Superheroes have truly taken the world by storm with countless television and film adaptations propelling these beloved characters to further glory. Between theastronomical successof the Marvel Cinematic Universe on both the big and small screens, and the DC Extended Universe’s crusade to build their ownlasting franchise empire, audiences across the world want anything and everything to do with superheroes. While in recent years these phenomenal warriors found life predominantly on the silver screen, that wasn’t always the case.
Superheroes have been entertaining fans from the comfort of their homessince the 1950s, introducing the masses to iconic and beloved characters. The twentieth century brought forth some of the most exciting and memorable superheroes in adaptations that continue to garner admiration and affection. FromAdam West’s campy portrayalof the masked crusader to abutt-kicking female cyborg, television became home to famous comic faces. Let’s take a look at the nine best superhero TV shows from the 20th century.
9The Green Hornet
Starring Van Williams as the titular character and martial arts legend Bruce Lee as Kato,The Green Hornetpremiered in 1966 and is based on the crime-fighting superhero that was created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker. The show follows bachelor and media mogul Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher by day and masked vigilante by night who is aided by his martial arts expert partner Kato.The Green Hornetintroduced American television audiences to Bruce Lee and became the first popular American show presenting Asian-style martial arts. When Lee was cast,he moved so fast that his movements could not be caught on film,so he had to go slow during the action sequences. Despite only lasting a season,The Green Hornetwas a stepping stone for Lee’s impressive show business career and has since gone on to become a cult favorite.
Related:Here Are the Toughest Female Superheroes, Ranked
8Adventures of Superman
Perhaps the first most widely recognized and well-known version ofSupermanin Hollywood,Adventures of Supermanis a groundbreaking series that was also undeniably the first successful superhero television show. StarringGeorge Reeves as the iconic title character, the series ran for six seasons from 1952 to 1958 and featured the humble hero as he protects Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen from perilous situations in Metropolis. It is a pioneer in the superhero TV genre and the character went on to establish the major conventions of the archetype that would forever be implemented: a codename, remarkable superpowers and an altruistic mission. There was a planned revival ofAdventures of Supermanin 1959, but the plans fell through with the tragic death of lead George Reeves.
7The Six Million Dollar Man
After becoming severely injured during a NASA test flight accident, former astronaut and USAF Colonel Steve Austin is rebuilt with nuclear-powered bionic limbs and implants, becoming a secret intelligence agent as a result inThe Six Million Dollar Man. Lee Majors stars in the titular role that is based on the Martin Caidin novelCyborgand became a pop culture icon for his portrayal. With the help of his boss Oscar Goldman, Steve Austin is sent on a colorful myriad of missions, using his superhuman speed, strength and vision for good.The Six Million Dollar Manran for five successful seasons from 1973 to 1978 and led to three television movies. The series was also an international hit and was screened in over 70 countries, cementing its legacy as a classic superhero show.
6The Incredible Hulk
Based on the Marvel Comics character, 1977’sThe Incredible Hulkcenters on a fugitive scientist with the bizarre curse of transforming into a powerful green monster when under extreme emotional duress. Bill Bixby stars as Dr. David Bruce Banner, with Lou Ferrigno memorably taking on the role of theHulk. David travels far and wide in search of a cure to his strange condition, helping those in need despite his violent alter ego. Creator Kenneth Johnson widely ignored much of the Hulk’s comic book background in favor of making him more acceptable and believable to audiences.Stan Lee himself praised the direction and tone of the show, having said,“He took a comic book character and made him somewhat plausible. Women liked it and men liked it and teenagers liked it […] It was beautifully done. He changed it quite a bit from the comic book, but every change he made, made sense.”
Television legend Adam West donned the iconic batsuit when he took on the role of the vigilante superhero for the 1966 TV showBatman.Featuring Burt Ward as his faithful sidekick Robin, the series follows the dynamic crime fighting duo as they defend Gotham City from a slew of diabolical archvillains. Known for its unintentionally humorous delivery and camp style,Batmandidn’t take itself too seriously and was an amusing and fun ride for viewers. With its silly fight sequences, hilarious comic book font title cards (“Bam!” “Pow!"), and simplistic morality, the ‘60s series was truly monumental. The hit show ran for three seasons as well as a 1966 companion feature film, and undeniably served as the world’s official introduction to the beloved DC superhero.
Related:Every Actor Who Played Batman, Ranked
4The Bionic Woman
A spin-off of the mega hit science fiction seriesThe Six Million Dollar Man,1976’sThe Bionic Womansees Lindsay Wagner revive her famous character Jaime Sommers as she becomes the first female cyborg. After being critically injured during a skiing accident, Sommers receives bionic surgical implants similar to those of Steve Austin, and is assigned to spy missions of her own. Though the show only ran for three seasons, it gained worldwide popularity, and Wagner earned an Emmy Award in 1977 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series; interestingly, it was women who brought superheroes their first mainstream awards, with Wagner and, two years later, Carolyn Fields inThe Incredible Hulkleading the way.The Bionic Womanwas light-hearted and fun like its companion show, and included exciting action and plenty of butt-kicking. Wagner would return to the role alongside Lee Majors for made-for-television movies in 1987, 1989 and 1994, and the series was revived for ashort-lived 2007 reboot.
3Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers
The 1990s pop culture phenomenonMighty Morphin' Power Rangerscenters on a group of teenagers with superpowers who are recruited by the wise sage Zordon to become Power Rangers. The group is given the ability to morph into powerful, colorful figures and battle it out against evil foes like the malevolent witch Rita Repulsa and later Lord Zedd and hordes of nefarious monsters. The series featured a gifted young cast including Amy Jo Johnson, Austin St. John, and Walter Emmanuel Jones who helped catapult the show to fame in the ‘90s. Due to the action-oriented nature of the show, creators wanted lead actors who hadbackground in physically intensive activities;Johnson was a former competitive gymnast, St. John a black belt in Taekwondo, and Jones a dancer.Mighty Morphin Power Rangersspawned countless merchandise, feature and reboot films, and a companion TV series.They’re even going to fight Godzillain a new comic book.
2Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
ABC’s 1993 superhero seriesLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Supermanloosely follows the modern origin of the character, andfocuses both on the relationship between Lois and Clarkand the many adventures of his alter-ego, Superman. Starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher as the beloved comic couple, the series chronicles Clark’s efforts against famous foes like Lex Luther, The Prankster, and Metallo.Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Supermanwas a fresh and innovative superhero series, one which focused on romance, sensuality, and relationships more than nearly any other, but was also fun and playful, making it a worthy entry for the Superman legacy.
1Wonder Woman
Before audiences were taken withGal Gadot’s explosive performance as the lasso-wielding warrior princess, the world’s originalWonder Womanwas Lynda Carter. The actress once stated that when she won the role of the epic superhero,she had only $25 in the bank, but this hit changed all that. The 1976 series focuses on Diana Prince’s fight for justice during World War II, and then later in the 1970s when the title changed toThe New Adventures of Wonder Woman. Carter’s portrayal of the character heavily influenced theWonder Womancomics, as the star came up with the ballerina-style spinning transformation that was incorporated into the comics. The series ran for three seasons, during which Carter’s passionate performance was lauded by critics and endeared her to fans. She even appeared in a cameo as Asteria in theblockbuster hitWonder Woman 1984.Everything about this early iteration ofWonder Womanis truly iconic, and it is undoubtedly one of the best superhero TV shows to ever grace the small screen.
