DChas produced many high-quality TV shows over the years, with key aspects that make many stand out, and the best of them offer variety for those looking for live-action DC series. While Marvel Studios has been dominating the movie landscape since the MCU started,DC has the upper hand on TV. After all, theArrowverse’s seriessoared when the DCEU faltered, showing how a shared universe on TV can work.
Recently, director Matt Reeves and hisThe Batmanuniverse proved once again that is something DC should look into, asThe Penguinperfectly expanded upon Robert Pattinson’s Batman movie.James Gunn’s DC Universeis well aware of the potential that live-action series have.The DCU already has many announced showsin different stages of development, withPeacemakerseason 2 being the franchise’s first live-action series to debut, set for a 2025 release. With some shows being more fantastical while others are more grounded, DC’s best live-action series offer something for everyone.
10Stargirl (2020)
A New Generation Of DC Heroes Rises
Stargirlis one of DC’s most exciting TV shows. The series focuses ona new version of the Justice Society of America, as the original was destroyed when the Injustice Society of America took out the heroes. Brec Bassinger’s Courtney Whitmore, aka Stargirl, tries to get a new JSA together a decade after the heroes lost.
The show might be more for a younger audience, but it has darker themes and exciting action that make it worth the watch for any DC fan.
As Courtney embarks on her journey, she slowly manages to get a younger generation of DC characters to take the mantle of fallen heroes. Some of those are directly connected to the JSA, while others take the opportunity to join something bigger than themselves.Stargirlis all about legacy, with the younger heroes, the JSA, and the ISA all coming together.
Stargirl
Cast
The CW drama series DC’s Stargirl follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) and her stepfather Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) as she happens upon a legendary staff once owned by a hero known as Starman. Stargirl will lead an unlikely group of young heroes to take on the legacy of DC’s first superhero team, the Justice Society of America.
With plenty of super-powered characters and a giant robot,Stargirlhas great action sequences. The show might be more for a younger audience, but it has darker themes and exciting action that make it worth the watch for any DC fan.Stargirlis a series that touches on hope and found family.
9Gotham (2014)
Batman’s Rogues Gallery Is Explored In Depth
Gothamhas found itself the source of some criticism. It is true thatthe series plays loose with Batman’s mythos, as the show makes many ofthe Dark Knight’s villainsactive while the hero is still growing up. However, it has brought some of the best versions of several DC characters.
Despite featuring many Batman villains and a young Bruce Wayne,Ben McKenzie’s Jim Gordon isGotham’s main character. Gordon’s rise to the top of the Gotham City Police Department comes directly from the way he interacts with many notorious criminals.Gothamhad both classic gangster-like villains and more deranged characters from Batman’s Rogues Gallery.
Gotham
As a new recruit in Captain Sarah Essen’s Gotham City Police Department, Detective James Gordon is paired with Harvey Bullock to solve one of Gotham’s most high-profile cases ever: the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. During his investigation, Gordon meets the Waynes' son, Bruce, now in the care of his butler Alfred, which further compels Gordon to catch the killer.
The DC series makes for a great watch for Batman fans.Bruce Wayne becomes more involved with the show as the seasons pass, which is exciting for those looking for a Batman coming-of-age story.Gothamalso has charismatic and complex versions of Batman villains like the Riddler, the Penguin, and the Joker.
8Doom Patrol (2019)
DC’s Weirdest Super-Powered Team Gets A Chance To Shine
Doom Patrolis an utterly weird show. The series tells the story of a group of misfits that live together in a mansion. Aside from Cyborg, who joins in episode 12 of season 1,none ofDoom Patrol’s characters are typical DC heroes. That leads to wild situations.
The found family trope is big in this one. Each character is complex and has many layers.Doom Patroldoes a great job of making the audience care for each member of the team, with all of the characters' tragic backstories being explored throughout the seasons.
