Smallville
Superheroes have never been more popular , with a whole deal ofMarvelandDC TVseries air out throughout the year . But how do these shows actually liken to one another ? It ’s difficult to do a care - for - same comparability , simply because viewing figures are n’t uncommitted for streaming series like the Marvel Netflix shows , or DC Universe’sTitans . Besides , viewing human body in themselves are n’t enough anyway ; Marvel’sAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is known to have lower viewing figure , but a strong DVR carrying into action and a committed fanbase .
To get a true sense of popularity , you need to look at more than just viewer numbers . Parrot Analytics , a information science party who evaluate audience need for TV capacity by assess how spectator interact with a blade online , measure audience demand , betrothal , and viewership , assessed through everything from world-wide file - sharing and equal - to - peer traffic to social media activeness . They ’ve spoken alone toScreen Rant , identifying the US ' top 20 superhero shows of 2018 in full term of bold requirement .
Related : All Marvel Netflix Shows Have Been Losing Viewers For Years
There are certainly some surprisal on this list of the most popular superhero show of 2018 - a couple of series appear that have n’t been airing for age , while Marvel’sIron Fistis prominently absent in spite ofa much - improved 2d time of year . But what ’s most striking is the cobwebby range and diversity of the superhero genre , with everything from comedy animations to dark , cerebral play .
20. Smallville
amazingly , the twentieth slot goes to a show that has n’t aired since 2011 - but is still evidently very popular indeed . Smallvillewas developed by writer - producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar , and was an origin floor for Superman that focused on the immature Clark Kent ’s life in in high spirits schooling . The show operate under a rigid " no leotards , no flight " rule , reduce Superman to the bare essentials and exploring just how the Boy of Steel learned to use his powers . It star Tom Welling as Clark Kent , Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang , Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor , and the now - controversialAlison Mackas Clark ’s Quaker Chloe Sullivan . In many way , Smallvillewas the predecessor of the modern DCTV era , introducing grapheme like Green Arrow and gear up up the " before they were heroes " coming used by bothGothamandKrypton . consort to Parrot Analytics , Smallvilleremains one of the most in - demand superhero TV shows in the United States , which perhaps excuse why the late Arrowverse " Elseworlds " crossover referenced the serial .
19. Krypton
The late Superman prequel series is Syfy’sKrypton , which explore the Kryptonian inheritance of the Man of Steel . The first time of year premiered in March 2018 , consisting of ten episodes , and came to a dramatic close when Superman ’s ascendent Seg - El sacrifice himself to ensnare Brainiac in the Phantom Zone . Seg - El ’s act intend General Zod could fetch up what he came through fourth dimension to do;make Krypton kneeling before Zod . To the pleasure of laughable Word lover , Kryptonseason 2 is place to introduceEmmett J. Scanlan as Lobo , the pitiless bounty hunter who ’s a match for any Kryptonian . In cattiness of the high - profile addition of Lobo , Kryptonstill outrank fairly low on this list , paint a picture it has n’t got the traction of other " blood news report " show likeGotham .
18. Runaways
Every teenager goes through a period when they imagine their parent are malign - but the principal of Marvel’sRunawaysdiscovered their parents really are supervillains . The Marvel / Hulu TV serial publication is aimed at a very specific young - adult demographic , which perhaps explains why it ’s so grim down on this lean . It ’s establish on Brian K. Vaughan ’s iconic laughable book series , with the first season running from November 2017 through to January 2018 ; Hulu took a dissimilar approach withRunawaysseason 2 , dropping the whole serial at once in December . time of year 2 ended on a spectacular cliffhanger , a sure mansion that Marvel think Hulu will renewRunawaysfor a third season .
Related : Runaways Season 3 Story : Everything We screw
17. The Punisher
At first glimpse , it ’s something of a surprise to seeThe Punisherranked as low as seventeenth place on this tilt ; Jon Bernthal is widely see as the best incarnation of Frank Castle to date , and both the first and 2nd seasons have met with democratic and decisive acclaim . But it ’s crucial to remember that , unlike most of the show that rank higher in Parrot Analytics ' information , no episodes ofThe Punisherwere in reality released in 2018 . In fact , the promotional campaign for season 2 was only in its early days in December , and excitement was sadly blunt by the fact the relationship between Marvel and Netflix seems to be breaking down;even the mould do n’t believe there ’ll be a season 3 .
