The series titled “The Boys” is a U.S. television production that originates from the same-named comic book created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Developed by Eric Kripke, it debuted on Amazon Prime Video globally starting July 26, 2019. So far, two seasons have been aired, with another one set to air shortly. This gripping drama unfolds in an alternate reality where extraordinary individuals are seen as superheroes by the masses and are employed by Vought International, a powerful conglomerate responsible for their public relations and advertising efforts.
Instead of their noble facade, many of them are actually deceitful, arrogant, even dangerous sociopaths. The twist in this superhero narrative has drawn a large fanbase, and while you eagerly anticipate the third season, here’s a list of 10 series and 10 movies, divided into two separate categories, that you should watch if you enjoyed The Boys.
1. Watchmen
Original Run: October 20 – December 15, 2019
Episodes: 9
The narrative opens by recalling the Tulsa Massacre, an appalling event that occurred between May 31 and June 1, 1921, where white mobs brutally assaulted Tulsa’s black residents. Amidst this chaos, a young child miraculously flees. Fast-forward to today in the alternate reality of Watchmen, Tulsa has been shaken by an incident three years prior. A hate group known as “the 7th Cavalry”, who claim to be following in Rorschach’s footsteps, launched a vicious attack against every police officer and their families in the city.
To preserve their identities following the White Night incident, state police officers have been given permission to conceal themselves with a yellow bandana as they work. Scarred by that fateful night, Angela Abar (Sister Night) and Tulsa’s police chief, Judd Crawford, choose to collaborate in uncovering this secretive group and its adherents.
It seems that Angela Abar might be the grandchild of Will Reeves, a young boy who miraculously survived the Tulsa race massacre, and who, in his later years, plays a crucial role in the series.
2. Invincible
Original Run: March 25, 2021 – present
Episodes: 24
As a cinema enthusiast, I’d say: I’m just like any other kid, except my old man’s none other than the mightiest superhero out there – Omni-Man. You know, the one with powers beyond comprehension? Well, guess what? Turns out those genes are mine too. It was a secret he kept from me for years, but when he finally let it slip, I couldn’t help but feel elated.
But mastering these powers? Not as easy as I thought. Just as I was getting the hang of them, tragedy strikes – the Guardians of the Globe, the world’s top superhero team, are brutally murdered. The years that follow are a whirlwind of battles, betrayals, and twists as I grapple with my powers and try to understand who I really am amidst all this chaos.
3. Gotham
Original Run: September 22, 2014 – April 25, 2019
Episodes: 100
The show is a crime thriller that delves into the backstories of James Gordon, who later becomes commissioner of Gotham City Police Department (GCPD), and the rogues gallery destined to wreak havoc in Gotham City. In its initial season, Gordon and his partner, Harvey Bullock, are assigned to investigate the killing of Bruce Wayne’s parents, an incident that includes young cat burglar Selina Kyle as a witness.
In the GCPD, Commissioner Gordon works alongside forensic expert Edward Nygma, detectives Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen, as well as District Attorney Harvey Dent. Simultaneously, a hidden conflict unfolds between two criminal families, spearheaded by bosses Carmine Falcone and Fish Mooney. Caught in the middle is gangster Oswald Cobblepot. The season concludes with Cobblepot eliminating Mooney and declaring himself as “Gotham’s King.
During the second season, Theo Galavan arrives in Gotham alongside his sister Tabitha, tasked by the Order of St. Dumas to eliminate Bruce. However, Jim Gordon, Cobblepot, Selina, and the GCPD successfully rescue Bruce from this fate. Meanwhile, at Arkham Asylum, a secret facility known as Indian Hill is under the control of Professor Hugo Strange, where he conducts experiments that transform inmates into monstrous beings.
4. One-Punch Man
Original Run: October 5, 2015 – July 2, 2019
Episodes: 24 (+12 OVA episodes)
On an undisclosed planet mirroring Earth, formidable beasts and nefarious characters inexplicably emerge, wreaking havoc and chaos. To counteract this threat, a group of art connoisseurs established the Heroes’ Guild three years before the story unfolds. The members of this guild are categorized from Class C to Class S based on their fame and skills. The protagonist of the series is an ex-clerk named Saitama, who undertakes heroic feats for personal amusement.
