Black Lightning (2018)
A principal with a secret fights gang violence in New Orleans, balancing family drama and gritty action.
Jefferson Pierce is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of two daughters and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe haven for young people in a New Orleans neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero to his community.
How intense is Black Lightning?
Black Lightning is mildly scary, with light gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is brisk, and it is a full-attention watch and a family watch. Rated TV-14.
What Black Lightning feels like
- Tone
- gritty
- Pace
- Brisk
- Best for
- Full attentionFamily night
Where to stream Black Lightning
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 11, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Black Lightning for you?
Is Black Lightning scary?
Only a little. Black Lightning has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Black Lightning gory or violent?
Light gore (1 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3).
Is Black Lightning sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is Black Lightning OK for kids?
It is rated TV-14. Intensity: scare 1, gore 1, violence 2, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.
How long is Black Lightning?
Episodes run about 45m.
Where can I stream Black Lightning?
Black Lightning is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Cast and crew
More like Black Lightning
Matched on genre, tone, intensity and pace, not just keywords.
The Umbrella Academy (2019)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavySuperpowered siblings with a knack for witty banter face a surreal, briskly-paced adventure to save the world.
Game of Thrones (2011)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastatingNoble families clash in an epic, gritty war for control, while an ancient evil awakens in the frozen north.
The Boys (2019)Mildly scary · extreme gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavyCorrupt superheroes meet their match as gritty vigilantes fight dirty with dark, satirical wit.
Titans (2018)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavyYoung heroes battle evil and personal demons in a gritty, darkly comic, and briskly paced adventure.
INVINCIBLE (2021)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavyA teenager inherits his father's epic superhero powers, but a darkly comedic journey quickly turns gritty and relentless.
Firefly (2002)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavyA renegade spaceship crew navigates a lawless 26th-century galaxy, blending gritty action with witty, pulpy adventure.
House of the Dragon (2022)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastatingA king's choice of heir ignites a brutal, dynasty-destroying war, even with dragons at their command.
See (2019)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavyBlind survivors navigate a brutal future as a father protects his seeing children from a vengeful queen.
Want five more like Black Lightning?
Tell CouchRot the mood. It picks from what you can actually stream and learns from every rating.
Get CouchRot, it's freeThis product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Intensity, tone and pace tags are CouchRot's own.