Smallville's 10 Most Rewatchable Episodes

Updated  Sep 20, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT

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Smallville was one of the most successful and long-running series in the DC Universe, producing many excellent, rewatchable episodes throughout its long run. Detailing the youth of Clark Ken, primarily focusing on the years between the start of high school up until he dons the Superman costume, the series was beloved and featured some of the most acclaimed iterations of many characters ever put on screen, leading to Smallville sequel pitches even now. As a result, much of the series still holds up, and rewatching some of the best moments can be a rewarding experience.

With so many episodes, it can be hard to know exactly which stories involving the likes of Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor and Tom Welling's Clark Kent are worth revisiting. Some Smallville storylines have not aged particularly well - as evidenced by Smallville's controversial "Cravings" episode - while others have added context through the years, making their revisiting much more enjoyable. As such, even over a decade later, there's still a range of timeless and valuable points in the live-action Superman series well-worth giving another viewing.

10 Hydro

Season 6, Episode 10

The romance between Clark Kent and Lois Lane is inevitable and is one of the most celebrated relationships in comic books. That is why the show had such a difficult battle to fight in its earlier seasons, when the relationship between Clark and Lana was explored. While the two actors had excellent chemistry, their relationship was doomed from the start. When Erica Durance's Lois Lane was introduced to the series, Smallville took its time effectively winding the two lovers together.

“Hydro” marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Clark and Lois, as it features their first kiss. This moment, a highlight in the series, is a nostalgic reminder of the start of their epic love story. The episode, set in an established universe, weaves the origins of Clark and Lois into a monster-of-the-week story, adding depth to their characters. The duo's journey to face threats and uncover the identity of Green Arrow makes for an excellent, perennially rewatchable episode.

9 Cure

Season 7, Episode 4

Exploring Kara's history throughout Smallville was an effective part of the series, crafting one of the best iterations of the girl who would be Supergirl yet seen. Still, it is the presence of former Lois and Clark star Dean Cain as the villain here that makes this episode worth revisiting. Smallville had an eye for Superman's legacy and went out of its way to bring former franchise stars like Margot Kidder to the series. Featuring Cain as a villain was one of the most successful of these appearances.

Seeing Superman fight Superman after Cain's Knox is revealed to be ages old creates a thrilling meta-narrative worth revisiting. When this jumps further and the full legacy of Knox's history as Jack the Ripper is revealed, the episode turns to some of the pulpy weirdness that Smallville revels in. For its weaknesses and strengths, the episode remains infinitely rewatchable.

8 Aqua

Season 5, Episode 4

Several stars, including Lizzy Caplan and Amy Adams, appeared on Smallville before rising to fame. However, Reacher star Alan Ritchson's short appearance as Aquaman seems the most notable and worth revisiting in 2024. The character elevates this episode and was intended to continue in his own series. However, Alan Ritchson was recast for the Aquaman spinoff, and the series did not move past the pilot stage.

With a romance between Lois and Arthur - known here as A.C. - and threats to Smallville of the aquatic variety, the episode is a standout feature that provides one of the first live-action appearances of the Aquaman character. This episode is worth revisiting for the deep-cut references to the Arthur Curry character and to reflect on what might have happened if Alan Ritchson had remained the star of his spinoff.

7 Fortune

Season 10, Episode 15

Hailed as the funniest episode of Smallville, "Fortune" is filled with strange and humorous moments. After being given a bottle of champagne by Zatanna, the characters blackout and must retrace their steps from the night before. Lois has lost her engagement ring, and Clark worries about having potentially stolen an armored truck.

With its humor and gags, 'Fortune' is a delightful episode that resembles the film The Hangover. While it may be considered filler in the series, it's filler that is sorely missed in modern television. The episode's strength lies in its ability to create character moments and interactions that make it one of the most rewatchable episodes of the series, whether viewed in sequence or not. As such, it's an episode worth revisiting time and time again.

6 Rosetta

Season 2, Episode 17

Smallville is a series that contends with Superman's legacy and origin, and it is well aware of the footsteps it follows. Christopher Reeve is featured in this iconic episode as Dr. Virgil Swann, who counsels Clark as he deals with the weight of his abilities. When Clark learns he is the last Kryptonian and that he is destined to conquer and rule Earth, Reeve tells him that he is responsible for his own destiny.

