> Can I watch Daredevil (2003) and Punisher (2004) without spoiling the Netflix series? Yes. The movies you mention are distinct from the TV shows. Although they of course are based on the same source material, they are different interpretations. I'll give you some more details on overlap/differences without spoiling anything. **Comparing Daredevil**: * Very similar origin story. This is unavoidable because the origin story directly explains Daredevil's powers, and also drives part of his character (in relation to his father). * Although they have the same villain, they are very different incarnations of Kingpin. Comparing the two Kingpins is like comparing Jack Nicholson's Joker to Heath Ledger's Joker. They're about as different as they can be (while remaining within the source material). * The movie mostly focuses on the hero persona (Daredevil). The person (Matt Murdock) isn't pulled into focus as much. Almost every side character knows Daredevil (not Matt Murdock). Matt Murdock's scenes generally only exist to further Daredevil's plotline. * Comparatively, the TV Show focuses more on Matt Murdock than it does on Daredevil. The TV show is much less hero-infused than you'd expect from Marvel. Most side characters know Matt Murdock (not Daredevil). In most episode plots, Daredevil's scenes are used to assist Matt Murdock's plotline. * The TV show questions the validity of Matt/Daredevil's approach. It questions vigilantism and the need for retribution. The movie, however, keeps Matt/Daredevil focused on a single goal, and only the side characters ask questions about vigilantism (which never really connects to the plot in a meaningful way). _I can draw an analogy to Batman. Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton's Batman movies mostly focus on Batman over Bruce Wayne, but the Christian Bale (Nolan) Batman movies focus more on Bruce Wayne and his ideologies._ _I think this is mostly caused by the time period where the movies were released. Modern media puts a much heavier focus on gritty reality, compared to 10-20 years ago._ **Comparing The Punisher**: * The origin story is different. Although the justification for becoming the Punisher is the same (loss of loved ones); the circumstances are completely different. In both cases, the circumstances **heavily** related to the main plot. * Completely different main plot. The movie focuses on a local crime syndicate in a city. The TV show focuses on military/CIA/conspiracy theories. * The movie's main focus is on defeating the bad guys; and the Punisher's questionable methods are hardly ever questioned (by the plot). Almost always, the Punisher responds to his environment, rather than provoking escalation. The Punisher is also very single-minded, and hardly ever qhows signs of a different opinion, or questioning himself. * The TV show, on the other hand, implicitly questions the validity of the Punisher's methods. While The Punisher himself is of course still focusing on the bad guys, he also drifts between different approaches. The show spends considerable screen time on side characters, whose plot points usually indirectly question whether the Punisher is doing the right thing or not. * The movie's characters were very one-dimensional (especially the innocent bystanders). The TV show has created a more gritty yet nuanced reality. _Note: I **loved** the movie to death. I'm not saying the movie is bad, not at all, but the characters were a bit simple compared to now having seen the TV show._ _Again, I can draw an analogy to Batman. The 90's Batman movies painted Batman as unquestionably good, and the villains as unquestionably evil. The same is true of the Punisher movie._ _But the Nolan Batman movies focus more time on wondering if Bruce Wayne is doing the right thing, and not just using Batman as a way to vent his anger. Similarly, the Punisher TV show questions Frank Castle's state of mind and methods, instead of assuming they are unquestionably good._