20 Best Superhero TV Show Performances Ever

Daredevil's thunder was stolen in his own show thanks to Vincent D'Onofrio.

Daredevil Kingpin Vincent DOnofrio
Netflix

There may not be any genre in the current cinematic landscape as big or as lucrative as that of the superhero movie. Of course, the majority of this comes from the MCU, going strong since 2008, but there is also DC slate both inside and outside the confines of the DCEU, and contributions from Sony's Spider-Man universe, and the likes of Hellboy from Dark Horse Comics.

Naturally, this is where the money is for these brands, with each movie having the potential to make millions, even billions of dollars. But there are also many superhero successes on the small screen.

There is absolutely no shortage of incredible television based on superheroes from Marvel, DC, and beyond, and with them come a plethora of truly wonderful characters. Some simply found there was no room in the movies for them at a certain point, and so were 'relegated' to the small screen, and others had their time on the big screen and underwhelmed somewhat.

While this may be less lucrative, stretching a story over 13 episodes rather than one two hour movie allows for much more screen time and deeper character development, resulting in some of the best characters in the superhero genre living on the small screen.

20. Karl Urban As Billy Butcher

Daredevil Kingpin Vincent DOnofrio
Amazon Studios

The Boys isn't your typical superhero TV show. While it is based around those gifted with super human ability being marketed as heroes, they really couldn't be further from it. The true hero, or anti-hero, of the show is Billy Butcher, brought to life by Karl Urban.

Of the series' main cast, Urban is easily the most recognisable name, and thus had the pressure of some in the mainstream audience tuning in just because of his face on the adverts and trailers. To the surprise of no one, the Star Trek actor absolutely nailed his performance as Billy Butcher.

In the comics, Billy is a no nonsense, foul mouthed brute who takes in pleasure in being an active pain in the arse of any and all superheroes. This perfectly translates to the screen thanks to Urban, who can even show his softer side every now and then, with the incredibly rare compliment toward Hughie.

The only reason Urban doesn't climb any higher on this list is the accent. Homelander might comment that he loves Billy's accent, but anyone in the UK who knows what a proper English accent should sound like... not so much.

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This standard nerd combines the looks of Shaggy with the brains of Scooby, has an unhealthy obsession with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a firm believer that Alter Bridge are the greatest band in the world.