15 Shows Like Invincible You Should Watch Next

Amazon Prime's hit series "Invincible" has already become a classic superhero story. Based on the Image Comics series of the same name created by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, this unique show follows Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), the teenage son of alpha-superhero Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). Mark is excited to gain powers of his own, but they're not everything they appear to be — and neither is his father.

"Invincible" has set a new bar for adult animated series and gritty superhero stories. And when we say gritty, we mean it: "Invincible" is an outright brutal tale that doesn't shy away from the reality of what a Superman-tier fighter could do, were he a little less committed to all things heroic. Fans have fallen in love with this intense approach — but that just makes the wait for further "Invincible" seasons all the more frustrating. Why not make the time pass faster with other high-octane series full of humor, drama, and intense action? These 15 shows should be next on any "Invincible" fan's to-watch list.

Animated fantasy-horror series "Castlevania," based on the video game series of the same name, proved to be a hit when it debuted on Netflix in 2017. While this sprawling series features many characters, it mainly follows monster hunter Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Dracula's son Alucard (James Callis), and powerful magician and element wielder Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) as they attempt to protect Wallachia from Dracula, his minions, and other unholy creatures that go bump in the night.

Much like "Invincible," "Castlevania" takes time to build to its bloody and brutal climaxes. However, "Invincible" takes place in a bright and exciting fantasy world of superheroes undergirded by a creeping feeling of unrest, which rises to the surface once Omni-Man's true purpose is revealed. "Castlevania," in contrast, wears its darker elements on its sleeve — yet both series explore terror with similar potency, once it arrives. The heroes of "Castlevania" are particularly tested by the monsters they must constantly dispatch, in order to survive until the next episode. Whether you're a fan of the video games or not, it's worth checking out.

From the genius mind of Genndy Tartakovsky, the man behind shows like "Samurai Jack" and "Star Wars: Clone Wars," comes "Primal." "Primal" is a bloody tale about a man and his pet — but the man happens to be a caveman, and his pet is a Tyrannosaurus. Together, they roam the prehistoric world taking on anything and everyone in order to survive.

"Primal," which won a slew of Emmys, is about more than just violence — though that violence is spectacularly depicted. Its characters are given in-depth development, which invests viewers in their survival. Much like Mark must overcome the truth about his father, Spear (Aaron LaPlante), the central caveman, must overcome the loss of his family after they are slaughtered by vicious dinosaurs. He and Mark are both heroes who do what they must to keep those they've chosen to protect safe — even when they feel pushed past all hope of endurance.

Adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comic series of the same name, "The Boys" was met with huge success when it debuted in 2019. It asks a simple question: What would happen if humanity had superpowers? Then it adds another: What if there was one massive corporation that controlled them all? This unique approach to the superhero genre produces a Justice League-esque team of characters who may act like saviors, but are actually violent, selfish, and cruel. Take Homelander (Antony Starr), the Superman equivalent. Much like Omni-Man, Homelander is the strongest of all the "heroes" — but he has his own agenda, and will willingly sacrifice anyone to get his way. These vicious "good guys" are opposed by the titular group of vigilantes. 

Over the course of Season 1, audiences come to understand that Homelander is the true villain of the series, just as Omni-Man is revealed to occupy a similar role on "Invincible." Another striking commonality is what happens when both of these characters get angry: "Brutal display of carnage" is putting it mildly. But once you've watched both, you'll have to admit how much you want to see these two characters duke it out in a grudge match — if only to see them get their comeuppance.

"The Legend of Vox Machina" is an animated fantasy based on "Critical Role," a web series that follows a group of professional voice actors' "Dungeons & Dragons" campaigns. The eponymous band of heroes dwells with Exandria, a fantasy land full of dragons, elves, and fantastical deities. Because of its animated nature, "Vox Machina" is able to bring their truly epic adventures to life with vibrant colors and show-stopping images. This has pleased longtime "Critical Role" fans, just as "Invincible" has impressed those who loved the comic series long before it hit the small screen.

Similarly, "The Legend of Vox Machina" and "Invincible" both use animation to play with viewers' sense of nostalgia. It's hard not to remember the cartoons one loved as a kid while watching either series — but of course, "Vox Machina" and "Invincible" are a far cry from "Masters of the Universe" and "Batman: The Animated Series." That tension proves to be incredibly entertaining in both series.

Taking place within the world of Greek mythology, "Blood of Zeus" follows demigod Heron (Derek Phillips), who inadvertently gets roped into a war waged by the gods. Not only does he discover that Zeus is his father over the course of this divine conflict, he also learns his mother was a queen, and that he has a brother who's on a murderous rampage.

