Superhero spinoff shows have become a powerhouse genre of their own, expanding beloved universes, giving secondary characters a spotlight and telling their own stories. From anti-heroes to quirky misfits and allies, these superhero spinoff shows introduce us to unique backstories, offer fresh perspectives, and new challenges for supporting heroes and even villains. From Agatha All Along to Peacemaker, these superhero spinoff shows give us origin stories of iconic characters and transport us to unexplored corners of superhero cinematic worlds.
1. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – Disney+ Hotstar
Set six months after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the show centres around two beloved characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Sam Wilson, also known as Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Steve Rogers has passed the mantle of Captain America to Sam, who struggles to embrace his new role and legacy while dealing with the government’s decision to appoint a new Captain America, John Walker (Wyatt Russell). Meanwhile, Bucky struggles with guilt over his past as the Winter Soldier and seeks redemption for his crimes. They team up to confront a new threat, the Flag Smashers, a group that believes in a world without borders in the aftermath of the post-blip world. The chemistry between Sam and Bucky drives the narrative as they learn to work together and face their inner demons.
2. Agatha All Along – Disney+ Hotstar
A spinoff of WandaVision and the 11th series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the show revolves around Agatha Harkness (played by Kathryn Hahn), the sinister witch trapped under Wanda’s curse. The curse leads her to believe she is Agnes O’Connor, a police inspector fixated on solving a murder case. After waking up from the spell, she teams with a teenage boy to form a new coven of witches and to regain her power. She also clashes with her old nemesis, the Salem Seven, while travelling the famous Witches Road as she battles to regain her lost powers. The series dives deeper into her dark magical history, her connection to the Darkhold (a powerful and dangerous magical tome), and the ancient witchcraft that shapes her powers.
3. Doom Patrol – JioCinema
Based on the DC Comics team of the same name, the show is a spinoff of Titans and follows a group of misfit heroes, each dealing with traumas and bizarre abilities. The team consists of the Robotman (Brendan Fraser), the struggling actor-turned-elasticity-powered Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), the mentally unstable Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero) with 64 personalities, each with a unique power, and Negative Man (Matt Bomer), a former pilot whose body hosts an energy being. The team is led by Dr. Niles Caulder, aka The Chief (Timothy Dalton), and later joined by Cyborg (Joivan Wade), connecting the narrative to the broader DC universe. The plot revolves around their personal struggles as they face off against villains like Mr. Nobody (Alan Tudyk).
4. The Punisher – Disney+ Hotstar
A spinoff of the show Daredevils, this series focuses on Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), a former Marine turned vigilante who is on a mission for justice. His brutal, no-holds-barred methods and complex sense of justice make him one of the darkest heroes in the Marvel universe. Following the murder of his family, Frank takes on the alias The Punisher and wages a personal war against crime. Throughout the series, he faces corrupt officials, violent gangs, and government conspiracies, all while wrestling with his own mental scars and moral boundaries. The series is unlike other Marvel shows due to its grounded and haunting portrayal of a vigilante anti-hero.
5. The Flash – Amazon Prime Video
This popular superhero series follows Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), a forensic scientist who gains superhuman speed after a lab accident. Barry becomes the Scarlet Speedster, a hero protecting Central City from various threats – from meta-human criminals to time-travelling villains. Known for its blend of heart, humour, and action, the show became one of the flagship shows of the Arrowverse, a shared universe of interconnected superhero series on The CW. The series follows Barry’s journey as he learns to master his powers and protect his loved ones while navigating the challenges of being a hero.
6. Peacemaker – JioCinema
A spinoff of The Suicide Squad, the series follows Christopher Smith, aka Peacemaker, played by John Cena. First introduced in James Gunn’s 2021 movie The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker is a complex, morally ambiguous anti-hero whose belief in achieving peace “no matter how many men, women, and children” he has to kill became a defining trait and a darkly comedic point. The series picks up shortly after the events of The Suicide Squad, where Peacemaker is recovering from his near-death experience and is recruited for a new mission with a covert government team known as Project Butterfly. The series garnered praise for its unique storytelling and the depth it brings to Peacemaker’s character, who evolves from a killer to someone searching for a better path.
7. Echo – Disney+ Hotstar
Based on Marvel’s eponymous character, the show is a spin-off of Hawkeye. The narrative revolves around Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), a Native American deaf superhero with an incredible ability to mimic any physical action she observes, essentially making her a formidable fighter. In Hawkeye, she faced off against Clint Barton (Hawkeye) and dealt with her personal vendetta following the loss of her father. Echo gives a glimpse of Maya’s past as she returns to her roots. Fans of the comics will get to know her connection to Kingpin (played by Vincent D’Onofrio, who is reprising his role from Daredevil) and her complex journey of self-discovery and redemption.
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