As Amazon brought life to the comic book titled “The Boys” with a live-action adaptation, it forever changed our perception of superheroes outside of DC and Marvel. By brilliantly dissecting common superhero clichés and exposing the corrupt and dark side of our favorite superhero genre, The Boys instantly became a crowd-puller. Now that The Boys Season 5 is approaching, you must be looking for more TV shows like The Boys to binge in the meantime. So, here is our list of the 15 best superhero shows with gore and humor similar to The Boys by Eric Kripke.
15 TV Shows Like The Boys
Now that you are out looking for shows like The Boys to binge on, here we have a table with our selection of recommendations to choose from, along with all the details you might need to make an educated decision on which one to pick.
| TV Show | Details |
|---|---|
| Preacher | Release Date: May 22, 2016 Episode Count: 43 episodes Rating: 7.9 Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video |
| Doom Patrol | Release Date: February 15, 2019 Episode Count: 46 episodes Rating: 7.7 Streaming Platform: Max |
| Happy | Release Date: December 6, 2017 Episode Count: 18 episodes Rating: 8.1 Streaming Platform: Peacock |
| Misfits | Release Date: July 19, 2012 Episode Count: 37 Episodes Rating: 8.1 Streaming Platform: Prime Video |
| The Umbrella Academy | Release Date: February 15, 2019 Episode Count: 36 Episodes Rating: 7.8 Streaming Platform: Netflix |
| Watchmen | Release Date: October 20, 2019 Episode Count: 9 Rating: 8.2 Streaming Platform: Max |
| Peacemaker | Release Date: January 13, 2022 Episode Count: 16 total episodes Rating: 8.2 Streaming Platform: Max |
| The Boys Presents: Diabolical | Release Date: March 4, 2022 Episode Count: 8 Rating: 6.8 Streaming Platform: Amazon Priem Video |
| Invincible | Release Date: March 26, 2021 Episode Count: 25 Rating: 8.7 Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video |
| Gen V | Release Date: September 29, 2023 Episode Count: 8 Rating: 7.6 Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video |
| Banshee | Release Date: January 11, 2013 Episode Count: 38 episodes Rating: 8.4 Streaming Platform: Max |
| Supernatural | Release Date: September 13, 2005 Episode Count: 327 episodes Rating: 8.4 Streaming Platform: Peacock |
| Jupiter’s Legacy | Release Date: May 7, 2021 Episode Count: 8 Rating: 6.7 Streaming Platform: Netflix |
| Fallout | Release Date: April 10, 2024 Episode Count: 16 episodes Rating: 8.3 Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video |
| The Punisher | Release Date: November 17, 2017 Episode Count: 26 episodes Rating: 8.4 Streaming Platform: Disney+ |
Top 3 Shows like The Boys I Personally Recommend
If this list is a bit too overwhelming to pick from, here are the top 3 recommendations I would give from my personal watchlist. These shows should give you exactly what you are looking for and should perfectly fit in the timeframe so you can wrap them up before The Boys Season 5 releases on Amazon Prime Video.
Invincible
If you are looking to watch something that resembles The Boys in almost every aspect, you need to check out Invincible, especially the first season. This series brings you the perfect blend of twisted superhuman presence, the parody of your favourite superheroes, as well as a perfect representation of what the world would look like if superheroes were real.
It features twisted humor, gore, and an intriguing storyline. A lot of people tend to overlook Invincible simply because it’s an animated show, but do not let that stop you, because if you have been skipping this, you have no idea what you are missing out on.
Peacemaker
This might sound a bit biased because I am a DC fanboy, but since James Gunn took over DC, things are looking a bit too good for the studio, and Peacemaker is a perfect example of it. Even though the first season was set in the DCEU, Peacemaker Season 2 is made in the DCU and is an absolute work of art.
This series, once again, brings you almost every aspect of The Boys, but set in the DC Universe. Be it the humor, the gore, or the action sequences, if you really want something to keep you in the The Boys vibe, Peacemaker is a one show you should not miss out on.
The Punisher
When it comes to shows from Marvel, for the longest time, the common notion of these projects was that they were always PG-13ish; however, when The Punisher came out, that notion changed forever, as this show did not hold back when it came to violence and gore.