From his earliest years, he harbored a dream of being a superhero. Three years beforehand, he embarked on his training, progressing to the stage where he can vanquish any adversary with a single blow. Despite his remarkable feats, Saitama managed to keep his accomplishments under wraps and remained unrecognized by society for quite some time. After encountering a young cyborg named Genos, Saitama opted to enroll in the Hero Association. Having aced all tests, except for the written portion, he ended up in the C-class of the hero roster.
Often, when characters encounter Saitama, they tend to underestimate him, finding it hard to believe that he’s stronger than any hero of the Association. However, those who get acquainted with him grow to appreciate his extraordinary strength and humility. Over time, Saitama garnered some recognition, but society remains reluctant to acknowledge his achievements, sometimes even blaming him for the city structures damaged during conflicts. Regardless, Saitama maintained his association with the Hero Association and was assigned to the B-class.
Following the destruction of their ship by Saitama after the alien attack, the Hero Association garnered extra financing and broadened its power. In response to the growing might of the Association, dissatisfied monsters established their own Monster Union, initiating a coordinated struggle against superheroes.
5. Preacher
Original Run: May 22, 2016 – September 29, 2019
Episodes: 43
In the small town of Annville, Texas, the local preacher Jesse Custer delivers an unenthusiastic sermon to a disinterested congregation. A boy from the church approaches Jesse, asking him to hurt his father Donnie for mistreating his mother. Despite this, Jesse declines and instead reaches out to Donnie’s wife Betsy. Meanwhile, on a commercial flight, an Irish bloodsucker named Cassidy socializes with a cluster of Wall Street financiers while indulging in alcohol and cocaine. However, when he discovers that they are hired assassins targeting him, he retaliates and eliminates them.
1. He leaps out of the aircraft and lands close to Annville.
2. Emily Woodrow, Jesse’s assistant, alerts Jesse about the critical state of the Church finances.
3. Tulip O’Hare assassinates a gangster and snatches a card from his jacket.
4. She locates Jesse in Annville and proposes collaborating on a task, but Jesse declines.
In a moment of reminiscence, a young Jesse witnesses his father, John Custer, being fatally shot in the head by unidentified men. As his father’s life fades away, Jesse vows to uphold the good. Jesse later pays a visit to Eugene Root, a scarred teenager, to comfort him, ensuring him that God’s love remains unchanged, despite any misdeeds he may have committed. In a different encounter, Cassidy crosses paths with Jesse at a local watering hole. Enraged by Donnie’s accusations for speaking to Betsy, Jesse engages in a physical altercation, resulting in Donnie’s defeat.
6. Doom Patrol
Original Run: February 15, 2019 – 2023
Episodes: 46
As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “I’m hooked on ‘Doom Patrol’, where the extraordinary heroes, each with their powers born from heart-wrenching tragedies, find themselves shunned by society. Many of us have been taken under the wing of The Chief, a remarkable doctor who provides us not just medical care, but a home in his mansion to shield us from the harsh realities beyond.
The team’s name is originated from an earlier Doom Patrol group assembled by the Chief. In this series, we are introduced to the initial members: Jane, who embodies the dominant aspect of a woman traumatized with dissociative identity disorder; Rita Farr, battling to maintain her body in solid form as it tends to turn into a gelatinous state; Larry Trainor, hosting a negative energy entity inside him; and Cliff Steele, whose brain was transplanted into a robot body after a car accident.
Afterward, Victor Stone becomes part of the team too; he’s a superhero with advanced cybernetic abilities. In the initial season, The Chief gets taken by the wicked Mr. Nobody, which prompts Doom Patrol to embark on a mission to save him. During this adventure, they uncover hidden truths about themselves and The Chief, eventually learning that he is connected to the tragic incidents that granted them their powers.
In the second series, Dorothy Spinner – the daughter of the Chief who can bring her imaginary friends to life – becomes a part of the Doom Patrol. As team members grapple with their individual struggles and confront the truth about the Chief, Dorothy accidentally puts the world at risk when her powers could potentially release an ancient force called the Candlemaker.
