Entertainment
10 Must-Watch Shows After You Finish Prime Video’s ‘Spider-Noir’
For folks who have already finished binging through the Marvel and Prime Video collaboration that is Spider-Noir, we have some good news for you. While there may not be another show out there quite like the adventures of Nicolas Cage‘s web-slinging super-sleuth, there are other superhero, noir, and detective stories out there that echo many of the same ideas, themes, or even visual cues. We’ve put together a list of some of the best like-minded programs that you ought to give a try once you finish up this new Amazon triumph.
No matter if you prefer black-in-white or vibrant color, we’ve got nearly a dozen different shows that might speak to your Spider-Noir sensibilities. From uncompromising superhero adventures to detective dramas to period programs not unlike the aforementioned Depression-era drama, you’ll find plenty of great crime stories here to sink your teeth into. So, jump on in and prepare for your next case, because you won’t want to fall into “the big sleep” when watching these shows.
‘Perry Mason’ (1957–1966)
Based on the character created by Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason is probably one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of early 20th century detective fiction. The original CBS program aired for nine seasons and 271 episodes, meaning that there’s more than enough material for viewers to binge through if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional. Raymond Burr played the title criminal defense lawyer, who always went above and beyond to solve whatever case he was working on.
Burr would go on to star in 30 more made-for-TV movies as the character, solidifying his definitive take years before the HBO series that hit TV screens in 2020. Of course, for something a bit more modern, you could watch the newer Perry Mason series, but be warned, it’s a TV-MA production, so it will trade the original’s subtleties for more explicit material. If you stick with the original, however, you’ll have more than enough great TV-sized detective fiction to pick and choose from.
‘Peter Gunn’ (1958–1961)
One of the few TV detective shows not to be based on a pre-existing character, Peter Gunn ran for three seasons and followed the title hero played by Craig Stevens. Created by Blake Edwards of The Pink Panther fame, the NBC-turned-ABC program was another LA-based piece of detective fiction that followed a well-dressed “private eye” as he rolls around the City of Angels looking for trouble. Okay, maybe not looking for trouble, but as a private detective, he may as well be.
Although not on our list of classic detective shows that no one remembers, Peter Gunn deserves an honorable mention for its impressive take on the genre that will no doubt entertain Spider-Noir fans. If you’re looking for even more beyond these 114 episodes, Edwards later directed a feature film starring Stevens simply titled Gunn. Years later, Edwards would revisit the material once more with a made-for-TV reboot film, but Stevens was no longer involved.
‘Jessica Jones’ (2015–2019)
For something a bit more Marvel-styled but still in line with the world of detective fiction, Jessica Jones may be just what the Spider ordered. A neo-noir in the style of an anti-superhero series, this Marvel/Netflix production was a part of the larger The Defenders saga, but it stood on its own as a New York-style mystery about another ex-hero-turned-PI who takes down those haunting her. Created by Melissa Rosenberg, this may be the perfect complementary piece to Spider-Noir.
Krysten Ritter is an inspired cast as the titular PI, who effortlessly turns a gritty detective drama into a psychological thriller that’s barely a superhero show at all. But don’t let that get you down if you’re expecting costumes and capes. Over its three seasons and 39 episodes (more if you include The Defenders), the show more than proves itself as a memorable Marvel outing. Unlike Spider-Noir, however, Jessica Jones is a TV-MA — so take that how you will.
‘The Penguin’ (2024)
Speaking of gritty, TV-MA comic book-inspired projects, spinning off from Matt Reeves‘ The Batman is HBO’s The Penguin. Now, admittedly, this is more of a crime drama than it is a detective thriller, but considering its ties to superhero stories and grounding in the criminal underworld, we thought it deserved at least a mention here. Although it only lasted a single eight-episode season, fans of the DC Comics that inspired it will likely go all-in on this Batman-adjacent gangster series.
The Penguin stars Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb, who has just now risen to greater heights in the eyes of Gotham City’s criminal underbelly. As Oz fights to secure his power, the looming threat of the GCPD and the Dark Knight (not to mention rivals to his own empire) push him to embrace his full villainous potential. It’s a bit of an opposite-side-of-the-coin from Spider-Noir, but there are plenty of great plot twists that keep the excitement going.
‘Philip Marlowe, Private Eye’ (1983–1986)
Considering that Nicolas Cage based his performance as Ben Reilly/the Spider off Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep, this wouldn’t be a complete list without Philip Marlowe, Private Eye. A bit of a lesser-known adaptation of Raymond Chandler‘s iconic detective, this two-season series brought to life several of the author’s noir tales with Powers Boothe front-and-center as Marlowe himself. Although it only lasted 11 episodes, that’s still longer than Spider-Noir‘s first season!