"Blood of Zeus" is, as you might expect, a violent tale that sees the gods of Olympus face off against each other and the Giants, mythical creatures of tremendous power. When the gods and the Giants fight, this show is at its most violent — something "Invincible" fans will find familiar. Moreover, Heron's character arc is a lot like Mark's on "Invincible": They both spend Season 1 discovering their powers and coming to terms with their complex lineages. Heron and Mark are easy to rally behind, despite these fantastic abilities, because they're ultimately just like us — with superpowers, of course.

Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy," adapted from Gerard Way's beloved comic series, is the perfect show to binge while waiting for more "Invincible" episodes. On a normal October day in 1989, a group of children were born with superpowers. This was a surprise to their mothers, who weren't pregnant until labor began. Billionaire Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore) adopted seven of these extraordinary children, and trained them to be superheroes. Today, they're adults living wildly divergent lives — but they can't outrun their unique past, or their dazzling powers, forever.

Like the cast of "Invincible" the heroes of "The Umbrella Academy" are thrust into the world of superheroics whether they want to be there or not. Furthermore, just like Mark, they all have major daddy issues: Hargreeves and Omni-Man could both run for the world's most sarcastically-bestowed "father of the year" award. If you love the oddball twists "Invincible" puts on the world of masks and tights, you're sure to love "The Umbrella Academy."

"Arcane" has blown newbies and longtime gamers alike away by being absolutely spectacular. Though this show takes place in the universe of the wildly popular "League of Legends" video game, you don't need to be familiar with it to jump in — "Arcane" gives audiences all the necessary background information. Like "Invincible," "Arcane" sweeps viewers into a world of heroes, violence, and family drama. However, instead of superheroes, "Arcane" follows the denizens of a strictly stratified steampunk world. Caught in the tension between those who live up top and those who dwell below, a pair of sisters are forced to make difficult choices to survive.

Both "Invincible" and "Arcane" explain the social and political aspects of their universes without having to resort to expository narration: They include you, rather than talk at you. This is a thrilling process, as both shows boast intriguing stories and stunning visuals. Moreover, though the worlds featured in these series are brutal, you can't help but wish that you lived there too — if only for a little while.

Harley Quinn has come a long way. She's gone from being the Joker's hideously abused sometimes-girlfriend to an anti-hero in her own right, beloved by millions of fans. Animated comedy "Harley Quinn" sees her step fully into her own limelight after she finally rids herself of "Mister J" upon realizing that he truly doesn't love her. Harley (Kaley Cuoco) proceeds to embark upon her own adventures with her merry band of misfit allies and best friend-turned-love interest,  Poison Ivy (Lake Bell).

While "Harley Quinn" certainly features its fair share of violence, its inclusion on this list has more to do with tone than gore. "Invincible" is definitely bloody, but it also has a killer sense of humor, expertly conveyed by its all-star cast. "Harley Quinn" similarly balances on the line between comedy and seriousness. And hey, "Harley Quinn" is technically also a superhero tale, as Harley believes herself to be a good guy — even when she's trying to join the Legion of Doom.

"Doom Patrol" brings the titular DC Comics team to the small screen. Rather than happy heroes who stand for love, justice, and all that good stuff, however, the Doom Patrol consists of misfits, and their show is a sarcastic and gritty tribute to everyone who lives outside the box.

Boasting megawatt talents like Diane Guerrero, Matt Bomer, and Brendan Fraser, "Doom Patrol" follows its group of weirdos as they save the world and hopefully find some semblance of peace along the way. Just as Mark in "Invincible" needs to learn how to push his personal feelings aside to get the job done, so does the "Doom Patrol" squad. It's what heroes do, after all, even when said heroes are dealing with dissociative identity disorder and having their brains transferred into robotic bodies. Although "Doom Patrol" is a bit more offbeat than "Invincible," fans of the latter series are likely to enjoy its quirky take on good guys in tights.

Epic fantasy series "Dota: Dragon's Blood" is based on the "Dota 2" video game. While movie adaptions of video games tend to be tragic rather than triumphant, shows like "Dota: Dragon's Blood" are blazing a new trail on the small screen by being, well, good. The series follows Davion (Yuri Lowenthal) a Dragon Knight whose soul gets merged with Slyrak (Tony Todd), one of the Eight Great Dragons and Davion's sworn enemy. As he adjusts to his new reality, Davion slays demons, dragons, and a goddess alongside elves, fellow Dragon Knights, and Princess Mirana (Lara Pulver). 