16. Luke Cage
Marvel will be disappoint to seeLuke Cageso low in terms of consultation need . star Mike Colter as the " unshakable opprobrious guy cable , " the first time of year ofLuke Cagedropped on Netflix in 2016 , and met to a for the most part golden response from fan and critics alike . Luke Cageseason 2 was released in June 2018 , ending on a cliffhanger in which Harlem ’s Hero actually became a crime foreman in a wrong - headed attempt to protect his neighborhood . Unfortunately that cliffhanger will in all probability never be resolved;Luke Cagewas canceled by Netflixdue to declining catch digit and creative remainder between the streaming giant and Marvel Television . The latest study suggestMarvel ca n’t use any of their offset Netflix projects elsewhere for the next two class , by which clip demand forLuke Cagewill have dropped further .
15. The Gifted
Matt Nix’sThe Giftedis loosely animate by the X - Men ’s " Days of Future Past " timeline , and it ’s bring forth by 20th Century Fox Television in connexion with Marvel Television . In this series , mutant - human struggle is coming to a boil , and the go - homo have long since disappeared . The Giftedfocuses on second- and third - tier X - Men like Polaris ( Emma Dumont ) , Thunderbird ( Blair Redford ) , and Blink ( Jamie Chung ) . Sadly , The Gifted ’s appeal seems to be comparatively limited , possibly because it lacks A - lean XTC - Men like Cyclops and Wolverine . Season 1 launch in October 2017 and came to an explosive finale in January 2018 ; the second season launch in September , with the Mutant Underground torn apart and change state against one another .
Page 2 of 3:#14-#7 Most Popular Superhero TV Shows Of 2018
14. Teen Titans Go!
The Teen Titans brand seems to be one of DC ’s strongest , and DC Television will be proud of to see this animate funniness range in the top 20 superhero TV show . Teen Titans Go!launched back in 2013 , and airs on the Cartoon web ; no doubt demand has increase off the back of theTeen Titans Go ! To The Moviesfeature picture , which was let go in July last yr .
link : Teen Titans Go ! To the Movies : 100 + Hidden Easter Eggs
13. Jessica Jones
Next up is another of the Marvel Netflix record , Jessica Jones , and it ’s a little surprising to see it so low down on the rankings . The first time of year ofJessica Jonesaired in 2016 , with stunning carrying out from both whizz Krysten Ritter and David Tennant , who played the sociopathic Kilgrave . Unfortunately , demand for the Marvel Netflix series seems to have been declining , and there was just too big a gap between season 1 and the second season , which released last year . Worse still , season 2 was n’t as well - received , miss the psychological edge of the first time of year . Netflix renewedJessica Jonesfor a third season , which is due to air later this class . Given the Marvel / Netflix partnership seems to be coming to an end , it ’s generally assumed this season will be the last .
12. Cloak & Dagger
Aubrey Joseph and Olivia Holt star in Marvel’sCloak & Dagger , a young - grownup superhero TV serial publication localise in New Orleans . This show is a little more topical thanRunaways ; a major subplot in season 1 was Cloak ’s desire to get jurist after a cop film his blood brother , while Dagger was almost a victim of a intimate assault . Like the Marvel Netflix shows , Cloak & Daggermakes the most of its location , with showrunner Joe Pokaski wee-wee New Orleans as much a fictitious character as the wizard . It ’s easilythe well - connected MCU television show , progress on the rich mythology that ’s been establish by both the movies and the various TV serial . The first season publicise from June to August 2018 , and a second season is due sometime in the leaping .
