View source for Supernatural (American TV series)


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{{Infobox television
| image                = Supernatural (Warner Bros. Television) logo.svg
| genre                = {{plainlist|
* [[Action television|Action]]<ref name="allmovie" />
* [[Adventure film|Adventure]]<ref name="allmovie">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/supernatural-v335323 |website=[[AllMovie]] |title=Supernatural |access-date=September 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030016/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/supernatural-v335323 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Drama (film and television)|Drama]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/cw-mark-pedowitz-supernatural-stargirl-streaming-strictly-business-1234713193/ |title=CW Chief Mark Pedowitz on Streaming, Stacking and 'Supernatural': Listen |website=Variety |first=Cynthia |last=Littleton |date=July 22, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/best-supernatural-shows-to-binge-watch-on-netflix/ |title=The Best Supernatural Shows to Binge-Watch on Netflix |website=TV Guide |first=Kaitlin |last=Thomas |date=September 3, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Fantasy]]<ref name="allmovie"/><ref name="tvguide">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/supernatural/tv-listings/192272/ |website=[[TV Guide]] |title=Supernatural |access-date=September 9, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Horror fiction|Horror]]<ref name="allmovie"/>
* [[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]<ref name="allmovie"/>
}}
| creator              = [[Eric Kripke]]
| showrunner           = {{Plainlist|
* Eric Kripke
* [[Sera Gamble]]
* [[Jeremy Carver]]
* [[Andrew Dabb]]
* [[Robert Singer (producer)|Robert Singer]]
}}
| starring             = <!-- Please do not add or remove any names from this list or change the order, it is correct per Template:Infobox television. It includes actors who have received star billing (which includes Cassidy and Cohan for season 3), and not actors who have received just guest star billing regardless of episode count (such as Jim Beaver). -->
{{Plainlist|
* [[Jared Padalecki]]
* [[Jensen Ackles]]
* [[Katie Cassidy]]
* [[Lauren Cohan]]
* [[Misha Collins]]
* [[Mark Sheppard|Mark A. Sheppard]]
* [[Mark Pellegrino]]
* [[Alexander Calvert]]
}}
| composer             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jay Gruska]]
* [[Christopher Lennertz]]
}}
| country              = United States
| num_seasons          = 15
| num_episodes         = 327
| list_episodes        = List of Supernatural episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
* Eric Kripke
* Robert Singer
* [[McG]]
* [[David Nutter]]
* [[Kim Manners]]
* [[John Shiban]]
* [[Phil Sgriccia]]
* Sera Gamble
* [[Ben Edlund]]
* Jeremy Carver
* [[Jim Michaels]]
* Todd Aronauer
* [[Adam Glass]]
* Andrew Dabb
* Brad Buckner
* Eugenie Ross-Leming
}}
| location             = [[British Columbia]], Canada
| camera               = [[Single-camera setup]]
| runtime              = 38–45 minutes
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* Kripke Enterprises
* [[Wonderland Sound and Vision]] (2005–2013)
* [[Warner Bros. Television]]
}}
| network              = [[The WB]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2005|9|13}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2006|5|4}}
| network2             = [[The CW]]
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2006|9|28}}
| last_aired2          = {{End date|2020|11|19}}
| related              = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Supernatural: Bloodlines]]''
* ''[[The Winchesters]]''
}}
}}

'''''Supernatural''''' is an American television series created by [[Eric Kripke]]. It was first broadcast on September 13, 2005, on [[The WB]], and subsequently became part of successor network [[The CW]]'s lineup. Starring [[Jared Padalecki]] as [[Sam Winchester]] and [[Jensen Ackles]] as [[Dean Winchester]], the series follows the two brothers as they hunt [[demons]], [[ghost]]s, [[monster]]s and other supernatural beings.

''Supernatural'' was in development for nearly ten years, as creator Kripke spent several years unsuccessfully pitching it. Along with Kripke, its [[executive producers]] included [[McG]], [[Robert Singer (producer)|Robert Singer]], [[Phil Sgriccia]], [[Sera Gamble]], [[Jeremy Carver]], [[John Shiban]], [[Ben Edlund]] and [[Adam Glass]]. Former executive producer and director [[Kim Manners]] died during production of the [[Supernatural season 4|fourth season]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/01/27/supernatural-an/ |title='Supernatural' and 'X Files' producer-director Kim Manners has died |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Ken |last=Tucker |access-date=May 26, 2022 |date=January 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120213604/http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/01/27/supernatural-an/ |archive-date=November 20, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Filming took place in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada and in surrounding areas. The series was produced by Kripke Enterprises and McG's [[Wonderland Sound and Vision]], in association with [[Warner Bros. Television]].

