Disney+'s Marvel animated series "What If...?" recently concluded its third season, with the final episode delivering an emotional, mind-bending finale. It's hard to imagine a sacred timeline in our real world without this quietly impactful yet immensely popular MCU series, which has undoubtedly captured the hearts of countless fans. The series' all-star multiverse lineup, especially with Shang-Chi and the X-Men's Storm appearing in the final three seasons, has truly delighted viewers. Which "What If...?" episode stands out as your all-time favorite? Below, we're breaking down the top 5 fan-rated episodes from each season, from the latest third season all the way back to the first!
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▼A Must-Watch: "What If...?" Pushes the Boundaries of the MCU Multiverse
Widely acclaimed by critics as one of the MCU's most creative animated series in recent years, "What If...?" takes its foundational premise from the multiverse concept introduced in "Loki" Season 1. The show builds upon existing MCU main universe stories and characters, then branches out into wildly imaginative alternate multiverse scenarios. This allows fans to experience exhilarating, radically re-imagined "what if" storylines that diverge from the main narrative. Across its three seasons, while not every episode directly connects, they all subtly or overtly lay groundwork for the series' overarching narrative and grand finale. The Watcher, Uatu, largely orchestrates the events, acting as the universe's ultimate anchor (or, perhaps, its biggest meddler). Captain Carter serves as the central hero, guiding a roster of popular multiverse characters to ultimately save... well, the Marvel Multiverse itself!
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"What If...?" Seasons 1-3: Top 5 Fan-Rated Episodes by Season!
( *Rankings are based on IMDb user ratings; in case of a tie, the episode with more votes takes precedence )
▼Season 3: IMDb User Ratings
"What If...?" after ten bells... Shang-Chi arrives! What if his sister ran away this time? What if he had to fight his sister again? (Whispers: What if The Watcher intervened, again and again?)
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▼ "What If...?" Season 3 IMDb User Ratings: Top 4 – Episode 5: "What If... The Emergence Destroyed the Earth?"
"What If...?" explores a universe seemingly doomed to destruction, where the Eternals are powerless to stop "The Emergence." What if White Vision was still active? Was there a puppet master pulling the strings? And was Ironheart destined to lose? (Whispers: What if The Watcher couldn't resist interfering yet again?) 
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▼ "What If...?" Season 3 IMDb User Ratings: Top 3 – Episode 8: "What If... What If?"
The emotional core of this season's finale, "What If... What If?" resonated deeply with fans, not for its action, but for the poignant dialogue between The Watcher and his apprentice. Their journey from "merely observing" to "more than observing" marked a significant spiritual evolution. While no one died, the episode still wove a narrative of unavoidable tragic fate. Which hero met a somber end? Viewers are encouraged to watch and discover the answer for themselves!
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▼ "What If...?" Season 3 IMDb User Ratings: Top 2 – Episode 3: "What If... Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?"
"What If...?" brings together two unlikely heroes who initially clash but inadvertently forge a powerful bond. This time, brainwashing won't be so easy! 
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▼ "What If...?" Season 3 IMDb User Ratings: Top 1 – Episode 7: "What If... The Watcher Disappeared?"
In "What If... The Watcher Disappeared?", The Watcher himself is captured by other Watchers, necessitating a rescue not just for the entire universe, but for The Watcher as well! Fans were thrilled by the long-awaited debut of Storm from the X-Men, wielding Thor's hammer Mjolnir! Her entrance alone is worth replaying multiple times! 
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Furthermore, the series' climactic introduction of Storm from the "X-Men" franchise was a clear signal to eagle-eyed fans: Marvel is poised to bring more classic X-Men characters back to the main MCU stage. This also sets the groundwork for the highly anticipated "Fantastic Four" saga, a new chapter ready to brilliantly unfold within the "Avengers" series! 
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▼ "What If...?" Season 2 IMDb User Ratings: Top 5 – Episode 2: "What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes?"
In "What If...?", this alternate Peter Quill is truly a "super punk"—overpowered and incredibly difficult to subdue. He's finally caught, only to be released again! Will he continue his path of destruction, or will he ultimately save Earth? 
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▼ "What If...?" Season 2: IMDb Fan Rankings – Episode 9, "What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?", Takes #4
In "What If...?", Strange Supreme emerges as another Marvel collector, gathering heroes and villains for a grand magical fusion. Will the Doctor finally achieve his ultimate desire? (Hint: The unforgettable sequence featuring all the heroes in action is truly a must-see!)
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▼ "What If...?" Season 2: IMDb Fan Rankings – Episode 6, "What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?", Lands at #3
The brand-new character Kahhori captivated countless fans from her very first appearance in "What If...?". After coming into contact with the waters of a lake where the Tesseract fell, she gained superhero abilities comparable to Captain Marvel's in Marvel history. Returning to her original world, how will she reshape it? 
