While the Avengers will be returning to the big screen this year, 2026 also has plenty of comic book fun happening on the small screen. With a lot of discussion surrounding superhero fatigue, last year was a mixed bag for superhero shows. While Creature Commandos helped launch the DC Universe in a fun way, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had some highs and lows with its Disney Plus shows.
However, 2026 is expected to bring a new batch of comic book TV shows, highlighting the genre's versatility. From animated series to live-action adventures, it is not just Marvel and DC offering these shows. For heroes like Daredevil and the X-Men, as well as some lesser-known characters, 2026 has you covered.
Wonder Man
Release date: January 27, 2026
While Wonder Man is not a superhero name that mainstream audiences are familiar with, his upcoming Disney Plus series looks to be one of the MCU's most original and interesting shows. Wonder Man follows Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an aspiring actor with dreams of being cast in a movie reboot of a beloved superhero. However, Simon is hiding the fact that he also has superpowers.
The series will also see the return of Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery, who will serve as Simon's acting mentor. Perhaps most interesting is that the series will directly address the concept of superhero fatigue, a challenge that the MCU has been facing lately. It will also be one of the few binge watches from Marvel Studios, meaning that all eight episodes will premiere at once.
Daredevil: Born Again season 2
Release date: March 2026 (expected March 4)
The X-Men animated reboot isn't the only show that was recently brought back from the dead by Marvel Studios. Daredevil: Born Again finally continued the popular series that started on Netflix a decade earlier, with the characters - including Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock and Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin - now fully folded into the MCU. However, the closer association with the mainly family-friendly franchise that does not mean the show lost any of its brutality. Born Again is arguably even darker than its predecessor.
The first season proved that the move to Disney Plus still allowed for the characters and action to thrive. It also left the story in an intriguing place when it comes to the battle between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. That, and the addition of Jessica Jones in season 2, makes sure that the sophomore season will be an even more exciting return.
The Boys season 5
Release date: April 8, 2026
While the MCU and DCU will be battling it out on the small screen in 2026, one of the most anticipated comic book shows comes from neither universe. The Boys has created its own unique and R-rated voice in the superhero world, which will be coming to an end this year with its fifth season.
The final season will see Billy Butcher and his gang taking on Homelander in what is sure to be a bloody last battle. It will be interesting to see how The Boys' ending differs from the comic books since it has already changed quite a bit. It will also be fun to see how the show continues to offer commentary on the modern age of superhero movies and shows.
Lanterns
Release window: mid 2026
After a successful start to the DC Universe last year, 2026 will be another pivotal year for DC Studios with the likes of Supergirl and Clayface to look forward to. However, their most exciting project will actually be heading to the small screen with Lanterns. The series will dive deeper into the Green Lantern Corps, with Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) being introduced as new DCU heroes.
What is most notable about the series is the tonal shift it will provide for the DCU. Despite the intergalactic elements, Lanterns will be a more grounded and darker superhero story. The show will prove if the DCU can work outside of James Gunn's brand of storytelling.
X-Men '97
Release window: Summer 2026
While the X-Men will be returning to the big screen in 2026, many fans are even more excited for their television adventures. The premiere of X-Men '97 in 2024 surprised many by being a faithful reboot of the beloved classic X-Men: The Animated Series while also delivering one of the greatest projects Marvel Studios has produced in recent years.
The show did justice to the iconic X-Men characters while also telling emotional, complex, and exciting stories. Season 2 of the series will hopefully match the high expectations while also serving as inspiration for how the MCU can handle its mutant characters.
Spider-Noir
Release window: 2026
Certainly, the most unexpected superhero show to come our way in 2026 is Spider-Noir. After voicing the character in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Ben Reilly, an alternate version of Spider-Man working as a private detective in 1930s New York City while moonlighting as a masked vigilante.
It will be interesting to see what kind of tone this series takes, but seeing Cage as a noir-style superhero is a really fun idea. The cast also includes Oscar nominee Brendan Gleeson as the villain of the series, and that also had the potential to be thrilling.