7. Peacemaker
Original Run: January 13, 2022 – present
Episodes: 8
5 months post the clash between Suicide Squad and Starro the Conqueror on Corto Maltese’s island, Christopher Smith, known as Peacemaker, is at last discharged from the hospital where he was admitted. However, this vigilante is halted by Clemson Murn, Emilia Harcourt, John Economos, and Leota Adebayo, all agents of A.R.G.U.S., working for Amanda Waller. They persuade him to be part of the Butterfly Project, but neglect to share with him the project’s purpose or specific mission details.
At a later point, Smith encounters a powerfully strong woman who assaults him. This altercation draws the attention of the police. To resolve this issue, Economos falsely accuses Smith’s father of causing unrest, leading to his imprisonment. As the team progresses, Adrian Chase, also known as Vigilante, joins them. Over time, Smith learns that their objective is to eradicate a parasitic alien race posing a threat to human dominance.
As a cinephile, I found myself drawn into the twist where Murn, seemingly under control, is revealed to be manipulated by a defiant parasite. This parasite, surprisingly, opposes its leader, whom Peacemaker secretly protects. The rebellious creature vows to take action against the impending alien threat. Simultaneously, officers Song and Fitzgibbon successfully charge Smith for events that resulted in the White Dragon’s incarceration. Upon his release, the White Dragon swears a fierce revenge on his son.
Eak Stack Ik Ik, head of the parasitic faction, assumes command over Song, initiating a surprise alien assault on local law enforcement. In a desperate attempt to incriminate the Peacemaker, Waller concocts a forged personal diary and secretly leaves it at her daughter Adebayo’s home, setting the stage for the Peacemaker to be falsely accused if the mission were to go awry.
The once united group disbands: The Peacekeeper, Nightwatcher, and Provisioner find themselves pursued by the White Dragon, ultimately leading to their victory over him and his followers. Meanwhile, Harcourt and Adebayo regroup after the demise of Murn at the hands of the Melody. Eventually, the team comes back together, launching an attack on the parasite’s base. Within this stronghold lies the colossal creature from which they draw sustenance.
After eliminating the parasites (with the exception of the leader who was spared by Peacemaker), the group successfully destroyed their food source, managing to survive despite severe wounds and a delayed response from the Justice League. Later on, Adebayo chose to publicly accuse Amanda Waller of orchestrating the events.
8. Misfits
Original Run: November 12, 2009 – December 11, 2013
Episodes: 37
Five youths – Nathan Young, Simon Bellamy, Kelly Bailey, Curtis Donovan, and Alisha Daniels – have been assigned to community service (TIG), each for distinct reasons. On their first day, they manage to irritate Tony Morecombe, their supervisor. As they’re carrying out their tasks, an unexpected storm erupts, followed by a bolt of lightning that strikes them all.
In short order, they’ll discover they possess extraordinary abilities, but they’ll also learn that they aren’t the only ones who’ve been transformed. However, Tony has completely lost his mind and will attempt to kill them. Faced with mortal peril, they won’t have any other option than to take him down first, resulting in his death. This murder, which they choose not to disclose, sets off a chain of unfortunate events.
Five youths must now work together to conceal their misdeed by shifting the corpse as per the police investigations, employing the victim’s credit card to mislead his family, giving the impression that he voluntarily departed. However, it is crucial for them to develop mutual trust among themselves as well.
9. Titans
Original Run: October 12, 2018 – 2023
Episodes: 49
As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Dick Grayson, once Batman’s protege, has grown up and boldly forged his own path, leaving Gotham City behind to serve in the Detroit police force. Later, he encounters Rachel Roth, a young woman with powerful empathic abilities that she struggles to control, attracting the attention of an enigmatic cult. With Starfire and Beast Boy by his side, Dick will go on to assemble a team of extraordinary heroes to safeguard Rachel from harm.
10. The Defenders
Original Run: August 18, 2017
Episodes: 8
Approximately a couple of months following the second series of Daredevil, and a month after the premiere of Iron Fist, our vigilante heroes – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist – unite to create a team dedicated to safeguarding New York City, particularly the district of Hell’s Kitchen. Together, they prepare to confront a shared adversary: The Hand.
