Studio(s) 20th Century , Marvel Runtime 137 Minutes Expand
Hugh Jackman gives his best performance as Wolverine in Logan, the darker and more mournful X-Men film. Though Wolverine and the other X-Men almost all have unhappy backstories, Logan has a particularly hard time, especially considering the fact that he doesn’t age at the same rate as others. However, in Logan, time has finally caught up to him, and he must grapple with his legacy as a mutant, the future of his race, and his past with Professor X.
The film predicts what becomes of a hero when the world they existed to protect becomes unrecognizable.
Charles Xavier is also a critical piece of the tone and storytelling in Logan, as the kindly professor has aged and struggles to retain his grip on reality. It falls to Logan to care for Charles and a young girl seeking guidance who falls under his protection. Critics and audiences agreed that Logan was a successful subversion and celebration of the superhero genre. The film predicts what becomes of a hero when the world they existed to protect becomes unrecognizable.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Logan (2017) |
93% |
91% |
5 Angel (1999–2004)
Based on Buffy The Vampire Slayer
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10/10 Angel Drama
A spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel is a drama series with supernatural elements that stars David Boreanaz, reprising his role as the titular vampire. An immortal cursed with his human soul returning to his body, which makes him susceptible to human emotions such as remorse. Angel lives in Los Angeles as a private detective, seeking redemption for his murderous past as a vicious warlord. Angel will face threats such as humans and demons that rival his own cruel potential as he ventures to help those in need.
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*Availability in US Release Date October 5, 1999 Writers Joss Whedon Cast Joss Whedon , Charisma Carpenter , David Boreanaz Seasons 5 Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Disney+ Directors Joss Whedon Showrunner David Greenwalt Network The WB Expand
After the success of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel’s inevitable exit, it followed that a spinoff series should expand the world of the Slayer from a new perspective. There’s no question that Buffy was dark and got even more intense and mature in its themes as the series progressed, but Angel had an inherent edge because of its protagonist. As a vampire cursed with a soul to remember and repent for his violent crimes for the rest of his existence, Angel is a tortured character who carries the weight of his past into his present attempts to earn redemption.
Related Buffy & Angel Viewing Order: How To Watch All Seasons & Crossovers
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for seven seasons while its spin-off Angel lasted five seasons – in what order should all the episodes be watched?
Though Angel had its ups and downs, the final season is considered an amazing piece of television and a great sendoff for the series. There were plenty of moments of levity to balance the depressing parts of Angel, as David Boreanaz played Angel’s tortured scenes as well as he did his comedic ones. A key facet of Angel was that Angel could never have the life he wanted and was an eternal outsider in the human world, making the conceit of the show inherently sad.
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Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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1 |
88% |
94% |
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2 |
100% |
94% |
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3 |
N/A |
90% |
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4 |
67% |
75% |
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5 |
93% |
89% |
4 Daria (1997–2002)
Based on Beavis and Butt-Head
Daria TV-PGAnimationComedyDrama
Daria is an animated television series that follows Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, sarcastic, and socially awkward teenager, as she navigates high school life in the fictional suburb of Lawndale. The show explores themes of societal expectations, intellectualism, and adolescence, all while highlighting Daria’s unique perspective and dry humor.
Release Date March 3, 1997 Cast Tracy Grandstaff , Wendy Hoopes , Julian Rebolledo , John Lynn , Lisa Collins , Marc Thompson , Ashley Paige Albert , Jessica Cydnee Jackson Seasons 5 Creator(s) Glenn Eichler , Susie Lewis
Daria is almost unrecognizable compared to its counterpart, Beavis and Butt-Head. Though Daria was a recurring character in the first show, her series is completely different. As the protagonist, Daria is a pessimistic teen who finds little joy in life and doesn’t share the same enthusiasm for suburban life and the nuclear family as her family and schoolmates. Throughout the series, Daria tackles contemporary issues and pushes back against the principle of conformity.
The titular sullen teenager is the perspective through which the viewer sees the world, giving the series a sarcastic and nihilistic tone.
The titular sullen teenager is the perspective through which the viewer sees the world, giving the series a sarcastic and nihilistic tone. While there are bright spots in Daria, and even the central character herself finds things she enjoys in life, the point of the series is to communicate a distinct sardonic message. This made Daria an animated series that was a hit with adults and older audiences, differentiating itself from other projects.
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Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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1 |
94% |
84% |
|
2 |
N/A |
100% |
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3 |
N/A |
93% |
|
4 |
N/A |
93% |
|
5 |
100% |
100% |
3 NCIS (2003–Present)
Based on JAG
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17 9.9/10 NCIS CrimeDrama
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a knack for computers who has now graduated to senior field agent; the charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who has spent most of his career on solo undercover assignments; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent who specializes in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. The naïve Jimmy Palmer is assisting the team, who graduated from assistant to fully licensed medical examiner and now runs the morgue; and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Ducky’s former graduate assistant. Overseeing operations is NCIS Director Leon Vance, an intelligent, highly trained agent who can always be counted on to shake up the status quo. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.
