10 Superhero TV Shows That Were So Close To Being 10/10

Superhero shows on TV have often been incredibly bold and creative, but even the best ones haven’t always been flawless. Many Marvel and DC series start strong, but fall just short of being truly exceptional. These shows aren’t failures – they’re popular and well-loved, and they came very close to achieving something amazing.

Even when these shows weren’t perfect, they often gave us unforgettable moments, performances, and new ideas that influenced television for years to come. Fans still love them because at their best, they were truly exceptional. However, each show had flaws – whether it was a disappointing ending, a slow-moving season, or difficulties behind the scenes – that prevented them from becoming all-time classics.

Titans (2018)

From the beginning, Titans was built on a strong superhero base. The show presented a more mature and realistic take on the Teen Titans, focusing on the personal journeys of Nightwing, Starfire, and Raven. Its exciting action and the strong connection between the characters suggested it could have been a near-perfect live-action version of the popular team.

Despite its potential, Titans often had problems with its storytelling. Characters would sometimes vanish for extended periods, and storylines either felt too fast-paced or were dropped altogether. The show hinted at being something special, but it struggled to keep up the energy needed to truly deliver.

I really think Titans had the potential to be the best DC team show ever. If the writing had been a bit more consistent and the seasons better planned, it could have been amazing! Sadly, it didn’t quite reach that level because things felt a little all over the place. Still, I loved that it was a darker, more grown-up take on these characters – ones we usually only see in cartoons or shows for kids.

Heroes (2006)

The first season of Heroes is still considered one of the most exciting superhero shows ever made. It kept viewers on the edge of their seats with its mysteries and captivating superpowers. The show featured a memorable cast of characters that audiences quickly fell in love with, and importantly, it demonstrated that a new superhero series could be successful even without being based on existing comic books.

You know, I really loved Heroes at first, but it sadly lost its way. What started as a really focused story with a great pace just got… bigger. They kept adding more and more characters, and the plot started to drag. The cliffhangers weren’t exciting anymore, they just felt endless, and a lot of storylines didn’t really go anywhere. It lost that special tightness that initially hooked me.

Heroes had the potential to be one of the greatest shows on television. If it had kept the fast pace and focused storylines of its first season, it could have become a defining show of its kind for years to come. Unfortunately, the show lost momentum and ultimately failed because it tried to do too much.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)

Initially starting as a simple connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. blossomed into a truly imaginative science fiction story. Characters such as Coulson, Daisy, and Fitz-Simmons resonated with audiences due to their compelling personal journeys and daring plot twists in later seasons. And when the show became popular, it became a massive hit.

However, the show wasn’t always consistent. Having to fit in with the Marvel movies, particularly in the beginning, sometimes caused the story to get stuck. The show also jumped between different styles – like a spy thriller, a space adventure, and a time-travel story – which didn’t always flow together smoothly. Though these elements were often well-done, they didn’t always feel like one unified story.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. had some truly excellent moments. However, its quality wasn’t always consistent, which prevented it from being a perfect show. With a little more consistency, it could have been the best MCU television series.

Hawkeye (2021)

Hawkeye offered a lot to enjoy. It featured exciting Christmas action happening on the streets, finally gave Clint Barton some emotional complexity, and introduced the fantastic Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop. Compared to the increasingly complex multiverse stories in the MCU, its realistic approach and focus on archery fights felt like a welcome change.

The series often felt like a setup for future stories rather than a complete story on its own. It moved slowly, and important plot points – like the surprising reveal about Kingpin and the conflict it created within the Marvel Cinematic Universe – felt rushed and not fully developed. Ultimately, Hawkeye seemed to primarily serve the purpose of introducing a new Hawkeye and wrapping up the original character’s storyline.

While Hawkeye was enjoyable as a team-up within the MCU, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. A more compelling story and deeper emotional connection could have made it truly memorable, but ultimately, it was just a fun, though forgettable, experience.

Superman & Lois (2021)

I was immediately drawn into Superman & Lois because it felt so genuine. It wasn’t just about the amazing superhero action – though there was plenty of that! – it really delved into Clark Kent as a father, something we don’t often get to see in Superman stories. It offered a fresh perspective, focusing on his family life in a way that felt really special and set it apart from other superhero shows.

The show honored the classic Superman story but made it feel real by focusing on the challenges of family life. However, it eventually became too complex. With an overload of villains, constantly changing storylines, and surprising twists that didn’t always work, the show lost its way.