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▼ "What If...?" Season 2: IMDb Fan Rankings – Episode 8, "What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?", Secures #2
In "What If...?", the Avengers assemble in 1602 with a singular mission: to send away "that person" who shouldn't be there. This poignant episode undoubtedly brought tears to many Captain Carter and Doctor Strange shippers. Fans expressed their desire for the Marvel writers to finally give the beloved duo a proper dance!
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▼ "What If...?" Season 2: IMDb Fan Rankings – Episode 7, "What If... Hela Found the Ten Rings?", Crowned #1
In "What If...?", Hela discovers the Ten Rings. After losing her helmet, she enters a secluded paradise to learn martial arts, turning from evil to good. She reclaims her helmet, gains the Eternal Spear, and harnesses the power of light, embarking on a new journey with Wenwu to liberate the entire universe!
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▼Season 1 IMDb User Score
In a shocking turn of events, Earth's Mightiest Heroes—Iron Man, Hawkeye, Thor, and Hulk—are all killed in quick succession. Who is the secret mastermind pulling the strings? One thing's for sure: Loki fans will be screaming, as this episode gives the God of Mischief another chance to shine!
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▼Season 1 IMDb User Score
What if Yondu had abducted T'Challa instead of Ego's son, Peter Quill? In this timeline, T'Challa never becomes the Black Panther but instead grows into an incredibly popular version of Star-Lord—one so charismatic he can even persuade villains to mend their ways. How will this cosmic adventure alter the destiny of the universe and Wakanda?
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▼Season 1 IMDb User Score
The Watcher finally breaks his vow of non-interference to take action against an Ultron who has taken over Vision's body and collected all six Infinity Stones. He recruits a team from different universes—Captain Carter, Star-Lord T'Challa, Thor, Killmonger, Gamora, and Doctor Strange Supreme—to fight for the fate of the multiverse. When the Watcher is no longer just an observer, the season's entire main plot is propelled forward in a massive way.
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▼Season 1 IMDb User Score
What if Doctor Strange was determined to save his lost love, no matter the cost? This obsession to save his girlfriend splits the Sorcerer Supreme into two opposing versions of himself, leaving fans torn over which side to support. This episode is absolutely packed with emotion, and many international media outlets ranked it as their number one pick of the season!
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Season 1's Top-Rated Episode on IMDb: "What If... Ultron Won?"
In "What If...?", Ultron achieves total victory, becoming an unstoppable cosmic force. He grows so powerful he can access The Watcher's own dimension, hunting his foes across the multiverse. The threat becomes so immense that even The Watcher is forced to ask for help, cementing this version of Ultron as one of the most formidable villains in the cosmos.
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Beyond the top-rated episodes, we have a few other recommendations. For viewers following the main story arcs, the Season 1 premiere, "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?," is a must-watch to get acquainted with Captain Carter's origin. For those who love wild, out-of-the-box scenarios, you can't miss "What If... Zombies?!". In this chaotic episode, heroes and villains are turned into the undead, and a group of survivors must face off against a terrifyingly powerful Zombie Scarlet Witch, with an uninfected Hulk—maybe his green skin gave him immunity?—leading the charge in a spectacular free-for-all!
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The latest season also delivered some instant fan-favorites that, while not topping the charts, are highly recommended by viewers. These include the premiere, "What If... the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?," and the second episode, "What If... Agatha Went to Hollywood?," both praised for their wildly imaginative premises! (Editor's note: While watching the premiere, we couldn't help but think, "If that's not a Gundam, what is it?" and "If that's not Godzilla, what is it?" As for the second episode, if movie magic can create anything, why not just use real magic for the special effects? P.S. Kathryn Hahn's voice performance as Agatha remains a massive fan favorite—and for good reason!)
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Marvel's "What If...?" — All Three Seasons Now Streaming on Disney+!
Every fan has their favorite "what if" storyline, and for us, it's "What if Marvel had never created this series?"... an impossible scenario, because this show's existence feels like an Absolute Point in the timeline! With fluid, thrilling animation that gets more refined each season, "What If...?" delivers unprecedented creativity, blending laugh-out-loud humor with genuinely moving storylines. The series is filled with clever nods to the films, allowing fans to relive classic moments in new ways. And while each episode follows its own unique timeline, they all weave together to build a powerful and satisfying conclusion. It's a show that rewards rewatching, offering a spectacular showcase of classic heroes and their variants. So whether you're looking for action, heart, or fresh takes on iconic characters, now is the perfect time to binge on Disney+. If you've already seen it, we highly recommend a rewatch. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Head over to www.disneyplus.com or download the Disney+ app from the App Store or Google Play to subscribe now!