Supernatural (2005 — 2020)

Supernatural (2005–2020), an American TV show developed by Eric Kripke, premiered on The WB on September 13, 2005. Later on, it joined The CW’s programming schedule. Lead roles include Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester. The storyline centers around the duo’s quest to eliminate demons, ghosts, monsters, and other unearthly creatures. Warner Bros. Television collaborated with Wonderland Sound and Vision in producing the series. The series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and surrounding areas. It took nearly ten years to develop as creator Kripke spent several unsuccessful years pitching it. The pilot received an estimated 5.69 million viewers, leading to The WB picking up the series for a full season based on the strong ratings of the first four episodes. Originally planned for three seasons, Kripke later expanded it to five before concluding the main storyline in the fifth season. With its eleventh season, Supernatural made history as the longest-running American live-action fantasy TV series. After being renewed for a fifteenth and final season consisting of 20 episodes, it premiered on October 10, 2019. The series ended on November 19, 2020, after airing a total of 327 episodes.

Season 1 (2005–2006). The 22-episode first season of the series premiered on The WB on September 13, 2005 and concluded on May 4, 2006. It initially aired on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm but later moved to Thursdays at 9:00 pm after the first 16 episodes. Dean Winchester searches for his brother Sam at Stanford University after their father disappears while on a ‘hunting trip’. Together, they travel in Dean’s black 1967 Chevrolet Impala and follow in their father’s footsteps by hunting supernatural creatures such as ghosts, vampires, and spirits. Along the way, they rescue innocent people, battle various creatures and ghosts, and gather clues about their father’s whereabouts.

Season 2 (2006–2007). The second season, which ran from September 28, 2006 to May 17, 2007 on The CW’s Thursday 9:00 pm time slot, consists of 22 episodes. Throughout the season, Sam and Dean embark on a continued quest to defeat Azazel. However, as Azazel implements his ultimate plan, he manipulates Sam and other individuals with psychic abilities into fighting each other. Tragically, this results in Sam’s demise. In desperation, Dean strikes a deal with a crossroads demon to bring back his brother but at the cost of his own soul. With only one year until his soul is claimed by Hell, Dean teams up with their late father’s spirit to vanquish Azazel and close the portal for good.

Season 3 (2007–2008). Consisting of 16 episodes, the third season aired on Thursdays at 9:00 pm from October 4, 2007 to May 15, 2008. Initially, the season was set to have 22 episodes, but production stopped on December 5, 2007 due to the Writers Guild of America strike after the twelfth episode was completed. As a result, the number of episodes was reduced to sixteen and four new ones were broadcasted in April and May 2008. The main focus of the season revolves around saving Dean from his deal and hunting down the demons who escaped from hell. Eventually, they discover that Dean’s contract is held by a powerful demon named Lilith. With Ruby’s help, the brothers locate Lilith and attempt to kill her. Despite her attempts to stop him with his mysterious abilities, Sam succeeds in defeating Lilith. Unfortunately, Dean’s time runs out and his soul is taken to Hell.

Season 4 (2008–2009). Season four comprised of 22 episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00 pm, running from September 18, 2008 to May 14, 2009. An angel named Castiel rescues Dean from hell and brings him back. The brothers team up with Castiel to prevent Lilith’s plan of destroying the 66 seals that would release Lucifer onto Earth. Despite Dean’s efforts to stop Sam, he manages to kill Lilith, ultimately setting Lucifer free. Ruby is revealed to be a loyal follower of Lucifer and is killed by Dean. As the season comes to a close, Lucifer breaks out of his prison in hell.

Season 5 (2009–2010). Season five, which aired from September 10, 2009 to May 13, 2010 on Thursdays at 9:00 pm, consisted of 22 episodes. Initially believed to be the final season, it was confirmed that both Padalecki and Ackles had contracts for a sixth season. The CW renewed the show on February 16, 2010. This season follows the battle against Lucifer and the desperate attempt to save the world from the Apocalypse. In a final act of sacrifice, Sam plunges himself and Adam into the Cage to defeat Lucifer once again. Castiel is brought back by God and returns to heaven to restore balance. Meanwhile, Dean leaves the supernatural behind and settles down with his ex-girlfriend Lisa in an ordinary life. As for Sam, he mysteriously emerges from the Cage.

Season 6 (2010–2011). The twenty-two episodes of the sixth season aired on Fridays at 9:00 pm from September 24, 2010, to May 20, 2011. Showrunner Kripke stepped down and executive producer Sera Gamble took over. Sam and Dean must capture Alpha monsters for Crowley while Dean seeks to retrieve Sam’s soul from the Cage with Death’s help. The brothers learn that Castiel has been manipulating everything and was in cahoots with Crowley. Castiel carries out his plan to absorb souls from purgatory and declares himself God.

