Although it’s early in the year, there are already plenty of big TV shows returning and debuting in 2022. Both Marvel and DC are bringing their cinematic universes to the small screen and one of my favorite comic book shows, Amazon’s The Boys, is returning for its third season. Netflix’s 2022 schedule certainly looks jam-packed with Stranger Things, Ozark, and The Umbrella Academy returning for new seasons and Paramount+ is set to deliver its biggest series yet with its adaptation of the iconic game series Halo. There’s plenty to look forward to, but for now, let’s look at my most anticipated TV shows of 2022.

Peacemaker

Release Date: January 13^th

Where: HBO Max

The DCEU makes its way to streaming with a spin-off series focusing on Peacemaker (John Cena) following his breakout debut in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. The series will follow Peacemaker’s attempts at being at being a hero through his brutal vision of justice while also delving into the character’s origins. Gunn returns to direct and write for part of the series and it already looks like an early treat for DC fans. Peacemaker looks like it’s going to deliver the explosive action, incredibly fun Cena performance, and oddly charming immaturity that people loved about the character in The Suicide Squad and could be a big hit for the DCEU.

Archive 81

Release Date: January 14^th

Where: Netflix

Loosely inspired by the podcast of the same name, Archive 81 is a mysterious new horror series coming to Netflix that follows a video archivist who takes a job restoring a set of damaged tapes and finds himself sucked into a mystery involving the missing director and a demonic cult. Those looking for an early thrill ride to get hooked on will likely want to put Archive 81 on their watchlist as it’s being produced by James Wan and Rebecca Thomas, who is known for directing episodes of Stranger Things. Thomas will also direct four episodes including the pilot and the series stars Mamoudou Athie (Underwater, Black Box) making Archive 81 show the potential to be an early breakout hit of 2022.

The Boys (Season 3)

Release Date: June 3^rd

Where: Amazon Prime Video

Amazon’s superhero series returns for a highly anticipated third season that’s surely going to bring more shocking twists and turns and even more bloodshed. Along with the usual cast of Supes and non-powered heroes looking to expose Vought’s wrongdoings, a new set of heroes look to join the mix, including Soldier Boy (played by Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles) and Crimson Countess (played by The Walking Dead’s Laurie Holden). Given how the last season ended with Homelander (Anthony Starr) looking like he was about to deliver a bloodbath and the main group of non-powered heroes on their heels, this season looks like it could be the craziest yet. The Boys is legitimately one of the best series going and a true favorite of mine, so it’s easily my most anticipated series of the year.

Marvel’s Moon Knight

Release Date: Unknown

Where: Disney+

The MCU is set to introduce its darkest story yet with Moon Knight as it follows Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac), a man with dissociative identity disorder who becomes the conduit for Egyptian Moon God Khonshu and is drawn into a deadly war with the Gods. Not much has been said about Moon Knight so far, but what has been said ensures that it’ll be unlike anything we’ve seen in the MCU. The action is said to be hyper-violent and based on Moon Knight’s stories from the comics, the series will likely have some of the darkest material to date. It’s certainly going to be a memorable MCU debut that can’t be missed.

Harley Quinn (Season 3)

Release Date: Unknown

Where: HBO Max

DC struck gold with its adult animated series focused on the explosive hijinks of Harley Quinn (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) and even though it’s original home DC Universe basically went under; Harley Quinn didn’t sink with it as it comes to HBO Max for its third season. Along with more bloody action and adult humor, Harley Quinn sees its titular villain now in a relationship with Poison Ivy (voiced by Lake Bell) and trying to dominate the world as an item. Although its second season felt incredibly rushed, there’s still plenty of potential for season three of Harley Quinn to deliver as it introduces more animated chaos and leans more into Harley and Ivy’s budding relationship.

Wednesday

Release Date: Unknown

Where: Netflix

Tim Burton is bringing his twisted imagination to The Addams Family with a series centered on the darkly clever Wednesday Addams, who will be played by Jenna Ortega. Wednesday has been the MVP of the recent animated Addams Family movies, so a series focused on her hilariously morbid view of the world being brought to a teenage boarding school sounds like an absolute treat. Ortega is legitimately perfect casting for Wednesday and having Tim Burton behind it makes Wednesday potentially one of Netflix’s biggest series to date.

The Midnight Club

Release Date: Unknown

Where: Netflix

Mike Flanagan has been Netflix’s strongest creator as his Haunting series and Midnight Mass have delivered some of the best horror stories to date and he returns with The Midnight Club in 2022. The series is an adaptation of Christopher Pike’s novel of the same name that follows a group of terminally ill young adults living at hospice. With Flanagan behind The Midnight Club, fans can expect some realistic horror that will rock viewers to their core and some strong writing that will tug at your heart.

The Cuphead Show

Release Date: Unknown

Where: Netflix

One of Netflix’s biggest video game adaptations in production is the animated series based on Cuphead and fans could finally see the series in 2022. Last year, fans got a small slice of news in the form of Wayne Brady being announced to voice the villainous King Dice and a quick look at the show. Based on what we’ve seen so far, The Cuphead Show could be that kind of cartoon series that could take Netflix to the next level with its unique animation style and delightfully fun sense of adventure that stems from the misadventures of the mischievous Cuphead and Mugman.