Ever since it debuted on Netflix, Supacell has taken the streaming world by storm with its unique blend of sci-fi action and gritty London realism. The show, created by Rapman, follows five individuals, Michael, Tazer, Sabrina, Andre and Rod, who aren’t linked to each other in any way but are seen orbiting around each other in London’s boroughs. When exposed to intense emotions like fear, anxiety, or rage, they find themselves suddenly developing superpowers. Michael, who has the most to lose, tries to group them together and prevent a tragedy.
Delivering twists and turns around every corner. Supacell has captivated audiences worldwide. Despite falling under the same category as some of the most beloved Marvel and DC Comics titles, Supacell stands out because it focuses on the journey of self-discovery for each character. They go from being ordinary people to understanding the extent and implications of their new abilities.
With a fresh young voice at the creative helm in Rapman and an empowering representation of London’s culture and diversity, Supacell has struck a chord with viewers. If you have already binged the show and are looking for more shows with a similar, addictive, supernatural vibe, check out these 15 other titles.
15 Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
Directed by Jin Hyuk and starring Cho Seung-Woo and Park Shin-Hye, Sisyphus: The Myth is a South Korean drama that follows Han Tae-sul, an outstanding physicist and CEO of a company called Quantum and Time. His life in the present day is turned upside down when Kang Seo-hae travels from the future to team up with him so they can get rid of the time paradox and prevent a global nuclear war from happening.
Combines Action and Plot Twists
After several delays and difficulties in production, when Sisyphus: The Myth was finally made, the response was enormously positive. The series does nothing to relate to the classic Greek myths, and yet its combination of wild action and complex character development is brilliant. The intricate storyline and multiple perspectives add to the unpredictability of the show, just like the core secret in Supacell. Moreover, Shin-Hye and Seung-Woo are two fierce characters.
14 Misfits (2009 – 2013)
Misfits (2009)
- Release Date
- November 12, 2009
- Cast
- Karla Crome , Shaun Dooley
- Seasons
- 5
In the BAFTA-winning sci-fi/dark comedy series Misfits, a strange storm hits the city of London and grants supernatural powers to a group of five people delinquents on community service.
This crew of individuals gain abilities to reflect their characters – for instance, Curtis Donovan, who is filled with guilt from the past, can time travel, and Alisha Daniels, who is comfortable in her sexuality, can seduce anyone with her touch. As they discover and struggle to control their newfound powers, they also deal with their probation officers, parents, and relationships.
About Streetwise Heroes Finding Purpose
Supacell owes a lot to the success of Misfits because it also focuses on a band of local, imperfect heroes. The series immerses audiences in the infectious journeys of their characters almost immediately. It masters the art of mixing fast-paced crime-fighting with real human issues like themes of identity and belonging.
The star cast of relatable characters includes Antonia Thomas, Iwan Rheon, Lauren Socha, and more. According to critics, Misfits is “silly, sharp, funny, dark and, in places, quite chilling.”
13 Legion (2017 – 2019)
Legion
- Release Date
- February 8, 2017
- Seasons
- 3
Set in an alternate timeline of the X-Men film series and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, Legion is a mind-bending series centered around David Haller, a troubled young man with a history of paranoid delusions.
After being sent to a psychiatric facility, Haller encounters a fellow patient named Syd Barrett and discovers that his unusual thoughts may now be imaginary after all; he has distinct powerful psychic abilities. Haller finds other gifted people like him and begins dealing with mysterious threats.
A Psychedelic Trip Into The Unknown
Legion was when the superhero genre began pushing creative boundaries to a new high. The series matches Supacell’s genre-bending freshness and offers a fascinating look into its characters’ fractured state of mind. The vivid details, abstract concepts, and surreal visuals also give off the same vibe.
Dan Stevens is an ever-evolving protagonist and his narrative is worth sticking around for. Legion is executed with jaw-dropping perfection under the guidance of Noah Hawley.
Extraordinary is a superhero comedy series centered around a group of 25-year-olds in London, living in a reality where most citizens develop superpowers at the age of eighteen. T
he central protagonist, Jen, is a costume shop owner with no powers. People around her, including her mother, best friends, and even a stray cat she rescued, have the ability to either shapeshift, fly, communicate with the dead, or phase through walls. While struggling to be an ordinary person in an extraordinary world, Jen tries to find purpose.
An Underrated Gem
The series not only celebrates multiple cultures and the power of humanity but also delivers powerful messages about individuality and being okay with not fitting in. Extraordinary may not be in the same vein as Supacell in tone (which is darker and more intense), but its central story about everyday Londoners gaining superpowers hits home.
Constructed with care so as to not seem too fantastical, it makes the genre more accessible to viewers while also being extremely humorous and entertaining.
11 Titans (2018 – 2023)
Titans
- Release Date
- October 12, 2018
- Seasons
- 2
Developed by Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns, and Greg Berlanti, Titans is based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. Previously, their story had been adapted in a lighthearted manner, but this time, DC does not hesitate in portraying a gritter version. Disbanded at the start, the mighty group of superheroes bands together to fight evil after Batman’s former vigilante partner Dick Grayson emerges from the shadow and leads them.