The [[Pilot (Supernatural)|pilot]] was viewed by an estimated 5.69&nbsp;million viewers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092005_04 |title=Weekly Program Rankings |date=September 20, 2005 |publisher=ABC Medianet |access-date=September 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707090011/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092005_04 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ratings of the first four episodes prompted The WB to pick up the series for a full season. Kripke planned the series for three seasons but later expanded it to five. The [[Supernatural season 5|fifth season]] concluded the series' main storyline,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buddytv.com/show-creator-eric-kripke-determined-to-end-supernatural-at-season-5/ |title=Show Creator Eric Kripke Determined to End 'Supernatural' at Season 5 |publisher=BuddyTV |access-date=May 26, 2022 |date=September 1, 2009 |first=Kris |last=De Leon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222061545/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/show-creator-eric-kripke-deter-30939.aspx |archive-date=February 22, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Kripke departed the series as [[showrunner]].<ref name="kripkeleaves">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/07/15/supernatural-season-6-spoilers/ |title=Exclusive: 'Supernatural' boss on why he stepped down and what's coming up (hint: monsters!) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Michael |last=Ausiello |date=July 15, 2010 |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111100701/http://insidetv.ew.com/2010/07/15/supernatural-season-6-spoilers/ |archive-date=January 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The series continued on for 10 more seasons with new showrunners, including Sera Gamble, Jeremy Carver, Robert Singer and Andrew Dabb.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/07/18/supernatural-end/ |title='Supernatural' stars answer: When will the show end? |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112040327/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/18/supernatural-end/ |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/new-supernatural-showrunner-on-his-plans-for-season-8 |title=New Supernatural Showrunner on His Plans for Season 8 |website=IGN |first=Eric |last=Goldman |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223220300/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/new-supernatural-showrunner-on-his-plans-for-season-8 |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/13/supernatural-season-12-jeremy-carver-leaving-showrunner/ |title=Supernatural Names New Showrunners as Jeremy Carver Moves to Frequency |work=TVLine |first1=Michael |last1=Ausiello |first2=Vlada |last2=Gelman |date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514110140/http://tvline.com/2016/05/13/supernatural-season-12-jeremy-carver-leaving-showrunner/ |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> With its [[Supernatural season 11|eleventh season]], ''Supernatural'' became the longest-running American live-action [[fantasy]] TV series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discoversd.com/news/2015/jul/12/comic-con-2015-supernatural-panel/ |title='Supernatural' now longest running sci-fi show in U.S. |last=Rocha |first=Michael |publisher=Discover San Diego |date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=October 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119232222/http://www.discoversd.com/news/2015/jul/12/comic-con-2015-supernatural-panel/ |archive-date=November 19, 2015}}</ref> The series was renewed for a [[Supernatural season 15|fifteenth and final season]] that consisted of 20 episodes,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cw-renews-flash-charmed-riverdale-supernatural-6-more-1181714/ |title=CW Renews 'The Flash', 'Charmed', 'Riverdale', 'Supernatural', 6 More |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 31, 2019 |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202015411/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cw-renews-flash-charmed-riverdale-supernatural-6-more-1181714 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvline.com/2019/03/22/supernatural-final-season-15-cancelled-cw/ |title=Supernatural to End With Season 15 |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |work=TVLine |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322205713/https://tvline.com/2019/03/22/supernatural-final-season-15-cancelled-cw/ |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and premiered on October 10, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/the-cw-sets-fall-premiere-dates-batwoman-supergirl-the-flash-nancy-drew-1202633821/|title=The CW Sets Fall Premiere Dates: 'Batwoman', 'Supergirl', 'The Flash', 'Nancy Drew', More|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=June 17, 2019|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618053243/https://deadline.com/2019/06/the-cw-sets-fall-premiere-dates-batwoman-supergirl-the-flash-nancy-drew-1202633821/|archive-date=June 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Supernatural'' concluded on November 19, 2020, with [[List of Supernatural episodes|327 episodes]] aired.

== Production ==
=== Conception and creation ===
[[File:Eric Kripke 2010 (cropped).png|thumb|alt=|Creator Eric Kripke feels that America's urban legends are "every bit as fleshed out as any world mythologies".<ref name="scarierfiction" />]]
Before bringing ''Supernatural'' to television, creator Eric Kripke had been developing the series for nearly ten years,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-08-17-supernatural_x.htm |title='Supernatural' is an eerie natural for WB |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=USA Today |first=Bill |last=Keveney |date=August 17, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202193740/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-08-17-supernatural_x.htm |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> having been fascinated with [[urban legend]]s since he was a child.<ref name="theage2">{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/on-the-road-trip-from-hell-20060105-ge1irq.html |title=On the road trip from hell |access-date=May 26, 2022 |work=The Age |first=Maria Elena |last=Fernandez |date=January 5, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220053616/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/on-the-road-trip-from-hell-20060105-ge1irq.html |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> He had originally envisioned ''Supernatural'' as a movie.<ref name="chills">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201091121/http://www.toledofreepress.com/2005/09/07/kripke-goes-for-supernatural-chills |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |url=http://www.toledofreepress.com/2005/09/07/kripke-goes-for-supernatural-chills |title=Kripke goes for 'Supernatural' chills |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=Toledo Free Press |first=Lauri |last=Donahue |date=September 7, 2005}}</ref> He later developed it as a TV series and spent a few years pitching it before it was picked up by [[The WB]].<ref name="children">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/children-of-the-damned-20060116-gdmsa7.html |title=Children of the damned |access-date=May 26, 2022 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=January 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520163710/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/children-of-the-damned-20060116-gdmsa7.html |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> The concept went through several phases before becoming the eventual product, shifting from the original idea of an [[anthology]] series to one of tabloid reporters driving around the country in a van "fighting the demons in search of the truth".<ref name="theage2" /><ref name="Knight s1">{{Cite book |last=Knight |first=Nicholas |title=Supernatural: The Official Season 1 Companion |publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |year=2007 |isbn=9781845765354 |location=London}}</ref>{{Rp|page=8}} Kripke wanted it to be a road trip series, feeling that it was the "best vehicle to tell these stories because it's pure, stripped down and uniquely American... These stories exist in these small towns all across the country, and it just makes so much sense to drive in and out of these stories."<ref name="theage2" />