11. Legion
It ’s exciting to see Noah Hawley’sLegionso high on this list , given it ’s a superhero show like no other;Legionis a smart and intellectual serial , one that enrapture in subverting viewers ' expectation . It views the world through the eye of protagonist David Haller ( Dan Stevens ) , a sport who was committed to an asylum due to bear from Dissociative Identity Disorder . The first season aired in 2017 , and unveil that David was n’t as insane as everybody thought ; instead , he was plagued by the ruthless psychical entity known asthe Shadow King . Season 2 ran from April to June 2018 , and a third time of year is in the full treatment .
10. Black Lightning
The CW ’s DCTV show all rank and file high in Parrot Analytics ' data , andBlack Lightning- the late DC superhero serial publication - comes in at tenth berth . Black Lightningstars Cress Williams as the titular hero , and there are thematic similarities between the show and Marvel’sLuke Cage ; both series present veridical - earth issue of racialism and racial identity psyche - on , and mix superhero action with literal - human race plot of ground . A " family " report makesBlack Lightningfresh and distinctive , though , and Nafessa Williams ' boom has been praised for being the first mordant lesbian superhero on TV . Season 1 aired in early 2018 , with season 2 launching in October and still ongoing .
9. Teen Titans
It ’s time for another surprisal ; the classicTeen TitansTV serial - which run from 2003 through to 2006 - is still in the top 20 in - demand superhero TV show . This is generally look at as one of the best - animated superhero series in the last 20 years , with buff and critics alike praising it for its racy case development and serious themes . It ’s possibleTeen Titanshas jumped up the rankings a piffling because , after five years ' absence on Cartoon web , reruns began again in August 2017 and go forward through 2018 . What makes this particularly interesting , though , is thatTeen Titansranks so much higher in Parrot Analytics ' datum than its successor , Teen Titans Go!- even though the latter was plump for by a lineament film in 2018 . Perhapsthe film ’s post - credits scenehelped .
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8. Daredevil
Unsurprisingly , Daredevilis the highest - grade Marvel Netflix television series . This was the flagship series back in 2015 , and after three season it ’s still the one with the good repute . Daredevilhas a phenomenal cast , most notably including Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as his nemesis the Kingpin , and it ’s been used to introduce iconic Marvel characters such as the Punisher , Elektra , andBullseye . The much - anticipated third time of year finally dropped on Netflix in 2018 to popular and critical acclamation . The family relationship between Marvel Television and Netflix seems to be descend to an end , however , and the cyclosis giantcanceledDaredevilshortly after season 3 come out .
7. Legends of Tomorrow
The craziest of The CW ’s Arrowverse TV series , caption of Tomorrowis a cosmic adventure that sees a group of heroes banding together to protect the timeline against terrible threats . time of year 3 ran through early 2018 , with the team discover that they had caused anachronisms throughout history , and battling to put them right before a diabolical being could be released ; season 4 premiere in October , and is still on-going . Like many time travel shows , Legends of Tomorrowrejoices in its power to reinvent itself , flip from supernatural horror to geeky sci - fi comedy at breakneck speed .
Page 3 of 3:The Top 6 Most Popular Superhero Shows Of 2018
6. Gotham
Fox ’s Batman prequel TV series , Gothamwas originally intended to centre only on James Gordon ( Ben McKenzie ) as he rose through the ranks of the Gotham City Police Department . It ’s progressively become an origin account for both Batman ( with David Mazouz playing the youthful Bruce Wayne ) and sundry member of his rapscallion ' gallery . time of year 4 ran through early 2018 , with Bruce Wayne now patrolling the streets as a masked vigilante , but he was n’t able to protect Gotham from the terror of Ra ’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows . The fifth ( and last ) time of year ofGothamkicked off in September , and is still ongoing ; it ’s found on the pop " No Man ’s Land " arc from the comics , with the various Bat - villains dividing Gotham City between them .
5. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The highest - ranking Marvel TV seriesin Parrot Analytics ' datum , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.really is Marvel ’s flagship show . The series launch back in 2013 , with Clark Gregg reprising his part as the resurrect Phil Coulson and Chloe Bennet step in as a hacker who was ultimately revealed to be an Inhuman , and has become S.H.I.E.L.D. ’s top superhero - Quake . Recent seasons have been given a later timeslot , allowingS.H.I.E.L.D.to take on a darker and more sophisticated whole tone , and it come out to be flourish . Season 5 launched in December 2017 , and run through to May 2018 , even crossing over withAvengers : Infinity War- although , to the surprise of viewers , itcompletely neglect the gingersnap . An abbreviated 6th season will air afterwards this year , andAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.has already been renew for a 7th time of year - in itself an denotation of ABC ’s confidence in the show .
connect : Every Loose Plot Thread Agents of SHIELD Has Left For Seasons 6 and 7
4. Arrow
In 2012 , writer / producer Greg Berlanti , Marc Guggenheim , and Andrew Kreisberg made history when they launchedArrow , asterisk Stephen Amell as the man who would become Green Arrow . It was an incredible achiever , becoming the first in a whole range of superhero TV shows collectively known as the Arrowverse . harmonize to Parrot Analytics , Arrowis still one of the most in - demand superhero series out there , which is pretty noteworthy given 2018 saw the prat - ending of its sixth time of year and the launch of its seventh . Superman , Wonder Woman and Batman may be DC ’s Trinity in the comics , but Amell ’s Green Arrow is superhero royalty on the minor screen .
3. Supergirl
In third place isSupergirl , primitively developed for CBS but now airing on The CW alongside the Arrowverse bear witness . star Melissa Benoist as the Girl of Steel , Supergirlis known for its sharp political edge and societal commentary ; the current season is explore everything from anti - immigrant prejudice to the raise of fake news and right-hand - flank activism . consort to Parrot Analytics , that makes the show very pop indeed , with need forSupergirloutstripping Arrowverse showsArrowandLegends of Tomorrow . time of year 3 ran through to July 2018 , while time of year 4 launched in October and is still ongoing . As with all the Arrowverse , requirement forSupergirlpeaked in November for the mid - season finale and the recent Arrowverse crossover event , " Elseworlds . "
2. Titans
The first Modern serial to swarm on the DC Universe app , Titansis a glowering and atmospheric drama star Brenton Thwaites as Dick Grayson / Nightwing , Anna Diop as Starfire , Teagan Croft as Raven , and Ryan Potter as Beast Boy . Parrot Analytics do emphasise that the show ’s placement in this ranking may be a small controversial ; they only start out measuring requirement forTitanson October 7 , meaning they ’re taking a requirement average for just 55 days , rather than the full 365 days for the other serial publication . need will make up to a baseline over the next few month , and its position will in all probability shift down a little . For all that ’s the character , though , Parrot point out thatTitansbecame more pop as the first season went on ; there was understandably a substantial positive response to the first DC Universe show .
It ’s interesting to mark that no less than three Teen Titans - bear on serial come out in the top 20 , including one animated show that ended back in 2006 . That suggests the Teen Titans are one of DC ’s heavy stain , perhaps reflecting decades of democratic adaptations for the small screen . A contributing element may well be that the franchise is intimately linked to all the other DC top - tier up fighter , with connections to Batman , Superman , and Wonder Woman . DC was most unquestionably wise to focus onTitanswhen they launched DC Universe last year .
Related : What To Expect From DC ’s Titans Season 2
1. The Flash
The top time slot goes toThe Flash , which set in motion back in 2014 and is presently in its 5th season . There ’s a signified in which this should n’t be a surprise ; whenThe Flashfirst begin , the pilot became the second - most - find out premiere in the account of The CW ( afterThe Vampire Diariesin 2009 ) . It stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen , the " Fastest Man Alive , " and Candice Patton as his dear Iris . time of year 4 introduced a new grinder into Team Flash , Hartley Sawyer ’s Elongated Man , a detective with an implausibly malleable body , and ran through to early 2018 . The current season , which kicked off in October and is still on-going , has introduced Jessica Parker Kennedy as Barry and Iris ' daughter Nora , a.k.a . XS , who has journey back in metre from the future to team up up with her dad . consort to Parrot Analytics , The Flashis go from strength to military capability , so it will be thrilling to see how the show fare in 2019 .
More:The Arrowverse Shows In 2018, Ranked Worst To Best
