Ranking Every DC Live Action Show By Its Rotten Tomatoes Score, Including ‘Lanterns’

DC Comics has spent decades bringing its heroes and villains to television, and the resulting library of shows spans broadcast networks, cable, and streaming. These live-action series span multiple genres and narrative styles, and critical reception varies widely across the catalog, reflecting changing industry standards and differing approaches to comic book lore.

Ranking every DC live action show by its Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score offers a clear picture of how critics have received these projects over the years, from the earliest network experiments to the newest DC Studios prestige drama. Below is the full lineup, ordered from lowest to highest score.

‘Human Target’ (1992)

This short-lived ABC adaptation starred Rick Springfield as bodyguard Christopher Chance, who assumed the identities of clients facing lethal threats using disguise technology and prosthetics. The series holds a 20% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and aired only seven episodes.

‘Gotham Knights’ (2023)

Following the murder of Bruce Wayne, his adopted son Turner Hayes allies with the children of Batman’s enemies while evading the Gotham City Police Department. The CW series holds a 27% critical score and a 44% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, ending after one season.

‘DMZ’ (2022)

Rosario Dawson stars as a medic navigating a demilitarized Manhattan during a second American Civil War in this DC Vertigo adaptation. The HBO Max miniseries received a 52% Tomatometer rating and a 44% audience score.

‘Powerless’ (2017)

This NBC workplace comedy followed Wayne Security employees developing protective products for bystanders caught in superhero battles, starring Vanessa Hudgens. It holds a 61% Tomatometer rating and a 72% audience score before ending after twelve episodes.

‘The Flash’ (1990–1991)

John Wesley Shipp starred as Barry Allen in this CBS series featuring Mark Hamill as the Trickster. It holds a 71% Tomatometer score and a 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Constantine’ (2014–2015)

Matt Ryan starred as demon hunter John Constantine in this NBC drama based on the Vertigo series ‘Hellblazer’. The show holds a 73% Tomatometer rating and a 74% audience score.

‘Human Target’ (2010–2011)

Mark Valley played Christopher Chance alongside Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley in this Fox action series. It maintains a 75% Tomatometer score and a 90% audience rating.

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)

Ben McKenzie led this Fox series as rookie detective James Gordon, chronicling the origins of iconic Batman villains across five seasons. The show earned a 77% Tomatometer score and a 68% audience score.

‘Pennyworth’ (2019–2022)

Jack Bannon starred as a young Alfred Pennyworth building a private security firm in 1960s London. The period spy thriller holds a 78% Tomatometer rating and an 89% audience score across three seasons on Epix and HBO Max.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

Tom Welling starred as a teenage Clark Kent learning to harness his Kryptonian powers over ten seasons on The WB and The CW. It maintains a 78% Tomatometer score and a 72% audience score.

‘Krypton’ (2018–2019)

This Syfy drama followed Superman’s grandfather Seg-El, played by Cameron Cuffe, facing a threat from the alien Brainiac. It holds an 80% Tomatometer rating and a 69% audience score.

‘The Sandman’ (2022–present)

Tom Sturridge stars as Morpheus in this Netflix adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed graphic novel series. The show holds an 81% Tomatometer score and a 77% audience score.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

Ruby Rose and later Javicia Leslie starred as Gotham’s new protector in this CW series set after Batman’s disappearance. It holds an 83% Tomatometer score and a 22% audience rating.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

Grant Gustin starred as Barry Allen across nine seasons that introduced major comic concepts like the Multiverse and the Speed Force. The CW series holds an 85% Tomatometer rating and a 53% audience score.

‘Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman’ (1993–1997)

Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher starred as the Daily Planet duo in this ABC series that emphasized their romantic dynamic. It holds an 86% Tomatometer score and an 84% audience rating.

‘Arrow’ (2012–2020)

Stephen Amell starred as Oliver Queen in this CW series that launched the interconnected franchise known as the Arrowverse. It maintains an 86% Tomatometer rating and a 59% audience score.

‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)

Tom Ellis starred as the Lord of Hell running a Los Angeles nightclub and consulting for the LAPD. The series holds an 87% Tomatometer rating and a 73% audience score across its run on Fox and Netflix.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

Dominic Cooper starred as a possessed preacher on a mission to find God in this AMC adaptation of the Garth Ennis comic. It maintains an 87% Tomatometer score and a 75% audience score.

‘Superman & Lois’ (2021–2024)

Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch starred as Clark Kent and Lois Lane balancing superhero duties with raising twin sons. The CW drama holds an 88% Tomatometer rating and an 84% audience score.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Melissa Benoist starred as Kara Zor-El protecting National City across six seasons. The series holds an 88% Tomatometer rating and a 47% audience score.

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

This CW series followed a team of superheroes and reformed villains traveling through time across seven seasons. It holds an 89% Tomatometer score and a 56% audience score.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

Brenton Thwaites starred as Dick Grayson leading a new generation of young superheroes across Detroit, San Francisco, and Gotham City. The series holds an 89% Tomatometer rating and a 67% audience score.

‘Lanterns’ (2026)

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre star as Hal Jordan and John Stewart, intergalactic cops investigating a murder in the American heartland, in this HBO and DC Studios production. Ahead of its broadcast, early listings record a 90% Certified Fresh Tomatometer score based on initial critical response.

‘Naomi’ (2022)

Kaci Walfall starred as a comic loving teenager uncovering her hidden superpowers in this CW drama from Ava DuVernay. It holds a 91% Tomatometer score and a 43% audience score.

‘Swamp Thing’ (2019)

Crystal Reed and Andy Bean led this DC Universe horror series about a CDC researcher and a scientist transformed into a monstrous swamp creature. It earned a 92% Tomatometer rating and a 75% audience score across a single ten-episode season.

‘Dead Boy Detectives’ (2024)

George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri played two deceased teenage detectives solving otherworldly mysteries in this Netflix series based on Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner’s characters. It maintains a 92% Tomatometer score and an identical 92% audience score.

‘Black Lightning’ (2018–2021)

Cress Williams starred as a retired hero returning to protect his community from gang violence across four seasons on The CW. It earned a 92% Tomatometer rating and a 49% audience score.

‘iZombie’ (2015–2019)

Rose McIver starred as a zombie medical resident who absorbs murder victims’ memories to help solve homicides. The CW horror comedy holds a 92% Tomatometer score and a 69% audience score across five seasons.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–present)

John Cena reprises his role as Christopher Smith battling parasitic alien invaders in this HBO Max series created by James Gunn. It holds a 93% Tomatometer rating and an 83% audience score.

‘DC’s Stargirl’ (2020–2022)

Brec Bassinger starred as Courtney Whitmore rebuilding the Justice Society of America with her stepfather Pat Dugan across three seasons. The series holds a 94% Tomatometer score and a 73% audience score.

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

Colin Farrell starred as Oz Cobb seizing power in Gotham’s fractured underworld following the events of ‘The Batman’. The HBO limited series holds a 95% Tomatometer rating and an 85% audience score.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Regina King starred as Detective Angela Abar investigating a white supremacist conspiracy in an alternate Tulsa, Oklahoma. Created by Damon Lindelof, the nine-episode HBO series holds a 96% Tomatometer score and a 57% audience score.

‘Doom Patrol’ (2019–2023)

Brendan Fraser, Matt Bomer, April Bowlby, and Diane Guerrero led this eccentric team of marginalized superheroes across four seasons. The series holds a 98% Tomatometer score and a 76% audience rating.

‘Wonder Woman’ (1975–1979)

Lynda Carter starred as Diana Prince in this landmark series that began during World War II before shifting to a 1970s setting. It holds a perfect 100% Tomatometer score and an 84% audience score, the highest of any live action DC series on the list.

With ‘Lanterns’ arriving at a 90% Certified Fresh score before its premiere, where do you think Hal Jordan and John Stewart’s HBO debut will ultimately land once the full season of reviews comes in.