20 Gritty TV Shows Like ‘Invincible’ Every Adult Fan Needs to Binge Next

Among the more recent series, Amazon’s “Invincible” is undoubtedly one to watch. It’s an animated spinoff of Robert Kirkman’s acclaimed comic book series, where 17-year-old Marky Grayson finds out he has superpowers like his father. The first season ended on April 29, 2021, and while we eagerly await Season 2 of this highly praised show, we thought you might appreciate a rundown of the top 20 TV series similar to “Invincible”, split evenly between animated and live-action ones. Have fun watching!

1. One-Punch Man

Regarding anime, “One-Punch Man” stands out as one of the highly acclaimed modern series. Unlike “Invincible,” this series revolves around a superhero who’s rather bored with his powers. However, both shows have similarities such as intense action scenes and a touch of irony, making them appealing if you enjoyed “Invincible.

2. Samurai Jack

In the realm of Cartoon Network’s programming, Samurai Jack stood out as one of the most gloomy productions. This anime-style cartoon garnered significant attention due to its unique departure from typical Cartoon Network content. The narrative was captivating, the dystopian backdrop felt genuine, and Samurai Jack represented a compelling example of mature animation that could appeal to fans of Invincible. Therefore, if you enjoy Invincible, we suggest giving Samurai Jack a try.

3. Undone

While Undone has a more playful atmosphere compared to Invincible, they make an excellent pair due to their shared focus on coming-of-age themes within a superheroic or supernatural context. Undone represents another successful foray into superhero storytelling by Amazon Prime, demonstrating the service’s growing prowess in this genre. We believe you will find Undone just as captivating as we did, and given that only one season has been released thus far, it won’t take long before you become fully invested in the series. Moreover, the animation quality is simply stunning!

4. Primal

Hailing from the imaginative mind behind “Samurai Jack”, “Primal” offers an exciting new series that may not be about superheroes, but its raw intensity and authenticity could captivate fans of Invincible. Set in a prehistoric era, creator Genndy Tartakovsky has crafted a gripping tale filled with realism that promises to impress viewers. We highly recommend giving “Primal” a watch, as we believe you’ll find it thoroughly enjoyable.

5. The Awesomes

Regarding The Awesomes, they can be seen as a forerunner of sorts to Invincible, albeit with a key distinction: unlike Invincible, The Awesomes was not designed to portray the superhero realm in a grim and violent manner. Instead, it offers a more laid-back and socially conscious perspective. The show excels at exploring coming-of-age themes, incorporating humor effectively, and addressing relevant social issues. Therefore, we highly recommend giving it a watch.

6. Spawn

In numerous aspects, Spawn stands out as an exceptional demonstration of a television show that escalates the themes present in Invincible to unprecedented levels when it comes to mature content. Graphic, violent, and heavily laden with gore, Spawn is widely regarded as a masterpiece in superhero animation and has garnered a dedicated following despite airing only 18 episodes. If you appreciate darker shows, the animated series of Spawn is undoubtedly something you’ll find captivating.

7. Batman: The Animated Series

In essence, “Batman: The Animated Series” isn’t as grim or character-driven as “Invincible,” but it was groundbreaking within the realm of superhero animation. It stands out as the best animated superhero show ever made and is one of the top-tier animated series overall. Despite being designed for children, the series delves into mature themes and can be seen as a genuine masterpiece in many ways. If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s definitely worth watching.

8. My Hero Academia

In many respects, ‘My Hero Academia’ shares similarities with ‘Invincible’, but there are distinct differences between the two. Both series share darker themes and a coming-of-age element that are integral to their stories. However, the style of storytelling in ‘My Hero Academia’ differs somewhat. Essentially, if you enjoyed ‘Invincible’, you might find ‘My Hero Academia’ appealing, making it a worthwhile recommendation.

9. Death Note

While you might not initially associate Death Note with a show like Invincible, give it a chance as we explain why. Unlike superheroes or coming-of-age stories, Death Note is a unique blend of supernatural mystery that sets it apart. This anime series, tailored for adults, offers an extraordinary level of suspense and excitement. If you choose to watch the entire series, you’ll find yourself guessing at each turn, with the final outcome remaining a surprise until the very end.

