30 Overrated Superhero TV Shows Everyone Seems To Like

The landscape of television has been dominated by superhero narratives for over two decades, transitioning from niche comic adaptations to mainstream blockbusters. These series often garner massive fanbases and significant critical acclaim upon their release. However, as the genre expands, some viewers and critics argue that certain high-profile shows receive more praise than their technical or narrative execution warrants. Analyzing the legacy of these programs requires looking at their pacing, faithfulness to source material, and cultural impact over time. This list examines several superhero titles that have sparked debate regarding their overall quality compared to their immense popularity.

‘The Boys’ (2019–)

This Amazon Prime Video series subverts the superhero genre by depicting a world where powerful individuals are corrupt celebrities. Led by Billy Butcher, a group of vigilantes attempts to expose the truth about the corporate-backed team known as the Seven. While praised for its satire and gore, some viewers suggest the shock value occasionally outweighs the narrative substance. The series has become a massive cultural phenomenon, leading to multiple spin-offs and high viewership figures.

‘WandaVision’ (2021)

This Disney+ miniseries follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they live idealized suburban lives in the town of Westview. The show uses various sitcom tropes from different decades to explore Wanda’s grief and the mystery behind her reality-warping powers. Despite its creative approach and high production values, critics noted that the finale reverted to standard Marvel tropes. It remains one of the most discussed entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s fourth phase.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

Barry Allen gains super speed after being struck by lightning and uses his powers to fight crime in Central City. The series was a cornerstone of the Arrowverse and enjoyed high ratings during its early seasons on The CW. As the show progressed, fans and critics pointed out declining visual effects quality and repetitive plot structures involving speedster villains. Despite these criticisms, it lasted for nine seasons and concluded Barry Allen’s story in 2023.

‘Arrow’ (2012–2020)

Oliver Queen returns to Starling City after being shipwrecked for five years to fight crime as a hooded vigilante. The show is credited with launching a massive interconnected television universe and bringing a gritty tone to superhero TV. Critics often cite the later seasons as having inconsistent character development and overstuffed ensembles. The series concluded after eight seasons, leaving a lasting legacy on the CW network.

‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ (2015–2018)

Matt Murdock is a blind lawyer by day and a vigilante by night in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City. The series was widely acclaimed for its complex choreography and the performance of Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin. Some audience members have noted that the thirteen-episode season format led to pacing issues in the middle of each story arc. It remains a highly-regarded entry in the Marvel catalog, eventually transitioning from Netflix to Disney+.

‘Loki’ (2021–2023)

The God of Mischief is captured by the Time Variance Authority after stealing the Tesseract during the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’. The series explores themes of free will and identity across various timelines and dimensions. While lauded for its visual design and Tom Hiddleston’s performance, some viewers found the exposition-heavy dialogue difficult to follow. The show concluded its two-season run with a finale that significantly altered the status of the multiverse.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

Based on the comic books by Gerard Way, this series follows an estranged family of adopted siblings with extraordinary abilities. They reunite after their father’s death to solve a mystery and prevent an impending global apocalypse. The show is known for its quirky characters, eclectic soundtrack, and stylized visuals. However, some audience members have criticized its reliance on “end-of-the-world” stakes across every season.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–)

Christopher Smith, a ruthless killer who believes in achieving peace at any cost, is recruited for a black ops mission. This spin-off from ‘The Suicide Squad’ was praised for its humor and the lead performance by John Cena. Critics have noted that the show’s juvenile tone and reliance on needle drops may not appeal to all segments of the audience. It was a major hit for HBO Max and helped establish the tone for the new DC Universe.

‘Invincible’ (2021–)

Mark Grayson is a teenager who inherits superpowers from his father, the world’s most powerful hero, Omni-Man. The animated series is famous for its extreme graphic violence and deconstruction of superhero archetypes. While it received high praise for its voice acting and plot twists, some viewers found the animation quality inconsistent between major action sequences. It continues to be a flagship program for Amazon Prime Video’s adult animation slate.

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)

This prequel series focuses on a young James Gordon as he navigates the corrupt police force of Gotham City. It features the origin stories of many classic Batman villains, including the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman. The show was often criticized for its campy tone and the liberties it took with established DC Comics lore. Despite mixed critical reception, it maintained a loyal fanbase throughout its five-season run on FOX.

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

Phil Coulson assembles a small team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to handle strange new cases in a world of superheroes. The show initially struggled to find its identity while tied to the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. It eventually moved into more independent storylines involving time travel and alternate dimensions. Some critics argued the series outstayed its welcome, though it is praised for its character development over seven seasons.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

A group of young heroes from across the DC Universe join forces to combat evil and find their place in the world. The series was noted for its dark, mature take on the Teen Titans characters and its high production values. Critics frequently mentioned that the show struggled to balance its large cast, often sidelining certain characters for several episodes. It moved from the DC Universe streaming service to HBO Max before concluding in 2023.

‘Doom Patrol’ (2019–2023)

A group of traumatized individuals with superhuman abilities are brought together by a mysterious scientist known as the Chief. The series is celebrated for its surreal humor and deep exploration of mental health and trauma. Some viewers found the episodic bizarreness to be a deterrent to the overarching plot progression. The show developed a dedicated cult following and was praised for its unique representation of marginalized identities.