Personally, I like this series more because of the performance put forth by Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, but if you miss The Boys for the unredacted action and violence, this show is tailor-made for you. Moreover, a brand new solo Punisher series, The Punisher Special Presentation, is set to release this year, so it would be just the right time to tune in to watch this series.
15 Best TV Shows Like The Boys to Watch in 2026
At this point, there is a very good chance that you have made up your mind regarding which show or shows you’ll be picking and here, find out all the details you should know about them before you tune in.
Preacher
Preacher on AMC was an adaptation of the eponymous comic book series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon from the Vertigo lineup of DC Comics. We do not have superheroes in this series. Instead, we have a preacher who is possessed by a supernatural force and now possesses unreal powers. He then partners with a vampire and his ex-girlfriend to find the “God” himself. The storyline sounds pretty wacky, right?
Similar to The Boys TV show, the creators of Preacher had the creative freedom to make changes and developments from the elements of this comic book, which resulted in a hit. Preacher was also highly praised for its distinctive story and refreshing set of characters, who make this series supremely entertaining.
Doom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero squad from DC Comics brought to the live-action medium by Jeremy Carver. Doom Patrol may not be your cup of tea when it comes to the superhero genre, as it features a rather quirky story. It is about a group of people endowed with superhero powers after surviving a life-or-death situation. They are put together under one roof by a scientist and are set to ward off dangers surrounding our planet.
Doom Patrol is a meta show that lets its quirkiness shine with its wacky humor and unconventional exploration of the lives of these superheroes. While the series halted the release of new episodes in 2023, it is expected to return with a six-episode run soon. So, you can definitely give it a shot if you want something as rare as The Boys.
Happy
Happy is a television series based on Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson’s comic novel of the same name. This show, in contrast to others on our list, is the tale of a hero who stepped up to save a girl with the help of an imaginary unicorn friend called Happy.
In my opinion, it is an underrated TV series that deserves to be seen for its fresh take on a heroic story and its visual feast. Christopher Meloni as Nick Sax and Patton Oswalt as Happy will surely entertain you with their performances.
Happy is wickedly hilarious and amuses you with its distinct set of characters in a world where fantasy meets a crime drama.
Misfits
Before The Boys cemented its place as one of the best modern superhero dramas, there was Misfits, a popular show about superheroes from the Brits. On a stormy day, a bolt of lightning struck a team of teenage felons and bestowed them with new superhero powers.
As the show focuses on telling a tale of young superheroes, one can find that this show is similar to The Boys’ spin-off, Gen V, which came out last year.
Misfits was lauded for taking a unique approach in the superhero genre back then. Using this dark angle, the show cleverly portrayed the struggle of edgy teens with their newfound powers. Moreover, this TV series was also filled with plenty of dark humor and jokes within the unraveling drama that you find in The Boys.
The Umbrella Academy
We have yet another superhero adaptation of a comic book from the mind of Gerard Way, the lead singer of My Chemical Romance. The Umbrella Academy features a neglectful superhero family and centers around the adoptive siblings with superhero powers. They finally get together to unravel the enigma surrounding their father’s passing and must save the world from impending doom.
Just like The Boys, The Umbrella Academy was acclaimed by the fans for its distinct take on a story tailored around superheroes. The show is set to conclude after half a decade with season 4, which is set to release next month. Hence, gear up for the end of another extraordinary superhero TV series by binge-watching the previous seasons if you haven’t already.
Watchmen
HBO’s Watchmen is a reimagining of the renowned original graphic novel series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. If you love Zack Snyder’s version of Watchmen, then I’m pretty sure you would fall in love with this retelling as well.
The story here takes place 34 years after the initial premise, during which time police conceal their identities with masks in an effort to fight racism and confront vigilantes who are regarded as outlaws nowadays.
Similar to The Boys, this show progresses with a dark and satirical tone involving the exploration of the lives of superheroes. So, it delves deep into the consequences of being a superhero and their actions. This TV show was highly welcomed and celebrated by the fans when it was released; thus, if you are a DC and The Boys fan, you must give this a shot.