The best parts of Superman & Lois weren’t the huge, world-ending events, but the quiet, personal moments between characters. The show comes very close to being truly exceptional, but it sometimes struggles with its own direction, preventing it from becoming the ultimate Superman story on television. It has a strong emotional core, though the storytelling doesn’t always stay focused.

The Flash (2014)

The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

The first season of The Flash was a standout success in the world of superhero television. The show brilliantly combined Barry’s hopeful personality, a touching story about his relationship with his father figure, and a surprising reveal involving the Reverse-Flash. These elements established Grant Gustin as the definitive live-action Flash and made the series a fast favorite among viewers of The CW’s Arrowverse.

Over time, The Flash started to feel predictable. The show relied too heavily on similar speedster villains, frequently reset the timeline with time travel, and storylines became unnecessarily long. While the actors still had good chemistry, the writing lost its initial excitement and sense of immediacy.

If The Flash had been more concise and focused, it could have remained a phenomenal success. Unfortunately, its impact faded over time. Though still praised for its excellent portrayal of the iconic hero, the show is ultimately remembered as having both great moments and disappointing ones.

Smallville (2001)

Smallville successfully told the story of Clark Kent’s life before he became Superman over ten seasons. It was a remarkable show that skillfully blended superhero action with the relatable struggles of teenage life, offering a deep look at the experiences that shaped him into the iconic Man of Steel. It also featured memorable characters like Lex Luthor.

Despite lasting 217 episodes, Smallville had its share of slow-paced and unnecessary storylines. These “villain of the week” episodes and moments where the plot stalled often held up the progress of Clark Kent’s journey to becoming Superman. Though the show had many strong story arcs, it was sometimes bogged down by plots that weren’t very memorable.

Let me tell you, when Smallville was good, it was really good. Honestly, if they’d tightened up some of the slower episodes and moved the main story along a bit faster, it could have been a practically flawless take on the Superman story. While I admit those less polished episodes have a certain nostalgic charm, they ultimately held the show back from reaching its full potential. It’s a bit of a bittersweet feeling, you know?

Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)

Spider-Man: The Animated Series was a standout show that told Peter Parker’s story with a continuous plot and a lot of heart. It took Spider-Man seriously, with a level of quality rarely seen in animated series. The show featured iconic versions of Spider-Man’s villains and is remembered for having one of the best finales ever in a superhero TV show.

Unfortunately, heavy censorship significantly weakened the impact of Spider-Man: The Animated Series. It lacked believable action, forced awkward wording and character adjustments, and softened consequences, which often ruined the suspense. The animation quality also didn’t quite live up to the level of excellence achieved by Batman: The Animated Series.

Even so, Spider-Man: The Animated Series is still the best live-action or animated version of Spider-Man ever made for television. It perfectly captured what fans love about the character, particularly through Spider-Man’s thoughts and his struggles with difficult emotions. If it hadn’t faced limitations in its production, it could have become one of the greatest animated shows of all time.

Gotham (2014)

Gotham was a visually striking and captivating show that explored the city of Gotham before Batman arrived. The performances, particularly from the actors playing Penguin and Riddler, were immediately memorable, and the show’s increasing intensity kept viewers hooked. Its unique, old-fashioned gothic style strongly resembled the look and feel of the classic Batman: The Animated Series.

Despite lasting a decent amount of time, Gotham eventually became overly complicated. The storylines involving characters like Jerome and Jeremiah, who were intended to be connected to the Joker, became confusing as the show flip-flopped on their true role. And because the final season was cut short, many plotlines felt rushed or were simply dropped, leaving some promising stories unfinished.

Gotham showed incredible promise with its focus on villains and creating a compelling world. The early seasons were almost perfect. Unfortunately, the show lost its way over time, with uneven writing and too many storylines preventing it from reaching its full potential.

What If…? (2021)

Marvel’s initial animated series offered a fantastic idea: diving into endless alternate universes with surprising stories and fresh takes on familiar heroes. Many episodes of What If…? were creatively told and felt true to the spirit of the classic Marvel Comics series. Because the show wasn’t bound by the established Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, it could finally introduce characters and versions of characters fans had been waiting for.

The animation was a real disappointment. The characters moved awkwardly, and the overall style didn’t have the impact you’d expect from a story about the multiverse. It felt like the creators were aiming for a look that matched the live-action Marvel films, and that really limited the chance to create something truly imaginative and exciting with the animation.

The animation feels surprisingly flat, resembling a motion comic more than a traditional animated show. As with many anthology series, some episodes were stronger than others. What If…? is a worthwhile experiment – it’s entertaining, ambitious, and sometimes truly excellent. However, the visuals and inconsistent quality prevent it from being a perfect Marvel animation.

2025-11-29 22:22