The Netflix bump is a powerful thing. So many beloved TV shows are discovered - or rediscovered via the power of the most famous streaming service in the world. That means that a formerly unnoticed project can become a global phenomenon, while already-major titles can experience a renaissance years after they ended.
It's the power of Netflix, and it's exactly the kind of success that one gem of the 2000s is seeing as it enjoys a successful debut on the platform in international territories.
Smallville arrives on Netflix internationally and already breaks into the Top 10
Smallville has officially arrived on Netflix in international territories and it's already seeing success on the streamer. The classic WB / CW series premiered on the platform in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, France, Italy and Austria on Tuesday, January 13, with all 10 seasons instantly being available to stream. That's a lot of content, but it was no problem for Netflix subscribers, who have already started streaming it in their droves.
The show instantly broke into the daily Top 10 charts in multiple territories, including the UK where it has already peaked at No. 8, Australia where it has risen to No. 7, France where it is currently at No. 6, and Austria where it has peaked at No. 4! Needless to say that people are loving the young Clark Kent's journey towards his iconic, storied future as the Man of Steel.
Yes, Smallville was ahead of its time. In today's day and age of superhero origin stories, it's easy to find your fair share of compelling movies and TV shows. But in the early 2000s, it was one of a kind. And it remains one of a kind in so many ways, for the series entertained so many people at a time when there weren't that many comic book dramas on TV.
Premiering on The WB back in 2001, it focused on Clark Kent's teenage years in Smallville, Kansas, as he attended high school and tried to live like a normal person. From falling in love with Lana Lang to spending time with his best friends, there was some normality in there for him - but having to juggle that with being an unlikely superhero around town and a burgeoning friendship with Lex Luthor was particularly challenging for the young hero. Yes, the future was calling.
Speaking of which, if you haven't seen Smallville and are just watching it on Netflix now - be warned, there are MAJOR SPOILERS ahead.
The show ran for 10 seasons, surviving The WB's transformation into The CW. During that time, Clark became a more fully-fleshed hero and the show eventually moved from Smallville to Metropolis, even having him and Lois Lane meet and work at the Daily Planet. Its series finale built towards the idea of him taking his first flight as Superman. I
However, the final episode ended up causing quite the controversy as we never actually got to see Tom Welling fully suited up as the Man of Steel. There were some CGI shots of Superman saving planes and the planet, and we did get an epic shot of Welling's Clark Kent doing the signature shirt rip, revealing the Superman symbol on his chest underneath, but there wasn't any footage of him actually wearing the suit. And fans who had waited a full decade to see that felt somewhat cheated by the finale - despite how fantastic the two-parter was.
Nevertheless, Smallville remains one of the most iconic TV shows of all time and - divisive suit controversy aside - it ended on an extremely high note, bringing Clark Kent's story full circle. The show also inspired a wave of superhero TV shows on The CW, with the network's iconic Arrowverse coming shortly after that - launching shows such as Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, Batwoman, and Superman and Lois (along with a host of other DC TV shows).
It's great to see the show getting a second life on streaming as fans flock to stream it. With James Gunn's Superman proving that the Man of Steel is more popular than ever, it's clear that the desire for more of his story is as strong as ever.