Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Action Shows
  4. Marvel TV Shows
  5. Ironheart

Ironheart earns mixed first reactions, as early viewers can't decide if the Marvel show is a "disappointment" or "better than I expected"

News
By Molly Edwards published 24 June 2025

Ironheart first reactions are in

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams in Ironheart
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
1
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

First reactions for Marvel Phase 5 show Ironheart are in, and they're decidedly mixed.

The show picks up with Riri Williams in the aftermath of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and it sees the new hero attempt to build something "iconic" – with the shadowy help of mysterious newcomer The Hood.

"Even though I’m not personally the biggest fan of blending tech and mysticism, #Ironheart turned out better than I expected – especially in the last couple episodes," writes ComicBook's Chris Killian. "What really landed for me was how it ties back to the original Iron Man adding an unexpected layer of legacy to RiRi’s journey. And without spoiling anything, there’s a character introduced late in the season that really makes the show stand out."

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and Baby Yoda in the snow in The Mandalorian and Grogu The Mandalorian and Grogu gets divisive first reactions as it's called both a "ton of fun" and "totally inessential"
  • Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle aiming a gun at the camera First reactions to Marvel's Punisher special compare it to The Raid and say it's like a comic "come to life"
  • Charlie Cox as Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 First reactions to Daredevil: Born Again season 2 call the Marvel show an "upgrade" from season 1

"The first three episodes of #Ironheart are out tomorrow, and your resident Marvel cynic is here to say: it's quite good!" is the verdict of Collider's Maggie Lovitt. "It's a shame the series has been in flux, because Disney Plus has something great on their hands. Dominique Thorne is pure dynamite. Alden Ehrenreich is brilliantly cast."

"Oh, I can talk about #Ironheart now? I've seen all 6 episodes. I'm a bit surprised Marvel didn't market this more. It starts pretty strong and gets better and better as the series progresses," says YouTuber Adam Hlaváč.

"#Ironheart is a spectacular dose of Black girl magic. One of Marvel's best shows. Filled with charming, likable characters. From the heroes to the villains, everyone is magnetic. Dominique Thorne and Alden Ehrenreich are outstanding. Anthony Ramos is in rare form. Funny, grounded, and superpowerful. Some clever MCU tie-ins. A VERY bold ending too!" says journalist Jonathan Sim.

Ironheart

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

However, not everyone agrees. "#Ironheart have some fun moments but it's never interesting enough nor it manages to stick the landing," says The Hollywood Handle. "Bland characters and a super uninteresting plot that doesn't know where it wants to go. A disappointment overall."

"#Ironheart suffers from too few episodes to dynamically explore the interesting ideas of access and privilege being discussed," says critic Adam Patla. However, Dominique Thorne and Alden Ehrenreich lead this show toward a satisfying conclusion that left me excited for Marvel's next steps."

"#Ironheart is a fine series! I really wanted to love but came away not feeling much," says critic Zach Pope. "VFX, Action, & some new additions of magic mythology to the world of the MCU stand out (THE HOOD + FINALE = AWESOME) but the character arcs feel at a standstill by the end & don't go anywhere."

"Oh, we can talk about #Ironheart now. It's another meeting that could have been a memo, a two-hour film stretched out to six hours of content," says journalist Darren Mooney. "The first half is rough, but it evolves into something interesting in the home stretch, something close to the yin to Sinners' yang." Sinners director Ryan Coogler is an executive producer on Ironheart.

Ironheart hits Disney Plus this June 24 in the US and June 25 in the UK. In the meantime, check out our Ironheart release schedule to keep up to date, or our guides to watching the Marvel movies in order or all the upcoming Marvel movies and shows to keep up with the MCU.

TOPICS
Disney
CATEGORIES
Disney Plus Streaming Services
Molly Edwards
Molly Edwards
Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film section. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and Baby Yoda in the snow in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian and Grogu gets divisive first reactions as it's called both a "ton of fun" and "totally inessential"
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle aiming a gun at the camera
Marvel TV Shows First reactions to Marvel's Punisher special compare it to The Raid and say it's like a comic "come to life"
 
 
Charlie Cox as Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again season 2
Marvel TV Shows First reactions to Daredevil: Born Again season 2 call the Marvel show an "upgrade" from season 1
 
 
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel TV Shows Marvel fans can't believe which show is beating Daredevil: Born Again as the MCU's highest rated live-action series
 
 
Secret Invasion episode 4
Marvel TV Shows It's been 2 and a half years, and Marvel fans still can't get over Secret Invasion: "Making an MCU version was a bad idea"
 
 
Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams in Wonder Man
Marvel TV Shows Marvel's Wonder Man drops out of the streaming top 10 after only 2 weeks on Disney Plus
 
 
Latest in Marvel TV Shows
Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto in the Ironheart season 1 finale
Marvel TV Shows Despite having less than five minutes of screentime in the MCU so far, Sacha Baron Cohen thinks Mephisto will return
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
Marvel TV Shows Punisher star Jon Bernthal is "really down" to return as Frank Castle, but only if he’s “the one that’s making it"
 
 
Spider-Noir perching in a church
Marvel TV Shows Nicolas Cage wanted to shoot Spider-Noir in both color and black and white to appeal to teenagers
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
Marvel TV Shows Luke Cage creator says there's one "problem" with The Punisher: One Last Kill, and I agree
 
 
White Vision in WandaVision
Marvel TV Shows VisionQuest release date, cast, trailer, plot and everything we know about the Marvel show
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
Marvel TV Shows The Punisher special isn't beating the unfinished allegations as Disney confirms Marvel is fixing audio issues
 
 
Latest in News
Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy in Vought Rising
Superhero Shows The Boys showrunner seemingly teases upcoming spin-off Vought Rising being set across multiple timelines
 
 
(L to R) Alfre Woodard, Alfred Molina and Dennis O'Hare in The Boroughs
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things creators have a new Netflix sci-fi show – and it's got their best Rotten Tomatoes score since season 1
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 classes
Roguelike Games New Slay the Spire 2 patch buffs the newest boss and reworks more enemies and cards
 
 
Hand holding Donkey Kong cartridge in fromt of Atari 600XL 8-bit micrcomputer on woodgrain desk.
Retro Atari's next retro console remake could be the bigger version of the 8-bit microcomputer I use
 
 
Image of a Legend of Zelda and Princess Peach RDS Industries Inc Switch 2 case on a green GamesRadar+ background.
Accessories RDS Industries just dropped some peachy Nintendo Switch 2 cases, and it's about time
 
 
Austin Abrams as Bryan in Resident Evil
Horror Movies Resident Evil movie director Zach Cregger talks "divided reaction" to the trailer
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy in Vought Rising
    1
    The Boys showrunner seemingly teases upcoming spin-off Vought Rising being set across multiple timelines
  2. 2
    All Subnautica 2 Adaptations
  3. 3
    Marathon Steam reviews take a hit as Destiny 2 fans react to news of the MMO ending updates
  4. 4
    Stranger Things creators have a new Netflix sci-fi show – and it's got their best Rotten Tomatoes score since season 1
  5. 5
    New Slay the Spire 2 patch buffs the newest boss and reworks more enemies and cards

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...