Raw And Gritty Take On DC Characters
Just as dark as its competitors, Titans mirrors Supacell in smoothly blending brutal scenes with vibrant ones. The insane arcs, which revolve around a bold team of superheroes fighting crime and navigating twisted missions, unfold with Shakespearean depth.
Beyond its spectacular cast members (Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop, Teagan Croft, Alan Ritchson, Ryan Potter, and more), the show features stylish action sequences and natural character growth. Though heavier in tone, Titans is surprisingly entertaining from beginning to end.
10 If I Hadn’t Met You (2018)
A Spanish Catalan-language fantasy drama, If I Hadn’t Met You follows Eduard, a husband and father of two, who loses his family in a tragic car accident. Grieving, he has an encounter with a mysterious woman named Dr. Everest; she offers him a chance to travel to parallel universes. He has to choose between two vital moments in his life in order to find an alternate reality where his family is still alive and well. But his unexpected detours may lead to new losses.
Slow-Burn And Suspenseful
Sharing Supacell’s intricate storyline about the protagonist desperately trying to avoid losing the love of his life, If I Hadn’t Met You explores how mystery and empowerment work in a world ridden with strangeness and despair. The series, which is quite underrated, has the capacity to make you feel a range of emotions thanks to the incredible cast. Pablo Derqui and Andrea Ros share a palpable chemistry. Their ill-fated love story is unforgettable.
9 Peacemaker (2022 – Present)
John Cena, who first played Peacemaker in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, gets his own spin-off series. Also created by Gunn, it takes place after the events of the 2021 movie and sees Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker, recovering from his injuries and embarking on new deadly missions.
He is a lethal vigilante chasing peace through violent means. After joining forces with A.R.G.U.S. and meeting clever allies, he takes on escalating threats and tries to defeat parasitic butterfly-like creatures in absurdly gory battles.
John Cena Returns To Have Irreverent Fun
Peacemaker is an anti-hero’s entertaining and introspective journey. Its off-the-wall humor and brutal violence is a perfect match for Supercell’s frantic tone. Both series prioritize character arcs while also making piercing comments on societal flaws.
The DC Universe series also stars Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Jennifer Holland; each of their characters are popular for taking risks and coloring outside the lines. Peacemaker is one of the few outrageous TV shows with a massive cult following.
8 Travelers (2018 – 2018)
Travelers
- Release Date
- October 17, 2016
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Cast
- Eric McCormack , Nesta Cooper , Jared Abrahamson , Patrick Gilmore
- Seasons
- 3
Co-produced by Netflix, this three-season sci-fi series is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where advanced technology has discovered a means to send a person’s consciousness back in time. We follow a team of operatives who arrive from the future and take over unsuspecting “hosts” in the 21st century, assuming their identities and living their lives.
Led by Grant MacLaren, a team of five “travelers” embarks on a mission to stop a global crisis. Their plan, however, relies on following certain protocols, maintaining secrecy, and taking on impossible tasks.
Time Travel Made Immersive
Rising tensions and ethical boundaries collide as the travelers face more and more impending disasters, which acts as a driving force for the narrative. In relation to Supacell, the series proves that super-powered teams can only achieve goals by sticking together.
Critics praised Travelers for its “freaky and suspenseful narrative,” pointing out its time travel as the “most ingenious, yet disturbing means” ever put to screen. Later, the shift in tone and use of real footage led to the series’ cancelation.
7 The Boys (2019 – Present)
The Boys
- Release Date
- July 26, 2019
- Seasons
- 4
Set in a world where superheroes are treated as celebrities and revered as God, The Boys follows the Seven, a group of seven powerful individuals controlled and marketed by a powerful corporation known as Vought International. A band of vigilantes takes it upon themselves to hold the Supes accountable for growing corruption and taking innocent lives. Their leader, Billy Butcher, has a personal vendetta against the Superman-style hero, Homelander.
Subverts Superhero Tropes
The Boys unabashedly flips off superhero tropes and status quos to reveal a shocking side of fame and power. Developed by Eric Kripke for Prime Video, it is based on the comic book series of the same name and takes creative liberties in depicting character arcs.
The Boys shares Supacell’s subversive nature to turn the genre inside out while also delivering an entertaining experience. The former also criticizes society, is wickedly smart, and touches up relevant themes episode after episode.
6 The Umbrella Academy (2019 – 2024)
Another ongoing adult superhero series, The Umbrella Academy is set in a universe where more than 40 women around the globe gave birth at the same time without being pregnant before. Sir Reginald Hargreeves adopted seven of these unique children and created the titular academy – a family of superheroes who must train and become capable enough to use their powers to save the world from a cataclysmic event. However, they all grow up, and apart, and end up confronting their trauma and isolation after their father’s death.
Brings Together a Dysfunctional Family
Closest in concept to Supacell yet entirely different in tone, The Umbrella Academy sees its characters clashing with each other and facing their demons together across four seasons. Dark, humorous, and packed with action, the show is sometimes emotional and sometimes harrowing.