Peacemaker
If you have seen the James Gunn adaptation of The Suicide Squad (2021), you would be familiar with Peacemaker. For those who are unaware, the famous WWE star John Cena plays the role of Peacemaker, aka Christopher Smith, in this TV series, now a major part of the new DCU.
Make sure to watch the Suicide Squad (2021) movie, as the first season resumes from where the movie ended. This show is a masterful blend of grisly and over-the-top action and crude humor, which you would enjoy if you liked The Boys.
The Boys Presents: Diabolical
The immense success of The Boys TV show resulted in an animated spin-off titled “The Boys Presents: Diabolical” in 2022. It was an anthology show featuring several animated short films set in the world of The Boys.
Keep in mind that this animated show didn’t reach the same level of success or appeal as Gen V or The Boys. However, if you are in the mood to kill some time, you can quickly binge this series and experience the cameos of our favorite stars from “The Boys” as well.
Invincible
After The Boys’ popularity exploded back in 2019, Amazon decided to go for another adaptation of a comic series by Robert Kirkman, but in the animation medium this time around. This series featured a star-studded cast, including Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins, etc., who brought Kirkman’s characters to life.
Invincible tells the tale of Mark Grayson, a teenage boy who finds out he has superpowers that he acquired from his father, Omni-Man, the strongest superhero on Earth.
Similar to The Boys, Invincible is also filled with intense and gruesome action sequences that can shake you up instantly. It also covers the everyday lives of superheroes and explores their dark side, which is pretty much everything you are looking for now, isn’t it?
Gen V
When “The Boys” spin-off Gen V was announced, everyone was skeptical about the series being an unnecessary cash grab. However, as the show debuted, it completely turned the tide. Gen V was a fantabulous show on all fronts and wonderfully expanded The Boys’ universe.
It was jam-packed with a great story and terrific performances in both seasons, and last but not least, it inherited the diabolical nature and humor of its predecessor. This show’s events are tied to the storyline of The Boys and will be carried over to The Boys Season 5, and we even saw cameos from some of our favorite characters.
So, if you have either skipped this one earlier or are looking for a TV show very similar to The Boys, Gen V should be your first pick.
Banshee
While Anthony Starr has now become a household name because of his menacing performance as Homelander in The Boys, the real ones know him from Banshee, where one can say he was no less of a menace. If you love the performance put forward by Anthony Starr in The Boys, you will love watching him in Banshee. The show is not exactly like The Boys, but the way Anthony Starr plays his character resonates really close to what he has done in The Boys.
Supernatural
The creator of The Boys has a long history of creating smash hit television shows, and one of the biggest successes of his career is Supernatural. Overall, this show brings in almost every element you see in The Boys. Be it the crude humor, the dark tones, and most of all, the morally complex characters.
While it might not exactly feature superheroes, it does get close. Supernatural is one of the longest-running television shows and throughout time, has created a cult like following around itself. So, if you haven’t watched this show, give it a shot; it is indeed truly worth your time.
Jupiter’s Legacy
Jupiter’s Legacy is yet another television series based on a comic book. This one comes from Mark Millar, the creator of Kick Ass and The Kingsman. The series aired on Netflix for one season but was then cancelled due to multiple reasons. However, when it comes to being like The Boys, this show also operates on a darker tone taken on superheroes, and even though they are not outright evil like Homelander, you’ll feel the familiarity with certain characters.
Fallout
Instead of being adapted from a comic book, Fallout is a live-action adaptation of one of the biggest video game franchises. While this show does not exactly feature superpowered individuals, the themes it operates on resonate with what you would see in The Boys: commentary on the power of institutions, propaganda, and most of all, a group of individuals standing up against said institutions and propaganda. Moreover, the cast and characters in this show will keep you as entertained as one can imagine.
The Punisher
The Punisher might not resonate with the themes and concepts we get to see in The Boys, but if you like the gore and extreme violence we get to see in The Boys, The Punisher is going to bring you some of the best gore and violence you can think of. Moreover, the story and screenplay of the characters we see in The Punisher will have you hooked in no time. So, if you are missing the bloodshed, this is the direction I would recommend you turn towards.
So, these were TV shows like The Boys that you should definitely watch if you liked the gore and intense tone of The Boys.
Shashank Shakya
Shashank Shakya
