Superheroes aren't only on the big screen! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest superhero stories to have graced our television screens since the year 2000. Beware of some spoilers ahead.
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00:00 "How do I breathe in space?"
00:02 "That's the neat thing, you don't."
00:05 Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the greatest superhero
00:11 stories to have graced our television screens since the year 2000.
00:15 Beware of some spoilers ahead.
00:18 "You make life difficult for bad men."
00:20 "It's all my fault."
00:24 Number 10, Smallville.
00:25 "Does that sound normal to you?
00:27 I'd give anything to be normal."
00:30 A show like Superman and Lois offers a great glimpse into the life of Superman.
00:34 But what was his life before becoming the Man of Steel?
00:38 Smallville explored that idea and much more.
00:41 The ten-season show followed a teenage Clark Kent in his titular small town and gained
00:45 a major following.
00:47 It had compelling characters, interesting dynamics, and even ventured into the expanded
00:52 DC universe on more than one occasion.
00:54 "You were the miracle we prayed for.
00:58 Now the world needs that same miracle."
01:01 Sure, they didn't fully introduce the Superman mantle until the show's final moments, but
01:06 fans were so invested in Clark Kent by that point that it arguably didn't matter.
01:10 "Doesn't matter because you're going down."
01:12 "That'll be the day."
01:13 The superhero TV landscape was very different in the early 2000s, but in spite of that,
01:19 Smallville remains a classic.
01:22 Number 9.
01:23 The Spectacular Spider-Man.
01:24 "Spidey stays cause Spidey's needed.
01:26 For now anyway."
01:27 Where do we start?
01:30 Do we talk first about the catchy theme song?
01:32 Do we rave about the designs?
01:34 How about the compelling characters and captivating storylines?
01:38 Why don't we just go with all of the above?
01:40 There's so much to love about the Spectacular Spider-Man.
01:43 "I mean sure, Spidey saved a lot of lives, but is that why I do it?
01:48 Or am I in it for the thrill?
01:50 The escape?"
01:51 It followed Peter Parker as he juggled high school and his turbulent double life as Spider-Man.
01:57 Despite only having two seasons, it adapted many iconic stories and paid homage to seminal
02:02 Spidey moments.
02:03 Many fans consider it one of the best adaptations of Spider-Man ever.
02:08 And more than a decade after the show ended, fans are still clamoring to see more.
02:13 This show is spectacular for a reason.
02:15 "Another banner episode in the life of Peter Parker."
02:18 Number 8.
02:19 The Umbrella Academy.
02:20 "Maybe he's right."
02:21 "Forget about him.
02:22 I'm glad you're here."
02:26 Dysfunctional superheroes always make for some great entertainment.
02:30 When 43 super-powered babies are mysteriously born on the same day, Sir Reginald Hargraves
02:35 adopts seven of them.
02:36 He hoped they would grow up to become a powerful group known as the Umbrella Academy.
02:40 But the siblings ultimately don't live up to his expectations.
02:44 Despite that, they band together after Hargraves' death.
02:47 "I guess I'll see you when I see you."
02:49 The show shines with its focus on character work.
02:52 It's not just action and fighting, but also working through trauma and dealing with emotional
02:57 challenges.
02:58 None of us can relate to having superpowers, but we can relate to having feelings of loneliness
03:03 and insecurity.
03:04 They might not be the greatest superhero team, but they're one that the fans have flocked
03:08 to.
03:09 "Oh guys, come on, we should stick together and figure this out."
03:11 "Well, what are we supposed to do?"
03:14 "Live our lives."
03:17 Number 7.
03:18 Harley Quinn "I'm the top supervillain in Gotham."
03:20 "Not for long, 'cause you're looking at your replacement."
03:24 This raunchy animated series follows Dr. Harleen Quinzel as she tries to go from supervillain
03:29 to anti-hero.
03:31 We never said it'd be easy, though.