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*Availability in US Cast Sean Murray , Wilmer Valderrama , Katrina Law , Brian Dietzen , David McCallum , Mark Harmon , Rocky Carroll , Gary Cole , Joe Spano Release Date September 23, 2003 Seasons 22 Network CBS Streaming Service(s) Paramount+ Franchise(s) NCIS Writers Donald P. Bellisario Showrunner Donald P. Bellisario Creator(s) Donald P. Bellisario , Don McGill Expand
It’s a little-known fact that NCIS is a spinoff of the original series JAG, as NCIS has far surpassed the original in terms of popularity and longevity. Today, NCIS is often considered the original series because of the number of shows that stemmed from it, but this isn’t the case. Though NCIS is a spinoff itself, there are many NCIS spinoffs audiences want to see, like the upcoming Tony & Ziva series and NCIS: Origins.
While JAG still touched upon military issues, it was framed as a legal procedural rather than a crime procedural. The characters that were introduced in JAG that moved to NCIS had to deal with more violent crimes and conspiracies, making their cases more hard-hitting and emotional. Since the beginning of the show, NCIS has only gone deeper into the dangerous and sometimes heavy crimes that are shown within the genre.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
NCIS (2003–Present) |
N/A |
83% |
2 Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Based on Shrek
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10/10 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish PGAdventureAnimationComedy
In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Puss learns he has reached the end of his nine lives. To restore his lives and continue his journeys, he will set forth on a quest to the Black Forest to find a Wishing Star that can bring them all back. To succeed, he enlists help from his former partner/rival, Kitty Softpaws, and a chatty canine friend, Perrito. Unfortunately, they’re in a race against many other fairytale characters and villains, including the bounty hunter looking to collect on Puss, The Big Bad Wolf.
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*Availability in US Director Joel Crawford Release Date December 21, 2022 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Paul Fisher Cast Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek Pinault , Olivia Colman , Harvey Guillen , Samson Kayo , Wagner Moura , Anthony Mendez , John Mulaney , Florence Pugh Runtime 102 minutes Franchise(s) Puss in Boots Expand
When the character Puss in Boots was first introduced to the fairy tale world of the Shrek movies in Shrek 2, it didn’t take long for the slippery feline to become an iconic character. Puss was an excellent choice to be the protagonist of a spinoff series, and while the first Puss in Boots from 2011 has its merits, it pales in comparison to the recent sequel. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish touches upon new aspects of the character’s identity.
Though Puss has a lot of growing to do, he eventually realizes what truly matters to him and learns not to fear death but to welcome it as a natural part of life.
Despite being a children’s movie, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish isn’t afraid to grapple with the fear of mortality and growing old, as well as the concept of forging a legacy. Though Puss has a lot of growing to do, he eventually realizes what truly matters to him and learns not to fear death but to welcome it as a natural part of life. Portraying his anxiety and difficulty coming to this epiphany provides a great representation for kids inside a fun film.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) |
95% |
94% |
1 WandaVision (2021)
Based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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15 8.8/10 WandaVision AdventureDramaActionSuperhero
WandaVision, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first TV show on Disney+, first aired in 2021. The series kicked off the MCU’s Phase 4 and brought back Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, and Paul Bettany as Vision. WandaVision strayed away from Marvel’s typical formula, this time formatting itself more like a classic sitcom as Wanda struggles to cope with the death of Vision.
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*Availability in US Cast Paul Bettany , Elizabeth Olsen , Kathryn Hahn , Teyonah Parris , Randall Park , Kat Dennings , Debra Jo Rupp , Evan Peters Release Date January 15, 2021 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe Writers Jac Schaeffer Directors Matt Shakman Showrunner Jac Schaeffer Expand
WandaVision was immediately hailed as one of the best television projects to come out of the MCU, and it’s no wonder considering the genre-bending format of the show. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany star as Wanda and Vision, two of the Avengers who were introduced during the latter part of The Avengers films and who lost their chance at a happy life together. The series picks up with Wanda, devastated after losing Vision and her difficulties coping.
The last few installments of The Avengers movies got dark and saw many characters lost in the battle to defeat Thanos. However, WandaVision didn’t have the happy ending of the other films, as the series was solely dedicated to Wanda slowly coming to terms with her grief. Each episode saw her take one step further into accepting that Vision was gone and that she had created this reality from her imagination. The realization of how far she went to avoid this pain is a sad and emotional response to such tragedy.
|
Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
WandaVision (2021) |
92% |
88% |