Supernatural's 2026 Return Is The Exact Opposite Of What Season 16 Should Be

Published Sep 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT

Craig began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016 and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. After previously writing for various outlets, Craig's focus turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally became useful. Craig has previously been published by sites such as Den of Geek.

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The world came a little closer to seeing a Supernatural return in 2026. Not only did the show's leading trio of Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins all appear onscreen together in The Boys, but Supernatural itself launched an ambitious new comic run. Starting with "Wayward" on September 2, the comic story is notable for separating Sam and Dean, telling solo adventures with each of the Winchester brothers. Published by Dynamite, Chuck Brown and Rapha Lobosco will handle Dean's side of things, while Paulina Ganucheau and Kendall Goode take Sam.

Of course, it's not quite the same as getting Supernatural back onscreen, and the wait goes on for new episodes. Ackles and Padalecki have both expressed interest in playing the Winchesters again, and Padalecki even suggested a five-year timeline for a potential revival, although said timeline has now expired. With things as they stand, getting a Supernatural revival or a season 16 looks to be a matter of timing and logistics more than a lack of ideas or motivation.

When Supernatural season 16 happens, however, it should be the exact opposite of the reunion currently happening in the 2026 comics.

Supernatural Season 16 Needs Sam & Dean Together At All Costs

Image via MovieStillsDB

As shocking as it may seem, there is no guarantee that Supernatural season 16 would pick up the show's usual premise of Sam and Dean driving around the United States solving paranormal cases as a duo. For one thing, Dean died at the end of Supernatural's final episode, and while that's hardly a major obstacle in this franchise, it does prevent a future revival from being a 'business as usual' affair right from the first minute.

Additionally, it has been suggested by none other than Jensen Ackles that if Supernatural were to one day return, it could do so as a streaming-style limited series rather than a standard cable series. Because the entire world is eagerly awaiting a Winchester reunion, there is a chance that Supernatural season 16 could follow the 2026 comic by sending Sam and Dean on separate missions, at least to begin with. The revival could then bring the brothers together in the final act, attempting some epic and glorious climax by delaying the payoff everyone wants.

While such a scenario is definitely possible, it would also be a mistake.

Over the years, fans have watched various Supernatural spinoffs go wayward, even those with seemingly solid foundations. Supernatural's inability to spawn a multi-faceted franchise sends the very clear message that there is no Supernatural without Sam and Dean. But it's more than that, because just as important as Sam and Dean the individuals is the chemistry that exists between them. A separation angle may work in comic book form, but as soon as the show's two lead actors are thrown into the mix, it becomes a necessity for Sam and Dean to work together. Even giving them separate narratives for half a season would mean half a season going to waste. Coming up with an awkward excuse to bust Dean out of Heaven really is the only way to go.

That's not to minimize the importance of Supernatural's supporting characters. The likes of Castiel, Crowley, Lucifer, and Bobby are all iconic in their own right, and even in its less popular years, Supernatural could introduce new characters that played well with the Winchesters and forced viewers to invest in storylines. Regardless, the cold reality is that Supernatural could mix and match its supporting cast members as it liked. Even Castiel didn't show up until season 4. But take away the 'Winchester brothers' as the core ingredient, and the entire Supernatural soup suddenly loses its consistency.

As tempting as it might be for Supernatural season 16 to tell one story with Sam on Earth and one with Dean in Heaven before bringing them together at the end, therefore, it's a trap to be avoided at all costs.