Every Season of ‘The Boys’ and ‘Gen V’ Ranked

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Although it first appeared just six years ago, the world of The Boys has quickly grown. Following the original series, a spin-off web series called Seven debuted on 7/7/2021, and an adult animated anthology series, Diabolical, premiered on March 4, 2022, though it was later cancelled. Another live-action series, Gen V, launched on September 29, 2023, and has received similar praise. And there’s more: a prequel series called Vought Rising is currently being made.

Both The Boys and Gen V are fantastic shows. Like most popular series, they aren’t perfect, but so far, every season has been a hit with fans. While all episodes are good, some truly stand out, delivering more excitement, stronger character arcs, and captivating storylines.

Here’s a ranking of each season of The Boys and Gen V, so far.

6
‘The Boys’ Season 4

Season 4 of The Boys finds the team facing more challenges than ever. Victoria Neuman is aggressively pursuing the presidency with Homelander’s support, while Billy Butcher, struggling with the effects of Temp V and a limited lifespan, has been removed from active duty by his teammates. He’s now determined to protect Ryan from Homelander’s influence. At the same time, Homelander brings in the incredibly intelligent Sister Sage to help Vought control politics. By the end of the season, The Boys are fractured and their fate is up in the air.

All Over the Place

Chapter four stands out with its mix of strange, dreamlike moments and pointed social commentary, and Karl Urban delivers a particularly strong performance. However, the episode’s rhythm feels off at times, and the whole story so far feels like a long lead-up that doesn’t quite deliver on its promises. It also suffers from too many side stories. Butcher’s hallucinations featuring Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Joe Kessler are a significant distraction, especially since Morgan, who is fantastic, deserved a more developed role considering the excitement around his casting.

Anthony Starr’s portrayal of Homelander wasn’t quite as strong as usual. It makes you wonder if the lack of Emmy recognition for his fantastic work in Season 3 affected his performance – he really deserved an award for capturing the character’s unique mix of childishness and vulnerability. Hopefully, the acting will be back on top form in Season 5.

5
‘Gen V’ Season 2

In Season 2 of Gen V, the young superheroes return to Godolkin University, but things are much more dangerous this time. With Homelander firmly in control and a large-scale conflict between humans and Supes on the horizon, the university is no longer focused on training heroes. Instead, it’s being used to turn the students into soldiers. Marie, Emma, and their friends find themselves facing a harsh new leader, Dean Cipher, who wants to mold them into weapons. They’re now forced to choose between fighting back and following orders.

Still No Identity

Some viewers felt the first season of Gen V didn’t quite find its own voice, seeming too similar to The Boys. Unfortunately, the second season feels even more like a setup for what’s coming next, rather than a story that stands on its own. It’s time for Gen V to truly establish its unique identity.

The show’s tone jumps around a lot, switching between typical teen storylines and more serious political themes, and some parts of the plot feel disconnected. However, this season features a truly exceptional villain. The students constantly face embarrassing challenges as they try to live up to Dean Cipher’s incredibly high standards. With a little refinement, this season could have been amazing.

4
‘Gen V’ Season 1

The first episode of Gen V introduces a group of students at Godolkin University, an elite college for superheroes run by Vought International, all hoping to become members of The Seven. The competition is fierce, and very few students make it to the final year. The story centers on Marie, whose powerful ability to control blood led to a tragic accident – she unintentionally killed her parents during her first period. Despite her ambitions, Marie’s beliefs are challenged when she and her friends uncover a hidden facility called The Woods, where students are imprisoned and subjected to experiments.

Great Story, But the Characters Aren’t Interesting

If you enjoyed The Boys, this show offers a welcome change of scenery. It moves away from the familiar characters like Homelander and Butcher, focusing instead on a group of teenagers and young adults with exciting new plans. The show also thoughtfully explores themes of trauma and personal growth, and the acting – particularly from Jaz Sinclair and Lizze Broadway – is exceptional.

