Smallville

Destiny is now.

RELEASED 16 Oct 2001152h 54m · 216 episodes★ 8.2 TMDB

The origins of the world’s greatest hero–from Krypton refugee Kal-el’s arrival on Earth through his tumultuous teen years to Clark Kent’s final steps toward embracing his destiny as the Man of Steel.

Why it matters in DC

Clark Kent's development before fully embracing Superman makes the journey toward the symbol the series' subject. Its long-form approach gives relationships and everyday choices room to shape the hero, rather than treating his early years as a brief prelude to the costume.

Watch these first

4 titles to watch before Smallville — 89h 57m in total.

Superman IIIOptional background2h 5m★ 5.5+2 before this
Superman IV: The Quest for PeaceOptional background1h 30m★ 4.6+3 before this
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanOptional background67h 28m★ 6.9
Superman: The Animated SeriesOptional background18h 54m★ 7.7

Opens the planner with just these titles, so you can set your own pace.

How these titles are selected

Story prerequisites are curated. Likely prerequisites are inferred from sequel numbering or explicit synopsis references. Recommendations are earlier stories in the same continuity; background picks are separate adaptations. Series lists cover whole shows, not an episode-by-episode watch order.

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Where it fits in the DC universe

Smallville is title 11 of 24 in our Live-action Elseworlds viewing sequence. Smallville follows its own long-form account of Clark Kent's development. The later Superman films and Superman & Lois are not its next seasons. Follow the show's internal progression for its relationships and mythology; familiar faces in wider crossover material do not make all Superman adaptations one continuous television history.

Explore this viewing sequence