15 Years After Cancellation, a Classic Superhero Drama Series Returns to Life on Netflix

15 years after its cancellation, a groundbreaking superhero show has suddenly found itself enjoying a new lease on life on Netflix in 2026. What has sparked the resurgence?

Rediscovering a Superhero Origin Story on Streaming

Every day, Netflix updates its most-viewed shows lists, which are visible on the app's home screen, in each country. The website FlixPatrol gives every show points for each country's list it appears on, based on its position. Shows get 10 points for each country they are #1 in, down to one point for each they are #10 in. Based on the sum of the points that each show gets across all regions, FlixPatrol lists the top 10 shows worldwide on Netflix daily.

On February 25, 2026, Smallville was ranked as the 8th most popular show worldwide on Netflix, according to FlixPatrol. Earlier, on February 2, 2026, Collider highlighted the show earning a top 10 spot on FlixPatrol's Netflix list at that time as well. Those two instances prove that the Superman origin story has become a hit on streaming in 2026.

There is a very simple reason why the show being embraced by so many Netflix users right now is so surprising. It was canceled roughly 15 years ago. On May 13, 2011, Smallville's finale premiered, ending its 10-season run with a satisfying conclusion. While the network didn't axe the show mid-story, it was canceled after it reached its planned endpoint.

Why Is 'Smallville' a Hit Again 15 Years Later?

Two main factors explain Smallville's renewed popularity, the most obvious of which is that there was a recent change in its availability. According to What's on Netflix, all 10 seasons landed on the streaming service on January 13, 2026, in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, and Austria.

Of course, most older shows that wind up on Netflix never come close to cracking the streaming service's top 10. Smallville stands out as a classic series that has become a special success on Netflix for another key reason: It is an excellent show. When TVLine put together its list of the best superhero shows ever, it ranked Smallville 9th, ahead of X-Men: The Animated Series, Loki, Arrow, and The Powerpuff Girls.

Where Can Smallville Be Streamed In America?

Beyond the 15-year gap since it ended, Smallville's current popularity is also remarkable because it isn't available on Netflix everywhere. Notably, it's unavailable on Netflix in the United States, where fans can stream it on Hulu instead.