It’s hard to believe the show Lucifer will be ten years old on January 25, 2026, but even more impressive is its consistent improvement throughout its six seasons. Unlike many network TV shows that decline in quality before ending, Lucifer actually got better and finished strong with a satisfying series finale after 93 episodes.
Five years after its finale, Lucifer stands out even more, especially when compared to the many disappointing supernatural shows that have come out since. The series, which started as a modest hit and received a Teen Choice Award nomination, ultimately earned a Primetime Emmy nomination, proving how much it improved since it first aired in 2016.
‘Lucifer’ Stumbled Out of the Blocks Before Showing Drastic Improvement
Fox/Netflix
Like many TV shows, Lucifer had a rocky start. It faced criticism and protests when it first aired in 2016, but quickly improved in later seasons. Before the premiere, groups like the American Family Association and One Million Moms petitioned Fox not to air the show, worried it portrayed Satan in a positive light, gathering over 31,000 signatures. Despite the controversy, Fox confidently renewed the show for a second season.
The first season of Lucifer had a rocky start, receiving a middling 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, the season finale was a hit, earning a 9.0 rating on IMDb – the show’s highest at that point. From there, Lucifer consistently improved, with seasons two and three achieving perfect 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. A major reason for its success was Tom Ellis’s captivating performance as Lucifer Morningstar and the natural connection he shared with Lauren German, who played LAPD Detective Chloe Decker.
While Season 3 of Lucifer received great reviews, some fans felt it was too lengthy with 26 episodes. After the show moved to Netflix and gained a dedicated fanbase, the creators streamlined Season 4 to 10 episodes, which proved to be a winning formula. This shorter season achieved the highest ratings on IMDb and a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Seasons 5 and 6 continued to experiment with length – Season 5 was split into two parts of eight episodes each, while Season 6 returned to the popular 10-episode format. Although Season 5’s Rotten Tomatoes score dipped slightly to 81%, Season 6 bounced back with another perfect 100% score.
‘Lucifer’ Continued to Appreciate Over Time
Fox
After moving from a traditional network TV show to a faster-paced format on Netflix, Lucifer really hit its stride. As the show went on, its characters became more complex and the stories more emotionally resonant. This growth is clear when you look at its awards history: it went from being nominated for a Teen Choice Award in its first season to Tom Ellis winning a Pop Culture Icon Award at the 2021 Hollywood Critics Association Awards.
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After concluding its sixth season, Lucifer received its first and only Primetime Emmy Award, recognizing its outstanding choreography. This win signaled a clear message: the show had evolved from being simply enjoyable to a truly well-made program. It not only successfully transitioned to a new network but actually became even more captivating along the way.
Since Lucifer ended five years ago, few supernatural shows have quite measured up. While series like School Spirits, The Mayfair Witches, and Wednesday offer some entertainment, many others – including Interview with the Vampire, Talamasca: The Secret Order, Revival, Domino Day: Lone Witch, Wicked City, and The Rising – simply highlight how much better Lucifer was. Now, celebrating its 10th anniversary, it’s clear how much the show developed over its seasons and how popular it remains.
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2026-01-25 21:34