Superheroes aren’t just for Saturday morning cartoons anymore. These gritty, gory, and often wildly inappropriate series prove that the genre has grown up — and then some. Here’s a list of superhero shows that absolutely are not made for children.
1. ‘Watchmen’ (2019)
Damon Lindelof’s HBO adaptation isn’t just a sequel to the iconic graphic novel — it’s a thought-provoking, violent, and deeply political take on vigilantism in America. With graphic scenes, racial trauma, and layered storytelling, Watchmen is intense and brilliant, but absolutely not for younger audiences.
2. ‘Doom Patrol’ (2019 – 2023)
This misfit crew of super-powered outcasts deals with psychological trauma, identity crises, and truly bizarre threats. With surreal visuals, explicit language, and some heavy emotional arcs, Doom Patrol is as weird as it is mature — and that’s saying something.
3. ‘The Punisher’ (2017–2019)
Jon Bernthal’s take on Frank Castle pulls no punches — literally. This ultra-violent series is grounded in the harsh realities of PTSD, revenge, and vigilante justice. The body count is high, and the tone is unapologetically brutal.
4. ‘Invincible’ (2021 – Current)
Don’t let the animated format fool you. Invincible flips the teen superhero trope on its head with shocking gore, brutal betrayals, and complex character arcs. That first episode twist alone proves this series is not child-friendly.
5. ‘Gen V’ (2023 – Current)
A spin-off of The Boys, Gen V dives into the cutthroat world of a superhero college where students fight for fame, survival, and twisted power dynamics. It’s packed with blood, dark humor, and intense themes — definitely not one for the kids.
6. ‘Harley Quinn’ (2019 – Current)
This animated series is hilarious, raunchy, and unapologetically over-the-top. Think Deadpool meets Gotham. With excessive swearing, gory action, and adult humor, Harley Quinn is as wild as its title character.
7. ‘Spawn’ (1997–1999)
One of HBO’s early adult animated ventures, Spawn was way ahead of its time. With dark religious overtones, moral ambiguity, and graphic violence, it carved out a unique, brooding space for adult superhero stories.
8. ‘Peacemaker’ (2022 – Current)
James Gunn’s spinoff of The Suicide Squad is as ridiculous as it is raunchy. Featuring absurd action, crude jokes, and some surprisingly heartfelt moments, Peacemaker delivers mature themes wrapped in a chaotic, explosive package.
9. ‘Creature Commandos’ (2024 – Current)
DC’s animated show dives into the darker, monster-filled corners of its universe. With grotesque characters, moral dilemmas, and a tone that leans into horror-comedy, this is not your average Saturday morning superhero fare.
10. ‘The Boys’ (2019 – Current)
The king of adult superhero content. The Boys is a ruthless satire of superhero culture, filled with excessive violence, sexual content, and biting social commentary. It’s bold, brilliant, and absolutely not meant for a younger audience.
Based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys is one of the rare adaptations to improve upon its source material. Between shocking displays of superpowered slaughter, The Boys serves up satire of the obsession with celebrity culture and corporate branding to create a series that is both funny and compelling drama. The final season is on its way, but most are ready to say goodbye to one of TV’s best villains, the Superman-inspired Homelander (Antony Starr).
