Until Disney+ came along to shake things up, theatrical releases served as Marvel Studios' primary way of distributing MCU content. Although, along the way, the studio produced eight short films to serve as bonus features on its physical releases starring popular Avengers, SHIELD agents, and totally new characters in the Marvel world.
From 2011 to 2014, Marvel Studios released five One-Shots on its Blu-ray bonus features that tied loosely to the theatrical releases and told short side stories in the MCU. A similar concept was used with the Team Thor and Team Darryl short films, although these are distinctly not canon.
As the popularity of physical media continues to decline, Marvel Studios just completed its library of one-shots on Disney+.
Disney+ Adds Five MCU One-Shots
Disney+ expanded its line-up of Marvel Studios One-Shot short films with five new additions, including Agent Carter, The Consultant, Team Thor: Part 1, Team Thor: Part 2, and Team Darryl.
The Hayley Atwell-led Agent Carter one-shot was previously added to the streaming service several months back before being quickly removed.
The Consultant was Marvel Studios' first short film released with the Thor Blu-ray in 2011 and sees Agents Coulson and Sitwell discussing General Ross in a lead-in to Tony Stark's appearance in The Incredible Hulk's post-credits scene.
In the period between Captain America: Civil War and Thor: Ragnarok, Marvel Studios produced two Team Thor mockumentaries starring the God of Thunder and office worker Darryl living a normal life on Earth.
After the popularity of the original Team Thor one-shot on the Civil War Blu-ray, a second part was released alongside Doctor Strange to continue the duo's hilarious antics.
Darryl returned to lead his own one-shot in the Thor: Ragnarok release alongside Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster as the two share an apartment in Los Angeles.
The five recent additions join All Hail the King, A Funny Thing That Happened On The Way to Thor's Hammer, and Item 47 in the new "Marvel One-Shots" section on Disney+.
Will Marvel One-Shots Ever Return?
With streaming now providing Marvel Studios with a new outlet to release short-form content, perhaps One-Shots could one-day return, although likely as Disney+ originals and not bonus features on physical releases.
Marvel producer Louis D'Esposito recently teased plans for more short films to come down the line but indicated finding the time can cause issues. With director Taika Waititi returning to the MCU this year with Thor: Love and Thunder, it wouldn't be shocking if it were to be accompanied by more Darryl mockumentaries.
Disney+'s library of MCU content is moving ever closer to being complete, with the Defenders-centric Netflix series, Tom Holland's Spider-Man trilogy, and The Incredible Hulk being the only notable absences left.
All eight Marvel Studios One-Shots are streaming now, exclusively on Disney+.