03:33 Joining her in her hijinks are her girlfriend Poison Ivy, Clayface, Dr. Psycho, and King
03:38 Shark.
03:39 As they try to live life, Harley's exploits almost always gets her and the gang into trouble.
03:44 "I'm Harley Quinn.
03:45 I'm impetuous.
03:46 I'm a badass, people.
03:47 Mwah!"
03:48 "Ho ho, hoochie mama."
03:49 It's a violent and very wacky show, but it can get serious too, like the subplot that
03:53 sees Harley trying to gain independence from her ex, the Joker.
03:57 While it stumbled a little with its fourth season, fans are hopeful it can get back on
04:01 track with season five.
04:03 Harley Quinn probably isn't best for the kids, but it's something the adults will
04:07 love.
04:08 "Hey, so what's next for a couple of outsiders like us?"
04:10 "I don't know, but we're gonna do it together, right Peanut?"
04:14 Number 6.
04:15 Loki.
04:16 "Know this.
04:17 You cross me, there are deadly consequences."
04:19 "We'll see."
04:21 When you mix the Norse god of mischief with time travel, you get a whole lot of chaotic
04:26 fun.
04:27 Despite having grand Fate of the Multiverse level stakes, Loki also intricately explores
04:32 its character's past and motivations in a way that makes it feel grounded.
04:36 It's pretty hard to balance those two opposites, let alone excel at it.
04:41 "I want my friends back.
04:42 I don't want to be alone."
04:46 The show could easily have turned out just fine due to the star power of actors like
04:50 Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson, but it truly goes above and beyond.
04:54 It establishes Kang the Conqueror as a viable threat, while catapulting Loki himself into
04:59 the forefront of the MCU.
05:01 Where so many of the other MCU shows struggled and, in some cases, even failed, Loki undeniably
05:08 succeeds.
05:09 "I know what kind of god I need to be.
05:12 For you.
05:15 For all of us."
05:18 Number 5 – Justice League, Justice League Unlimited
05:21 "Read my lips.
05:23 Go to hell."
05:24 "Unfortunate, but predictable."
05:26 Considering how deeply connected these two shows are, you really can't talk about one
05:31 without the other.
05:32 Chronicling the adventure of the Justice League, they revolve around icons like Batman, Superman,
05:38 and Wonder Woman.
05:39 But the episodes also shine a spotlight on lesser known heroes like the Question, Huntress,
05:44 and more.
05:45 "Q?
05:46 Are you alright?"
05:47 "I have to go.
05:48 I can't let it happen again."
05:51 They might have been kids shows, but they never talked down to the audience.
05:55 They explored serious issues and had some of the most intelligent writing we've ever
05:59 seen for animated TV.
06:01 It never hurts that the shows have stunning art, a legendary voice cast, and iconic theme
06:07 songs too.
06:08 These shows were so impactful that many fans probably wouldn't have gotten into DC without
06:14 them.
06:15 "We looked down on the world from our tower in the sky and let our power and responsibilities
06:19 separate us from the very people we were supposed to protect."
06:23 Number 4 – Watchmen
06:24 "I figured making cakes and cookies was better than getting shot.
06:30 So I quit the police force and opened up a bakery."
06:35 Who watches The Watchmen?
06:36 Well, about 7 million people per episode.
06:40 This series is a continuation of the graphic novel created by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons,
06:44 and John Higgins.
06:45 3 decades after the original comic, Angela Abar becomes a vigilante who battles a group
06:50 of white supremacists.
06:51 It's got just about everything you'd want.
06:55 Amazing cinematography, incredible performances by award winning actors, and lots of plot
07:00 twists you probably didn't see coming.
07:02 "You and me Topher, we don't do lollipops and rainbows.
07:06 Cause we know those are pretty colors that just hide what the world really is.
07:12 Black and white."
07:13 Some were apprehensive about this show, since building off one of the greatest comics ever
07:18 is a tall order.
