Between The Boys universe expanding and the Marvel Cinematic Universe debuting its first round of TV-MA series, including Echo and Marvel Zombies, dark and mature superhero series are growing in popularity. Often, these shows offer a more realistic and thought-provoking look into what superhero powers would truly look like in the real world, including the misuse, difficulty of control, and corruption that would inevitably arise.
Viewers looking for more dark, mature superhero shows can use our guide to find out where they can watch the 10 best adult superhero shows on platforms like Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and more.
Daredevil (2015-2018)
Daredevil (2015) was one of the earlier Marvel shows to blend superhero action with a dark, gritty tone and mature storytelling. In the series, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) struggles to balance his dual identities as a lawyer and the vigilante Daredevil while the corrupt Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) gains power in Hell’s Kitchen.
Daredevil is quite brutal with its unrestrained vigilante justice and moral ambiguity. The action sequences are bloody and dazzling, while the story is thought-provoking with its religious symbolism and questioning of the nature of justice. Viewers who love the MCU but want something a little darker and more complex will love Daredevil, as will those who enjoy tales of street-level heroes and vigilantes, like Watchmen and V for Vendetta.
Daredevil: Born Again (2025-Present)
Daredevil: Born Again is the long-awaited revival of the aforementioned Daredevil (2015) and sees the return of Murdock as he struggles with the decision to revive his Daredevil persona when Fisk wins the mayoral election for New York City. The revival series boasts the same dark, gritty tone of its predecessor and may even elevate the darkness a bit.
Its heightened violence is understandable as Murdock is even more conflicted in this series and unleashes his dark side. Daredevil: Born Again also delves into cop corruption and power hierarchies, while turning New York into a ruthless, lawless Gotham-esque city in a way that is reminiscent of The Batman and The Penguin. If you love Daredevil and tales of corruption and vigilantism, you’ll love the darker and even more complex Daredevil revival.
Echo (2024)
Echo was the first MCU Disney+ original series to earn a TV-MA rating. The series centers on Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she returns to her hometown and tries to come to terms with her Indigenous history and past connection with Fisk. Echo features grit, violence, and a complex personal story of growth and healing. It’s also a beautiful homage to the Choctaw Nation, as well as a unique setup for Daredevil: Born Again.
Echo’s tone is a little less dark than Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again. While Maya must face her dark past, there are hints of light in her family and history, as well as moments of strong comedic relief. Ultimately, fans of Daredevil: Born Again and Hawkeye will find Echo a delightful spin-off, while those seeking something dark but not quite hopeless will love its tone.
Gen V (2023-Present)
Gen V is a spin-off of The Boys, which centers on Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair), a supe with blood manipulation abilities whose acceptance into the superhero university, Godolkin U, goes awry when she realizes the school is hiding dark secrets. It is the perfect spin-off to The Boys, featuring the franchise’s characteristic over-the-top violence and sex and plenty of nods and tie-ins to the broader universe.
However, Gen V also differentiates itself with its younger cast, college setting, and closer look into the dark side of powers, especially those bestowed unexpectedly on children. Gen V is an excellent choice for viewers who love the dark, thoughtful nature of Daredevil and Echo but are looking for something that gets the adrenaline pumping even more through shock factor and an over-the-top nature.
Invincible (2021-Present)
Invincible is the closest thing to The Boys that exists outside the franchise. In the series, Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) discovers he has inherited powers from his Viltrumite father (J. K. Simmons), but his foray into the superhero world comes with some devastating truths. Like The Boys, Invincible explores superhero powers with realism, reflecting the cost of power and its corrupting nature. It differs, though, in its more hopeful tone as its protagonist is a truly good person who rebels against his father’s wishes for him.
The series also delves a bit deeper into the sci-fi realm with its inclusion of alien species and space travel. While Invincible is often bloody and over-the-top, it lacks some of the irreverence and comedy in Gen V and The Boys, making it an excellent choice for viewers seeking something serious, brutal, and more in line with The Walking Dead, given its shared creator in Robert Kirkman.
Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
Jessica Jones is another one of the earlier, darker Marvel shows. It centers on Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), a private investigator and former superhero who must act when a dangerous man from her past, Kilgrave (David Tennant), resurfaces. While the series is dark and gritty, it stands out from other entries on this list due to its film noir style and elements of a mystery/detective drama.
Like Daredevil, Jessica Jones also shies away from some of the more gratuitous violence, but it maintains maturity through its psychologically twisted villain and poignant exploration of trauma and PTSD. If you love the complexity of Daredevil and the bleak tones of iconic film noirs, such as The Killers, you’ll enjoy Jessica Jones.
Peacemaker (2022-Present)
Peacemaker is a spin-off of The Suicide Squad, which focuses on the titular hero (John Cena) as he tries to avoid prison by joining A.R.G.U.S.’s black ops squad, Project Butterfly. The series is an excellent spin-off of The Suicide Squad, offering redemption to one of its most ruthless anti-heroes.
It’s just as bloody and outlandish as its predecessor, but it also boasts showrunner James Gunn’s typical heartwarming depictions of underdog heroes and found families. Peacemaker parallels Echo with a less bleak tone, while still maintaining breathtaking action and superhero brutality. It’s most reminiscent of Deadpool in that it offers violence, maturity, and some darkness, but with a little more fun and adult humor.
The Boys (2019-Present)
The Boys centers on the titular group of vigilantes, led by Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), who attempt to take down the corrupt superhero organization, Vought International. As the first series in The Boys franchise, the show has shock factor on its side. It’s one of those shows that will truly cause your jaw to drop at the unexpected twists and turns, and the way it always manages to top itself with its violence and sexual content.
Like Gen V and Invincible, it offers realism but also imbues its story with satire in a way that makes it a relevant and thought-provoking social commentary. The Boys has a little bit of everything, including violence, sex, humor, and gritty superhero action. If you love the tone and premise of Gen V and Invincible, but are seeking even more absurdity and satire, like The Tick, The Boys is a must-see.
The Boys Presents: Diabolical (2022)
The Boys Presents: Diabolical is an animated spin-off of The Boys. It boasts an anthology format, with each episode delving into different characters and histories within The Boys universe. If you’re a fan of The Boys and Gen V, you won’t want to miss The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Each episode is just as shocking and irreverent as the live-action series, but told in a much more breezier and visually stunning 15-minute format.
It expands The Boys lore with tales of familiar and new characters, while its animated medium allows it to push the boundaries even further. Viewers seeking a cross between Invincible and The Boys will love The Boys Presents: Diabolical.
Watchmen (2019)
Watchmen (2019) serves as a sequel to the comic book series of the same name. In the series, a racist attack on the Tulsa Police Department leads to cops concealing their identities and professions, paving the way for detective Angela Abar (Regina King) to investigate the convoluted history of vigilantism. The series does justice to the source material while expanding on its themes. It is just as entertaining and dark as the 2009 movie, but it seems to have a better understanding of the source material.
The result is a series that is dark and unflinching in its exploration of racism, morality, patriotism, and vigilantism, reflecting society in a startling and poignant manner. Viewers seeking the dark, superhero aspects of Daredevil and Jessica Jones, along with the social commentary of The Boys, but with even more complexity and relevance, need look no further than Watchmen.