Season 7 (2011–2012). The seventh season, which aired on Fridays at 9:00 pm from September 23, 2011 to May 18, 2012, consists of a total of 23 episodes. Following Castiel’s declaration of himself as God, he unintentionally unleashes the Leviathans – ravenous creatures that feed on human flesh. Now, Sam and Dean must join forces to put an end to the Leviathans and their leader Dick Roman. Through their journey, they discover that the only way to defeat them is by using the “bone of a righteous mortal washed in the three bloods of the fallen”. Although they successfully kill Dick Roman with this method, Dean and Castiel find themselves trapped in purgatory while Sam is left alone to confront Crowley – who has his own agenda for gaining power.

Season 8 (2012–2013). Season eight spanned 23 episodes, airing on Wednesdays at 9:00 pm from October 3, 2012 to May 15, 2013. During this season, the two brothers fought against Crowley in search of the Demon Tablet and a way to trap all demons in Hell. Kevin Tran assisted by translating three trials that were needed to permanently seal the Gates of Hell; however, Dean intervened before completing the final trial as it would result in Sam’s death. As for Castiel, he fell into a trap set by angel Metatron and unknowingly banished every other angel to Earth except for Metatron himself.

Season 9 (2013–2014). The show’s ninth season, which aired on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm from October 8, 2013 to May 20, 2014, follows the brothers as they try to send the angels back to heaven. However, their plans are disrupted when Gadreel kills Kevin Tran and joins forces with Metatron. Sam manages to expel Gadreel but it leads to a rift between him and Dean. Meanwhile, Castiel hunts for Metatron believing he holds the key to bringing back the angels. As Metatron tries to gather all the angels under his command, Castiel leads a rebellion against him in order to reclaim heaven. In a final showdown, Castiel is able to defeat Metatron thanks to Gadreel’s heroic sacrifice. But in a cruel twist of fate, Metatron takes Dean’s life which turns him into a demon.

Season 10 (2014–2015). The tenth season, spanning 23 episodes from October 7, 2014 to May 20, 2015, saw a shift in schedule from Tuesdays to Wednesdays at 9:00 pm starting March 18, 2015. Dean has become a demon and is now working with Crowley, while Sam continues his search for his brother. When Dean defies Crowley’s orders and humiliates him in front of his fellow demons, Crowley gives Sam the location of his brother. With the help of Castiel and sanctified human blood, Sam is able to cure Dean. Introducing a new element to the story, Crowley’s mother Rowena is revealed as an influential witch. The main focus of the season revolves around Dean’s efforts to rid himself of the Mark of Cain and finding solace in the Book of the Damned when Charlie discovers it.

Season 11 (2015–2016). In season eleven, Sam and Dean face the aftermath of Amara’s release. Despite their efforts, they are unable to defeat her. Desperate for attention, Amara demands that God confront her and witness her destruction of everything He holds dear. To everyone’s surprise, Chuck reappears and reveals himself as God. Through their reconciliation, Amara and Chuck depart from Earth, but not before Amara promises to grant Dean his greatest desire for aiding her: a reunion with his mother.

Season 12 (2016–2017). The twelfth season, which ran from October 13, 2016, to May 18, 2017, consisted of 23 episodes. During this season, Lucifer takes control of the President of the United States as his human vessel and impregnates his assistant Kelly Kline with the Nephilim. In the final showdown, Crowley sacrifices himself to defeat Lucifer while Castiel also perishes in the attempt. Mary and Lucifer are both pulled into a rift caused by the Nephilim’s birth. Meanwhile, Sam is taken aback to encounter Jack as a fully-grown teenager.

Season 13 (2017–2018). The thirteenth season debuted on October 12, 2017 and wrapped up on May 17, 2018 with a total of 23 episodes. The dynamic duo of Dean and Sam are now responsible for raising Jack, despite initial hesitation from Dean due to Jack’s ancestry. Meanwhile, Jack aligns himself with Mary and the human race in their conflict against the angels. The Winchester brothers team up with Castiel to gather the necessary components for a spell in order to open the portal to hell. As they do so, Lucifer attempts to regain his throne as leader of heaven. In a dramatic finale, Dean ultimately vanquishes Lucifer, but the season concludes with Michael overtaking Dean’s body.

Season 14 (2018–2019). The fourteenth season, which consisted of 20 episodes, premiered on October 11, 2018 and concluded on April 25, 2019. In this season, Michael begins experimenting with monsters to make them immune to their weaknesses. As a result, Dean, Sam, Castiel and Jack team up to take down Michael and his army of monsters once and for all. However, things take a turn when Michael regains control of Dean and unleashes the monsters onto the city. When God returns to the scene, he informs the boys that they must use a special gun he created to kill Jack. Despite God’s insistence, Sam and Dean refuse to go through with it. Enraged by their defiance, God smites Jack and releases every vengeful spirit from Hell back onto Earth.

Season 15 (2019–2020). The fifteenth and ultimate season debuted on October 10, 2019 and concluded on November 19, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were delays in production. The season consisted of a total of 20 episodes. In this season, Sam, Dean, and Castiel faced their greatest challenge yet – battling against God himself. Manipulating events in their lives as well as those of their loved ones and allies, God’s actions left them with no choice but to confront him. However, angered by their rebellion, God initiated the end of all creation.