11. Watchmen
Original Release: February 23, 2009
Running Time: 163 minutes
The Minutemen were a team of crime-fighting individuals, both men and women, who donned costumes, established in 1938 as a reaction to an increase in gang activity and criminals wearing costumes. Decades later, the Watchmen emerged with similar origins. The presence of Dr. Manhattan significantly influenced global happenings: his superpowers played a crucial role in the U.S.’s victory in the Vietnam War, leading to President Richard Nixon’s multiple reelections during the 1980s.
In the context of that era, Dr. Manhattan’s presence provided a strategic edge for the Western world against the Soviet Union, who posed a significant risk of escalating the Cold War into a nuclear conflict. Simultaneously, growing public disapproval towards vigilantes was leading to a decline in their acceptance within the legal system. As a result, masked crime fighters were increasingly pushed out of law enforcement. Despite many heroes choosing to retire, Dr. Manhattan and The Comedian were authorized by the government to carry out their duties, while Rorschach continued to operate independently, disregarding the law.
While delving into the murder of government operative Edward Blake, Rorschach uncovers that Blake was none other than the Comedian. This leads him to surmise that someone could be targeting vigilantes, prompting him to persuade his retired colleagues: his ex-partner Daniel Dreiberg (also known as Night Owl II), Dr. Manhattan, and their newest partner, Laurie Jupiter (Silk Specter II). Although Dreiberg remains uncertain, he shares Rorschach’s theory with Adrian Veidt, who was once a Watchman but has since become a wealthy tycoon known as Ozymandias.
12. V for Vendetta
Original Release: December 11, 2005
Running Time: 132 minutes
In a Britain ruled by the authoritarian Grand Chancellor Adam Sutler, who headed the North Fire party with fascist leanings, oppression of dissenters and strict control over the media are the norm. This type of government maintained its power due to the assurance of safety for anxious citizens during a period when the United States was embroiled in civil unrest and a virus was claiming close to 100,000 lives.
In this adaptation, a figure named Sutler vowed to maintain orderly circumstances within Britain and was subsequently elected into power. However, his rule evolved into a dictatorship instead. In the film, an unidentified, shadowy individual known as V challenges authority by assassinating high-ranking regime officials. It’s later revealed that he is the sole survivor from a prior forced study on sections of society labeled “deviant,” carried out to research a virus strain.
In essence, this tool was later turned against the people, enabling the ruling class to seize control. Notably, among those targeted by V – individuals who don masks resembling Guy Fawkes and employ the theme of a plot involving gunpowder in their discourse as a symbol of their retribution against the leadership – were primarily figures from the prison where the tests took place. These individuals now hold influential positions or are part of the ruling class.
13. The Warriors
Original Release: February 9, 1979
Running Time: 92 minutes
1970s New York City: Gangs dominate the city’s impoverished areas. Cyrus, head of the influential Gramercy Riffs, plans a meeting to unite the gangs and build a formidable force against law enforcement and the mob. However, the meeting descends into chaos, resulting in Cyrus’ public murder. Luther, the suspect, accuses the Warriors gang of the crime, instigating a city-wide conflict. The Warriors, native to the Bronx, must now travel across New York City to their home in Coney Island amidst this brutal battle for survival.
14. Dredd
Original Release: July 11, 2012
Running Time: 95 minutes
In a desolate, post-apocalyptic America that’s turned into a radioactive wasteland, there exists Mega-City One – an expansive urban settlement harboring over 800 million inhabitants. This metropolis, extending from Boston to Washington, is composed of colossal skyscrapers with hundreds of stories and tens of thousands of residents, standing tall amidst the ruins.
In this lawless realm, it’s only the “Judges” – those who apprehend lawbreakers, mete out judgments, and carry out sentences immediately – that strive to uphold order amidst the chaos. Seasoned Judge Joseph Dredd is tasked with assessing rookie Cassandra Anderson for a practical test. Despite falling short of the Academy’s standards, the Council of Judges saw potential in her due to her extraordinary telepathic abilities, granted by radiation exposure.