07:19 But this Emmy winning series offers a compelling story that expands the Watchmen mythos beautifully.
07:25 "But here's the thing about me, Sister Knight.
07:31 I hate good guys for breakfast."
07:33 Number 3.
07:34 Invincible.
07:35 "The thing is, you're different.
07:39 You actually are invincible."
07:43 Teenager Mark Grayson takes flight in this thrilling animated series based on a beloved
07:48 comic.
07:49 As the son of Omni-Man, Mark eventually develops powers on his own and becomes the hero Invincible,
07:55 facing off against enemies like the Mauler twins, Battle Beast, and more.
07:59 "But trust me, you'll feel worse if you sit here and do nothing when you could save
08:04 lives."
08:05 I doubt it.
08:09 Invincible has a vibrant old school animation style, top tier talent doing the voice work,
08:14 and moments that keep your eyes glued to the screen.
08:17 It's not easy for a superhero show outside of the big 2 studios to captivate audiences,
08:22 yet Invincible has managed to do exactly that.
08:25 "I'm not supposed to feel this way.
08:28 How is this better?"
08:30 "This is how you should have felt on Earth."
08:34 Number 2.
08:35 Daredevil.
08:36 This show is more than just a comic book series.
08:39 It's high art.
08:40 "You know, as the law states."
08:42 "He tends to use fancy terminology."
08:44 Daredevil follows Hell's Kitchen lawyer Matt Murdock, who secretly operates as a brutal
08:49 vigilante.
08:50 In its three season run, it's been considered the stuff of legend by fans.
08:55 The show isn't just about a superhero punching bad guys.
08:58 It's a gripping character study of the vengeful Murdock.
09:01 "I can't.
09:02 I can't do this alone."
09:07 It has an emphasis on religion, symbolism, and breathtaking visuals.
09:11 And it does it all while still giving comic book fans the material they've yearned to
09:15 see adapted properly.
09:17 The show still resonates with fans years after it ended.
09:20 "I'd rather die as the devil and live as Matt Murdock."
09:24 The upcoming Disney+ series Daredevil Born Again has big shoes to fill.
09:29 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
09:33 WandaVision.
09:34 The title character's eccentric suburban life will keep you laughing and scratching
09:39 your head.
09:40 "I've never experienced loss because I've never had a loved one to lose.
09:47 But what is grief?
09:51 Grief not love, persevering."
09:54 Teen Titans.
09:55 When we've got trouble, we know who to call.
09:59 "Titans, go!"
10:00 Arrow.
10:01 The Arrowverse never would have started without this action-packed show.
10:11 "Leo Mueller, you have failed this city."
10:15 Agents of SHIELD.
10:17 This Marvel spy thriller is sure to keep you guessing.
10:20 "Before it was torn apart, SHIELD was a lot of moving parts.
10:24 Guys like you were the heart.
10:28 Now you'll be the head."
10:32 Doom Patrol.
10:33 This critically acclaimed series deserved more than four seasons.
10:37 "Who'd have thought that a deadbeat robo-dad with a brain disease is the only capable member
10:41 left on the team?
10:42 Larry's got a baby, Vic's depowered, and Jane's head is empty."
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11:03 The Boys.
11:12 This edgy show has caught the attention of mainstream audiences like arguably no other.
11:17 The superheroes of this show, known as The Seven, represent great power.
11:22 Unfortunately, they possess little responsibility.
11:25 So it's up to Billy Butcher and his team of non-superpowered misfits to keep these
11:29 soups in check.
11:35 The Boys is unapologetic in its brutality and absurdity, delivering action comedy and
11:41 compelling drama all in one.
11:43 Admittedly, the idea of noble superheroes that are actually just terrible people has
11:48 been done before, but this ultra-violent satirical spin on the concept is in a league of its
11:54 own.
11:59 Is there a masterpiece of superhero television that we missed?
12:03 Share your love for it in the comments down below.
12:15 Peace!