WandaVision kicked off Phase 4 of the MCU in January 2021, effectively ushering in a new era of Disney+ series. Indeed, it marked the MCU’s debut in television format as it followed the aftermath of the events of Avengers: Endgame from the perspective of Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen. WandaVision ultimately became a major critical success, earning an impressive 23 nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards that year.

Fittingly, as the MCU’s first TV series, WandaVision paid homage to television itself, using various shows across history as inspiration for each of its episodes. By the end of the series, WandaVision nodded at many iconic shows from The Dick Van Dyke Show to Modern Family. Here’s a look at every TV show that inspired WandaVision.

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The Dick Van Dyke Show

     CBS

One of the oldest shows referenced on WandaVision, in its premiere couple of episodes no less, is The Dick Van Dyke Show, which follows the titular character on his escapades at work and at home. This show is one of the most important influences on WandaVision. Per Den of Geek, director Matt Shakman revealed that he even had lunch with Van Dyke to gain more insight into how the show was made.

I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy was a hugely successful sitcom that starred Lucille Ball as a housewife in New York as she attempts to break into show business. The show was an obvious inspiration for the first two episode of WandaVision alongside The Dick Van Dyke Show. The most obvious reference is when I Love Lucy was on air, couples were not to be shown in bed together. Instead, two twin single beds were shown rather than a double bed.

The Twilight Zone

Another show that inspired WandaVision is The Twilight Zone, which is the sole inspiration that isn’t inherently a sitcom. The show’s format involves a narrator who takes viewers through different scary stories that take place in somewhere called “The Twilight Zone.” The series was recently remade by Jordan Peele, but follows the same premise. WandaVision creator Jac Schaeffer spoke about the huge influence the show had on the series and how the stories were told, particularly with respect to Wanda’s magic and the unraveling of the mysteris of the Hex.

Bewitched

     ABC

Bewitched is a TV show that has been remade countless times throughout film and TV history, and was even made into a successful movie starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. The show stars Elizabeth Montgomery as a witch who is trying to live a normal life as a housewife. It’s fitting source material for WandaVision, which see the Scarlet Witch and Vision attempting to blend into suburban life despite being Avengers.

The Brady Bunch

     CBS Television Distribution 

The Brady Bunch is a classic 70s show, which follows the Brady family, a blended family with six children who are all living together. This show is a clear influence on the third episode of WandaVision, as the MCU series moves into the 70s era of TV, where the title card clearly references the title show of The Brady Brunch.

Good Times

Good Times followed a family in a Chicago housing project. WandaVision star Teyonah Parris, who plays Monica Rambeau, revealed that this was a reference point throughout, with the influence of the show being clear in later episodes. Good Times originally aired in the 70s and was a spin-off series of Maude, which was itself a spin-off of All in the Family.

Full House

Full House centered around Bob Saget playing a widowed father who is struggling to raise his children alone, so he brings in his brother and best friend — also single fathers — to help. The show served as inspiration for the episode in which WandaVision moved into the 80s era of TV. By this point, Billy and Tommy had grown significantly, changing the family dynamic. Interestingly, using Full House as inspiration was also a nod to the fact that Olsen’s famous sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley, notably starred in the ABC show.

Malcolm in the Middle

     Fox

Malcolm in the Middle was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 00s, and followed the titular Malcolm, a very intelligent child in a working-class family, who felt out of place. The show was heavily referenced in WandaVision’s sixth episode, with the opening credits being a clear homage to Malcolm’s. What’s more, just like Malcolm broke the fourth wall in his show, so did Tommy in WandaVision.

The Office

In Episode 7 of WandaVision, there were countless references to modern sitcoms like The Office, particularly in the mockumentary-style format, with interviews and glances directly at the camera. Vision, for instance, looks directly into the camera when he is driving the circus truck alongside Darcy. This also happens again when Agnes looks directly into the camera and reveals herself to be Agatha Harkness. The Office has made a huge impact on modern TV, so it feels only natural that the show was referenced.

Modern Family

     20th Television

Modern Family was an acclaimed series, and one of the most celebrated shows of the modern era. The series follows three different households who are all connected by the Pritchett family patriarch Jay. The series can be seen clearly in the seventh episode of WandaVision, where Wanda speaks to the camera in the mockumentary style that was so often used in Modern Family. What’s more, Wanda’s house bears a striking resemblance in tone, color, and aesthetic to that of the Dunphys'.