The Ultimate List of Record-Breaking Superhero TV Shows that Defy Time

Summary

Gotham

The show aired for five seasons and 100 episodes, centering around characters such as James Gordon and the villains of Batman in Gotham City before Batman's arrival. The Arrowverse encompassed several enduring series, many of which surpassed the milestone of 100 episodes.

Agents of SHIELD

is the longest-running live-action Marvel show and the only one ever to air more than 100 episodes.

The following are the top 10 longest-running live-action superhero TV shows from both Marvel and DC, ranked based on their episode count. Over the years, numerous superhero TV shows have captivated audiences with their compelling storytelling. This includes animated series like Batman: The Animated Series, X-Men: The Animated Series, and Justice League: Unlimited which have garnered immense popularity among diverse demographics. In addition to animated adaptations, live-action superhero shows have also left a significant impact on their respective characters. Many of these live-action series have surpassed 100 episodes, solidifying their place in popular culture.

10 Gotham (2014-2019): 100 Episodes

The city of Gotham in the days preceding the arrival of Batman would be narrated in FOX's series Gotham, which would span five seasons and comprise a total of 100 episodes. The focal point of Gotham would primarily revolve around individuals like James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), an up-and-coming police officer in Gotham, and various adversaries of Batman, including Oswald Cobblepott (Robin Lord Taylor), as they establish a presence within the city's criminal underworld. While primarily portrayed as a supporting character, Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) would make appearances on Gotham, developing a bond with the young Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova). Ultimately, the final scene of Gotham would reveal Bruce donning the iconic cowl, assuming the role of Batman.

9 Superboy (1988-1992): 100 Episodes

Premiering back in 1988, the television series Superboy revolved around the story of a young Clark Kent safeguarding the inhabitants of his birthplace, Smallville. In the initial season of the show, Clark was portrayed by John Haymes Newton, and in the subsequent seasons, Gerard Christopher took on the role for the remaining duration of the series. Spanning a considerable four seasons, Superboy encompassed an impressive total of 100 episodes, airing from 1988 to 1992.

8 Adventures of Superman (1952-1958): 104 Episodes

The Adventures of Superman TV series, which aired in the 1950s, marked the Man of Steel's initial major triumph in live-action. George Reeves skillfully portrayed Superman, reprising his role from the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men. Throughout the show's six seasons and 104 episodes, Reeves's iconic interpretation of the Last Son of Krypton captivated audiences. Before his passing in 1959, Reeves even made a guest appearance as Superman on an episode of I Love Lucy. Furthermore, in the 2023 multiverse adventure The Flash, Reeves's legacy will be honored through the use of archived footage.

7 Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022): 110 Episodes

The Arrowverse expanded into a fully interconnected franchise with the introduction of Legends of Tomorrow. This series brought together supporting heroes and villains from Arrow and The Flash to form a team that traveled through time. Like the other shows in the franchise, Legends of Tomorrow became a regular part of the Arrowverse's crossover events, including the epic multiverse mini-series Crisis On Infinite Earths. Additionally, Legends of Tomorrow had a successful run of its own, spanning seven seasons and a total of 110 episodes.

6 Batman (1966-1968): 120 Episodes

The Batman TV series, led by Adam West and Burt Ward, achieved tremendous success in the late '60s, running for three seasons and an impressive 120 episodes. Additionally, a spin-off movie titled Batman was released in 1966, featuring West and Ward reprising their iconic roles. The show even crossed over with The Green Hornet, resulting in an electrifying fight scene between Ward's Robin and Bruce Lee's Kato. Despite its conclusion, Batman's campy charm continues to be ingrained in the history of DC's movie and TV multiverse. In fact, West's portrayal of Batman is immortalized through archive footage inclusion in The Flash.

5 Supergirl (2015-2021): 126 Episodes

Supergirl had a unique journey among Arrowverse shows. It started on CBS but ended after just one season. However, it found new life on The CW, running for a total of 126 episodes over six seasons. Melissa Benoist's Supergirl developed a close friendship with Grant Gustin's Barry Allen on The Flash. She also played a significant role in the Arrowverse's crossover stories. In addition, Tyler Hoechlin made his debut as Superman on Supergirl, partnering with Benoist's Kara Zor-El as Kal-El and Kara. However, it was later revealed that Hoechlin's subsequent CW series, Superman & Lois, took place in a completely different universe.

4 Agents of SHIELD (2013-2020): 136 Episodes

The introduction of Agents of SHIELD in 2013 marked the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first expansion into television. Clark Gregg reprised his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson, with the show retelling his supposed death in The Avengers (2012) and centering on Coulson as he led his team on crucial missions. Throughout its seven-season run, Agents of SHIELD featured periodic appearances from MCU movie characters such as Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) and Lady Sif (portrayed by Jaimie Alexander). The show concluded in 2020 after airing 136 episodes, standing out as the sole live-action Marvel series to surpass the notable milestone of 100 episodes.

3 Arrow (2012-2020): 170 Episodes

The Arrowverse was born in 2012 with the introduction of Arrow, starring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen. The show would weave two intertwining narratives, one showcasing Oliver's time stranded on the treacherous island of Lian Yu, and the other following his eventual return to Starling City as the enigmatic archer who would come to be known as Green Arrow. Arrow's immense popularity would ultimately lead to Oliver becoming the Spectre and making the ultimate sacrifice to save the multiverse during Crisis On Infinite Earths. After a remarkable run of seven seasons and 170 episodes, Arrow would conclude its journey.

2 The Flash (2014-2023): 184 Episodes

1 Smallville (2001-2011): 217 Episodes

Grant Gustin made his first appearance as Barry Allen in Arrow season 2. This appearance served as a backdoor pilot for The Flash, which premiered in 2014. The Flash went on to become the longest-running series in the Arrowverse, with nine seasons and 184 episodes. Gustin's Barry Allen was also a key player in all the Arrowverse crossovers. What made it even more exciting was that The Flash allowed Gustin's Flash to meet various other Scarlet Speedsters from DC's Multiverse, such as John Wesley Shipp's Barry Allen from the early '90s Flash TV series. And in a surprising twist, he even crossed paths with Ezra Miller's cinematic Flash during Crisis On Infinite Earths.

The story of the Man of Steel underwent a modern retelling in Smallville, where Tom Welling portrayed Clark Kent's transformation into Superman. Spanning an impressive 10 seasons and comprising 217 episodes, Smallville followed Clark's journey from his childhood in Smallville to his complex relationship with Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), ultimately revealing Clark's evolution into a renowned superhero. The series concluded with a powerful moment as Clark finally tore open his shirt, revealing the iconic S-shield. Tom Welling later made a brief appearance in Crisis On Infinite Earths. Smallville's extensive exploration of Superman's path solidifies its status as the longest-running live-action superhero TV show ever.