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Metropolis Today
By the People, for the People
Smallville Surges Back to Streaming Stardom 25 Years Later
The beloved 2000s Superman origin series climbs Netflix's global charts, sparking new DCU projects.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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The 10-season superhero drama Smallville, which aired from 2001 to 2011 and followed Clark Kent's life before becoming Superman, has seen a resurgence in popularity, climbing to No. 8 on Netflix's Global Top 10 TV Shows chart. The series, which starred Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, and Kristin Kreuk, has received critical acclaim and numerous accolades over the years, and its success has led to new Superman-related projects being greenlit in the DC Universe.
Why it matters
Smallville's renewed popularity highlights the enduring appeal of Superman's origin story and the desire from global audiences to explore the character's journey before he dons the iconic red cape. This resurgence also comes at a time when the DC Universe is undergoing a major creative overhaul, with new films, shows, and spin-offs being developed, further expanding the Man of Steel's cinematic and television presence.
The details
Smallville, which aired for 10 seasons from 2001 to 2011, followed Clark Kent's life before he became Superman, as he learned about his alien background and faced familiar adversaries like Lex Luthor. The series starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent, Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, and Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, with Erica Durance joining the cast as Lois Lane in later seasons. The show has received critical acclaim, including Primetime Emmy Awards and a Teen Choice Award, and it currently has a 78% critic score and a 72% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Smallville aired from 2001 to 2011.
- The series recently climbed to No. 8 on Netflix's Global Top 10 TV Shows chart.
- Tom Welling reprised his role as Clark Kent during the Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths" in 2019.
The players
Smallville
A 10-season superhero drama that followed Clark Kent's life before he became Superman.
Tom Welling
The actor who portrayed Clark Kent in the Smallville TV series.
Michael Rosenbaum
The actor who portrayed Lex Luthor in the Smallville TV series.
Kristin Kreuk
The actress who portrayed Lana Lang, Clark Kent's early love interest, in the Smallville TV series.
Erica Durance
The actress who portrayed Lois Lane in the later seasons of the Smallville TV series.
What’s next
Following the success of the recent Superman film, Warner Bros. and James Gunn have announced numerous new projects set in the DC Universe, including a Supergirl movie, a follow-up film called Man of Tomorrow featuring Superman and Lex Luthor, and a spin-off show starring Jimmy Olsen.
The takeaway
Smallville's resurgence on streaming platforms demonstrates the enduring appeal of Superman's origin story and the desire from global audiences to explore the character's journey before he becomes the iconic superhero. This renewed interest in the series has led to new Superman-related projects being developed, further expanding the Man of Steel's presence in the DC Universe.
