Favorite Animated Superhero TV Shows

Play a clip of the X-Men theme, or the opening to Batman: The Animated Series, and watch as an entire generation unites in nostalgia. These shows, and the many that came before and after, marked the childhoods of many. A gateway to the wonderful world of comic book heroes, lovingly brought to life on our screens. So let us know your favorites! Which action-packed series gets your number one spot? And can they defend it against the cavalcade of brightly-colored competitors?

Filter coming soon.

Real-Time Results(actually, partially randomized placeholder data for now)

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    Justice League
    Ranked by 3 users
    22 +55
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    Justice League Unlimited
    Ranked by 3 users
    21 -89
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    Batman: The Animated Series
    Ranked by 3 users
    10 +94
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    Freakazoid!
    Ranked by 1 users
    10 -4
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    The Spectacular Spider-Man
    Ranked by 1 users
    8 +52
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    The Powerpuff Girls
    Ranked by 1 users
    7 +12
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    One Punch Man
    Ranked by 1 users
    7 +76
  • 8 image/svg+xml
    Invincible
    Ranked by 1 users
    6 -6
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    Sym-Bionic Titan
    Ranked by 1 users
    5 +52
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    Wolverine and the X-Men
    Ranked by 1 users
    5 +37
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    Teen Titans
    Ranked by 2 users
    4 +75
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    X-Men '97
    Ranked by 1 users
    4 +7
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    Young Justice
    Ranked by 1 users
    4 +11
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    Superman: The Animated Series
    Ranked by 1 users
    3 +31
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    Danny Phantom
    Ranked by 1 users
    2 -59
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    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    Ranked by 1 users
    1 +17
  • 17 image/svg+xml
    Batman Beyond
    Ranked by 1 users
    1 +27

Conversations

  • 2 weeks ago
    Saved!
    So, first things first, the fact that Sym-Bionic Titan doesn't seem to have a page at all is a travesty. And it is a superhero show I think.

    But also, among these shows, would any of you argue that they are superhero shows? I lean towards no for various reasons mentioned below, but want to hear opinions.
    Megas XLR- no, because it's really just a mech show, and while some shows (see Titan above) can be both, I think we also have to consider Coop's incompetence here. A show can be a comedic superhero show- Freakazoid is one- but they actually need some of the superhero trappings. A sentai show is a superhero show, so the S-Force on Megas can be superheroes, but a random dude like Coop who just has a robot isn't one.
    Samurai Jack- He's an action hero, not a super hero. Not the same. He doesn't operate like superheroes generally do. While we're at it I would also throw Kim Possible in too for the same reason.
    My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic- Mostly a slice-of-life show, but they do have superpowers and sometimes save the day. Still, I don't think anyone would call the Mane 6 superheroes in the conventional sense.
    All the Star Wars shows with Force users- Force powers ARE technically superpowers, but I would never call Jedi superheroes. They have an entirely different MO than any superhero you're thinking of and arguably many wouldn't even be considered heroes at all (look at Jocasta Nu, who is a Jedi and has a lightsaber but is also literally just a librarian).
    Avatar shows- Well, unlike Jack and Kim, the Avatars do have superpowers, but I still think we lean more into the "action show" territory. Most (not all) superhero shows are action shows, but not all action shows are superhero shows. I haven't seen Korra (or all of TLA to be fair) but Aang seems more of just a chosen one archetype to me. It's just a fantasy action show.
    Codename: Kids Next Door- Secret agents, no superheroes. Not the same thing. James Bond is not a superhero.
    Jackie Chan Adventures- another action hero, but this might be superhero adjacent at least
    Gargoyles- Haven't seen it in ages, but I think it's far too much of a serialized fantasy story than anything.
    Duck Dodgers- just a space hero. I need to rewatch it though.

    Why am I bringing these up? Because by my general rankings if they were superhero shows they would be on the list.

    Not every superhero show needs to be DC or Marvel or have capes and tights, but they do have to have some specific genre conventions. It's why Danny Phantom is a superhero but Kim Possible isn't; the shows might have somewhat similar tones and demographics but the genre conventions are completely different.

    Also, shows that ARE superhero shows but didn't make the list: My Life as a Teenage Robot, Batman Beyond, Static Shock, the 90s Spider-Man and X-Men cartoons (which I need to rewatch), KaBlam! (Action League Now), American Dragon: Jake Long, The Batman 2006, Hong Kong Phooey (I think he counts? Been a looooong time.), Wolverine and the X-Men, DynoMutt: Dog Wonder, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Captain Planet, and maybe Aqua Teen Hunger Force except they don't do anything. And Inspector Gadget? Maybe technically?
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    • Klemoib
      Saved!
      Klemoib
      Editing … ....My Life as a Teenage Robot. I suddenly remember that now that you mention it. I'm not sure if I liked it. I would just watch it if nothing else was on. I think I vastly preferred the power puff girls. I loved that show. Also please don't ever mention captain planet and Hong Kong Phooey ever again. Kablam! was epic though. It always came at midnight and I would struggle to stay awake so I could see it. legendary.
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    • Husky Wing
      Saved!
      Husky Wing
      Editing … TMNT are superheroes, right? -- okie dokie I checked your list
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    • MrZAP
      Saved!
      MrZAP
      Editing … Yeah they're superheroes. And I won't hear any Hong Kong Phooey slander on this post, thank you. Didn't care much for KaBlam though.
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    • MrZAP
      Saved!
      MrZAP
      Editing … Also thank you my dear Husky for adding Sym-Bionic Titan. I always you were a good person when it counted.
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  • 2 weeks ago
    Saved!
    Woo! A list for me to add X-Men 97 to! @Husky, would you do your thing?
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