15. 300
Original Release: December 9, 2006
Running Time: 116 minutes
Leonidas assumed the throne as king of Sparta after successfully passing through the traditional Spartan trials. A Persian emissary informed him that King Xerxes intended to invade Greece and assert dominion over Sparta, but he rejected any form of negotiation or compromise. Ignoring the counsel of ephors who had been bribed by Persian gold, he marched to confront the enemy with three hundred elite Spartan soldiers. Along the way, Daxos and his Arcadians joined him on their journey.
Leonidas decides to engage the Persian army at the narrow, rocky Thermopylae passage, known as the Hot Gates in the movie. He declines to recruit Ephialtes, a Spartan outcast, as he struggles to hold up his shield due to his physical disability in the back and neck.
16. Logan
Original Release:
Running Time: minutes
By the year 2029, mutantkind teeters on the brink of vanishing, and Logan, once a formidable figure, now leads a tranquil life as a chauffeur. Yet he secretly cares for his aged comrade, Professor Charles Xavier, who resides in seclusion at a covert sanctuary near the U.S.-Mexico border, with Caliban, one of the scant remaining mutants, providing aid. However, Logan’s peaceful retirement will be interrupted when he is compelled to act once more, as a young girl named Laura—possessing abilities reminiscent of Wolverine—comes under threat from ruthless pursuers.
17. Brightburn
Original Release: May 24, 2019
Running Time: 90 minutes
2006 finds Tori and Kyle Breyer residing on their farm in tranquil Brightburn, Kansas. Despite their earnest efforts, they’ve been struggling with infertility issues, unable to conceive a child. One fateful night, a mysterious spacecraft plummets from the sky and lands near their property, carrying an infant inside. Upon discovering this miraculous find, they decide to adopt him, christening him Brandon.
Twelve years pass, and Brandon experiences superhuman strength after hearing mysterious voices in his mind commanding him to demonstrate his power by placing his hand into a spinning lawnmower blade. Later that very night, Brandon drifts off to sleep, hoping to unlock the barn’s hatch where the spaceship that transported him to Earth lies hidden. Tori stops him before he can act, and Brandon becomes agitated as a result.
After this incident, Brandon grows more defiant and disrespectful towards his folks.
Post this occurrence, Brandon shows a pattern of being less obedient and disrespectful to his parents.
Or: In the wake of this event, Brandon starts acting in a rebellious and impolite manner toward his parents.
18. Kick-Ass
Original Release: March 12, 2010
Running Time: 117 minutes
Dave Lizewski, who typically goes unnoticed in high school, decides to don the cape of a superhero despite lacking any remarkable physical abilities. His first mission lands him in the hospital, but instead of quitting, he demonstrates his resilience by saving a man’s life. This act is captured on video and shared on YouTube, catapulting him into the limelight as a media sensation. However, things take a turn when he encounters two experienced vigilantes and the underworld starts to treat him with newfound respect.
19. Joker
Original Release: August 31, 2019
Running Time: 122 minutes
1981 finds Arthur Fleck employed at a clowning agency within Gotham City. Despite his efforts, he’s met with contempt and confusion from those around him, living a monotonous existence on society’s fringes, sharing a run-down apartment with his mother Penny. One fateful night, he encounters three inebriated stock traders from Wayne Enterprise on the subway, who viciously attack him. In self-defense, Arthur ends up fatally wounding them.
His actions spark some people to consider challenging the influential, much like the idea of becoming a vigilante. In this corrupt era, Arthur gradually loses his sanity and eventually transforms into the Joker, a menacing psychopath who is both a killer and the most notorious criminal in Gotham City, haunted by hallucinations.
20. The Punisher
Original Release: April 16, 2004
Running Time: 123 minutes
As a dedicated ex-Delta Force operative turned FBI agent, I was looking forward to settling down peacefully with my beloved family. However, a ruthless mafia kingpin named Howard Saint had other plans when his second son’s life intertwined with mine during one of my final operations. The tragic loss of my sons and wife at the hands of Saint’s vengeful men left me for dead, but I didn’t stay that way for long. Now, driven by grief and a thirst for justice, I don my guise as The Punisher to mete out the retribution Saint deserves.
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2025-05-30 21:48