Iron Fist: Season 1 (2017)
TV SeriesOptionalNetflix era
Danny Rand returns to New York to reclaim his company and wield the Iron Fist against the Hand. This 2017 season comes from Marvel’s Netflix era. It joined Marvel’s official timeline in 2024, but it’s optional for the films, so we leave it out of our main 81-title order. All 13 episodes stream on Disney+ in the US, about 9h 45m in all.
| Release date | March 17, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 13 × ~45 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
Danny Rand returns to New York and takes on the Hand. Widely seen as the weakest Netflix series, but needed for The Defenders.
About Iron Fist: Season 1
Danny Rand was presumed dead for 15 years after the plane crash that killed his parents. In this first season, he returns to New York to reclaim his place at Rand Enterprises, which is now in the hands of the Meachums, the family of his father's old business partner. His return pulls him into a fight against the Hand, the ninja crime syndicate behind a heroin trade in the city. He also has to decide what being the Iron Fist, sworn protector of K'un-Lun, actually means.
Scott Buck ran the 13-episode season, which Netflix released on March 17, 2017. Finn Jones stars as Danny, with Jessica Henwick as martial arts teacher Colleen Wing, Tom Pelphrey and Jessica Stroup as the Meachums, and David Wenham as their father, Harold. Ramón Rodríguez plays Bakuto, and Wai Ching Ho and Rosario Dawson reprise Madame Gao and Claire Temple from Daredevil. Reviews were harsh, especially of the fight choreography and pacing, with a 20% Rotten Tomatoes score. Henwick's performance was a common bright spot.
Good to know
- It was the last Marvel Netflix solo series before The Defenders and leads straight into that team-up.
- Sacha Dhawan first appears as Davos, Danny's rival from K'un-Lun, late in the season.
- Casting Finn Jones caused debate over whether an Asian American actor should have played Danny.
- The season was shot in New York City in 2016, including in Chinatown and Staten Island, and was filmed in HDR.
How to watch it
Watch it after Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, Jessica Jones season 1 and Luke Cage season 1, and right before The Defenders, since it sets up the Hand's role there. Madame Gao and Claire Temple tie it to Daredevil. If you're only watching for the Defenders setup, the Hand-focused second half matters most. It's for fans who want the full Netflix Defenders saga, flaws and all.
Where to watch Iron Fist: Season 1 in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Iron Fist: Season 1 outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
Iron Fist: Season 1 FAQ
Why was Iron Fist season 1 so poorly reviewed?
Critics took issue with the slow pacing, the story and the fight choreography, and the season scored 20% on Rotten Tomatoes. Jessica Henwick's Colleen Wing was one of the few widely praised elements.
Do I need to watch Iron Fist before The Defenders?
It helps. Iron Fist introduces Danny and Colleen and builds up the Hand, which The Defenders picks up directly.
Is Finn Jones returning as Iron Fist?
Yes. Finn Jones is set to reprise Danny Rand in season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again, expected in 2027.
Can you skip Iron Fist: Season 1?
Yes. Marvel added it to its official timeline in 2024, but it’s optional for the films.
How many episodes does Iron Fist: Season 1 have?
Iron Fist: Season 1 has 13 episodes, around 45 minutes each.
Is Iron Fist: Season 1 part of the MCU?
Marvel added the Netflix shows to its official Disney+ timeline in 2024, so they now count as part of the MCU. We keep them out of our main 81-title order because the films don’t depend on them; our Netflix canon guide explains the details.