6 Superhero Shows Better Than Smallville

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Smallville was the defining superhero show of the early 2000s, paving the way for many others. The series, starring Tom Welling as a young Clark Kent, explored Superman’s teenage years as he navigated life while hiding his abilities. Over ten seasons, it combined strong character arcs, compelling villains, and classic teen drama, ultimately becoming a benchmark for the superhero genre on television.

Even though it ended fifteen years ago, Smallville remains a beloved show, particularly for DC Comics fans, because of its contributions to the superhero genre. However, several newer superhero TV shows are not only more innovative, but also deliver their ideas with higher production values and overall quality. Here are six of the best, all currently available on major streaming services.

Superman & Lois (2021-2024) Continues Superman’s Journey

Superman & Lois is a contemporary superhero drama on The CW. The show follows Clark Kent/Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) as they navigate parenthood with their twin sons while living in Smallville. However, their peaceful family life is constantly challenged by new villains and growing conflicts.

Superman & Lois is a fresh and compelling take on the classic Superman story, taking what worked well in Smallville and improving upon it. The show excels at creating interesting relationships, features impressive visual effects, and delves into more complex characters. It offers a relatable look at Superman balancing his heroic duties with the challenges of being a father.

Daredevil (2015-2018) Explores the Effects of Vigilantism

Daredevil is a Netflix series based on the popular Marvel Comics character, existing within the larger Marvel cinematic universe. The show stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, a lawyer who is blind and fights crime as the vigilante Daredevil. Over its three seasons, the series features interactions between Murdock and Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher (played by Jon Bernthal), as Murdock tries to defeat Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin (played by Vincent D’Onofrio).

Daredevil is still considered one of the best Marvel shows Netflix has ever produced. It’s consistently well-made, with fascinating characters – especially Daredevil himself, whose dual life as a hero and vigilante powerfully moves the story forward. The action sequences are thrilling, the dangers feel real, and the show looks fantastic.

The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024) Exemplifies Creativity

The Umbrella Academy is a Netflix series based on the comic book by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. This four-season show is a comedic drama about seven adopted siblings with superpowers, all raised by Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore). The series follows their journey as they learn to cooperate and prevent a looming apocalypse.

The Umbrella Academy stands out as a truly original work, both in its comic book form and as a TV show. The Netflix series is clearly well-made, with strong direction, visuals, music, and writing. The actors do a great job bringing their bizarre characters to life. What really makes the show special is how it successfully combines elements of superhero stories, action, science fiction, fantasy, and drama.

Moon Knight (2022) Packs a Lot into Six Episodes

The series Moon Knight follows the Marvel character of the same name. Oscar Isaac plays Marc Spector and Steven Grant, who are both different personalities within the same man suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Isaac also plays a third personality, Jake Lockley. Marc gains superpowers connected to an Egyptian god and becomes Moon Knight. The story centers on Marc learning to cooperate with his other personalities as they face a dangerous new threat.

Disney+ has released several superhero series, and Moon Knight stands out as one of the strongest. It’s particularly well-done in terms of developing complex characters, exploring deep emotions, and offering a truly original take on the genre. Oscar Isaac delivers a phenomenal performance, easily captivating viewers with his portrayal of multiple personalities. The show also features exciting action sequences, a unique story, strong writing, and a good mix of dramatic and humorous moments.

The Boys (2019-Present) Satirizes the Superhero Genre

The Boys is a television series based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The show is set in a modern, alternate universe and offers a satirical look at superheroes – known as ‘Supes’ – who are often flawed and troubled, with Homelander (played by Antony Starr) as their leader. The story begins when Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) brings Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) into The Boys, a group dedicated to fighting against these powerful Supes.

Be warned: The Boys is a very graphic show. The first death happens right at the beginning of the first episode. This Amazon Prime Video series flips the typical superhero genre on its head, and that’s what makes it so compelling. The characters are deeply flawed and often act as villains themselves, the action is brutal, and the show is packed with social commentary. Despite all the darkness, it also uses dark humor to lighten the mood.

Invincible (2021-Present) is an Animated Masterpiece

Invincible is an animated series about superheroes, originally based on a popular comic book. It follows Mark Greyson, a 17-year-old who develops superpowers and becomes the hero known as Invincible (voiced by Steven Yeun). As Mark learns the ropes, he begins to question everything he thought he knew about his father, Nolan Greyson, also known as Omni-Man (voiced by J.K. Simmons), and his world gets much more complicated.

Despite being a cartoon, Invincible is a superhero series that doesn’t hold back from the harsh truths of crime-fighting, particularly when it affects family. This show, available on Amazon Prime Video, is very mature and deals with complex emotions as Mark transitions into adulthood and learns what it means to be a hero – and a person. It avoids typical superhero clichés, features fantastic voice acting, and is incredibly memorable.

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2026-01-19 04:37