What If...?

What If...? takes the familiar beats of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and asks a simple question, then shows the fallout. Each episode rewrites a pivotal MCU moment and follows the new chain of events that unfolds when a single choice is altered. The Watcher watches and narrates, but mostly the show lets reimagined heroes and villains play out standalone stories that range from dark to whimsical. Episodes reuse recognizable characters and voice actors, but every installment stands alone, offering new stakes and surprising outcomes without changing what happens in the films.

Released on Disney Plus in 2021, the animated anthology was created by Jon Roth and Aram Sarkisian and draws its concept from the long-running Marvel comic series of the same name. Jeffrey Wright provides the voice of The Watcher, anchoring each episode with calm, observant narration and tying the series together.

Critics and fans gave What If...? generally positive marks, reflected in an average vote of 8.075 out of 10 from over 4,500 voters. Reviewers tended to praise the imagination behind individual episodes and the high-quality animation, while noting that episode quality varies across the season. Recurring themes include the consequences of choices, identity under altered circumstances, and the unpredictable nature of causality.

The series quickly became part of wider MCU conversations, fueling fan theories and social media discussion about alternate timelines and character variants. Standout images and twist premises generated memes and merchandise interest, and episodes were often cited when people talked about the multiverse idea in mainstream fan discourse.

The show also attracted attention from industry awards and animation groups, garnering recognition in animation categories and nominations that highlighted voice work and visual design. While it didn’t redefine television awards season, the series established itself as a notable animated experiment within the larger Marvel strategy, respected for creative risk taking and its playful reworkings of well known cinematic moments.