5 Cult Classic Superhero TV Shows You Probably Haven’t Seen (But Should Watch)

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Superhero shows are incredibly popular right now. Recent seasons of Invincible and The Boys have received huge praise, with The Boys ending its run with a highly anticipated finale. Marvel has also seen success with Daredevil: Born Again and the surprisingly good satire Wonder Man. Looking ahead, there are plenty more superhero projects on the way. Marvel plans to continue releasing new shows on Disney+ like VisionQuest, plus new seasons of X-Men ’97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Meanwhile, James Gunn’s DC Universe will be testing the waters with its first TV series, the realistic drama Lanterns.

With so many new superhero shows and movies constantly being released, it’s easy to forget the ones that started it all. These older, beloved shows were incredibly creative, defined many of the characters we know today, and created unique atmospheres that haven’t been matched in recent blockbusters. Despite their influence, they aren’t widely streamed and deserve more attention from today’s superhero fans.

5) The Incredible Hulk

When Kenneth Johnson created the Incredible Hulk TV series for CBS, he drastically simplified the comic book source material. He eliminated the supervillains and the origin story involving the gamma bomb, sidelined the supporting characters, and even changed Bruce Banner’s name to David to avoid a repetitive sound. The result was a low-key, weekly drama following a grieving, traveling scientist (Bill Bixby) who helped people while seeking a cure. Surprisingly, it worked incredibly well. Bixby portrayed Banner as a man resigned to a life on the run, and this underlying sadness is powerfully felt throughout each episode, with the action sequences serving as dramatic highlights. Lou Ferrigno’s physical performance as the Hulk felt more substantial and realistic than any computer-generated version, making his transformations truly impactful. The show’s signature closing shot – David Banner walking alone on a deserted highway accompanied by Joe Harnell’s “Lonely Man Theme” – is one of the most emotionally resonant images in the genre, achieving its effect without relying on action or special effects.

4) Swamp Thing 

The series Swamp Thing stars Dick Durock as a scientist who transforms into a plant-based creature after a lab accident in the Louisiana bayou. This creature can regenerate lost body parts and connect with plant life, but the accident also took away his humanity. Developed by Joseph Stefano, known for his work on Psycho and the original Outer Limits, the show uses the monster as a way to explore themes of loss and how people cope with life-altering tragedy. The series also features Dr. Anton Arcane (Mark Lindsay Chapman), a villain who seeks to exploit Swamp Thing’s unique biology, adding an environmental message that was progressive for its time. Swamp Thing aired for three seasons on USA Network and became the channel’s most popular original show, despite being filmed almost entirely on sound stages due to the high costs and difficulties of shooting in real swamps. Surprisingly, despite its success, it remains largely unseen by many contemporary DC Comics fans.

3) The Tick

Before Deadpool playfully poked fun at superhero tropes, The Tick offered a live-action superhero satire that was simply too unusual for its time. Based on Ben Edlund’s independent comic, the show featured Patrick Warburton as The Tick, a nearly indestructible, but delightfully clueless, blue superhero who patrolled a city with his sidekick, Arthur (David Burke). The show played the absurdity of superheroes completely straight, turning everyday situations – like hostage crises at grocery stores – and bizarre villains, like a mutant corn stalk, into moments of dry wit. Unfortunately, Fox only aired nine of the thirteen episodes they made in 2001, scheduling it against football and failing to promote it properly. Despite this, the nine episodes gained a dedicated following on DVD, thanks to Warburton’s perfect comedic timing and jokes that feel even funnier now, with so many superhero stories around. The Tick predicted many things we see in shows like The Boys and Deadpool, but it did so with a genuine charm that sets it apart. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing a key piece of the puzzle connecting the campy Batman of Adam West to today’s superhero comedies.

2) The Flash

The 1990s TV series The Flash, starring John Wesley Shipp, intentionally evokes the dark, gothic style of Tim Burton’s Batman. This is no accident, as it was created by some of the same people who worked on Batman: The Animated Series, features costumes by the renowned Robert Short, and has a score by Danny Elfman. The show used its large budget to build a truly impressive version of Central City. What’s especially interesting is how The Flash created the look of super speed – using practical effects and clever filming techniques to make it feel grounded and unique, unlike some of the more digital approaches we see today. Plus, Mark Hamill gives a memorable performance as the Trickster in two episodes – a role he would revisit years later in the Arrowverse. Sadly, the show suffered from inconsistent scheduling and was frequently interrupted by coverage of the Gulf War, leading to low ratings. Though it only lasted one season, The Flash is still a show worth checking out.

1) Wonder Woman

Lynda Carter’s portrayal of Wonder Woman, as Diana Prince, is still the standard by which all other versions are judged. The first season, set during World War II, playfully showed a powerful Amazonian trying to navigate everyday life – things like rationing and army rules – but Carter always maintained Diana’s core belief in the goodness of humanity. Later, when the show moved to the present day, it explored what it meant for a woman to be both a superhero and have a career, mirroring the changing roles of women in the 1970s. Carter’s performance was both engaging and genuine, showing Diana as someone with strong principles who was genuinely curious about others – traits that have become central to the character. Over three seasons, the series created a Wonder Woman who was strong without being mean, and every subsequent adaptation has taken inspiration from Carter’s performance, though none have quite reached her level.

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2026-05-28 21:12