Top 10 Animated Superhero TV Shows

The Top Ten

Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. It originally aired on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1995 and was developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. The show is praised for its darker tone, film noir aesthetics, and introduction of original... read more

The most accurate comic book show ever created. Bruce Timm did an excellent job at creating Batman's universe. With amazing villains such as the Riddler, Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Catwoman, Mad Hatter, and Penguin, as well as the invention and reinvention of both Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze, this show remains the greatest superhero TV show, period.
No show or film could ever top this. It was dark, gritty, and even had a couple of goofy moments to add some light. However, nobody can ever forget the unforgettable voice acting performance from Kevin Conroy and our favorite Jedi, Mark Hamill.

This is an incredibly dark show when compared to other animated shows about superheroes, but not so much that it isn't enjoyable to children. With incredibly strong performances by Kevin Conroy (Batman) and Mark Hamill (Joker), this is, in the end, the ultimate animated television show.
Teen Titans

Teen Titans is an American animated television series created by Glen Murakami, based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. It originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2006 and later on Kids' WB. The series follows a team of young superheroes as they battle villains and navigate growing... read more

Come on, people! This is one of the best cartoons ever! There was such great character and plot development, and they put so much effort into each episode. They leave us wondering what will happen next.
It has complex characters with unique personality traits and fatal flaws that prevent them from doing certain things. I love how they kept advancing with each season. I hope to see a future season 6!

This should be number one! Right now, I'm watching the movie Trouble in Tokyo. This show is amazing! It's funny, it's serious, and it's greatly memorable!
To me, Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg are the funniest on the show and make it realistic and interesting! Love it.
Justice League: Unlimited

Justice League is an American animated superhero television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It originally aired on Cartoon Network from November 17, 2001, to May 29, 2004. The show ran for two seasons and 52 episodes, featuring characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash... read more

Aquaman, Doctor Fate, Shazam, and so many more underrated characters were given screen time. I loved the romantic relationship between Batman and Wonder Woman, and Superman was so awesome!
Flash was the best thing about this show. This show is also the reason I love John Stewart so much!

Simply an awesome show. It should have been continued. The writing was phenomenal, and the animation was spectacular.

One of those shows you didn't just watch for the animation. You watched for the adventure.
The Spectacular Spider-Man

The Spectacular Spider-Man is an American animated television series based on the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man. It was developed for television by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook. The show originally aired in 2008 and is celebrated for its strong storytelling and faithful adaptation of the comic book... read more

This is the best Spider-Man show in my opinion. The plot is brilliant, and Josh Keaton is great as Spider-Man. This is probably the best version of Green Goblin in animated form. In fact, all the villains were amazing. Spider-Man was a very relatable character in the show.
The show was great and shouldn't have been canceled so early. There was so much they could have expanded on in season 3, like Tombstone and all the mob stuff, the ending with Norman Osborne or Chameleon, Peter and Gwen's relationship, and Black Cat's father being the guy who killed Uncle Ben.
It's a shame it never happened. The show is simply spectacular.
Justice League

Justice League is an American animated superhero television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It originally aired on Cartoon Network from November 17, 2001, to May 29, 2004. The show ran for two seasons and 52 episodes, featuring characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash... read more

Justice League and Justice League Unlimited were absolutely fantastic. Great writing, great animation - the whole series is a proud part of my video collection.
They should bring it back. There's every reason to do so.

The animation was beautiful, and it had a lot of incredible characters. This is what first got me into DC, and I love it so much.

Just a classic. Conroy, Newbern, Canals, LaMarr, Rosenbaum, Eisenberg, and Lumbly are all the best voices for their characters.
Spider-Man (1994)

Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American animated television series. It is based on the Marvel Comics character and originally aired on Fox Kids from 1994 to 1998. The show followed the adventures of Peter Parker as he balanced life as a college student and superhero... read more

The voice acting can be very cringey and cheesy sometimes, but this is a very good adaptation of the comics. What this show did that Spectacular Spider-Man could not was expand Spider-Man's universe by bringing in other Marvel Universe characters such as Dr. Strange, Daredevil, and Punisher.
It is still worth watching if you are a hardcore Spider-Man fan. However, if you just want to watch a superhero show in modern times, this show will feel a little too outdated for you.

Spectacular Spider-Man was awesome, but it stopped after 28 episodes or something like that. This series has 65 episodes and great stories.
I love the animation too. This show rocks!
Batman Beyond

Batman Beyond is an American animated television series developed by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The series is set in a futuristic Gotham City where a teenager named Terry McGinnis takes on the role of Batman. He is mentored by an elderly Bruce Wayne... read more

Classy, clever, and stylish. In one word, I'd have to say "cool." Worthy of a continuation or at least another animated film or two or three.
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Very childish, but if you are a true Marvel fan, you wouldn't care because you would see all your favorite heroes (including all the underrated ones) on the screen!

Best Marvel show ever. This is the show that made me love Marvel in the first place.
X-Men

The intensity and realism in the show are unlike many other animated shows. The direct inspiration from the comics and themes of discrimination provide its darker tone.
With enough stylized action and a somewhat campy feel, it proves to be a perfect show for adults and kids alike.

