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The Boys

2019·Show
40Episodes in5Seasons·TV-MA
IMDb8.5Metacritic762.4Rotten Tomatoes92%69%
Episode ratings

Where to watch

PrimeThe RokuAmazon Prime Video Free with AdsAmazon MX Player

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Boys fingerprint

Relentless energy, masterful craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Brutally violent and nerve-racking

Fast from start to finish.

  • Violence10
  • Tension9
  • Spectacle9

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics7
  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Plenty of satire and dark humor

  • Satire & Parody9
  • Dark Humor8
  • Wit & Wordplay6

World

Society, politics, and show business

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability8

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Acting10
  • Direction9
  • Narrative Structure9

Style

Standout editing, cinematography, and score

  • Editing9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibeSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrollingGraphic violence bothers youYou want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Suspense showsPsychological showsGritty shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8

About

Never meet your heroes.

A group of vigilantes known informally as “The Boys” set out to take down corrupt superheroes with no more than blue-collar grit and a willingness to fight dirty.
Superhero DeconstructionCorporate SatireVisceral ActionMoral AmbiguityDystopian Capitalism CritiqueDark ComedyPolitical ThrillerPsychological DramaGraphic ViolenceCelebrity Culture Parody

Crew

Directed by:
Philip Sgriccia, Karen Gaviola, Frederick E. O. Toye
Written by:
Ellie Monahan, Anslem Richardson, David Reed
Produced by:
Stefan Steen, Gabriel Garcia, Karl Urban
Composed by:
Christopher Lennertz, Matt Bowen

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Boys

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Boys legally?

PrimeThe RokuAmazon Prime Video Free with AdsAmazon MX Player

The Boys is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads and Amazon MX Player. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Boys worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 8.5, Rotten Tomatoes 92%, and Metacritic 76). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Boys rated?

TV-MAViolenceNuditySexual contentStrong languageDisturbing imageryDrug use

It's rated TV-MA in the United States. Content advisories: violence, nudity, sexual content, strong language, disturbing imagery, and drug use.

How many seasons does The Boys have?

5 seasons

It has 5 seasons with 40 episodes.

Is The Boys based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a comic.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Boys?

Critics84
Audiences59

Not quite. Critics rate The Boys higher (84) than audiences (59). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

When did The Boys air?

It ran from 2019 to 2026 and has ended.

What language is The Boys in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Boys?

133ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+119

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Boys in 133 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Boys use?

Burner PhonesSurprisingly Realistic OutcomeHero InsuranceMeta OriginAs HimselfFetishes Are WeirdOut-GambittedAccidental MurderAdam WestingOh, Crap!Minor Crime Reveals Major PlotWe Have Reservesand 225 more

TV Tropes lists 237 storytelling tropes for The Boys, including Burner Phones, Surprisingly Realistic Outcome, Hero Insurance.