Superhero TV is bigger than ever, but some truly fantastic shows still slip through the cracks. While juggernauts likeDCandMarveldominate conversations, plenty of other series, both animated and live-action, deliver brilliant storytelling without getting their due. These underrated gems bring fresh perspectives, emotional depth, and creative risks that separate them from the crowded genre.
Some of the best yet overlooked superhero shows reimagine iconic heroes while others tell original stories. Yet all of them stand out as perfect examples of what superhero television can achieve. For those looking to explore beyond the usual recommendations and theMCU’s celebrated TV output, these series prove that capes and powers are just the beginning.
10Wolverine And The X-Men (2009)
Though it lasted only one season,Wolverine and the X-Menremains one of Marvel’s best animated series. Shifting leadership duties from Xavier to Wolverinegave the show a fresh dynamic. It explored responsibility in ways audiences hadn’t seen before as Logan tries to reassemble the mutant team in the wake of a cataclysmic event.
Its serialized story built toward an ambitious dystopian future arc where Sentinels rule the world.Wolverine and the X-Menkept tension high across episodes. The character writing was just as strong, giving meaningful spotlight moments to Nightcrawler, Emma Frost, andother X-Men who often get sidelined.
Despite ending on a frustrating cliffhanger, what exists is tightly written, stylishly animated, and deeply engaging.Wolverine and the X-Menfeels likea spiritual successor to the iconicX-Men: The Animated SeriesfromMarvel’s interconnected animated universe. It’s a reminder that even short-lived superhero shows can have a massive impact.
9The Tick (2016–2019)
Amazon’sThe Tickperfectly balanced absurd parody with sincere superhero storytelling. Peter Serafinowiczbrought endless charm to the titled role, playing the oversized, overly noble Tick with total conviction. Meanwhile, Griffin Newman’s Arthur grounded the series as the neurotic everyman thrust into heroism.
Together, they anchored a world filled with bizarre villains and satirical takes on superhero tropes. However, the heart of the story was their partnership. The showleaned into quirky humor without undercutting the genuine stakes.
It allowed it to bothpoke fun at the genre and embrace what makes it great. Despite strong reviews and a dedicated cult following,The Tickwas canceled too soon. Still, its blend of heart, wit, and world-building makes it one of the most overlooked superhero comedies in recent years.
8Legion (2017–2019)
FX’sLegionpushed superhero storytelling to its artistic limit. Loosely tied to Fox’sX-Menuniverse, it followed David Haller. Haller isa mutant struggling to separate reality from delusionwhile discovering hisimmense and overpowered abilities.
Showrunner Noah Hawley leaned into surrealism, crafting a series that feltmore like arthouse cinema than a comic book adaptation. It boasted dreamlike visuals and non-linear storytelling that gave the show an eerie, unforgettable identity.Legionalso benefitted from standout performances, particularly from Dan Stevens and Aubrey Plaza.
EachLegionepisode dared to experiment with structure and style, proving superhero showsdidn’t need to stick to a formula. While its ambiguity made it polarizing for some viewers, that risk-taking is exactly what makes it a masterpiece.Legionremains one of the boldest, most original series in the superhero genre.
7Misfits (2009–2013)
The British cult hitMisfitsreimagined superheroes through a grittier, more grounded lens. A group of young offenders gain powers after a freak storm. However, instead of heroism,they spiral into chaos.
Their powers reflect personal flaws (anger, insecurity, immaturity),creating darkly comedic and often tragic storylines. The show’s raw energy and unfiltered tone set it apart from polished American superhero TV. It offered something unpredictable, messy, and human.
Characters made terrible choices, relationships imploded, and the morality of having powers was constantly questioned. With its mix of biting humor and emotional depth,Misfitsresonated strongly with audiences looking for something different. Though it never reached global mainstream popularity, it remains one of the most original and emotionally honest takes on superpowers ever put to the screen.
