30 Overrated Superhero TV Shows Everyone Seems To Like

For over twenty years, superhero stories have become the most popular type of TV show, moving from small, comic book-based adaptations to huge hits. While these shows often attract large, dedicated fanbases and positive reviews, some viewers and critics believe that certain popular series are overrated. To truly understand these shows’ place in television history, it’s important to consider how well-paced they are, how closely they follow the original comics, and their broader influence on culture. This list takes a look at several superhero shows that have sparked discussions about whether their quality matches their popularity.

‘The Boys’ (2019–)

The Amazon Prime Video series ‘The Boys’ offers a fresh take on superheroes, portraying them as flawed and often corrupt celebrities. The story follows Billy Butcher and a team of vigilantes as they try to reveal the dark secrets behind the seemingly heroic group known as the Seven. While the show is known for its sharp satire and graphic violence, some viewers feel it sometimes relies too much on shock value. Despite this, ‘The Boys’ has become a huge hit, sparking several spin-offs and attracting a large audience.

‘WandaVision’ (2021)

The Disney+ series WandaVision centers on Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they create a seemingly perfect suburban life in the town of Westview. The show cleverly uses classic sitcom styles from different eras to delve into Wanda’s sadness and the secrets behind her powerful abilities to alter reality. While praised for its originality and quality, some critics felt the ending relied too much on typical Marvel storylines. Nevertheless, it’s become one of the most talked-about projects in the latest phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

After being struck by lightning, Barry Allen becomes incredibly fast and dedicates himself to fighting crime as a superhero in Central City. The show was a major part of The CW’s ‘Arrowverse’ and was very popular at first. However, as the series went on, viewers and critics noticed the special effects weren’t as good as they used to be, and the storylines often felt similar, frequently featuring villains with super speed. Even with these issues, the show ran for nine seasons, wrapping up Barry Allen’s story in 2023.

‘Arrow’ (2012–2020)

After being stranded at sea for five years, Oliver Queen comes back to Starling City and becomes a masked crime fighter. The show is well-known for starting a large, connected universe of TV shows and for its realistic take on superheroes. While popular, later seasons received some criticism for uneven character arcs and having too many characters. After eight seasons, the series ended, but it remains an important part of The CW’s history.

‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ (2015–2018)

Matt Murdock lives a double life as a lawyer who can’t see during the day and a crime-fighting vigilante at night, operating in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. The show received a lot of praise for its impressive fight scenes and Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal of the villain Kingpin. While many enjoyed it, some viewers felt the show’s thirteen-episode seasons sometimes dragged in the middle. Despite this, it’s still considered one of the best Marvel shows and has moved from Netflix to Disney+.

‘Loki’ (2021–2023)

After stealing the Tesseract in ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Loki is taken into custody by the Time Variance Authority. The series dives into questions about choice and who we are, jumping across different timelines and realities. While praised for its stunning visuals and Tom Hiddleston’s acting, some viewers felt the show had too much explaining in its dialogue. The series ended after two seasons with a finale that dramatically changed the state of the multiverse.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

This series, inspired by the comic books of Gerard Way, centers around a family of adopted siblings, each with unique powers, who come back together after their father dies. They must work together to unravel a mystery and stop a worldwide disaster. The show is praised for its unusual characters, diverse music, and distinctive look, but some viewers feel it relies too heavily on high-stakes, apocalyptic scenarios every season.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–)

Christopher Smith, a deadly but idealistic operative, is sent on a secret mission. This series, a continuation of the world of ‘The Suicide Squad’, has been well-received for its comedic moments and John Cena’s performance. While enjoyable, some critics have pointed out its sometimes immature humor and frequent use of popular songs might not be for everyone. It proved very popular on HBO Max and set the style for the upcoming DC Universe.

‘Invincible’ (2021–)

Invincible tells the story of Mark Grayson, a high school student who suddenly gains superpowers from his father, Omni-Man – a superhero renowned as the strongest in the world. The show is known for its intense violence and its unique take on the typical superhero story, challenging many common tropes. Critics and fans have praised the voice acting and surprising plot developments, though some felt the animation wasn’t always consistent, particularly during big action scenes. It remains a key program for Amazon Prime Video’s collection of adult animated shows.

