The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy
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The Umbrella Academy

"Too many siblings. Not enough timeline."

8.5
Yr 2019
Status Ended
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Reunited by their father's death, estranged siblings with extraordinary powers uncover shocking family secrets — and a looming threat to humanity.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 78 /100

The Umbrella Academy garnered largely positive reception from critics, who praised its offbeat tone, stylistic energy, and character dynamics. Many reviewers highlighted the series as a refreshing entry into an overcrowded superhero landscape, applauding how it prioritized intimate family trauma and dysfunction alongside high-stakes apocalyptic threats. Performances, particularly Aidan Gallagher's portrayal of Number Five, and the show's dark humor and stylish visuals received frequent praise.

However, some critical reception was more tempered regarding pacing and originality. Certain critics noted that the narrative could lag with repetitive exposition and filler, while others argued that beneath its deliberate eccentricities and quirky aesthetic, the show occasionally felt conventional and tame. Later season retrospectives also pointed out frustrations with meandering plotlines and inconsistent character arcs toward the series finale.

Overall, the consensus viewed the adaptation as an entertaining, inventive, and emotionally grounded comic-book drama that succeeded largely due to its eccentric personality and the endearing chemistry among its dysfunctional ensemble cast.

“blends self-aware humor with stylish storytelling to deconstruct an already overpopulated genre”

“The Umbrella Academy is not just the best superhero show Netflix have produced, it’s also one of the best shows of 2019.”

“Seven superhero siblings and a talking ape butler make Netflix’s latest comic-book adaptation a daffy, palate-cleansing treat”

“for all its studious quirk, it’s actually fairly tame”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix Standard with Ads
CA • US • UK
Netflix
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

The Umbrella Academy leans into the friction of a superpowered household struggling with the burden of an unwanted legacy. Instead of focusing on traditional heroics, the series favors a tone that is equal parts witty and apocalyptic. The narrative maneuvers through alternate history and mysterious secret societies while balancing grand science fiction stakes with the petty grievances of siblings who never quite grew up.

Robert Sheehan stands out in a group dynamic defined by constant instability. The show frames the threat of total armageddon not as a heroic challenge, but as a recurring, exhausting nuisance for a team that barely functions as a family. It creates a curious rhythm where the world ends repeatedly, yet the internal conflict remains the primary problem. Every mission carries the weight of a past they cannot seem to escape.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 10
Longest run 36 eps
Show 67 more
Ritu Arya as Lila Pitts 26 episodes Cameron Britton as Hazel 12 episodes Colm Feore as Sir Reginald Hargreeves 33 episodes Sheila McCarthy as Agnes 11 episodes Genesis Rodriguez as Sloane Hargreeves 10 episodes Adam Godley as Pogo (voice) 16 episodes Jordan Claire Robbins as Grace 24 episodes Justin Paul Kelly as Harlan 10 episodes Marin Ireland as Sissy Cooper 11 episodes Yusuf Gatewood as Raymond Chestnut 13 episodes John Magaro as Leonard Peabody 10 episodes Kate Walsh as The Handler 16 episodes Peter Outerbridge as The Conductor 3 episodes Cody Ray Thompson as Dave 3 episodes Cameron Brodeur as Young Luther 8 episodes Dante Albidone as Young Klaus 8 episodes Ethan Hwang as Young Ben 7 episodes Rainbow Sun Francks as Detective Chuck Beaman 6 episodes Alyssa Gervasi as Young Vanya (Age 4) 5 episodes Matt Biedel as Sgt. Dale Chedder 2 episodes Heather Sanderson as Lady on Bus 3 episodes Blake Talabis as Young Diego 7 episodes Karl Campbell as Goon Leader 2 episodes Murray Furrow as Syd 3 episodes Eric Peterson as Al 2 episodes Zachary Bennett as Lance Biggs 3 episodes Emily Piggford as Helen 3 episodes Ashley Madekwe as Detective Eudora Patch 5 episodes Anna Nadtotchii as Vanya's Birth Mother 3 episodes Tom Sinclair as Oscar 6 episodes Raven Dauda as Odessa 4 episodes Dewshane Williams as Miles 4 episodes Sean Sullivan as Middle Aged 5 6 episodes Mouna Traoré as Jill 4 episodes Birva Pandya as Young Person on Bike 3 episodes Jason Bryden as Otto 9 episodes Eden Cupid as Young Allison 9 episodes T.J. McGibbon as Young Vanya 8 episodes Robert Verlaque as Hoyt Hillenkoetter 4 episodes Peter Schoelier as Mr. Edelman / Pale Man 3 episodes Kristen Holden-Ried as Axel 10 episodes John Kapelos as Jack Ruby 5 episodes Dov Tiefenbach as Keechie 6 episodes Calem MacDonald as Young Dave 5 episodes Tony Marra as Gruff Manager 5 episodes Patrice Goodman as Dot 7 episodes Kevin Rankin as Elliot 7 episodes Britne Oldford as Fei Hargreeves 7 episodes Jake Epstein as Alphonso Hargreeves 5 episodes Geet Arora as Lila's Dad 4 episodes Cazzie David as Jayme Hargreeves 5 episodes Javon Walton as Stan 7 episodes Shiva Safari as Lila's Mom 5 episodes Callum Keith Rennie as Lester Pocket 6 episodes Stephen Bogaert as Carl Cooper 8 episodes Julian Richings as Chet Rodo 8 episodes Liisa Repo-Martell as Abigail Hargreeves 6 episodes Ken Hall as Pogo Body 11 episodes David Cross as Sy Grossman 4 episodes Nick Offerman as Dr. Gene Thibedeau 6 episodes Megan Mullally as Dr. Jean Thibedeau 6 episodes Millie Davis as Claire Hargreeves 6 episodes Martin Roach as Lance Ribbons 4 episodes Zack Binder as Derek 3 episodes Victoria Sawal as Jennifer 5 episodes George Tchortov as Quinn 3 episodes Jessica Greco as Bea 3 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Umbrella Academy overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

secret society time travel superhero based on comic dysfunctional family alternate history apocalypse armageddon universe sibling super power end of world curious kids science fiction offbeat witty whimsical wry family conflict
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
February 15, 2019
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
10,182