The 5 Best Foreign Language Superhero Shows to Stream This Weekend (May 16-17)

The Western media landscape often treats superheroes as a monolithic, multi-billion-dollar industry, often saving the world in English-speaking metropolises. However, if you look outside of Hollywood, international television is completely redefining the genre with its unique take. 

If you want to move past standard comic book tropes like the MCU or DC, this weekend (May 16-17, 2026) offers the perfect chance for you to look beyond the standard superhero tropes. From the world of K-dramas to phenomenal Chinese donghua, here are the five best foreign-language superhero series to stream right now.

1 The WONDERfools (2026)

Netflix’s latest K-drama, The WONDERfools, takes us to the quiet town of Haeseong in 1999, when a group of deeply flawed, ordinary citizens unexpectedly gain superhuman abilities they never asked for. Led by a quirky local woman and a socially awkward civil servant, this ragtag group of misfits must protect their neighborhood from a bizarre local threat.

Released on May 15, 2026, on Netflix, the show is an absolute breath of fresh air because it purposefully trades high-stakes global destruction for an intimate, small-town saga. 

Having just dropped all 8 episodes, this series brings together the brilliant directorial vision of Yoo In-shik (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) with the undeniable star power of Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo. Eun-bin’s comedic timing paired with Eun-woo’s principled performance creates a chaotic match. It is the definitive comfort watch of the weekend that you must stream!

The WONDERfools is streaming on Netflix (USA).

2 Song of the Samurai (2026)

Based on the manga Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem, Song of the Samurai is a Japanese live-action drama following the elite Shinsengumi samurai police. While not a superhero drama in the traditional sense, the samurai often possess superhuman strength and perform feats impossible for a normal human. 

Set during a transitional era in Japan, it expertly fuses traditional chanbara (sword fighting) choreography with superhero-like world-building and stylized high-octane action. What makes it fascinating is how it seamlessly blends historical folklore with superhero themes. The action and CGI are top-notch, while the story remains grounded. 

It is an incredibly smart crossover that will not only satisfy history buffs but also comic book fans alike. Rather than a radioactive spider or a lab accident, the “superpowers” here feel deeply rooted in cultural mysticism. For fans who love jaw-dropping actions, superhero dramas, and realistic storytelling, this is a show they must stream!

The only downside is that the show is ongoing, with new episodes releasing on Saturday weekly, which makes it the perfect weekend watch!

Song of the Samurai is streaming on HBO Max (USA).

3 The Neighbor (2019-2021)

The Neighbor is a Spanish superhero comedy series based on the comic series El Vecino by Santiago García and Pepo Pérez. Javier is a self-centered, struggling young man barely scraping by when he accidentally gets superpowers. 

Unfit for the job, he relies on his eccentric neighbor, José Ramón, to learn how to use his powers while hiding his identity from his suspicious ex-girlfriend.

Having two seasons in total, this Netflix series is a masterclass in superhero anti-heroism. Unlike usual superhero dramas where the person with superpowers jumps to save the day, Javier would rather use his powers for his convenience.

Filled with dry Spanish humor, it is a brilliant, low-stakes comedy drama that reminds us that having superpowers does not automatically make a person a hero. 

The Neighbor can be streamed on Netflix (USA).

4 To Be Hero X (2025)

A Chinese donghua television series, it is the third installment in the To Be Hero anthology franchise. This animated superhero series takes us to a hyper-stylized metropolis where a hero’s power is directly linked to their public popularity and trust. Every two years, all heroes compete in a battle where their popularity is measured and ranked, and the one at the top is known as X.

This anime-inspired donghua tracks X until an institutional shift forces a chaotic re-evaluation of what a hero actually owes to society. If you are a fan of One-Punch Man or The Boys, then To Be Hero X is mandatory viewing. It acts as a razor-sharp satirical mirror to our modern, social-media-obsessed culture, where people keep others on a pedestal, treating them like entities instead of humans. 

Co-produced by Bilibili and Aniplex and directed by the visionary Haolin (Link Click), this series pushes the boundary of multi-media animation, blending gorgeous 2D and 3D art styles into a seamless, high-octane narrative. The animation is simply breathtaking, yet the show’s real strength lies in its themes of fame and influence.

A poignant critique of modern heroism, you may love this show if you are a fan of shows that offer laugh-out-loud absurdity with social critique!

To Be Hero X can be streamed on Crunchyroll (USA).

5 Ragnarok (2020-2023)

A fantasy superhero drama series created by Adam Price, Ragnarok is a reimaging of Norse mythology. Netflix’s third Norwegian-language TV series, it takes place in the fictional town of Edda, which is suffering the disastrous effects of climate change and pollution. 

In the town, a quiet teenager named Magne discovers he is the modern-day reincarnation of the Norse god Thor. He must use his growing mythological powers to wage war against the Jutul family. The Jutuls are actually supernatural beings, the ancient Frost Giants, who are masquerading as a multi-billion-dollar, eco-destroying corporation.

Completely reimagining the Norse mythology into a contemporary, climate-conscious saga, it is a grounded alternative to Marvel’s adaptation. It works well because it uses corporate greed and climate change as a substitute for ancient mythology without using its value. Magne’s struggle and the moody Scandinavian vibes keep you hooked from the first episode.

If you love bleak and haunting storytelling with a superhero twist, this show must be on your to-watch list for this weekend!

Ragnarok is available for streaming on Netflix (USA).

Number	Name	Language	Total Episodes	Runtime	Ratings (as of May 2026)
1.	The Wonderfools (2026)	Korean	8 Episodes	60-92 Minutes	NA
2.	Song of the Samurai (2026)	Japanese	8 Episodes (ongoing)	50 Minutes	8.5 IMDb
3.	The Neighbor (2019-2021)	Spanish	2 Seasons 18 Episodes	25-33 Minutes	6.5 IMDb NA | 69% RT
4.	To Be Hero X (2025)	Chinese	1 Season 24 Episodes	23-24 Minutes	8.6 IMDb
5.	Ragnarok (2020-23)	Norwegian	3 Seasons 18 Episodes	40-55 Minutes	7.3 IMDb NA | 63% RT

With global studios flipping the script on the superhero genre, which take do you like the best? The messy and chaotic comedy like The Wonderfools, or the more high-stakes historical epic like Song of the Samurai? Let us know in the comments below.