As he had previously written for [[The WB]] series ''[[Tarzan (2003 TV series)|Tarzan]]'', Kripke was offered the chance to pitch show ideas to the network and used the opportunity for ''Supernatural''.<ref name="chills" /> However, the network disliked his tabloid reporter idea, so Kripke successfully pitched his last-minute idea of the characters being brothers.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|page=6}} He decided to have the brothers be from [[Lawrence, Kansas]], because of its closeness to [[Stull Cemetery]], a location famous for its urban legends.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kripke, Eric |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-burning-questions-38374/ |title=''Supernatural'': Your Burning Questions Answered! |access-date=May 26, 2022 |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=October 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930220545/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Supernatural-Burning-Questions-38374.aspx |archive-date=September 30, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

When it came time to name the two lead characters, Kripke decided on "Sal" and "Dean" as an homage to [[Jack Kerouac]]'s road-trip novel ''[[On the Road]]''. However, he felt that "Sal" was inappropriate for a main character and changed the name to "Sam".<ref name="scarierfiction">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/fact-scarier-than-fiction/story-e6frexlr-1111113119827 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131015174028/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/fact-scarier-than-fiction/story-e6frexlr-1111113119827 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |title=Fact scarier than fiction |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=March 8, 2007 }}</ref> It was originally intended for the brothers' last name to be "Harrison" as a nod to actor [[Harrison Ford]], as Kripke wanted Dean to have the "devil-may-care swagger of Han Solo". However, there was a Sam Harrison living in Kansas, so the name had to be changed for legal reasons.<ref name="lastname" /> Combining his interest in the [[Winchester Mystery House]] and his desire to give the series the feel of "a modern-day Western", Kripke settled on the surname of "Winchester". Nonetheless, this also presented a problem. The first name of Sam and Dean's father was originally Jack, but there was a Jack Winchester residing in Kansas, so Kripke was forced to change the character's name to John.<ref name="lastname">{{cite web |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/02/14/a_supernatural_spin_off_death_by_bad_tac |title=A 'Supernatural' Spin-Off? Death By Bad Taco? Series Creator Eric Kripke Explains |access-date=September 30, 2009 |first1=Angie |last1=Rentmeester |first2=Noelle |last2=Talmon |work=Starpulse |date=February 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524102555/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/02/14/a_supernatural_spin_off_death_by_bad_tac |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Chevrolet Impala 1967 (11695634105).jpg|thumb|Black 1967 Impala, similar to the car in the series]]
Growing up, Kripke connected to television shows that had signature cars, such as ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' and ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''. This prompted him to include one in ''Supernatural''.<ref name="impala">{{cite web |url=http://www.appeal-democrat.com/supernatural-impala/article_052d3db8-efcf-543e-9415-ac878d13a4d0.html |title=Supernatural Impala |access-date=September 30, 2009 |publisher=Appeal-Democrat |date=January 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318074942/http://www.appeal-democrat.com/supernatural-impala/article_052d3db8-efcf-543e-9415-ac878d13a4d0.html |archive-date=March 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> "We say it's a modern American Western&nbsp;– two gunslingers who ride into town, fight the bad guys, kiss the girl and ride out into the sunset again. And we were always talking from the very beginning that if you're going to have cowboys, they need a trusty horse."<ref name="impala" /> He originally intended for the car to be a [[First-generation Ford Mustang|1965 Mustang]], but his neighbor convinced him to change it to a [[Chevrolet Impala#Fourth generation (1965–1970)|1967 Impala]], since "you can put a body in the trunk" and because "you want a car that, when people stop next to it at the lights, they lock their doors."<ref name="scarierfiction" /> Kripke has commented, "It's a [[Rottweiler]] of a car, and I think it adds authenticity for fans of automobiles because of that, because it's not a pretty ride. It's an aggressive, muscular car, and I think that's what people respond to, and why it fits so well into the tone of our show."<ref name="impala" />

Kripke had previously pitched the series to Fox executive Peter Johnson, and when Johnson moved to [[Wonderland Sound and Vision]] as president of TV, he contacted Kripke.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-122763978.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611013142/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-122763978.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 11, 2014 |title=Chasing new haunts: McG drives spooky road series to the WB |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=Variety |first=Michael |last=Schneider |date=September 13, 2004}}</ref> Johnson soon signed on as co-executive producer, as did Wonderland owner [[McG]] as executive producer, with the production company set to make the pilot episode. Before it could be filmed, however, script issues needed to be dealt with. Originally, the brothers were not raised by their father, but rather by their aunt and uncle. Thus, when Dean comes to Sam for assistance in the pilot episode, he has to convince him that the supernatural exists. However, Kripke realized that this made the backstory too complicated and reworked it with Peter Johnson so that their father raised them to be hunters.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|pp=8–10}}