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)

This series tells the story of a young James Gordon as he starts his career in the crime-ridden city of Gotham, dealing with a deeply corrupt police department. It also shows how several famous Batman villains – like the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman – first emerged. While some critics found the show to be overly dramatic and took issue with changes to the original Batman stories, it still attracted a dedicated audience over its five seasons on FOX.

‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (2013–2020)

Agent Phil Coulson leads a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives as they investigate unusual cases in a world full of superheroes. The show began by closely following the storylines of the Marvel movies, but later developed its own path with adventures involving time travel and different realities. While some felt the show lasted too long, it’s generally admired for how its characters grew and changed over its seven seasons.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

This series follows a team of young heroes from the DC Universe as they fight villains and navigate their personal lives. It was praised for its sophisticated and realistic portrayal of the Teen Titans, as well as its high-quality production. However, reviewers often pointed out that the show had trouble giving enough screen time to all its characters, with some being underused for multiple episodes. The show originally aired on the DC Universe streaming service before moving to HBO Max, and concluded in 2023.

‘Doom Patrol’ (2019–2023)

The series centers around a team of people with extraordinary powers who have all experienced significant trauma. They’re brought together by a enigmatic figure called the Chief. Known for its blend of quirky humor and honest portrayal of mental health struggles, the show has gained a devoted fanbase. While some viewers found the show’s unusual and often strange storylines distracting, many praised its fresh and inclusive depiction of diverse characters and experiences.

‘Hawkeye’ (2021)

The series follows Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, as he teams up with aspiring archer Kate Bishop to face villains from his time as Ronin. Taking place during Christmas in New York City, the show is heavily influenced by the popular Hawkeye comics by Matt Fraction. While viewers loved the dynamic between the two main characters, some critics felt the story was bogged down by too many side plots. The series also introduced several new characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Moon Knight’ (2022)

Steven Grant seems like an ordinary gift shop worker, but he soon discovers he has a surprising condition: he shares his body with Marc Spector, a skilled mercenary. Together, they grapple with their separate lives while also acting as the earthly form of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. While Oscar Isaac’s acting received high praise, some felt the show relied too much on computer-generated effects, especially during the final fight. Currently, the story is complete and hasn’t been continued within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

Growing up in the small town of Smallville, Kansas, a young Clark Kent learns to control his powers. The show was a big hit for The WB and later The CW, running for ten seasons. While popular, it was sometimes criticized for using a repetitive “villain of the week” format and for taking a long time to show Clark becoming Superman. Despite these points, it’s remembered as one of the first shows to define the modern superhero TV landscape.

‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’ (2015–2019)

I was really hooked when this show first came out! It followed a former superhero trying to rebuild her life as a private investigator in New York, and the first season was amazing. It dealt with really tough topics like assault and trauma, especially through this villain named Kilgrave – he was seriously creepy and compelling. Honestly, I felt like the later seasons didn’t quite live up to that first one; things felt a bit slower, and the bad guys just weren’t as interesting. Still, it’s a really important part of the whole ‘Defenders’ story, and I’m glad it’s available to stream on Disney+ so I can revisit it whenever I want.

‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ (2016–2018)

Luke Cage gains incredible strength and invulnerable skin after an experiment goes wrong, forcing him to go on the run and start over in Harlem. The show was well-received for its connection to the culture, its music, and its realistic depiction of the neighborhood. However, many viewers and critics thought the show’s quality declined after a key character change midway through the first season. It ultimately ran for two seasons before Netflix canceled it.

‘Marvel’s Iron Fist’ (2017–2018)

After disappearing for fifteen years, Danny Rand comes back to New York City to take back his family’s business and become the Iron Fist. While the first season of the show was criticized for its action scenes and portrayal of the main character, the second season was better received. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to prevent the series from being canceled, and it’s generally considered the least successful of the original Marvel shows on Netflix.

