Smallville

Smallville

show

TV-14, 2001

WISE
52%

WISE Score

78

Avg. Tomatometer

Teen Clark Kent before the cape—ten seasons of early-2000s CW drama that's aged about as well as those flip phones they used.

IMDb7.5
RT Critics78%
MC75
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Smallville was a big deal in 2001. It ran for a decade and has genuine nostalgic value for millennials who watched it in high school. The Clark-Lex friendship, the Kent family values, and Tom Welling's earnest performance are legitimately good.

But in 2025? This show is rough. The early-2000s aesthetic is distracting, the special effects look like a PlayStation 2 game, and the pacing is agonizingly slow by modern standards. Ten seasons of 'meteor freak of the week' gets old fast. The teen romance drama feels dated and overwrought.

If your teen is a hardcore Superman completist or you're a nostalgic parent wanting to share your youth, fine—but know what you're getting into. For most families, there's simply better superhero content available that won't require a 218-episode commitment to watch a guy finally put on tights.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's 14+ rating is spot-on. The teen drama content, violence, and romantic storylines make this inappropriate for younger viewers. Honestly though, even 14-year-olds in 2025 will find this show slow and dated compared to modern superhero content.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
68

Early Superman origin story emphasizes Clark Kent's moral development, friendship, and family values. However, the show includes teen romance drama, occasional dark themes, and some morally ambiguous characters. The wholesome core is there but mixed with CW-style relationship angst and melodrama that can feel overwrought.

Imaginative
62

Reimagining Superman's teen years was creative for its time, exploring 'meteor freak' villains-of-the-week and Clark's journey to heroism. However, the show follows a fairly predictable formula and the special effects are dated. The 'no tights, no flights' rule limited the superhero imagination, keeping it grounded in teen drama rather than full comic book creativity.

Safe
65

Common Sense Media rates it 14+. The show includes violence (meteor-powered villains attacking people), some sexual content and romance between teens, occasional scary/intense scenes, and darker storylines as seasons progress. No graphic content but definitely not for younger viewers. The teen-oriented content is predictable but present throughout.

Enriching
58

Explores themes of identity, responsibility, friendship, and choosing to do good despite challenges. Clark's moral compass and the Kent family values provide positive modeling. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused teen drama with superhero elements. The repetitive 'freak of the week' formula and relationship drama don't offer deep enrichment beyond basic coming-of-age themes.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Shows Superman's moral foundation being built through his teen years with the Kent family
  • Explores themes of identity, belonging, and choosing good over power
  • Tom Welling's earnest performance and the Clark-Lex friendship dynamic are genuinely compelling
  • For nostalgic millennials, it's a comfort watch from the golden age of WB/CW superhero shows
⚠

What to Watch For

  • 218 episodes is an absolutely massive commitment—most kids will tap out
  • Early 2000s production values, special effects, and fashion are painfully dated
  • Teen romance drama and love triangles dominate much of the show's runtime
  • Violence escalates in later seasons with darker storylines
  • The pacing is glacial by modern streaming standards—Clark doesn't fly until the series finale

Conversation Starters

  • "Clark keeps his powers secret from almost everyone. When do you think it's okay to keep secrets vs. being honest?"
  • "Lex Luthor starts as Clark's friend but becomes his enemy. What makes someone choose to be a villain?"
  • "The show is about Clark figuring out who he's supposed to be. What parts of yourself are you still figuring out?"
Stills
Smallville — still 1
Smallville — still 2
Smallville — still 3
Smallville — still 4
Smallville — still 5
Smallville — still 6
Smallville — still 7
Smallville — still 8

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