6The Batman (2004–2008)
Often overlooked besides thetimelessBatman: The Animated Series, 2004’sThe Batmancarved out itsown identity with a modern look and inventive storytelling. Its sleek animation and bold villain redesigns gave Gotham a distinct feel. It truly made characters like Joker, Riddler, and Penguin feel fresh again.
Centering on a younger, less experienced Bruce Wayne,The Batmanemphasized growth and skill-building. It showed Batmanb. As the show progressed, Batgirl and Robin were introduced, expanding the cast while keeping the focus firmly on Batman’s journey.
The Batmannever reached the acclaim of its predecessor. Yet it succeeded by daring to be different. Its action-packed style, character arcs, and visual boldness make it one of DC’s most underrated animated gems.
5My Adventures With Superman (2023– )
My Adventures With Supermandelivers a modern, heartfelt take on the Man of Steel. Instead of retelling the same origin story, it reimagines Clark, Lois, and Jimmy asyoung adults navigating careers, friendships, and lovein Metropolis. This character-driven focus, paired with anime-inspired animation, gives the show a unique charm and energy.
Superman here isn’t just a symbol. He’s a person learning how to balance his powers with real human struggles. The seriesthrives on its optimism, reminding why Superman has always represented hope.
Its vibrant action sequences and warm tone set it apart from darker superhero fare. This makes it accessible for longtime viewers and newcomers alike. Still under-discussed compared to other DC shows,My Adventures with Supermanhas quickly proven itself as a standout reimagining of one of comics’ greatest icons and is aperfect companion afterSuperman(2025).
4The Gifted (2017–2019)
FOX’sThe Giftedquietly delivered one of the most compelling X-Men stories outside the films. Set in a world where the X-Men are gone, it follows a suburban family forced into hiding after discovering their children are mutants. This grounded premiseallowed the show to explore persecution, family bonds, and survival while still delivering tense action sequences.
The Giftedalso spotlighted lesser-known mutants like Polaris, Blink, and Thunderbird, giving them meaningful development. The show excelled atblending intimate character drama with larger political themes. This made it feel socially relevant without losing its entertainment value.
ThoughThe Giftedlasted only two seasons, it offered a gripping,emotionally resonant vision of mutant life. It truly highlighted the plight of mutants. It deserves far more recognition in Marvel’s crowded TV history.
3Invincible (2021– )
Amazon’sInvinciblemay be well-reviewed, but it still feels underrated next to bigger superhero juggernauts. Adapted from Robert Kirkman’s comic, the show starts like a bright, classic superhero tale. However, it soon revealsits brutal, emotionally devastating core.
Mark Grayson’s journey to becoming Invincible is complicated by his relationship with Omni-Man, a father whose secrets redefine everything.Invincibleis certainly unflinching in its violence. Yet, its greatest strength lies in its emotional storytelling, exploring themes of family, morality, and the weight of power.
It boasts top-tier voice acting, sharp writing, and stunning animation. These elevate it far above standard superhero adaptations. With its mix of heartfelt character drama and shocking twists,Invincibleprovessuperhero animation can be just as powerful,if not more, than live-action epics.
2I Am Not Okay With This (2020)
Netflix’sI Am Not Okay With Thiscombines coming-of-age drama with superhero elementsin a refreshingly grounded way. Based on Charles Forsman’s graphic novel, it followed Sydney, a teenager dealing with grief and identity struggles. More importantly, terrifying powers she can’t control.
Instead of traditional superhero tropes,I Am Not Okay With Thistreated her abilities as an extension of adolescent anxiety. This created a raw, intimate story. Sophia Lillis gave a stellar performance, balancing vulnerability with quiet strength.
Meanwhile, Wyatt Oleff added heart as her awkward best friend. Sadly, the series was canceled after just one season,leaving audiences with a major cliffhanger. Still, its blend of emotional honesty and superpowered metaphor made it one of Netflix’s most promising genre shows, and a hidden gem worth revisiting.
1Extraordinary (2023– )
Hulu’sExtraordinarytakes the superhero premise and flips it on its head. In a world where everyone gets powers at 18, Jen is one of the rare few left without them. This setup provides plenty of raunchy comedy while also tackling themes of self-worth and belonging.