The show unfortunately gets bogged down in side stories that distract from the main plot, and spends too much time telling us what’s happening instead of showing us through the characters. As a result, none of the characters feel as compelling or powerful as those in The Boys. Marie, in particular, suffers from this lack of development; with better writing, she could have become a truly memorable character, even a fan favorite with a strong online presence. Unfortunately, she’s largely flown under the radar for most viewers.

3
‘The Boys’ Season 1

Season 1 is packed with events, but the central conflict ignites when A-Train unintentionally kills Hughie’s girlfriend. Devastated and seeking revenge, Hughie joins Butcher and the Boys to battle the powerful superhero team, the Seven. At the same time, Annie January, known as Starlight, discovers the heroes she once idolized are actually corrupt. A complicated romance blossoms between Annie and Hughie, with both unaware of each other’s connections to opposing sides. As the conflict escalates, the Boys try to cut off Vought’s funding by exposing their true nature to the government.

A Near Perfect Start

The first season of the show stays closer to the original story, which longtime fans of the source material – especially those familiar with WildStorm – will enjoy. It’s also a great example of how to build compelling character development from the beginning. The season takes its time establishing the relationships and power dynamics between characters and organizations, setting the stage for future conflicts in a way that’s engaging for everyone.

The special effects deserve a lot of praise. Fans wondered how the comic’s violence would translate to the screen, but the filmmakers wisely kept things relatively simple, and the result is impressive. The movie also captures the sharp, bold humor and energy of the original comic book’s writing.

2
‘The Boys’ Season 2

The ongoing fight between the two sides takes a turn when Starlight, also known as Annie January, joins forces with the team. Things become even more dangerous as the government now considers them wanted criminals. Meanwhile, Billy Butcher discovers his wife, Becca, isn’t dead – she’s been held captive by Vought and is the mother of a superpowered son, the result of a sexual assault by Homelander. Simultaneously, The Seven gain a new member, Stormfront, who aims to persuade Homelander to take control and rule with an iron fist. Their shared ambition leads to a romantic connection between the two.

More Growth

The show’s second season received Emmy and Saturn Award nominations, solidifying its place as a standout superhero series. It’s a thrilling, intelligent, and often over-the-top show – who could forget the unforgettable scene with Homelander and Stormfront? Aya Cash delivers a particularly compelling performance as Stormfront, proving that superhero stories benefit from complex and powerful female villains.

The characters become more developed throughout the story. Queen Maeve, Starlight, and Kimiko each have more significant storylines, learning to control their powers and grappling with their own sense of right and wrong. We also see a more vulnerable side of the Butcher through his relationship with Becca, making him a more sympathetic character. Hughie transforms from someone who was victimized into a courageous hero, which further solidifies the team. This progress led viewers to believe the show was heading in a positive direction.

1
‘The Boys’ Season 3

A year after the previous season, The Boys are working for the Bureau of Superhero Affairs, led by Victoria Neuman. Their job is to deal with troublesome superheroes. Meanwhile, they investigate the mystery surrounding Soldier Boy, a legendary hero from Vought’s past who was presumed dead. As Homelander becomes increasingly unstable, he begins to lose the public’s confidence. Vought tries to limit his power, and Queen Maeve secretly helps The Boys plan to stop him.

We Reach the Peak

Many fans consider Season 3 to have the show’s most powerful scene: Homelander uses his lasers on a protester after being hit with a can, and his followers immediately begin cheering. Anthony Starr’s performance in this scene, and throughout the season, was so compelling that many people thought he deserved an Emmy award. Jensen Ackles also delivered a fantastic performance as Soldier Boy, although his character’s story was initially limited to just one season. Luckily, Soldier Boy will be returning in a future spinoff series.

Season 3 of The Boys was a refreshing reminder of how exciting the superhero genre can be. For a while, many fans had grown tired of typical superhero shows that relied on the same special effects and predictable storylines, leading to a general sense of boredom. But The Boys stands out by showing everything – no violence is hidden – and its action scenes are shockingly intense. The “Herogasm” episode, in particular, was exceptionally well done and worthy of significant discussion.

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2025-10-26 02:08