‘Marvel’s The Defenders’ (2017)

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist joined forces to battle The Hand, a long-standing criminal group. This team-up was designed to be like ‘The Avengers’ for television. While viewers liked how the heroes interacted, many felt the story took too long to get going and that the villains weren’t very impressive. The eight-episode series brought together storylines from each of the individual shows, culminating in a major finale.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El, uses her abilities to defend National City from all kinds of dangers, both from outer space and here on Earth. After initially airing on CBS, the show moved to The CW and became a key part of the shared universe with shows like Arrow and The Flash. While praised for its uplifting messages and Melissa Benoist’s performance as Supergirl, some critics felt the storylines became predictable over time. The series ran for six seasons, introducing many characters from DC Comics.

‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ (2016–2022)

I was completely hooked on this show about a team of heroes and villains jumping through time to fix disasters and save history! It started out pretty serious, but it quickly became this hilarious, self-aware comedy. Honestly, the change wasn’t for everyone – some people didn’t like it, but I thought it was what made it stand out so much in the Arrowverse. I was devastated when it was cancelled in 2022, leaving so many storylines hanging. There’s been a big push from fans, including me, for them to finish the story properly, and I really hope they do!

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

As a huge DC fan, I was really intrigued by Batwoman. The show follows Kate Kane, and later Ryan Wilder, stepping up to protect Gotham when Batman isn’t around. It definitely had a bumpy ride, though. There was a major cast change after season one, which is never easy. While critics loved how diverse and inclusive the show was, it unfortunately struggled to find a big audience and the storylines weren’t always consistent. Ultimately, The CW canceled it after three seasons due to some changes happening within the network, which was a real shame.

‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021)

Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes embark on an international journey that pushes both their skills and their endurance. The series explores what it means to carry on Captain America’s legacy and the complex political landscape after the events of the Blip. Viewers and critics generally praised the action and character growth, though some felt the antagonists weren’t fully fleshed out. Ultimately, the show ends with Sam Wilson firmly established as the new Captain America.

‘Ms. Marvel’ (2022)

Kamala Khan is a teenage fan of the Avengers who unexpectedly gains superpowers. The show follows her as she tries to juggle being a superhero with the pressures of her family. It was celebrated for its unique look and realistic depiction of Muslim-American life. While many loved the series, some felt the storyline slowed down during the episodes set in Pakistan. The show directly connects to the 2023 movie ‘The Marvels’.

‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)

Jennifer Walters is a lawyer dealing with legal cases involving people with superpowers, all while trying to manage her own life as a large, green Hulk. The show is a funny legal comedy that often directly addresses the audience and playfully comments on superhero fandom. While some viewers loved its humor, others weren’t impressed with the special effects or how each episode was structured. The finale, with its self-aware and critical commentary, is still a hot topic of discussion among Marvel fans.

‘Secret Invasion’ (2023)

Nick Fury discovers a secret invasion of Earth by Skrulls, aliens who can change their appearance, and races to stop them. Despite being promoted as a tense spy story, the series received the worst reviews of any Marvel show on Disney+. Many critics found the plot moved too slowly and disliked how familiar characters were portrayed. The ending also drew a lot of criticism, and many felt it didn’t fit well with the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Heroes’ (2006–2010)

A show about everyday people suddenly developing superpowers became a huge hit with both critics and audiences, quickly becoming a pop culture sensation. However, later seasons weren’t as well-received, with many viewers feeling the storylines became too complicated and characters acted inconsistently. Although the show was later rebooted, it’s primarily remembered for its strong start and inability to keep up that initial quality.

‘Marvel’s The Punisher’ (2017–2019)

Frank Castle’s quest for revenge after a family tragedy leads him to uncover a much larger conspiracy than just New York’s criminals. Jon Bernthal received high praise for his powerful and moving portrayal of the character. However, many critics felt the show’s first season was too long, with storylines that became repetitive. Ultimately, like other Marvel series on Netflix, it was canceled after only two seasons.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

The show follows a preacher with special abilities who goes on a quest to find God, traveling with his former girlfriend and an Irish vampire. Adapted from the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, it’s known for its darkly funny and often controversial content. While popular with a loyal fanbase, it didn’t reach a massive audience and some comic book readers felt the TV show strayed from the original story, especially in its first few seasons. It aired for four seasons on AMC.

We’d love to hear your opinions! Which superhero shows do you think get too much praise? Let us know in the comments!

2026-01-08 02:18