Like "Invincible," "Dota: Dragon's Blood" is a violent tale of heroes and villains who don't hold back. Davion must venture into depths he never even imagined to keep the people he loves safe — something Mark can certainly relate to. Luckily, he doesn't have to do it alone. Both series also feature dazzling visuals, sure to impress diehard fans and newcomers alike.

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" is one of the greatest animated shows ever made. Its successor, "Avatar: The Legend of Korra," is just as thrilling and emotional, though it tackles very different topics. 70 years have passed since the events of the original series, and soft and lovable Aang has been reincarnated as competitive Korra (Janet Varney). In a rapidly changing world reminiscent of the roaring '20s, she must learn what it truly means to be the Avatar, who bridges the material world and that of the spirits. Controlling all four elements isn't enough, it turns out — but with the help of her friends and mentors, Korra might just be up to the challenge.

Korra's journey of self-discovery mirrors Mark's on "Invincible," as becoming a superhero is all he wants, until he actually gets it. These two characters are, in that sense, a cautionary tale of being careful what you wish for, but also a lesson in growth. Heroism might not look the way they thought it would, but it fits them just the same.

"Samurai Jack" tells the story of a young Japanese prince (Phil LaMarr) who trains for years with a magical, gods-given katana in the hopes of defeating the shapeshifting demon Aku. But Aku's wrath is mighty, and in time, he takes over the land and holds the prince's father captive. Before the prince can land a fatal strike, Aku strands him in the nightmarish future he controls. There, the prince becomes Jack, a stranger in a strange land who must find a way to return to his time and rid the world of Aku forever.

"Samurai Jack" and "Invincible" both straddle the line between animated adventure and shocking darkness. Admittedly, "Samurai Jack" aired on Cartoon Network (though its final season aired on Adult Swim and is aimed at slightly older audiences), which means it's nowhere near the gore-fest "Invincible" is capable of being. But these series are united by their free-ranging spirit, and a simple moral: Whether you're a samurai or a superhero, you must be able to take a stand against true evil.

Created by Seth Meyers and Mike Shoemaker, "The Awesomes" takes place in the wake of a legendary superhero team's disbandment. This leaves space for a new team to take their place as defenders of the city — but their road isn't an easy one, as the entire world is skeptical of these newbies.

"The Awesomes" is, in some ways, a kinder "Invincible." It tackles similar storylines involving a new team of heroes replacing the old, and takes an irreverent approach to the genre. The big difference is that "The Awesomes" is a light-hearted series, while "Invincible" is a violent one that hides its dark heart behind bright colors. Although the characters of "The Awesomes" are never brought down to the realistic and gritty level those in "Invincible" are, these shows are united in their portrayal of coming-of-age stories and genuine heroism facing seemingly impossible obstacles. In the end, this makes "The Awesomes" and "Invincible" two sides of the same cape-wearing coin.

"One-Punch Man" is a superhero series unlike any other. The Earth has been overrun by monsters and supervillains, spurring the creation of the Hero Association. Saitama (Makoto Furukawa) is part of this organization, and is, in fact, the strongest superhero in the world by certain metrics: He can defeat anyone with just one punch. However, he grows bored of his success, and lives a low-key life of bargain-hunting and slacking off. Will he ever find a worthy opponent? Yes — but getting there is a truly wacky journey.

"One-Punch Man" is a significantly more goofy series than "Invincible." But Saitama's seriously superior strength makes him a fascinating counterpoint to Omni-Man. No one can really stand up to either guy — they're apex fighters with godlike abilities. Seeing a character take that mastery as lightly as Saitama does is something of a palate cleanser for "Invincible" fans interested in alternate approaches, or a simple breather.

"Death Note" is an anime classic, beloved by millions of fans all over the world. The dark series follows Light Yagami (Mamoru Miyano), a high school student who comes across a mysteriously powerful notebook. Anyone whose name is written in its pages will die, essentially conferring divine power upon its holder. Light takes it upon himself to be judge, jury, and executioner of all those he deems criminal. He hopes to make the world a better place, but megalomaniacal desires soon take hold. It's not long before Light's actions grab the attention of a genius investigator known only as L (Kappei Yamaguchi).  

Light's transformation from anti-hero to out-of-control monster is a fascinating one, leaving audiences to decide who is truly good and evil. While there are no superheroes here, this is more than a little reminiscent of the way "Invincible" portrays the excesses of "good guys." If you're looking for something propulsive, dark, and utterly unlike anything else out there, "Death Note" is your best bet.