‘Hawkeye’ (2021)

Clint Barton must work with a young archer named Kate Bishop to confront enemies from his past as Ronin. Set during the Christmas season in New York City, the series draws heavy inspiration from the Matt Fraction comic book run. While the chemistry between the leads was highly praised, critics felt the inclusion of multiple subplots made the six-episode run feel cluttered. It served as an introduction for several new characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Moon Knight’ (2022)

Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift shop employee, discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. The duo must navigate their complex identities while serving as the avatar for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. The series was commended for Oscar Isaac’s performance but criticized for its heavy reliance on CGI in the final battle. It remains a standalone entry that has yet to see a direct continuation in the MCU.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

A young Clark Kent learns to master his abilities while growing up in the rural town of Smallville, Kansas. The series was a massive success for The WB and later The CW, lasting for ten seasons. Critics often pointed to the “villain of the week” formula and the prolonged delay of Clark actually becoming Superman as major flaws. It is considered a pioneer of the modern superhero television era.

‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’ (2015–2019)

A former superhero with post-traumatic stress disorder opens her own detective agency in New York City. The first season was widely lauded for its exploration of assault and trauma through the villainous Kilgrave. Later seasons were viewed by some critics as less impactful, with slower pacing and less compelling antagonists. The series remains a significant part of the Defenders Saga, now streaming on Disney+.

‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ (2016–2018)

After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage becomes a fugitive trying to rebuild his life in Harlem. The show was praised for its cultural relevance, soundtrack, and portrayal of its titular neighborhood. Many viewers and critics felt the quality dipped significantly in the second half of the first season following a major character shift. It ran for two seasons before being canceled by Netflix.

‘Marvel’s Iron Fist’ (2017–2018)

Danny Rand returns to New York City after being missing for fifteen years to reclaim his family company and fulfill his destiny as the Iron Fist. The first season received largely negative reviews for its fight choreography and lead characterization. The second season was seen as a significant improvement, but it was not enough to save the series from cancellation. It is often cited as the weakest link in the original Netflix Marvel lineup.

‘Marvel’s The Defenders’ (2017)

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist team up to fight the ancient criminal organization known as The Hand. This crossover event was intended to be the television equivalent of ‘The Avengers’. Critics found the interaction between the heroes enjoyable but criticized the slow buildup and the underwhelming nature of the villains. The miniseries consisted of eight episodes and served as a climax for several plot threads from the individual shows.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Kara Zor-El embraces her powers and protects National City from extraterrestrial and human threats. The series moved from CBS to The CW after its first season and became a core part of the Arrowverse crossovers. While it was praised for its positive themes and lead performance by Melissa Benoist, critics noted that the writing often became overly formulaic. The show ended after six seasons, having explored a wide range of DC Comics characters.

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

A group of misfit heroes and villains travel through time to prevent catastrophes that could destroy history. The series began as a serious spin-off but eventually evolved into a self-aware, absurdist comedy. Some fans found the shift in tone off-putting, while others praised it for being the most unique show in the Arrowverse. Its cancellation in 2022 left several plot points unresolved, leading to fan campaigns for a proper conclusion.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

Kate Kane, and later Ryan Wilder, takes up the mantle of Batwoman to protect Gotham City in the absence of Batman. The show faced significant challenges, including the departure of its original lead actress after the first season. Critics praised the series for its diversity and representation, but it struggled with low ratings and inconsistent writing. It was canceled by The CW after three seasons as part of a broader network restructuring.

‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021)

Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities and their patience. The series deals with the legacy of Captain America’s shield and the political implications of a post-Blip world. While the action sequences and character development were well-received, some critics felt the villains were underdeveloped. The show concluded with Sam Wilson officially taking on the mantle of Captain America.

‘Ms. Marvel’ (2022)

Kamala Khan, a teenage Avengers fangirl, discovers she has superpowers of her own and struggles to balance her hero life with her family expectations. The series was highly praised for its visual style and for its portrayal of Muslim-American culture. Some viewers felt the middle episodes, which involved a trip to Pakistan, lost the momentum established in the early episodes. It served as a direct lead-in to the 2023 film ‘The Marvels’.

‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)

Jennifer Walters is a lawyer who specializes in cases involving superhumans while also navigating life as a 6-foot-7-inch green hulk. The series is a legal comedy that frequently breaks the fourth wall and critiques fan culture. It received a polarized response, with some praising its humor and others criticizing the CGI quality and episodic structure. The show’s meta-commentary in the finale remains one of the most debated moments in the MCU.

‘Secret Invasion’ (2023)

Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls and must work to stop them. The series was marketed as a gritty spy thriller but received the lowest critical scores of any Disney+ Marvel series. Critics pointed to the slow pacing and the controversial handling of established characters as major drawbacks. The finale’s resolution and its impact on the wider MCU were also met with significant criticism.

‘Heroes’ (2006–2010)

Ordinary people across the globe discover they have superhuman abilities and eventually come together to prevent a catastrophe. The first season was a massive critical and commercial success, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Subsequent seasons were widely viewed as a decline in quality due to convoluted plots and inconsistent character arcs. Despite a later revival series, the original show is often remembered for failing to maintain its early momentum.

‘Marvel’s The Punisher’ (2017–2019)

Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld while seeking revenge for his family. Jon Bernthal’s performance was widely acclaimed for its intensity and emotional depth. However, critics often noted that the show struggled to justify a thirteen-episode season, leading to repetitive subplots. Like other Netflix Marvel shows, it was canceled before it could reach a third season.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

A hard-drinking preacher with extraordinary powers embarks on a journey to literally find God, accompanied by his ex-girlfriend and an Irish vampire. Based on the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, the show is known for its dark humor and blasphemous themes. Some fans of the source material felt the series deviated too far from the original plot in its early seasons. It ran for four seasons on AMC and maintained a dedicated but relatively small audience.

Please share your thoughts on which superhero series you believe are the most overrated in the comments.