Netflix’s comic-book slate reaches far beyond conventional capes and superhero mythology. Its adaptations span teen romance, supernatural procedurals, post-apocalyptic fantasy, body horror and pitch-black comedy — often reshaping their illustrated source material for television.

This ranking is limited to Netflix originals and shows exclusively distributed by Netflix in the United States. That leaves out the former Netflix Defenders titles, including “Daredevil” and “Jessica Jones,” because they are now available only on Disney+. “Riverdale” is also outside the eligibility rules.

10. Locke & Key

Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez’s comic took a decade to reach the screen before Netflix’s adaptation arrived in 2020. Following Rendell Locke’s (Bill Heck) murder, Nina Locke (Darby Stanchfield) moves Tyler (Connor Jessup), Kinsey (Emilia Jones) and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) into the family’s gothic Massachusetts mansion. There, the children uncover magical keys with extraordinary powers.

The series combines supernatural mystery with grief and the difficulties of starting over. Its early pacing can falter, but the plotting strengthens through its third and final season. Scott is a standout among the young cast, while Laysla De Oliveira makes Dodge an alluring and frightening demonic adversary.

9. The Umbrella Academy

Based on the comic by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, this deliberately strange superhero deconstruction premiered in 2019. The story reunites superpowered siblings raised by billionaire Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), whose death precedes their latest assignment: preventing an apocalypse. Their interventions instead unleash catastrophic consequences and alternate timelines.

Time travel, dysfunctional-family chaos and an off-kilter style give the show its identity; Season 3 even begins with a dreamlike dance set to the “Footloose” theme. However, its fourth and final season disappointed, while allegations of toxic behavior against showrunner Steve Blackman have also affected its reputation.

8. Parasyte: The Grey

“Parasyte: The Grey” tells an original story within the universe of the “Parasyte” manga. Directed and co-written by “Train to Busan” filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho, it follows Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee), whose life is saved by an invading alien parasite. Rather than completely possessing her, the creature — called Heidi — shares Su-in’s body and protects it.

Lee Jung-hyun plays Choi Jun-kyung, leader of the Grey Team task force hunting the parasites. Distinctive creature designs, strong CGI and graphic body horror make this one of the ranking’s boldest visual entries.

7. The Sandman

Adapted from the DC comic first published in 1989, “The Sandman” centers on Dream (Tom Sturridge), also known as Morpheus. After a century in captivity, he returns to the Dreaming and confronts the disorder created during his absence.

Jenna Coleman, David Thewlis, Gwendoline Christie and Kirby Howell-Baptiste appear as Johanna Constantine, John Dee, Lucifer and Death, respectively. The diner-set fifth episode of Season 1 is a particular high point, as John uses Dream’s ruby to force patrons to expose their darkest truths. The show must now also be viewed alongside sexual-assault allegations made by multiple women against comics creator and executive producer Neil Gaiman. An executive producer said Gaiman’s Season 2 involvement was limited.

6. Warrior Nun

Ben Dunn’s comic inspired this action series starring Alba Baptista as Ava, a 19-year-old quadriplegic orphan who dies and is revived when the powerful Halo is implanted in her back. Her resurrection restores the use of her limbs but connects her to an order of warrior nuns and a Chosen One destiny she does not initially embrace.

Season 2 puts greater emphasis on Ava’s fellow nuns, strengthening both the action and theological mythology, but it is also the show’s final season. A movie trilogy was intended to continue the story, although no update has emerged in years.

5. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Drawn from the Archie Comics series and set in the same fictional world as “Riverdale,” the show stars Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch, half-mortal approaching her 16th birthday. Rather than choose between human and witch life, Sabrina attempts to retain both.

The series mixes teen drama, self-aware humor and genuinely disturbing supernatural sequences. Miranda Otto and Lucy Davis play aunts Zelda and Hilda, Michelle Gomez portrays a possessed teacher, and Chance Perdomo appears as Sabrina’s best friend.

4. Lucifer

Originally aired on Fox before moving to Netflix, “Lucifer” is based on the DC character introduced by Neil Gaiman and later developed in a solo comic series by Mike Carey. Tom Ellis plays Lucifer Morningstar, who abandons hell for Los Angeles, opens a nightclub and begins assisting LAPD detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) with murder cases.

The show freely blends crime procedural, supernatural drama, romance and musical elements. Chloe’s immunity to Lucifer’s charms fascinates him, while his work with her — and therapy with Dr. Linda (Rachael Harris) — gradually challenges his behavior.

3. Sweet Tooth

Jeff Lemire’s comic becomes an all-ages post-apocalyptic story centered on Gus (Christian Convery), a 10-year-old human-deer hybrid. Raised in isolation after a pandemic decimates much of the population, Gus enters a dangerous world following his father’s death and searches for the mother he never knew.

Nonso Anozie plays Tommy Jepperd, a former football player and hybrid hunter who becomes his reluctant protector. The series confronts hatred and prejudice without losing the optimism provided by Gus’ courage and innocence.

2. The End of the F***ing World

Adapted from Charles Forsman’s comic, this dark comedy aired first on Channel 4 in the U.K. before Netflix distributed it internationally. Alex Lawther plays James, a teenager convinced he is a psychopath, while Jessica Barden plays Alyssa, the classmate he initially selects as a potential murder victim.

Their crime-filled escape from home becomes an unexpectedly tender examination of trauma and repressed emotion. Season 1 follows detectives played by Wunmi Mosaku and Gemma Whelan; Season 2 moves beyond the comic and introduces Naomi Ackie as another pursuer.

1. Heartstopper

Alice Oseman adapted her own webcomic and graphic novels for this warm but grounded coming-of-age drama. Joe Locke plays Charlie, a gay teenager dealing with bullying and low self-esteem, who falls for older, popular rugby player Nick (Kit Connor).

Through Charlie, Nick and their friends, the series addresses homophobia, transphobia, eating disorders and mental-health concerns without losing its hopeful spirit. Its earnestness and openhearted performances put “Heartstopper” at the top of this ranking.

ShowBiz Take

The strongest thread connecting these otherwise radically different shows is range. Netflix’s comic adaptations work best when they treat the page as a starting point rather than a genre restriction. “Heartstopper” needs no apocalyptic stakes to land at No. 1, while “Sweet Tooth,” “Parasyte: The Grey” and “The Sandman” demonstrate how expansive illustrated storytelling can become onscreen. Together, the 10 selections make the case that comic-book television is far bigger than superheroes alone.