Having the former Superman actor advising the new Superman actor on what the role means and the character's responsibility makes for an excellent meta-commentary within the series. The episode is one of the strongest even beyond this link to Superman's past, with great themes of truth, discovery, and self exploration. It also ends iconically, with Clark joining the Daily Planet's staff.

5 Spell

Season 4, Episode 8

One of the strangest episodes in all of Smallville, "Spell" is also a fantastic yearly rewatch for the Halloween season. While many consider "Spell" to be one of Smallville's worst episodes, something special comes out of it when it is considered within its seasonal context. With a goofy exploration of witchcraft, the episode comes across uniquely in the Smallville series.

During Smallville season 4, Lana becomes possessed by her ancestor and becomes a destructive witch. Chloe and Lois are also possessed by other 17th-century witches, and the three form an unusual coven. With souls attached to them that were burned at the stake centuries ago, the three women go on a rampage of destruction. Divorced from the series, "Spell" is an unintentionally hilarious piece in the Superman mythos, telling an unusual story with unusual versions of beloved characters.

4 Odyssey

Season 8, Episode 1

One of the best ensemble team-ups of the series, in this episode, Clark goes missing, and Green Arrow, Aquaman, and the Black Canary go out in search of him. This episode feels much like a harbinger of the Arrowverse that would eventually follow in its footsteps, with similar characters with similar designs. Watching Smallville evolve to the point where a team-up like this is possible was exciting, and seeing a Justice League form and stand even without Clark is effective.

Smaller than the events that would follow it, the more intimate feel is retained here as the heroes make their way to the Arctic in search of Clark. Understanding the specter of Clark and how much the show has grown around him makes this episode feel like a pilot for a Justice League series that never existed. Seeing how these characters interact with one another makes for special, rewatchable television.

3 Lexmas

Season 9, Episode 5

Some may argue that "Lexmas" is not rewatchable due to the deep sadness it evokes. That said, this is an emotional and compelling episode of the series that informs much of Lex's character. While much of the episode is spent in dream sequences while Lex is unconscious, these dreams significantly inform his outlook. He learns that goodness will only take him so far, and it will ultimately hurt the people he loves most.

Ending with the premise that all Lex needs to fulfill himself is money and power, the episode works as an inversion of the popular holiday feature It's a Wonderful Life. A less hopeful holiday feature, "Lexmas" is still an excellent piece of the series in illustrating the villain's devolving into evil. As such, there is much to be gained from every terrific, although difficult, rewatch of this episode.

2 Absolute Justice

Season 9, Episodes 11-12

With Absolute Justice, Smallville takes pieces it had been setting up and turns into an all-out superhero extravaganza. Featuring early live-action iterations of Doctor Fate and Hawkman long before they were featured in Black Adam, the two-episode story creates a blueprint for superhero teamups that The Avengers and Justice League would follow. With a range of superheroes involved, these episodes make for a genuinely special event.

Featuring Waller and teases of the Suicide Squad, this iteration of the Justice Society of America in Smallville helps to ground the series in a larger DC universe. As the world grows with each successive episode, seeing Clark with friends old and new shows how far he has come from the start of the series. As a jumping-off point for Superman rather than Smallville stories, "Absolute Justice" remains something special.

1 Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1

Superman's origins have been shown in numerous iterations throughout the years. While some might suggest that 1978's Superman does the best job of setting up the hero, it is, in fact, the pilot episode of Smallville that does it best. The episode adeptly sets up the arrival of Kal-El on Earth and provides the first look at Annette O'Toole and John Schnieder as his parents, making it difficult to think this is only an introduction. With the mythology of the Superman legacy established, many characters feel fully formed from their inception.

From the beginning, everything in the world of Smallville feels natural and complete. While there is a lot to tell of Superman's story in the many episodes that follow, even if Smallville had never gone to the series, there would be a reason to return to this episode and to see this Lex, this Lana, and especially this Clark. It is endlessly rewatchable, one of the best introductions in the DC Universe, and thankfully, not nearly the end of this Clark's journey.

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  Clark Kent

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  Chloe Sullivan

Smallville chronicles the journey of a young Clark Kent during his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as iconic hero Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.

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