Daredevil (2003)
MovieOptionalLegacy
Blind lawyer Matt Murdock fights crime as Daredevil, facing Kingpin and Bullseye. This 2003 Marvel film was made outside Marvel Studios’ main MCU line-up, so it’s optional for the watch order and works fine on its own. It runs 1h 43m and streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Directed by | Mark Steven Johnson |
|---|---|
| Starring | Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell, Michael Clarke Duncan |
| Release date | February 14, 2003 |
| Runtime | 1h 43m |
| Age rating | PG-13, some material may be inappropriate for under 13 |
| IMDb rating | 5.3/10 |
| Box office | $179M worldwide |
| Series | Legacy Marvel films |
| Post-credit scene | No |
Why it matters now
Ben Affleck's Daredevil underwhelmed in 2003, but its director's cut earned a genuine cult reappraisal, and it made the Netflix reboot possible.
About Daredevil
Matt Murdock is blinded as a boy by radioactive waste, which heightens his other senses and gives him a kind of sonar. His father, Jack, is a fading boxer caught up with the mob. As an adult, Matt works as a lawyer in Hell's Kitchen who only takes clients he believes are innocent, and at night he hunts down the guilty as Daredevil. He falls for Elektra Natchios, not knowing her father works for the Kingpin, the crime boss reporter Ben Urich has been chasing. Then the Kingpin brings in a hitman called Bullseye.
Mark Steven Johnson wrote and directed for 20th Century Fox and Regency. Ben Affleck plays Matt, with Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Colin Farrell as Bullseye, Michael Clarke Duncan as Wilson Fisk, Jon Favreau as Foggy Nelson and Joe Pantoliano as Urich. Released on February 14, 2003, it runs 103 minutes, opened at No. 1 and made about $180 million worldwide on a $78 million budget. Reviews were mixed (42% on Rotten Tomatoes), and Affleck won a Razzie for Worst Actor. An R-rated director's cut followed in 2004 and was received better.
Good to know
- The 2004 director's cut restores about 30 minutes, including a subplot with Coolio, and is more violent with less romance.
- Stan Lee, Frank Miller and Kevin Smith all make cameos.
- Jon Favreau, who plays Foggy here, went on to direct Iron Man (2008) and play Happy Hogan in the MCU.
- After the rights went back to Marvel, Charlie Cox took over the role in Netflix's Daredevil (2015).
Spoiler Spoilers for Daredevil: tap to reveal
- Jennifer Garner returned as Elektra in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
How to watch it
Watch this before Elektra (2005), which is a direct spin-off. If you can, pick the director's cut; it's a darker, more coherent version of the same story. Compare it afterward with season 1 of Netflix's Daredevil to see how differently Kingpin and Hell's Kitchen were handled.
Where it fits in your watch
- All legacy Marvel films
Daredevil FAQ
Is the Daredevil director's cut better?
Most reviewers thought so. The 2004 cut adds about 30 minutes, including a subplot with Coolio's character, and trades some of the romance for a darker, R-rated crime story.
Who plays Kingpin in Daredevil (2003)?
Michael Clarke Duncan plays Wilson Fisk. The Netflix series later recast the role with Vincent D'Onofrio.
Is Elektra a sequel to Daredevil?
It's a spin-off. Jennifer Garner returns as Elektra in her own 2005 film, which picks up after the events of Daredevil.
Can you skip Daredevil?
Yes. It isn’t part of the MCU timeline.
When was Daredevil released?
Daredevil was released on February 14, 2003.
Is Daredevil part of the MCU?
No. Daredevil is a Marvel film made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it isn’t on Marvel Studios’ official timeline.
Does Daredevil have a post-credit scene?
No, Daredevil has no post-credit scene.
Where to watch Daredevil in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Daredevil outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Netflix | Free: Channel 4 · Rent: Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, CosmoGo |
| Australia | Prime Video, Netflix, Stan | None needed |
| India | Vi Movies & TV | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
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