The Sneaky 'Supernatural' Easter Eggs You May Have Missed in 'The Boys'

Article Summary

Supernatural fans will find plenty of Easter eggs and nods to the show in The Boys, including a cameo by the Winchesters' iconic Impala.

Jensen Ackles and Jim Beaver, who were part of the cast of Supernatural, have now joined The Boys, reuniting with Eric Kripke. This exciting collaboration brings together familiar faces from the show, and pays tribute to Supernatural through the inclusion of classic rock songs and iconic shots, reflecting Kripke's affection for his previous successful series.

There has been recent crossover between Supernatural and The Boys, which is no secret. Both shows share a creator, Eric Kripke, and while they are different, Kripke has made sure to include references to Supernatural in his latest series. The Boys is known for deconstructing the superhero genre and pushing boundaries within its fictional universe. However, fans of Supernatural need not worry, as Kripke has also included Easter eggs for their enjoyment. Notably, Jensen Ackles, who co-leads Supernatural, has joined The Boys as Soldier Boy, marking an exciting reunion between Ackles and Kripke. According to Kripke, there are Supernatural Easter eggs in many of Ackles' scenes, reflecting the significant impact that Supernatural had on the creative team behind The Boys.

The Boys is a television series that premiered on July 26, 2019. Starring Karl Urban, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Colby Minifie, and Aya Cash, the show falls under the genres of Superhero, Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, and Crime. It has a rating of TV-MA and currently has 4 seasons.

'Supernatural's Baby Comes Back and Runs Over Some More Baddies In 'The Boys'

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The Winchesters' trademark Impala, affectionately dubbed "Baby" by Dean, is arguably the most iconic object in the Supernatural universe. This '67 Chevy has been a part of the family for decades and served as an unofficial third character throughout the show's fifteen-season run. It's no surprise that creator Kripke developed a real attachment to the muscle car, even giving it a quick cameo on The Boys. While the Impala doesn't hold the same significance in The Boys' mythology, it still carries its own weight.

In the Season 2 finale of The Boys, "What I Know," a video surfaces on social media, showing a '67 Chevy Impala running down Stormfront, who was revealed as a white supremacist. This scene, initially dismissed as a playful reference to Kripke's previous show, holds deeper meaning when you consider that Dean Winchester actually killed Hitler in a Supernatural Season 12 episode called "The One You've Been Waiting For." The connection feels incredibly fitting. Additionally, it's worth noting that this scene serves as foreshadowing for Jensen Ackles' upcoming role as Soldier Boy, whose procedure date coincidentally falls on Dean's birthday, as well as Kripke's wife's birthday, in the following season.

'Supernatural's Bobby Singer Goes From Washed-Up Hunter to Secretary of Defense in 'The Boys'

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Jensen Ackles is not the only Supernatural actor to make an appearance on The Boys. Another familiar face is Robert Singer, although this is not the same Robert Singer who produced Supernatural. Instead, it is a character named Bobby Singer, portrayed by Jim Beaver. Bobby Singer first appeared at the end of the first season and later returned for several episodes in the following seasons. However, it's important to note that this version of Bobby is quite different from the surrogate father figure we know from Supernatural.

Supernatural has established that Chuck, played by Rob Benedict, created a multiverse with countless possibilities. This has led to speculation that the politician Robert Singer in The Boys may be an alternate version of the beloved Bobby Singer we are familiar with. Towards the end of Supernatural, an alternate version of Bobby from the Apocalypse World was introduced, further supporting the idea. Additionally, both versions of Singer come from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which strengthens the possibility that they are connected.

REO Speedwagon Makes More Waves On 'The Boys' Than It Did 'Supernatural'

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Supernatural's time on air was notable for its classic rock soundtrack, featuring popular bands like AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, Jethro Tull, Def Leppard, and Bob Seger. The iconic Kansas song "Carry On Wayward Son" even served as the unofficial theme of the show. In The Boys episode "Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed," REO Speedwagon's "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" was played, evoking memories of Supernatural for fans. This song had previously appeared in Supernatural's Season 2 episode "Simon Said," where it underscored the unspoken attraction between characters Jo Harvelle and Dean Winchester. Dean even sang along to the song as he and his brother Sam drove away from the Roadhouse to embark on a new mission. It's clear that the influence of Supernatural remains with its creator, Eric Kripke.