10. Castlevania

Castlevania leans more towards a fantasy/horror genre as opposed to being directly linked with Invincible. However, given its darker atmosphere and standing as one of the top adult-themed anime series currently available, we’ve chosen to include this renowned anime in our list. The Western audience has embraced Castlevania, and its dark, gritty, and graphic style resonates with us and should appeal to you if you enjoyed Invincible.

11. The Boys

Without a doubt, Invincible can be seen as a spiritual sequel to The Boys, which is the reason we initiated this discussion with precisely that show. The Boys are characterized by their raw brutality, yet they’re also captivating, laugh-out-loud funny, and critically essential from a societal and cultural perspective. Interestingly, both shows share Amazon as their platform, further strengthening the connection. We can assure you that if you enjoy Invincible, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself enthralled by The Boys too!

12. Preacher

The television series, titled “Preacher,” was a skillfully penned show that effectively conveyed much of the essence from its source material, the comic book. Although “Preacher” didn’t reach cult status and concluded after three seasons, it managed to maintain the original comic’s raw and violent ambiance, putting it in the same league as “Invincible.” While “Invincible” might be a more appealing option, “Preacher” will certainly hold your attention, making it worth watching – hence our recommendation for it.

13. Doom Patrol

When it comes to comic book adaptations, DC’s Doom Patrol stands out as one of the more enjoyable television shows. It’s filled with eccentric and endearing characters that make it such a delightful watch. Unlike Invincible, it doesn’t delve into the same level of darkness or seriousness, but it shares the same level of entertainment value and fun. In many ways, its appeal is similar to Amazon’s animated superhero series, thanks to its likable characters.

14. Misfits

If you’re looking for a series that shares some resemblance with “Invincible,” consider “Misfits” alongside “The Boys.” While not an animation, “Misfits” offers a raw and gripping narrative about the unconventional superheroes of our time – misfits who have acquired extraordinary abilities. The characters may differ from those in “Invincible,” but the concept and storytelling style are comparable enough for us to strongly suggest it.

15. Happy!

As a film aficionado, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating blend of live-action and animation that featured the mesmerizing performances by Christopher Meloni – a series that unfortunately concluded far too prematurely. The innovative concept was a rich tapestry of both light and dark, making it an intriguing substitute for Invincible, even though they differ greatly in concept. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly endorse Happy! as a must-watch television series, given its unique charm and compelling narrative.

16. The Defenders

Currently, Marvel boasts a variety of TV series, but just two align perfectly with our criteria: one of them is the series called “The Defenders“. This show brought together several television superheroes from Marvel, and we were immediately hooked. We’re glad we got to experience it! The writing was top-notch, it delved into complex themes, it boasted compelling characters, and in many aspects, it resembled “Invincible“. Therefore, we strongly suggest adding it to this list.

17. Gotham

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me tell you that while technically not a superhero series, Fox’s “Gotham” was an exceptional exploration of the Batman mythos’ origins. It fearlessly delved into various aspects, offering a refreshing take on a familiar fictional world. The show’s brooding atmosphere and originality resonate with the vibe of “Invincible,” although it leans more towards a gripping police procedural thriller. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a watch.

18. Chuck

Currently, Chuck isn’t about typical superheroes, but rather falls under the comedy genre. It’s been quite enjoyable watching it, and we found ourselves laughing and engaged throughout. We’ve included it in our list because it offers a fresh perspective that could broaden your horizons. The main character, Chuck, is an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances, making him a relatable hero amidst intrigue. This unique combination of elements makes the show worthwhile and interesting to watch.

19. The Mandalorian

Disney’s The Mandalorian has become an incredible success, revitalizing modern Star Wars films with a style reminiscent of George Lucas’ Original Trilogy. Unlike traditional superheroes, The Mandalorian focuses on ordinary heroes, change, maturity, and real consequences. Moreover, it stands among the top-tier shows of recent years in terms of quality. If you enjoy Invincible as a fan, we believe you would appreciate The Mandalorian too.

20. Daredevil

Among the Marvel shows we previously mentioned as comparable to Invincible, Daredevil stands out as the second one. Its narrative style resembles that of The Defenders, and its dark, mature approach has made it highly popular and well-loved. Despite being a different kind of superhero, this show is definitely worth watching to complete our list of recommendations.

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2025-05-15 05:46