10 superhero TV shows to learn English with
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Alongside learning languages, my favorite thing to do is to watch superhero TV shows and movies. Why? Because I wish I could fling things across the room with my mind, or teleport between places so I wouldn’t have to drive there (traffic jams are the worst). If you’re on the same page as me, read on.
Here are the best superhero TV shows to learn English with:
1. Titans
Fresh from comic house DC’s new streaming service is Titans, a gritty take on the classic series Teen Titans. Former sidekick of Batman, Dick Grayson (AKA the first Robin) leads a ragtag trio of superheroes – fiery Kory, shapeshifting Gar/Beast Boy, and spooky demon child Rachel/Raven – on a quest to discover why people are hunting them, fighting crime along the way.
2. Daredevil
Much better than the movie version featuring Ben Affleck (sorry, Ben), this dark series was the first Marvel-Netflix collaboration to debut on the streaming service. Matt Murdock is a blind young lawyer who realizes he has super-senses, which he uses to fight organized crime in the district of Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. Listen out for the New York accent.
3. Heroes
An oldie but a goodie, this series follows normal people around the world who discover they’ve got superpowers and must prevent a global catastrophe. The storylines get a bit silly after the first season, but it’s a fun watch with a diverse cast and a range of English-language accents, so that’s good.
4. The Flash
People were skeptical when this show about one of DC Comics’ most famous heroes was announced, but it’s ended up being a fun ride filled with iconic characters and tons of superhero action. If you’re looking for accessible storylines, not to mention American English, this is the show for you.
5. The Gifted
If you’re a fan of the X-Men, from Marvel Comics, then you’ll enjoy this series set after the superhero team has mysteriously disappeared, leaving other mutants to fend for themselves. Throw in some references to X-Men characters from the last 50 years, plus a script that’s easy to understand, and you’ve got the perfect superhero show.
6. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The primary Marvel TV show, which rode initially on the success of The Avengers movies, this series follows the secret agents of the undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, who work both with and against superhumans to protect the world. Like The Gifted, it’s easy to get into and the language is simple to understand (although they like to make up a lot of fictional science, so probably don’t bother learning that).
7. Legion
This show centers on David Haller, who (SPOILER) is a mutant with multiple personalities that each have their own superpowers. It’s connected to the world of the X-Men, but only unofficially. With a unique retro-modern vibe and complex characters – with a script to match – it’s one of the more difficult shows to understand on this list. Ideal for advanced learners!
8. Black Lightning
Jefferson Pierce is a retired superhero called Black Lightning, with the power to generate electricity. He’s called back into service when a criminal gang targets his community. It’s fun, soapy, and as easy to watch as the English is easy to understand.
9. Cloak & Dagger
If you’re a fan of coming-of-age teen dramas, here’s your superhero equivalent. Tandy and Tyrone are high school students in New Orleans who discover they have a shared traumatic experience – not to mention opposing superpowers. Angst aplenty.
10. Supergirl
A long-overdue exploration into the life of Superman’s cousin, Supergirl follows Kara Zor-El as she defends the world from superhuman threats while maintaining a similarly dramatic personal life. Like most of the other shows on our list, it’s not the most challenging series to understand, but that makes it great for learning English – so no complaints here!