When and how to watch WandaVision, plus everything else to know

Avengers: Endgame ended Marvel Studios’ “Infinity Saga” in 2019, and since ... well, that’s about it. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped the Marvel release calendar clean, bumping event films like Black Widow and Eternals, and the studio’s theoretical first TV series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, to 2021. Now we’re getting WandaVision on Disney Plus instead — and by all accounts that’s just fine. Who doesn’t like a breather?

But with all the release chaos (not to mention all the general chaos) that continues to make January 2021 one giant head-spinning frenzy, the release of WandaVision is anything but normal for Marvel, which is accustomed to giant premieres, huge buzz, and plans for 800 more projects. OK, it has that last base covered. But what’s the actual plan for WandaVision?

Here are a few answers in order to subdue any telekinetic headaches that might be ailing you.

When does WandaVision premiere on Disney Plus?

Unlike network television premieres, Netflix, Disney Plus, and the rest of the streamers leave audiences in constant question of when their new shows actually arrive on the platform. According to Disney Plus sources, new episodes of WandaVision are expected to premiere on the service every Friday shortly after 12 a.m. PST. And unlike Mulan, there’s no extra charge to watch Marvel’s new event series — if you have an account, you’re good.

WandaVision season 1 episode release dates

Unlike The Mandalorian, Disney Plus is taking a cue from Amazon’s recent rollout of The Boys and dropping two half-hour episodes at the premiere. Then each of the show’s subsequent seven episodes will arrive every Friday. Here’s the tentative schedule (pending abrupt changes):

• WandaVision season 1, episode 1 and 2: Jan. 15
• WandaVision season 1, episode 3: Jan. 22
• WandaVision season 1, episode 4: Jan. 29
• WandaVision season 1, episode 5: Feb. 5
• WandaVision season 1, episode 6: Feb. 12
• WandaVision season 1, episode 7: Feb. 19
• WandaVision season 1, episode 8: Feb. 26
• WandaVision season 1, episode 9: March 5

Is WandaVision based on any comics you should read beforehand?

Want to do some homework before the big premiere? Though the story of WandaVision is expected to be created wholecloth for the MCU, savvy comic experts have noticed how it melds elements of classic Avengers books, Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch’s House of M, and Tom King’s celebrated mini-series Vision. Here’s a crash course.

And while you don’t have time for a complete Marvel movie marathon, you can catch Age of Ultron, Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War on Disney Plus for a taste of Wanda and Vision’s saga thus far.

Is WandaVision good?

Time will tell how the reality-bending series will play for diehard Marvel fans who love their post-credit teasers or the ones who just show up to see Tony Stark punch a big purple doof in his big purple doof face, but it’s certainly one of the MCU’s most far-out entries yet. The one essential thing to know before cueing it up on Disney Plus on Friday? It’s not grabbing the lore baton from Avengers: Endgame and gearing up for Phase 4. The old-fashioned sitcom pastiche runs through its veins, and is entertaining in its own right. Read our full review for a non-spoiler take on why it works so far.

Hulu/Disney Plus bundle

• $13

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Disney is offering a bundle combining its three streaming services — Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus — for $12.99/month.

• $13 at Disney Plus

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