'Supernatural's Iconic Trunk Shot Re-Appears in 'The Boys'

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Throughout its fifteen seasons, Supernatural rarely revisited iconic shots from its past, but when it did, it held significant meaning. A notable example of this occurs in the Season 2 finale "All Hell Breaks Loose," where Sam and Dean close the trunk of their Impala, with Dean uttering the phrase "we got work to do." This shot and line combination is repeated in the show's 200th episode, "Fan Fiction," symbolizing their ongoing battle against the forces of darkness. It comes as no surprise that The Boys, a show associated with Supernatural through former director Phil Sgriccia, also includes its own version of the iconic trunk shot. Additionally, The Boys' official X account directly quoted the corresponding Supernatural line. This callback is further exemplified by a similar quote from the series' official Instagram account, paired with an image featuring Ackles' Soldier Boy. Even if one does not watch The Boys, it is impossible not to appreciate such a reference.

Dean Winchester May Have Fired His Grenade Launcher in 'Supernatural', But Soldier Boy Failed to Ignite on 'The Boys'

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In Supernatural's later years, there was a recurring joke where Dean always wanted to use a grenade launcher. After much persistence, Sam finally allows Dean to use it in a life-or-death situation, ultimately saving their lives. This trend continues in the final season, where Dean is once again seen with the grenade launcher. Similarly, in The Boys episode "Barbary Coast," fans were thrilled when Soldier Boy upgraded to a Car G. rocket launcher. However, like Dean in Supernatural, he ends up pointing it in the wrong direction and is unable to fire the weapon he's so excited about. This amusing parallel pays homage to Dean's own struggles with firearms in the later seasons of Supernatural. While Dean eventually gets to use his weapon, Soldier Boy never quite gets the chance.

Since He Couldn't Kill Them on 'Supernatural,' Eric Kripke Was Sure to Take out a Nun on 'The Boys'

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In The Boys episode "Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed," Soldier Boy, who bears similarities to his son Homelander, commits the act of murdering a priest and a nun—a deed that Dean from Supernatural would never have done, unless the individuals were possessed. The Winchesters, however, typically fought to safeguard all human lives and were reluctant to take any. Yet, this brutal moment serves as a subtle reference to Kripke's time on Supernatural, particularly when he had to off-screen massacre a group of nuns in the Season 4 finale "Lucifer Rising."

During an interview, Kripke joked, "When I was a young child growing up, I thought, 'If only I could make it to Hollywood and murder some nuns,'" when asked about the connection between these events. Setting aside the jest, it is evident that the TV censors would not have permitted Kripke to depict a horror show of the intense struggle between the show's signature Yellow-Eyed Demon and the group of nuns sheltered in St. Mary's Convent. However, in the realm of streaming, there are no limitations.

Familiar 'Supernatural' Faces Return Again On 'The Boys' (And Not Just Jensen Ackles)

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Jensen Ackles and Jim Beaver are not the only ones making the transition from Supernatural to The Boys. Alexander Calvert, known as Jack Klein on Supernatural, also appears as Rufus in The Boys spin-off Gen V and reunites with Maddie Phillips's Cate Dunlap. Phillips previously played Harper Sayles in Supernatural's Season 14 episode "Optimism." In addition, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who portrayed Sam and Dean's father John Winchester, and Rob Benedict, who played Chuck Shurley, are set to make their debut on The Boys in Season 4.

But that's not all. The Boys also welcomes back Gattlin Griffith, a former Supernatural guest star who portrayed Jesse Turner aka the Anti-Christ. In The Boys, Griffith takes on the role of Soldier Boy's sidekick Gunpowder, specifically the younger version, which adds an interesting dynamic. Since the Anti-Christ character in Supernatural was not fully explored, it's great to see Griffith still involved in Kripke's projects.

The Boys is available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video, while Supernatural can be streamed on Netflix.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the crossover between Supernatural and The Boys. Eric Kripke has done an incredible job of weaving in Easter eggs and references to Supernatural throughout The Boys, creating a sense of continuity and shared universe between the two shows. From the iconic Impala to the return of Jensen Ackles and Jim Beaver, it's clear that Kripke has a deep affection for Supernatural and wants to keep its legacy alive.

The inclusion of Supernatural Easter eggs in The Boys is a great way to reward fans of both shows and make them feel like they are part of a larger, interconnected world. It also serves as a reminder of the impact that Supernatural had on the television landscape and its enduring popularity. Overall, I think the Supernatural Easter eggs in The Boys are a fun and exciting addition that enhance the viewing experience for fans of both shows.