5 Classic DC Series You Won’t Find On Streaming

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With so many classic TV shows now available on streaming services, it’s easy to assume everything is accessible whenever you want. For fans of DC Comics, the launch of HBO Max might lead them to believe all DC shows and movies are readily available. However, that’s unfortunately not true.

You can find many of DC’s popular movies and animated series on its streaming service, but surprisingly, several classic TV shows aren’t available. The reasons for these missing shows are unclear, though there are likely internal explanations. Though the entire ‘Arrowverse’ is on Netflix, other beloved DC shows remain unavailable, seemingly stuck in streaming uncertainty.

The Adventures Of Superman

The very first superhero TV show, The Adventures of Superman, really defined what the live-action Superman should be like. George Reeves, with his strong jawline and kind personality, introduced a generation to DC’s most famous hero and created many lifelong fans.

Many consider George Reeves to be the best live-action Superman, and he certainly defined the character for a generation. Before Christopher Reeve took flight, Reeves’ portrayal was how most people pictured the first superhero. For those who grew up in the 1990s, seeing reruns of Adventures of Superman on Nick at Night made his version especially memorable and lasting.

Even though the stories and action in Adventures of Superman seem a bit dated by today’s standards, the show remains charming and enjoyable to watch. It’s particularly surprising it wasn’t included on HBO Max before the new Superman movie came out.

Wonder Woman

I grew up watching Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, and for me, she’ll always be the definitive live-action version. Gal Gadot definitely brought the character to a huge new audience and was fantastic, but Lynda Carter’s portrayal from the 1970s still feels so iconic. Even now, that show is still talked about and really holds up – it’s a classic!

Lynda Carter’s portrayal of Wonder Woman is fondly remembered for its memorable theme song and the signature spin she used to transform from Diana Prince into the superhero. Even today, despite the show not being widely available, people continue to discover and enjoy Carter’s version of the character.

It’s surprisingly difficult to watch the original Wonder Woman TV series. Given how little live-action footage exists of DC’s iconic female hero, you’d think it would be readily available on HBO Max. Instead, most fans are limited to short clips and GIFs of Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman fighting villains.

Batman

The 1960s Batman series is widely considered one of the most beloved live-action superhero shows ever made, and many fans believe it’s the best live-action take on the character. Even after 60 years, viewers still remember Robin’s famous “holy” phrases and the iconic theme song. Surprisingly, you can’t currently find the show on streaming services like HBO Max.

It’s possible a villain like the Joker or Riddler is behind this, or something even more troubling is going on. The original Batman TV show from the 1960s was made by 20th Century Fox. Warner Bros. didn’t acquire DC Comics (through the Kinsey National Company) until 1969, after the show had finished its run.

The ownership of the original Batman television show has been complicated, causing delays. It took Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox years to reach an agreement on releasing the show on DVD and Blu-ray, and this same confusion might be why it’s difficult to find on streaming services today.

Flash

Before Grant Gustin became known as The Flash over nine seasons, John Wesley Shipp played the character in the 1990s for one season. Though the original Flash series only lasted a year, it was memorable for fans, especially because of its impressive costume and groundbreaking special effects for television at the time.

It’s frustrating for fans that The Flash isn’t available on a streaming platform. While you can still buy the series in HD, it’s disappointing it’s not on HBO Max. Since HBO Max doesn’t have access to the Arrowverse shows, adding the ’90s Flash series would at least give the service a popular live-action version of the character.

Lois And Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman

It’s hard to imagine now, but when Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman first aired in 1993, viewers were surprised by how adult and even alluring it was. Live-action superheroes weren’t often taken seriously; Tim Burton’s Batman had only been released four years prior, and most subsequent comic book movies were rather silly.

I remember when Lois and Clark first hit the airwaves – everyone was talking about it! And that promotional shot of Teri Hatcher draped in Superman’s cape? It was everywhere online back in the early days of the internet, seriously one of the most downloaded images. It’s weird, though – for a while, all four seasons popped up on HBO Max, but then vanished completely. As far as I know, it hasn’t been available on any other streaming service since, which is a real shame.

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2026-01-18 20:29