The script went through many additional revisions. One of the original ideas was for Sam's girlfriend [[Jessica Moore (Supernatural)|Jessica]] to be revealed as a demon, which prompts him to join Dean on the road; however, Kripke felt it was more appropriate for Sam's motivation to be Jessica's death, so he had her killed in the same manner as Sam's [[Mary Winchester (character)|mother]], making them the "right bookends".<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|page=13}} Other revised concepts include Sam believing Dean to be a serial killer who murders their father<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|page=14}} and their father dying in Jessica's place.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|page=11}} Filming for the pilot episode was greenlit after director David Nutter, who previously had worked with Kripke on ''Tarzan'', signed on.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|pp=10;21}} When the series was eventually picked up, the studio brought in [[Robert Singer (producer)|Robert Singer]] as executive producer, as it wanted Kripke to work with someone with production experience. Due to his previous work on ''[[The X-Files]], ''co-executive producer [[John Shiban]] was also hired to help design the series mythology.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|page=12}} Kripke had the series planned out for three seasons but later expanded it to five<ref name="threeseason">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/eric-kripke-fields-35627/ |title=Eric Kripke Fields Your Questions About Supernatural |access-date=May 26, 2022 |work=TV Guide |date=February 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213182349/http://www.tvguide.com/news/eric-kripke-fields-35627.aspx |archive-date=February 13, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and hoped to end it there on a high note.<ref name="highnote">{{cite web |url=http://eclipsemagazine.com/supernatural-creator-eric-kripke-answers-fan%E2%80%99s-questions-%E2%80%93-part-iii/ |title=Supernatural Creator Eric Kripke Answers Fan's Questions&nbsp;– Part III |access-date=May 25, 2008 |work=Eclipse Magazine |first=Liana |last=Bekakos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918141226/http://eclipsemagazine.com/supernatural-creator-eric-kripke-answers-fan%E2%80%99s-questions-%E2%80%93-part-iii/ |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Writing ===
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| total_width = 300
| perrow    = 2
| footer    = After the departure of series creator Eric Kripke, the role of showrunner was assumed by [[Sera Gamble]] (top left) for seasons 6–7, [[Jeremy Carver]] (top right) for seasons 8–11, and [[Robert Singer (producer)|Robert Singer]] (bottom left) and [[Andrew Dabb]] (bottom right) for seasons 12–15.
| image1    = Sera Gamble by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image2    = Jeremy Carver by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image3    = Robert Singer by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image4    = Andrew Dabb by Gage Skidmore.jpg
}}