Doom Patrol
Doom Patrolis an adaptation of one of DC’s most beloved and bizarre superhero groups. The series stars Brendan Fraser (Robotman/Cliff Steele), Matt Bomer (Negative Man/Larry Trainer), April Bowlby (Elasti-Woman/Rita Farr), Diane Guerrero (Crazy Jane), and Joivan Wade (Victor Stone/Cyborg). Even though the world doesn’t appreciate or accept them, the Doom Patrol protected the world for four seasons between 2019 and 2023.
The series is one of the funniest among superhero shows despite having dark themes.The Doom Patrol characters have to get into situations that no other live-action DC team does. As such, the show is a unique entry on the list, perfect for those looking for something new.
7Watchmen (2019)
An Award-Winning Prestige DC Series
DCEU director Zack Snyder had already developed a Watchmen movie before the show. However, the limited series was more in line with the comics. Instead of telling the story of the groundbreaking comic book series again,HBO’sWatchmendecided to show what happened to the characters after the comics.
Players from Alan Moore’s seminal comic book series appear,including Doctor Manhattan, Ozymandias, and Silk Spectre. The Watchmen series became popular for it shining a light on a forgotten dark past of the United States, the Tulsa massacre.
Watchmen
Set in an alternate history where superheroes emerged in the 20th century, the series explores themes of racial tension and political intrigue. Following the events in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a detective named Angela Abar uncovers a conspiracy involving masked vigilantes, the legacy of the original Watchmen, and a cult-like organization aiming to seize power. The narrative intertwines past and present, revealing deep-seated secrets and societal issues.
Watchmenis not heavy on the action that one might expect from superhero shows. However, those in search of an intriguing look at the USA’s issues through a superhero lens can find a potent project in the show.Watchmenwon major awards, including the Emmy for Best Limited Series.
6Arrow (2012)
Stephen Amell’s DC Series Started The Arrowverse
Arrowhas a clear problem of consistency throughout the seasons, as do the rest of The CW’s DC series. However, there is no denying that the show isone of DC’s most thrilling live-action serieswhen in top form. It is one of the most important superhero shows of all time.
After a gripping first season,Arrow’s success would lead to multiple spinoffs, starting the Arrowverse.The shared DC TV universe is one of the most impressive achievements in the superhero genre. Stephen Amell’s Oliver Queen did behave more like Batman than Green Arrow, but his grounded hero quickly became a fan-favorite.
Arrow
Arrow is a television series that debuted in 2012, featuring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy who returns to Starling City after being stranded for five years. Transformed by his experience, Queen becomes a vigilante archer, aiming to purge his city of crime and corruption.
Arrowwent through some major shifts throughout the years.Amell’s Oliver Queen starts his superhero journey with revenge in mind, leading to really dark and violent seasons at the start of the show. As his story continues, Green Arrow has to face major villains and deals with many twists that promise to shock new viewers.
5The Flash (2014)
The Arrowverse’s Longest-Running Series Became A Sensation
Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen is the most popular version of the Flash in live-action. That is due to the actor’s work overnine seasons ofThe Flash. After debuting in a two-part guest role inArrowseason 2, Gustin made his charismatic Barry Allen the Arrowverse’s biggest hero.
The Flash’s early seasons offer some of the most thrilling moments in superhero adaptations. The show manages to find solid special effects for the speedster’s powers, which would be mostly consistent throughout the seasons, even if the writing was not.The Flashused the multiverse heavily, making the plot device well known.
The Flash
The Flash follows CSI investigator Barry Allen, who wakes from a coma with super speed after a lightning strike. Collaborating with S.T.A.R. Labs, he adopts the identity of The Flash to safeguard his city, marking his journey as the Fastest Man Alive in this superhero tale.
The original Team Flash is the heart of the show, with Gustin’s Barry Allen being a charismatic lead to follow. With plenty of exciting superhero action, heartwarming character dynamics, and intelligent villains,The Flashoffers the best kind of superhero spectacle. It is a great show for those looking for an established universe and a major hero to follow.
