There’s a strong case to be made that superhero cinema would not have reached its current culturally dominant status without the highly successful history of superhero television to support it. Since the 1950s, audiences worldwide have been captivated by the stories of these superpowered crime-fighters on the small screen, and their popularity shows no signs of waning.
From Marvel to DC and beyond, numerous exceptional superhero TV shows have emerged over the years; however, it’s one thing for a show to be great and another for it to be truly groundbreaking. These series paved the way for others like them; they revolutionized the genre, took risks, and offered something new. Here are 12 of those shows, ranked from least to most groundbreaking.
12
‘Teen Titans’ (2003–2006)
Image via Cartoon Network
The Teen Titans originated in 1964, and just three years later, Filmation produced a demo episode for The New Adventures of Superman and Aquaman. It wasn’t until 2003 that the first official Teen Titans show was released, and today, it remains one of the most cherished pieces of animated DC content.
Featuring engaging characters, captivating storylines, and an animation style that feels delightfully reminiscent of anime, the series showcased visuals, a mature tone, and a sense of serialized storytelling that were all quite revolutionary at the time. Its cultural impact is significant, becoming one of the first superhero shows with a dedicated online fanbase, and it has aged remarkably well.
11
‘Daredevil’ (2015–2018)
Image via Netflix
Before the Man Without Fear joined the MCU in She-Hulk, he starred in the show that launched Netflix’s short-lived street-level MCU—a darker and more mature microcosm within the Avengers universe. Daredevil remains one of the most acclaimed superhero shows in history, and although it deserved a longer run, it undeniably concluded with a bang.
This gritty, violent, and incredibly mature storytelling was unprecedented in the superhero genre at that time. Daredevil marked a dramatic shift from the campier, more network-friendly tone typical of superhero series then, offering a far more cinematic quality and complex storytelling.
10
‘Spider-Man: The Animated Series’ (1994–1998)
Image via Fox Kids
One of the very best animated adaptations of the Wall-Crawler, as well as one of the first superhero shows that genuinely felt like a comic book brought to life on television, Spider-Man: The Animated Series is essential viewing for any fan of the genre. Engaging, witty, and filled with exciting action sequences, it still holds up remarkably well nearly thirty years after its conclusion.
This series is groundbreaking for countless reasons. It featured large-scale serialized story arcs, portrayed Peter Parker as a more emotionally complex character than previously seen on screen, introduced concepts like the multiverse in small-screen adaptations, and showcased cutting-edge animation. These elements contribute to its lasting appeal.
9
‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ (1993–1996)
A nostalgic childhood classic and an outstanding series in its own right, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is among the best children’s shows of the 1990s. This American adaptation of the long-running Japanese franchise, Super Sentai, is undeniably cheesy but that cheesiness contributed significantly to its success. It spawned a franchise as prolific as its Japanese counterpart.
Mighty Morphin was revolutionary in its East-West hybrid production model which strongly contributed to its success and gave it a timeless quality that persists today. Its diverse cast and emphasis on representation were innovative for a children’s show in the ’90s, and its unique take on superhero team television continues to resonate even now.
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