The staff for the first season consisted of Kripke and five other writers, with assistants to help with researching urban legends.<ref name="chills" /> Most of the work done in writing the series is very collaborative, with the writers often breaking up into groups. At the beginning of each season, the writers are brought together and pitch their ideas, which are then assigned to a specific writer to be developed. Each story idea is outlined on a dry-erase board, with Kripke and Bob Singer making necessary changes. Afterward, the script is written,<ref name="Knight s2">{{Cite book |last=Knight |first=Nicholas |title=Supernatural : the official companion, season 2 |publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |year=2008 |isbn=9781845766573 |location=London}}</ref>{{rp|p=150}} and Kripke goes through it to make sure it has the same tone as other episodes.<ref name="chills" /> Kripke found this task very difficult to do in the first season,<ref name="burningquestions">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-eric-kripke-38662.aspx |title=As Supernatural Returns, Your Burning Questions Are Answered! |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=TV Guide |date=October 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923184806/http://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-eric-kripke-38662.aspx |archive-date=September 23, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> but he felt it became easier by the third season, as the staff came to "really understand the show's style".<ref name="burningquestions" /> Following the fifth season, Kripke stepped down as showrunner but maintained his connection with the series as an executive consultant. In a 2016 interview with ''Collider'', he responded to the question as to how involved he still is with the show with the answer, "I would define myself as a proud parent who has sent their child off to college."<ref name=kripkeinvolved /> He elaborated on this analogy, explaining, "I'm there if they need me, I'm happy to help, but I also stay out of their way if they don't need me."<ref name=kripkeinvolved>{{cite web |last1=Weintraub |first1=Steve |title=Eric Kripke on 'Supernatural's Success and His New NBC Show 'Timeless' |url=https://collider.com/eric-kripke-supernatural-timeless-interview/ |website=Collider |access-date=September 25, 2017 |date=July 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925230331/http://collider.com/eric-kripke-supernatural-timeless-interview/ |archive-date=September 25, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The tone of ''Supernatural'' was heavily influenced by films such as ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]''—having the horror happen in a family setting rather than remote location—and ''[[Evil Dead II]]'' and ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]''—having bits of comedy mixed in. Commenting on the former, Kripke said, "It's the idea that horror can happen in your own backyard. How many viewers have to worry about the vampire in the gothic castle?"<ref name="scarierfiction" /> "It's always been a show about ''family''."<ref name="threeseason" /> Other influences include ''[[A Tale of Two Sisters|The Two Sisters]]'' and Asian horror films ''[[The Eye (2002 film)|The Eye]]'', ''[[Ju-on]]'' and ''[[Ring (film)|Ring]]''.<ref name="ccreport">{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2008/07/29/the-supernatural-panel-comic-con-report/ |title=The Supernatural Panel – Comic-Con Report |date=July 29, 2008 |first=Richard |last=Keller |publisher=AOL TV |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515214608/http://www.aoltv.com/2008/07/29/the-supernatural-panel-comic-con-report/ |archive-date=May 15, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to creator Eric Kripke, the show originally was intended to focus on the weekly monsters, with Sam and Dean Winchester merely being "an engine to get us in and out of different horror movies every week".<ref name="funapoc" /> His sole desire was to merely "scare the crap out of people".<ref name="teamspirit">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2007/5/27/tvnradio/17780155&sec= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118213940/http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2007/5/27/tvnradio/17780155&sec= |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2015 |title=Team spirit |access-date=September 30, 2009 |date=May 27, 2007 |work=The Star |author=Mumtaj, Begum }}</ref> However, a few episodes in, Kripke and executive producer Bob Singer noticed the onscreen chemistry between [[Jared Padalecki]] and [[Jensen Ackles]]. This revelation caused them to change the series to focus more on the brothers than the monsters, basing the weekly monster around the storyline they wanted for the Winchesters. According to Kripke, "Sometimes we don't even have the monster until way late in the break, once we get all the angst and the drama done first."<ref name="funapoc">{{cite news |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/08/supernatural-season-5-eric-kripke-cw.html |title='It's the fun Apocalypse': Creator Eric Kripke talks 'Supernatural' |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=Chicago Tribune |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |date=August 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008122020/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/08/supernatural-season-5-eric-kripke-cw.html |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Effects ===
Though companies were hired for work on the pilot episode—such as Entity FX for the visual effects<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.entityfx.com/who.html |title=Who |publisher=EntityFX |access-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819082657/http://www.entityfx.com/who.html |archive-date=August 19, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>—effects departments later worked exclusively for the series.<ref name="effectsdvd">{{cite AV media |title=Supernatural Season 3 – "From Legends to Reality" featurette |medium=DVD}}</ref> Ivan Hayden was the visual effects supervisor, and worked with many levels of the production staff. During pre-production, Hayden went through the scripts, looking for possible visual effects. He then had a concept meeting with the writers, and after settling on the effect designs to use, coordinated with the special effects and stunt departments. Hayden was also present during filming to help the director make sure that the scenes were being filmed in the best way for the visual effects, such as by ensuring that the actors are looking at the correct location where an effect would be later be added. Afterward, he then met with the editors.<ref name="Knight s2"/>{{rp|p=144}} Another aspect of the visual effects department was coming up with rules and physics for each supernatural creature,<ref name="Knight s2"/>{{rp|p=144}} though the rules were often bent if it benefitted the story.<ref name="effectsdvd" /> In 2012, it was announced that Hayden would be working at the new Vancouver location of Encore for its VFX division.<ref name="encore">{{cite web |url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/952591/encore-adds-vancouver-location |title=Encore Adds Vancouver Location |publisher=Canada Newswire |date=April 10, 2012 |access-date=July 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702230816/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/952591/encore-adds-vancouver-location |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Music ===
''Supernatural'' features a synthesized orchestral score, although traditional acoustic instruments such as guitars and cellos are used at times. Special instruments have also been used in specific episodes, such as "bluesy gospel music" played on a broken-down piano in the faith-healing episode "Faith". Unlike other television shows, the series features two composers: [[Christopher Lennertz]] and [[Jay Gruska]].<ref name="music" /> Each composer scores every other episode, giving them extra time to write the scores, which usually end up being around 30&nbsp;minutes per episode. They write themes for their own episodes and characters and work with one another if there is overlap between episodes. They try to base the music on the visuals of the episode, such as in the episode "Dead in the Water", in which off-angle shots are accompanied by repetitive and discordant notes, and spoken words such as "water" and "die" are followed by a lower pitch to create a "gurgly" sound.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=147}} While there are similarities in the scores for situations such as the brothers and their father, about a third of each episode's score is newly written for the series.<ref name="music">{{cite web |title=The Supernatural Music of Christopher Lennertz |publisher=Mania |first=Randall D. |last=Larson |date=July 27, 2006 |url=http://www.mania.com/supernatural-music-christopher-lennertz_article_51827.html |access-date=September 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702125049/http://www.mania.com/supernatural-music-christopher-lennertz_article_51827.html |archive-date=July 2, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

While original scores are used throughout episodes, another important aspect of the series' music is the use of classic rock, over which creator Eric Kripke threatened to quit when the network would not allow its inclusion. Most of the songs are from Kripke's private collection, although one of his favorite bands—[[Led Zeppelin]]—is too expensive to use. Some episode titles are references to Led Zeppelin songs.<ref name="eclipsemagazine">{{cite web |url=http://eclipsemagazine.com/supernatural-creator-eric-kripke-answers-fan-questions-%E2%80%93-part-i/ |title=Supernatural Creator Eric Kripke Answers Fan Questions&nbsp;– Part I |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=Eclipse Magazine |first=Liana |last=Bekakos |date=April 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806025334/http://eclipsemagazine.com/supernatural-creator-eric-kripke-answers-fan-questions-%e2%80%93-part-i/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The series has featured such bands as [[Blue Öyster Cult]], [[Bad Company]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Boston (band)|Boston]], [[Triumph (band)|Triumph]] and [[AC/DC]] on more than one occasion. Multiple songs are usually used throughout each episode, and accompany "[[Previously (television)|The Road So Far]]" sequences before select episodes that highlight a montage of past events. Although Kripke prefers to keep a fine line between the score and songs used, sometimes Lennertz and Gruska are required to write short sections of rock-like music to fill 15-to-20-second gaps, as it would be too costly to acquire song rights. On the last episode of every season except the first, the song "[[Carry On Wayward Son]]" by [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]] is played at the beginning.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=148}}