It stars Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, and more as members of the Hargreeve family. Most praiseworthy is the exceptional performances and the careful direction, which come together to tell a compelling story.
5 Heroes
Heroes
- Release Date
- September 25, 2006
- Seasons
- 4
Much like Supacell, Heroes is a sci-fi series that follows a bunch of ordinary people who discover that they possess extraordinary superhuman abilities. As they try to adjust to their amazing powers, they also try to group together and prevent disastrous futures. One of their largest enemies is a secret organization known only as “the Company,” that wants to manipulate and eliminate the gifted individuals.
Character-Driven And Emotional
With each gifted character undergoing personal battles, Heroes establishes itself as a character-driven drama more than anything. We witness the talents evolving at a natural pace, their interpersonal relationships becoming stronger, and their battles getting harder. The four-season-long series is told in the form of comic books, with an overarching plot combining little narratives. Heroes premiered with high ratings, but NBC had to pull the plug when ratings steadily dropped.
4 Parallels (2022)
Parallels is a captivating French-language sci-fi series that centers around four friends, Bilal, Romane, and brothers Sam and Victor. They have just graduated middle school and are celebrating Bilal’s birthday when a mysterious event shakes the fabric of their reality and scatters them into alternate timelines.
Bilal transforms into an adult and has to convince Sam of his identity. Victor and Romane find themselves in a reality where they have superpowers. They must find a way to return to their old selves.
The Multiverse Just Got Bigger
Over six immersive episodes, Parallels delivers adventures driven by science. The series isn’t dark, there are no fistfights or over-the-top action sequences, and very little drama. Instead, the focus lies on character relationships, teenagehood, and family values. Naidra Ayadi, who plays Bilal’s mother (a scientist connected to the incident) is vital to the show because she relentlessly tries to get the kids back. The series, like Supacell, uses time travel and captivating dual storylines.
3 Watchmen (2019)
Watchmen
- Release Date
- October 20, 2019
- Seasons
- 1
Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, Watchmen embraces the nostalgia and the themes of the original graphic novel and tells the groundbreaking story of police detective Angela Abar leads a normal life in Tulsa, until a mysterious event changes everything. As violence, corruption, strange weapons, and an assassination scheme emerge, Angela dons a mask and forms a team of vigilantes to face the threats in her city.
Reinvents the Original Comics
Through memorable characters and layered storytelling, Watchmen deconstructs reality, mortality, and legacy. The limited series was created for HBO by Damon Lindelof, who essentially wanted to develop a “remix” of the original comic series.
So he reinvented pre-established concepts, introduced new characters and new threats into a familiar framework, and ended up building a lore that was strong, stylish, profound, and praiseworthy. It also deals with themes of racism and government intervention, which fans of Supacell will relate to.
2 True Blood (2008 – 2014)
true blood
- Release Date
- September 7, 2008
- Seasons
- 8
True Blood centers around Sookie Stackhouse, a psychic waitress played by Anna Paquin. Her life takes a sharp turn when the vampires in Louisiana make their presence known to the public. She can read all their minds – except for Bill Compton, the new vampire in town. Their unusual romance blossoms amidst supernatural forces. From werewolves to powerful witches, from chilling drama to hidden mysteries, the series covers it all in its seven acclaimed seasons.
Delivers Social Messages Amidst Thrills
On the surface, True Blood features a dreamlike narrative about vampires adjusting to the real world. It features complex character relationships, emotions, thrilling plot twists, and an excellent will-they-won’t-they chemistry between Sookie and a Viking vampire named Eric Northman.
However, if you look closely, it shares Supacell’s vibrant blend of genres and weaves a provocative story around its characters, who are regular people in a community. Their lives change drastically when they embrace their superpowers, making the audiences root for them episode after episode.
1 Stranger Things (2016 – Present)
Stranger Things
Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.
- Release Date
- July 15, 2016
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Cast
- Finn Wolfhard , Joe Keery , Jamie Campbell Bower , Brett Gelman , Caleb McLaughlin , Maya Hawke , David Harbour , Matthew Modine , Priah Ferguson , Gaten Matarazzo , Winona Ryder , Charlie Heaton , Sadie Sink , Millie Bobby Brown , Joseph Quinn , Dacre Montgomery , Natalia Dyer , Noah Schnapp
- Seasons
- 4
The Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things became the most popular show on Netflix when its first season was released on the streaming platform in 2016. Set against the backdrop of a small town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s, it begins with the disappearance of Will Byers.
His mother Joyce, his friends, and the local police search for answers. Before they know it, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery that leads them to a top-secret government facility, unknown supernatural forces, and a strange girl named Eleven.
Pays Homage to a Bygone Era
Known for its atmospheric settings, outstanding performances, jaw-dropping plot twists, and the quintessential vibe of the 1980s, Stranger Things, to an extent, reminds you of Supacell. It fosters the same sense of adventure and love for misfit characters.
Also, in both shows, we see the protagonists’ superpowers leading to an exceptional mystery which is connected to a different world. Stranger Things’ stylish direction, constant suspense, world building, and nostalgic themes make it a fan-favorite.