4Superman & Lois (2021)
The Man Of Steel Has A Family To Look After
Superman has had many live-action adaptations. That includes both movies and TV series, butSuperman & Loisgoes for a fresh take on the Man of Steel. Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman has to raise two teenage boys alongside Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane.
Inde Navarrette
Sarah Cortez
Hoechlin was great as Clark in the Arrowverse, but after leading his own project, he has become one of the best Superman live-action actors.The CW series has a bigger budget than the Arrowverse shows. It is by far the most cinematic DC series to come from the network.
Superman & Lois
Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series.
Superman & Loisis a family drama at heart, with impeccable performances by a talented cast. That said, the show offers the kind of expansive action scenes that one would expect from Superman. Hoechlin and Tulloch are perfect in the lead roles, and the fresh angle on the most famous superhero of all time makes the show fascinating to watch.
3Peacemaker (2022)
John Cena’s Irreverent Anti-Hero Showed He Has A Heart
Peacemakeris such a good show that it managed to survive universe changes. While the specifics are still a bit murky,John Cena’s DC series survived the end of the DCEU, with season 2 set to arrive in 2025 as part of the new DC Universe.
It helps thatPeacemakerwas created by James Gunn, the creative head of the DCU. The show presents the same irreverent tone as Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies at Marvel. A group of characters that do not initially make sense together becomes a family on a journey full of bloody action, hilarious interactions, and major reveals.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker is a television series expanding on the character from the film The Suicide Squad. Released in 2022, it follows the titular character, a determined anti-hero who upholds peace through extreme measures, as he confronts personal and external challenges in the aftermath of his previous mission.
The show is a spinoff thatcontinuesPeacemaker’s story after Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad. The DC series adds depth to Cena’s anti-hero and introduces quite a few more characters that would make their mark, such as the hilarious and violent Vigilante.Peacemakeris perfect for those looking for comedy and action.
2The Penguin (2024)
Oz Cobb Fights To Rise To Power In Gotham
The Penguinis the latest live-action DC series to premiere. However, with only one season — which might be all that comes from the show — it is already one of the best from the comic book giant.The Batman’s universe has enormous potential, andThe Penguinshows that more spinoffs should come.
What We Know About The Future Of The Batman Universe After The Penguin
The Penguin ended with teases for The Batman universe, and its future includes Oz Cobb, Batman, and other spinoffs that have been teased or rumored.
Oz Cobb did not play a big role inThe Batman. HBO’sThe Penguinuses that to its advantage, as the show is given free rein to develop the character and peel back his layers. Colin Farrell delivers a charismatic performance as a character who is truly despicable but sees himself as a man of the people.
The Penguin
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
While Oz Cobb is the show’s main character,The Penguinwould not be as good as it is without Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone. The two characters fight a major war for control of Gotham City’s criminal underground, and the result is heartbreaking for all involved.The Penguinis a brilliant crime story that offers surprises until the very end.
1Smallville (2001)
The Live-Action DC Series That All Others Look Up To
Smallvilleis simply the golden standard for all live-action DC series. The show had a firm vision in mind, which was to follow a young Clark Kent until he became Superman, and did so with wonderful stories for ten seasons. Tom Welling’s Clark Kent and Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor are pitch-perfect.
The Superman prequel series has the best Clark/Lex relationship in live-action DC projects. The characters start as friends before their dynamic shifts to DC’s most famous rivalry.Smallvilleis an all-around perfect series. From great VFX for its time to one of the most iconic TV show theme songs ever to major DC characters and more,Smallvillehad it all.
Smallville
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
The Arrowverse owns a lot to the series. Despite being a Superman prequel show,the Justice League and many other heroes appeared throughoutSmallville’s ten seasons, and futureDCshows followed in onSmallville’s success. Led by Tom Welling, the show has become one of the most popular live-action superhero adaptations of all time.