=== Filming locations ===
Though the pilot was filmed in [[Los Angeles]], principal filming took place in [[Vancouver|Vancouver, British Columbia]].<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=14}} Thus, on-location filming usually took place in the [[Lower Mainland]]. "Dead in the Water" was filmed at [[Buntzen Lake]]<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=28}} and the final scenes of "Simon Said" were filmed at [[Cleveland Dam]].<ref name="Knight s2"/>{{rp|p=40}} Other locations used on the show were often reused two or three times, with the art department making variations to conceal this.<ref name="Knight s3">{{Cite book |last=Knight |first=Nicholas |title=Supernatural : the official companion. Season 3 |publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |year=2009 |isbn=9781848561038 |location=London}}</ref>{{rp|p=134}} Heritage Park in [[Burnaby]] was used as a cemetery in "Red Sky at Morning", and as the location of the gingerbread-house cottage in "Bedtime Stories".<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=44}} [[Riverview Hospital (Coquitlam)|Riverview Hospital]] in [[Coquitlam]] served many functions for the series, including as an asylum in "Asylum",<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=60}} a hospital in "In My Time of Dying" and a prison in "Folsom Prison Blues".<ref name="Knight s2"/>{{rp|p=101}} The episode "Houses of the Holy" was filmed on location in Vancouver at [[St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church]]. Because episodes usually take place in isolated or rural areas, filming often took place at an [[Canadian Forces Station Ladner|old military base]]. Having been shut down for years, the buildings have been removed, leaving just roads on which sets were erected, such as for crossroads scenes.<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=133}} In-studio filming took place at the [[Canadian Motion Picture Park Studios|Canadian Motion Picture Park]] in Burnaby.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dobie |first=Cayley |date=2019-02-08 |title=The Burnaby studio home to Supernatural celebrated the show's 300th episode in a special way |url=https://www.burnabynow.com/local-business/the-burnaby-studio-home-to-supernatural-celebrated-the-shows-300th-episode-in-a-special-way-3093318 |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=[[Burnaby Now]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=David E. |date=2020-03-08 |title=Family Business: Supernatural |url=https://theasc.com/articles/supernatural |access-date=2025-03-28 |work=[[American Cinematographer]] |issn=0002-7928}}</ref> 

=== Online distribution ===
Rather than having the series debut on television, The WB instead made the pilot episode available for online streaming through [[Yahoo!]] a week before it was set to premiere on the network as part of a promotional scheme.<ref name="promotion">{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-06-supernatural_x.htm |title=New drama 'Supernatural' gets online jump |date=September 6, 2005 |work=USA Today |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125055341/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-06-supernatural_x.htm |archive-date=January 25, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the transition to The CW, ''Supernatural'' episodes were added to [[Apple Computer|Apple]]'s [[iTunes Store]] starting in December 2006, being one of the first CW series to be made available for sale online.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2006/digital/news/cw-goes-digital-with-itunes-1117955946/ |title=CW goes digital with iTunes |date=December 17, 2006 |work=Variety |access-date=September 22, 2009 |first1=Ben |last1=Fritz |first2=Josef |last2=Adalian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113052853/http://variety.com/2006/digital/news/cw-goes-digital-with-itunes-1117955946/ |archive-date=January 13, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following month, the network began streaming episodes of the series on its website with limited commercial interruption, available for up to four weeks after the initial airings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2007/01/19/the-cw-expands-its-online-offerings-by-streaming-several-primetime-series-for-free-on-cwtvcom--23401/20070119cw02/ |title=The CW Expands Its Online Offerings by Streaming Several Primetime Series for Free on CWTV.com |date=January 19, 2007 |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> Beginning January 11, 2007, Australia's [[Network Ten]] also began offering full episodes for download via their website, through a deal with Warner Bros. Television. To combat piracy, Ten debuted the second-season premiere five days before its initial broadcast in the country, making ''Supernatural'' the first major network show available for free download in Australia before being aired. Subsequent episodes became available online just hours after being televised.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/supernatural-is-first-online/story-e6frewz0-1111112810068 |title=Supernatural is first online |date=January 10, 2007 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115121829/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/supernatural-is-first-online/story-e6frewz0-1111112810068 |archive-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around the same time, episodes were also made available for download on Microsoft's [[Xbox Live Marketplace]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/292651 |title=Gamers turn to XBox Live for movies |work=The New York Times |first=Joanne |last=Kaufman |access-date=October 8, 2009 |date=July 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119211422/http://hamptonroads.com/node/292651 |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2008, [[Amazon.com]] launched its new on-demand TV service, with ''Supernatural'' being one of the many television shows available for sale.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/17/ap5436492.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920001401/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/17/ap5436492.html |title=Amazon.com launches new TV store |work=Forbes |access-date=February 22, 2013 |date=September 17, 2008 |archive-date=September 20, 2008}}</ref>

===Home media===
{{Main|List of Supernatural episodes#Home video releases{{!}}List of ''Supernatural'' episodes#Home video releases}}