I just started watching it, and I was hooked. I believe this show should be second after Batman: The Animated Series.
Young Justice

Young Justice is an American animated television series developed by Brandon Vietti and Greg Weisman for Cartoon Network. It follows a team of teenage superheroes who operate as a covert group under the supervision of the Justice League. The series originally premiered in 2010 and has continued with... read more

Probably the most underrated animated series ever. Two seasons were not justice, no pun intended. I was so upset with Disney for canceling the show. Lunch pails and other paraphernalia were more important than keeping the show.
If they had made an announcement that they needed that to help keep it going, I would have led a charge for getting those silly things sold. I miss it.

When DC and Cartoon Network canceled this show, they destroyed a universe of potential. Canceling this show after only two seasons was a crime against humanity.

The Newcomers

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Ben 10

Ben 10 is a media franchise created by Man of Action Studios and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The franchise revolves around a boy named Ben Tennyson who acquires a watch-like alien device called the Omnitrix, which allows him to transform into ten different alien creatures. The series has expanded... read more

I mean, Ben basically has any super power you can imagine: each alien he changes into has an ability/abilities that relate to a special power you see in other superheros (there's an alien with super strength, an alien with super speed, ect.). It is basically a superhero show in that regard.
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

Of all the iterations of TMNT, this one seems to be the most beloved and responsible for popularizing the franchise (aside from the original 1985 show). It give the franchise a more batman-like atmosphere that superhero fans adore. I certainly agree with the reception of this TMNT iteration's style.

The Contenders

Superman: The Animated Series

Superman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. It originally aired from 1996 to 2000 and was developed by Alan Burnett and Bruce Timm. The show is praised for its animation style and its role in expanding the DC Animated Universe... read more

A great show, and it reminds me why Superman is so amazing. I don't know why people say Superman is boring. He is very interesting, especially in this show.
The plots are great, and the villains are awesome. Clancy Brown is probably the best Lex Luthor voice actor, and Tim Daly's Superman is great too. Even though Batman is my favorite hero, I like this show more than any of his shows.

Tim Daly was the best voice for Superman. He was made such a likable character in this show.
Invincible
One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man is a webcomic created by ONE in 2009 that was later adapted into both a manga and an anime series. It gained widespread popularity and went viral in 2012, amassing millions of views. The story follows Saitama, who is named after Saitama Prefecture, as he seeks an opponent strong enough... read more

By definition this series counts as a superhero show, albeit it serves as a comedic, subversive parody of the genre. It features everything fans of superheroes look for in a show: heroes and villains with distinctive superpowers, well animated action, and introspective looks at who the superpowered characters are as people.
This show ticks all the boxes of what defines the genre so it can parody it in a comedic way, all while having hidden, deep layers about finding meaning and purpose under all the comedy. I consider this a subversive masterpiece.
The Batman

While I was not so hot on the design, it was very well written! The Joker was just terrifying, the Penguin was made into such a likable villain, the Riddler was enigmatic, and Catwoman was sassy.
There were just so many great characters! Recommended to any Batman fan!
My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is an adventure and superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2014. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where they are common, as he trains to become a professional hero.

I mean, come on, it is practically a superhero team in anime form. It has both heroes and villains with distinctive superpowers. It has the whole "what it means to be a true hero" arc, an underdog making it in the superhero world, the whole spiel.
Definitely a superhero show, and a pretty good one on top of that.
Static Shock

I'd recommend watching this if you plan to watch Justice League or even if you have already seen Justice League, since this cartoon is also by Bruce Timm and adds a lot to his canon.
DragonBall Z

Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Warriors as they protect Earth from various villains. The series emphasizes themes of good versus evil and teaches values such as teamwork, loyalty, and perseverance.
Spawn

One of the more interesting superhero cartoons. Almost as good as Batman: TAS. Dark, violent, and very well written!
Wolverine & the X-Men

Wolverine and the X-Men is a 2009 American animated television series produced by Marvel Animation. It is one of five animated series based on the X-Men franchise. The others include Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men: Evolution, and the anime series Marvel Anime: X-Men.

Great stories, but cut way too short.
Powerpuff Girls

The Powerpuff Girls is an American animated television series created by animator Craig McCracken for Cartoon Network. It originally aired from November 18, 1998, to March 25, 2005. The show follows three super-powered girls named Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup who protect their city from villains.

Magical girl anime plus superhero cartoons equals this surprisingly epic cartoon.

Best superhero show ever. This was my childhood, along with many other cartoons.

A bit more like a superhero show mixed with a magical girl anime vibe.
X-Men ‘97
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American 3D computer-animated television series based on the superhero team of the same name. It aired on Nickelodeon in the United States from September 29, 2012, to November 12, 2017. The series received praise for its storytelling, animation style, and character... read more

This show was good.
Why have one slice of pizza when you can have three?
Danny Phantom

Danny Phantom is an American animated series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. It was produced by Billionfold Studios and distributed in Canada by Nelvana, a Canadian animation company.
The series follows a teenage boy who becomes a human-ghost hybrid after an accident involving a malfunctioning... read more

Personally, my favorite show. I mean, who doesn't like witty banter or quick action scenes? Definitely Butch Hartman's best show.
X-Men: Evolution
Ultimate Spider-Man

Premiering in 2012, this American animated series is a modern reimagining of the Spider-Man mythos. The story follows teenage Peter Parker as he balances everyday teenage life with his responsibilities as a superhero. The show features a variety of characters from the Marvel Universe, blending humor... read more

This show is what made Spider-Man amazing! This is definitely the best Spider-Man show.

This is the best Marvel TV show made so far. Great characters, excellent plots, and incredibly powerful lessons.