Buffy the Vampire Slayerfans will find a lot to love in this other horror television show centered on two monster-hunting brothers. StarringSarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers,Buffy the Vampire Slayerfollows the titular slayer and her friends as they navigate their social lives while also dealing with the many supernatural creatures who frequent Sunnydale.
AlthoughBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s seasonsbecame more serialized as the show progressed, it began by focusing on more episodic, “monster of the week” stories.The series' unique blend of genres, like horror, fantasy, and comedy,made it one of the most influential shows of its time. This influence can easily be seen inSupernatural,a show that should appeal to mostBuffyfans.
Supernatural’s “Monster Of The Week” Format Reminds Us Of Great Early Buffy Episodes
Supernatural & Buffy Both Delivered Some Great Standalone Horror Stories
Just likeBuffy,Supernaturalbegan with a “monster of the week” formatand continued to deliver occasional standalone episodes even after its season-long mysteries became more complex. Following brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester,Supernaturalhas a lot in common withBuffy.
Despite its horror focus,Supernaturalregularly dips into other genres, and its tone can veer from scary to heartbreaking to hilarious all over the course of a single episode.Buffy, too, delivered a little bit of everything,and its characters often spoke to one another with the same loving but sarcastic tone as Sam and Dean Winchester.
Supernaturaleven delivered its own take on a musical, and while “Fan Fiction” may not have the same impact as “Once More, With Feeling,” it acts as a meta love letter to the show’s fans.
In its earliest seasons,Supernaturalleaned into its horror roots, delivering a miniature horror movie each week, many of which were inspired by the monsters of American folklore.Sam and Dean both have elements of Buffy Summers,with Sam’s desire for a normal life and Dean’s confident exterior hiding his inner trauma.
If You Love Buffy, Chances Are You’re Going To Love Supernatural Too
While The Two Shows May Follow Different Storylines, They Have A Lot Of Similarities
Supernaturalfeels like a spiritual successor toBuffy the Vampire Slayerin many ways.Sam and Dean Winchester save the world,fighting against the forces of evil, just as Buffy did on a regular basis.Supernaturaldid some things better thanBuffy,but if you’re a fan of one of these shows, you’ll likely be a fan of the other.
With fifteen seasons,Supernaturallasted significantly longer thanBuffy the Vampire Slayer,meaning binge-watching it will keep you busy for a while. LikeBuffy, Supernatural deliverscharacter-centric stories that combine horror, humor, and heart, making for an emotional roller coaster of a television show with characters that you cannot help but fall in love with.