As HBO’s first long-form series, Philip Marlowe, Private Eye was something of an outlier on television when it first aired, but it still holds up quite well. As the character’s only television appearance, it’s one you won’t want to sleep on, especially with Boothe in the title role. It may not be one of the best Chandler movie adaptations, but it’s got plenty of style.
‘A Private Affair’ (2022)
For something a bit more out-of-the-box, give Prime Video’s other noir-style murder mystery series a try. A Spanish production, A Private Affair is an original 1940s period drama that follows the frustrated Marina Quiroga (Aura Garrido) after she witnesses a murder, determined to solve the case herself in spite of her police commissioner brother Arturo (Pablo Molinero). Along with the help of her butler, Hector (Jean Reno), Marina finds that tracking down a killer is more trouble than she could ever have imagined.
If you’re looking for a great crime mystery series to binge through, this eight-episode Prime Video drama may just be what you’re looking for. Although set a decade later than Spider-Noir (and in Spain rather than NYC), A Private Affair will be a quick watch for those who find themselves enraptured in the intrigue that murder mysteries present. While the series does offer an English dub, you’re better off watching with subtitles.
‘Agent Carter’ (2015–2016)
For another Marvel-sized period drama that takes a familiar character and tosses them into a new environment, give Agent Carter a try. Set years after Captain America: The First Avenger, the ABC series was an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. prequel that gave Hayley Atwell new life as Agent Peggy Carter, now a Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) operative who battles enemies of America following World War II. Set in the immediate postwar-era, Marvel’s Agent Carter is a spy fiction series that deserved more airtime.
Spanning two seasons and 18 episodes, Agent Carter leans a bit more into the espionage elements than Spider-Noir, but both period Marvel shows certainly highlight heroes in the midst of investigations that take serious turns. While Marvel Studios has been working overtime to make “Captain Carter” happen (and they should stop), Agent Carter is a reminder that the character works best as a super-spy who battles the threats that Captain America and those like him leave behind. As one live-action superhero series most forget about, it deserves another look.
‘Sugar’ (2024–Present)
Somehow, Colin Farrell has made it onto this list twice, with Apple TV’s Sugar being a breakout hit in the neo-noir mystery space. This time following contemporary Los Angeles private eye John Sugar (Farrell), the series takes its hero on season-long investigations into modern problems that feel distinctly period despite the 21st century setting. Fans of Spider-Noir will love it.
Blending some sci-fi elements in with the neo-noir genre gives Sugar an edge on most like-minded programs, but it’s Farrell who is really at the center of the show’s success. Created by Mark Protosevich, the AppleTV series is about to enter its second season, making now the perfect time for newcomers to hop into the passenger’s seat. This one will be perfect for your next summer binge.
‘Spider-Man: The New Animated Series’ (2003)
We couldn’t highlight shows like Spider-Noir without offering viewers at least one Spider-Man show to choose from. While there are plenty of great Spidey programs out there, from the simply superb The Spectacular Spider-Man to the classic Spider-Man: The Animated Series, there’s one animated series in particular that fans of Spider-Noir may enjoy most — funny enough, it’s not Ultimate Spider-Man, which actually included the Spider-Man Noir character in a small Spider-Verse arc. No, we’re talking about MTV’s Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, which is a bit of a trip, but one certainly worth crawling walls for.
Meant to serve as a 3D animated continuation of Sam Raimi‘s first Spider-Man movie, Neil Patrick Harris voiced Peter Parker/Spider-Man as he and his friend attended Empire State University. While there, Spidey went up against some of his most heinous foes, and the series itself tackled some adult themes not often explored in cartoons made for younger viewers. Although the 13-episode series ended on a cliffhanger, it’s still a Spider-Man series that deserves some praise for its attempts to expand beyond the usual Marvel fare.
‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ (2024–Present)
No “shows like Spider-Noir” list could possibly be complete without some reference to Batman: Caped Crusader. Another Prime Video production, this DC Comics adaptation by Bruce Timm of Batman: The Animated Series fame took the Dark Knight back to the 1940s for a complete period makeover. The show delves into the noir genre as well as speculative pulp fiction that resembles some of Batman’s (Hamish Linklater) earliest comic book adventures.
While reception to Caped Crusader has been somewhat mixed, the concept itself is close enough to Spider-Noir that audiences will find a kindred spirit in this animated superhero series. With a 10-episode first season, the Batman program is set for a second season to premiere sometime later this year, so fans won’t have to wait too long for more. At the very least, some of Caped Crusader‘s best villains are fascinating re-imaginings of the Dark Knight’s greatest foes.
Batman: Caped Crusader
- Release Date
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August 1, 2024
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Bruce Timm
- Directors
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Christina Sotta, Christopher Berkeley, Matt Peters
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