Jen’s journey is hilarious, messy, and surprisingly heartfelt, making her one of themost relatable “superhero” leads in years. The show also thrives on clever world-building. It uses ridiculous powers to explore relationships, work, and personal growth in ways that feel both absurd and surprisingly real.
What makesExtraordinarystand out is its mix ofsharp humor and genuine emotion. With breakout performances, especially from Máiréad Tyers, it’s an underdog series. It proves superhero stories don’t need world-ending stakes to be unforgettable.
Wolverine and the X-Men
Cast
Wolverine and the X-Men is an animated series that premiered in 2008, focusing on Wolverine’s efforts to reunite the X-Men and prevent a dark future. Following a catastrophe that rendered Professor Xavier comatose and scattered the X-Men, Wolverine takes on a leadership role. Assembling iconic characters like Cyclops, Storm, and others, the team endeavors to combat threats and restore peace.
The Tick
The Tick is a superhero comedy series based on the comic book created by Ben Edlund, set in a world where superheroes have been real for decades, an accountant with no superpowers realizes a supervillain owns his city. As he struggles to uncover this conspiracy, he falls in league with a strange blue superhero. Accompanied by his sidekick Arthur, the Tick will attempt to remember who he was before he was a hero, and attempt to make a difference in their corrupt city.
Legion
Legion is an FX Original Series created by Noah Hawley in conjunction with Marvel Television. The psychological horror/thriller series stars Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, and Aubrey Plaza. The release pertains to comic book character Legion, otherwise known as David Haller, as he deals with a diagnosed schizophrenia and the formation of his mutant powers.
Misfits
Misfits is a British comedy-drama sci-fi series that blends science fiction with dark comedy. It is centered around five young offenders who gain supernatural abilities after a bizarre electrical storm. Set during their community service, the show explores how each character deals with their newfound powers, shining a light on the darker sides of having special abilities.
The Batman
Acclaimed DC animated season The Batman sees billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Rino Romano) pull on the famous cowl and cape as Gotham’s iconic protector. Set primarily during Batman’s early years, he operates more in the shadows as a vigilante, and facing off against new versions of legendary DC villains like The Joker, Penguin, Clayface, and Mr Freeze.
My Adventures With Superman
My Adventures with Superman is an animated action-adventure superhero series that follows the Man of Steel in an all-new origin story. Focusing on the light-hearted side of DC’s hero, the series follows Clark Kent’s journey of self-discovery of what it means to be a hero while trying to blend in with society. With his best friend and his crush, Lois Lane, the trio will strike out to cover the most significant stories - all while trying to keep the city of Metropolis safe from giant robots and super-powered villains.
The Gifted
Part of the X-Men franchise, although set in an alternate timeline from the films, The Gifted follows the Strucker family who must suddenly go on the run when the two children, Lauren and Andy, are discovered to possess mutant abilities. In a world where the X-Men have disappeared and mutants are heavily mistrusted and persecuted by the government, the once law-abiding Struckers must ally themselves with a group of rogue mutants attempting to help who they can and fight back against the corruption that threatens their lives.
Invincible
Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a teenager who gains superpowers like his father, Omni-Man, the world’s premier superhero. Released in 2008, the film explores Mark’s journey in balancing his new abilities with personal challenges as he steps into a legacy filled with responsibility and hidden dangers.
I Am Not Okay with This
I Am Not Okay With This is a Netflix series centering on the complicated life of Sydney Novak, played by IT star Sophia Lillis. Sydney is a teenager who is juggling life as a high schooler, family issues, and her sexuality. To top things off, she’s also starting to develop mysterious superpowers.
Extraordinary
Extraordinary is a superhero comedy series that premiered in 2023 on Hulu and was created by Emma Moran. A young woman with no powers and a down-to-earth job handling costumes for superheroes begins to ponder her place in the world as she remains the outlier in a world filled with heroes.
