The Netflix superhero shows hot list: From Marvel’s Daredevil to The Umbrella Academy - our pick of the top TV series based on comics

From Marvel’s Jessica Jones to Gotham - we round up the top superhero TV series, shows featuring characters with superpowers, and dramas based on comic books to watch in the UK.

By Sophia Moir Published: 27 July 2020 - 5.11pm

When it comes to the best superhero shows, Netflix's selection comes out on top.

Boasting a collection of TV series based on Marvel Comics, DC Comics and more, you’ll find superheroes and infamous characters with superpowers including Daredevil, Lucifer, Black Lightning, Batman's former protégé Robin, and loads more.

From Marvel’s Jessica Jones and The Punisher to Gotham and Titans, we’ve listed the top superhero TV shows to watch on Netflix in the UK now.

Want even more Netflix? Check out the best dramas to binge-watch on Netflix now and what to watch on Netflix this month.

The Umbrella Academy

Based on the comic book series created by My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy follows the story of 43 infants who are each born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. 

Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his "children" to save the world. When their father dies, they must work together to solve a mystery surrounding his death. 

The Umbrella Academy season 2 premieres Friday, July 31 on Netflix.

Season 1 is on Netflix now.

Marvel’s Daredevil

Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, Daredevil stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, who fights injustice by day as a blind lawyer - and fights crime at night as a masked vigilante.

Daredevil sticks tightly to its comic book source material for this superhero series, and it's set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) - tying it into the same realm as the films - making it a must-watch superhero origin story for Marvel fans.

Marvel’s Daredevil seasons 1-3 are on Netflix now.


Based on the DC Comics character created by novelist Neil Gaiman, the fantasy TV series revolves around Lucifer Morningstar / the Devil (Tom Ellis), who abandons Hell for Los Angeles where he runs his own nightclub and becomes a consultant to the LAPD.

While Lucifer isn't a superhero series as such, the character is one of the most powerful in the DC Universe. He's appeared in the comic book series The Sandman, as well as a supporting character in other DC Universe comics - so one to watch for comic book fans. 

Lucifer season 5 part 1 premieres Friday, August 21 on Netflix.

Lucifer season 4 is on Netflix now.

Marvel’s Luke Cage

Another series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, and set in the MCU, Luke Cage stars Mike Colter as a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who now fights crime and corruption.

ScreenRant's Izak Bulten calls the series a "really high-quality superhero story with just the right dose of fan service: an impressive feat on many levels," noting its noble fanbase and impressive visual elements.

Marvel’s Luke Cage seasons 1-2 are on Netflix now.


Produced by Warner Bros. Television but with worldwide distribution rights now lying with Netflix, Gotham is a drama series based on the DC Comics characters that largely appear in the Batman franchise - primarily James Gordon and Bruce Wayne.

The series has been nominated for countless Emmy awards, scooping one, and was praised by critics throughout its five-season run. Ben Travers from IndieWire writes that the show's ending "ensures a legacy alongside the other prominent Bat-stories".

Gotham seasons 1-5 are on Netflix now.

Marvel’s Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones chronicles the life of one of the darker, more mysterious Marvel Comics characters. Haunted by a traumatic past, Jones uses her gifts as a private eye to find her tormentor before he can harm anyone else in New York City.

The superhero crime drama was released to fan and critical acclaim in 2015, with Krysten Ritter's performance in the lead role widely praised, as well as the depiction of darker topics like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Marvel’s Jessica Jones seasons 1-3 are on Netflix now.


Based on the DC Comics team Teen Titans, a group of teen heroes led by Batman's former protégé Robin form to fight crime while wrestling with their inner demons.

The second season, which focuses on the official reformation of the Titans, has been praised by critics for "building on the momentum from its first season while laying fascinating framework for where the show could go". Testament to the show’s success, a third season has already been announced.

Titans seasons 1-2 are on Netflix now.

Marvel’s The Punisher

A spin-off of Marvel's Daredevil, The Punisher revolves around Francis 'Frank' Castle, who uses lethal methods to fight crime as the vigilante antihero "the Punisher", with Jon Bernthal reprising the role from Daredevil.

Much of the Punisher's origin story features in Daredevil season 2, but this series expands on the character's backstory further, including in some of the MCU's most violent scenes

Marvel’s The Punisher seasons 1-2 are on Netflix now.

Raising Dion

Based on the 2015 comic book and short film of the same name by Dennis Liu, Raising Dion follows single mum Nicole raising her son Dion - who starts to develop magical, superhero-like abilities.

The series - which stars Michael B. Jordan - has been given a Certified Fresh rating on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, a special distinction awarded to the best-reviewed movies and TV shows. It’s been renewed for season 2.

Raising Dion is on Netflix now.

Marvel’s Iron Fist

Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, Finn Jones stars as Danny Rand / Iron Fist, a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon a mystical power known as the "Iron Fist". 

Less than a week after its 2017 premiere, the show was reportedly Netflix's second biggest Marvel series to date, generating higher demand than Marvel’s Daredevil or Jessica Jones did in their launch week, and falling just short of Luke Cage. 

Marvel’s Iron Fist seasons 1-2 are on Netflix now.

Black Lightning

Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, Cress Williams stars as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning, a high school principal and a secret retired superhero with the ability to harness and manipulate electricity. 

All three seasons have been reviewed positively by fans and critics, while the third season features the series' first tie-ins with other DC Comics television series (known collectively as the Arrowverse). A fourth season has been confirmed.

Black Lightning seasons 1-3 are on Netflix now.

Marvel’s The Defenders

Marvel tied together several of their Netflix superhero shows with the crossover miniseries The Defenders, which follows Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones). 

The Defenders tells the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realise they just might be stronger when they team together. 

Limited series Marvel’s The Defenders is on Netflix now.

Wu Assassins

Set in San Francisco’s modern day Chinatown, Netflix's supernatural series follows Kai Jin, a young chef turned assassin who inherited ancient mystical-monk powers and is forced to stop the Chinese Triads from gaining control of the deadly powers known as Wu Xing. 

The series boasts Indonesian actor star and martial artist Iko Uwais in the lead role, most known for his role in The Raid: Redemption as the lead member of the S.W.A.T. team. 

Wu Assassins is on Netflix now.