== Cast and characters ==
{{Main|List of Supernatural and The Winchesters characters{{!}}List of ''Supernatural'' and ''The Winchesters'' characters}}
[[File:Jensen Ackles & Jared Padalecki (36208218556).jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Jensen Ackles]] (left) and [[Jared Padalecki]] (right) portray the series' main characters.]]
The series focuses on the brothers [[Dean Winchester]] and [[Sam Winchester]], played by [[Jensen Ackles]] and [[Jared Padalecki]], as they travel throughout the country hunting down evil supernatural creatures. Padalecki became interested in the role because he liked horror series, including both ''[[The X-Files]]'' and ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'', which he found similar to the proposed plot of ''Supernatural''. He was also excited to play "the reluctant hero", comparing Sam to ''[[The Matrix]]''{{'}}s [[Neo (The Matrix)|Neo]] and [[Luke Skywalker]] of ''[[Star Wars]]''. Padalecki had previous experience working with executive producers [[McG]] and David Nutter,<ref name="newz">{{cite web |url=http://www.newzline.com/2007/02/07/supernatural-interview-with-jared-padalecki-sam-winchester |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214205150/http://www.newzline.com/2007/02/07/supernatural-interview-with-jared-padalecki-sam-winchester |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |title=Supernatural interview with Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) |date=February 7, 2007 |publisher=Newzline |url-status=usurped |access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> the former convincing him to audition for the role.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=126}} Ackles was originally asked by Nutter to audition for the role of Sam<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=130}} but preferred the character of Dean after reading the script.<ref name="starc">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2008/9/12/tvnradio/1985443&sec= |title=Jensen Ackles enjoys doing Supernatural |date=September 12, 2008 |work=The Star |first=Mumtaj |last=Begum |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708173723/https://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2F2008%2F9%2F12%2Ftvnradio%2F1985443&sec= |archive-date=July 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of his audition, he was already a series regular on fellow WB series ''[[Smallville]]''. After landing the part of Dean, his ''Smallville'' role was cut short.<ref name="tvguideackles">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-jensen-ackles-40196.aspx |title=Up Close with Supernatural's Jensen Ackles: Part 1 |date=October 25, 2007 |work=TV Guide |first=Ileane |last=Rudolph |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923235956/http://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-jensen-ackles-40196.aspx |archive-date=September 23, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{blockquote|When I read the script, Dean just jumped out at me. With that character there was always a bit more comedy, and a bit more recklessness, and it just appealed to me more. So when I asked to read for that, they were like, "That's what we're looking for." So it was great. I found a character that I really enjoy playing.|source=Jensen Ackles on what drew him to the character of Dean Winchester<ref name="starc" />}}

While the series does not have many lead characters, there are many recurring characters. [[Jeffrey Dean Morgan]] portrays [[John Winchester (Supernatural)|John Winchester]], father of Sam and Dean. Making an appearance in the pilot episode, John does not return until nearly halfway through the first season, after which he becomes a recurring character until his eventual death in the second season's premiere episode, though his spirit returns to help his sons in the season finale. Later in the series, it is announced that John Winchester fathered a third son with another woman; a half-brother to Sam and Dean. According to writer John Shiban, it was decided early on that John would die. The writers found that having the brothers being separated from their father "split the show". Shiban noted that "... the boys were looking for Dad, and they were looking for a monster of the week, whatever that is, whatever case crosses their path. It became difficult, because we thought it was like – 'what is Dad doing? Is he doing more interesting things than the boys are doing, or what?'"<ref name="shiban">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/interviews/a42692/supernatural-writer-john-shiban.html |title='Supernatural' writer John Shiban |date=February 15, 2007 |work=Digital Spy |first=Neil |last=Wilkes |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015114938/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/interviews/a42692/supernatural-writer-john-shiban.html |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> They believed Morgan was initially reluctant about returning to ''Supernatural'' for the second season because of his recurring role on the series ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''.<ref name="morganfate">{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-04-20-morgan_x.htm |title=Jeffrey Dean Morgan awaits his fate |date=April 20, 2006 |work=USA Today |first=William |last=Keck |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211063757/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-04-20-morgan_x.htm |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Future appearances of the character have been hindered by Morgan's busy schedule.<ref name="askaus">{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/08/19/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-greys-house-ncis-more/ |title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Grey's', 'House', 'NCIS', 'Bones', 'Gossip Girl', 'Supernatural', and more! |date=August 19, 2009 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Michael |last=Ausiello |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105010444/http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/08/19/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-greys-house-ncis-more/ |archive-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Also introduced in the first season are the demon [[Azazel (Supernatural)|Azazel]] and his [[Meg Masters|unnamed daughter]]. While Azazel mainly appears merely as shadows or silhouettes in the first season, taking physical form only when he possesses John Winchester, Azazel's daughter uses a girl named [[Meg Masters]]—portrayed by [[Nicki Lynn Aycox]]—as a host.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=140}} In the second-season premiere, Azazel's host is portrayed by [[Fredric Lehne]]; originally brought on for only one episode, Lehne impressed the showrunners so much that he was asked to return for the [[All Hell Breaks Loose (Supernatural)|season's two-part finale]].<ref name="allhellDVD">{{cite AV media |people=Eric Kripke, Sera Gamble, Robert Singer |title=Supernatural Season 2 – Audio commentary for the episode "All Hell Breaks Loose" |medium=DVD}}</ref> Even after the character's death, Azazel makes appearances in subsequent seasons, being portrayed by different actors. Lehne also reprises the role in the first episode of season six when Dean is poisoned and begins to see Azazel again. Likewise, after Azazel's daughter is exorcised from Meg towards the end of the first season, the demon and her host continued to appear in the series, although now as two separate characters. Aycox continued her role in the fourth season when the angry spirit of Meg tries to kill the Winchesters. The demon returns for an episode in the second season played by Padalecki, temporarily taking Sam as a host. She appears once again in the fifth season, her newest host being portrayed by [[Rachel Miner]], in a recurring role.

{{multiple image
  | direction = vertical
  | width     = 200
  | footer    =
  | image1    = Jim Beaver by Gage Skidmore.jpg
  | alt1      =
  | caption1  = Actor [[Jim Beaver]] never expected his character's longevity, believing his initial guest appearance would be a "one-shot deal".<ref name="Knight s2"/>{{rp|p=136}}
  | image2    = Misha Collins SDCC 2013.jpg
  | alt2      =
  | caption2  = Actor [[Misha Collins]] believed he would be another recurring guest star who would fade away quickly. For the fifth season, Collins was promoted to a series regular.
  | image3    = Mark A. Sheppard by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
  | alt3      =
  | caption3  = Actor [[Mark Sheppard]] was also not expecting the popularity of his character. In the tenth season, Crowley became a series regular, which would last for another two seasons before his departure.
}}

The writers eventually wanted to flesh out the concept of hunters, resulting in the introduction of many new characters.<ref name="hunterflesh">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernaturals-creator-shares-38379.aspx |title=Supernatural's Creator Shares More Season 2 Secrets |date=October 19, 2006 |work=TV Guide |first=Angel |last=Cohn |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125054944/http://www.tvguide.com/news/supernaturals-creator-shares-38379.aspx |archive-date=January 25, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor [[Jim Beaver]] makes his first appearance as [[Bobby Singer]], an old family friend of the Winchesters, at the end of the first season. Becoming a sort of surrogate father to Sam and Dean after their father's death,<ref name="burningquestions" /> the character acts as their mentor and foremost point of contact before his departure in the seventh season. Other hunters appear in the second season with the introduction of Harvelle's Roadhouse, a saloon frequented by hunters. It is owned by [[Ellen Harvelle]] (played by [[Samantha Ferris]]), whose late husband was a friend of John Winchester. Working alongside her mother is [[Jo Harvelle]] (played by [[Alona Tal]]). Also present is the computer guy [[Ash (Supernatural)|Ash]] (played by [[Chad Lindberg]]), who uses his vast computer skills to track the paranormal. Tal was eventually written out of the series, and believes the reason to be that the producers felt she looked like Sam and Dean's "14-year-old sister".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/3776/cbs-news-barney-v-dwight-smackdown-xoxo-at-csi-ny-ghost-gossip-more |title=CBS News: Barney v. Dwight Smackdown, XOXO at CSI: NY, Ghost Gossip & More |first1=Jennifer |last1=Godwin |first2=Korbi |last2=Ghosh |date=July 22, 2007 |access-date=January 15, 2008 |publisher=E! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233707/http://www.eonline.com/news/3776/cbs-news-barney-v-dwight-smackdown-xoxo-at-csi-ny-ghost-gossip-more |archive-date=January 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kripke claims the character was incorrectly conceived, and also cites poor fan reaction for her removal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-1-16234.aspx |title='Supernatural' Creator Talks about Going Up Against 'Lost' |date=January 30, 2008 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Don |last=Williams |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211203536/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-1-16234.aspx |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also, the character of Ash is killed off in the second-season finale with the destruction of the Roadhouse. Ellen was meant to return in the third season, but the episode had to be scrapped due to the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike|writer's strike]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-burning-questions-39261.aspx |title=Supernatural Burning Questions Answered! |date=February 7, 2008 |work=TV Guide |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015014113/http://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-burning-questions-39261.aspx |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The writers intended for her to be featured in the third-season finale,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-writer-discusses-17199.aspx |title='Supernatural' Writer Discusses Remainder of Season 3 |date=March 3, 2008 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Don |last=Williams |access-date=January 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202123733/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-writer-discusses-17199.aspx |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> but Ferris declined because the deal offered to her was not acceptable, as "It could cost [her] money and work".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://samanthaferris.net/?start_from=5&ucat=&archive=&subaction=&id=& |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417004551/http://samanthaferris.net/?start_from=5&ucat=&archive=&subaction=&id=& |archive-date=April 17, 2008 |title=Bad News on the Horizon... |date=March 5, 2008 |publisher=SamanthaFerris.net |first=Samantha |last=Ferris |access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> However, both actresses returned as Jo and Ellen in the fifth season.

For the third season, the writers decided to introduce [[Ruby (Supernatural)|Ruby]], a demonic former witch who claims to be an ally to the Winchesters. However, The CW requested that another female be added, so the character [[Bela Talbot]], a self-centered thief who sells occult objects to wealthy clients and who was already intended to appear in multiple episodes, was upgraded to a series regular.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-exec-we-8522.aspx |title=Supernatural Exec: "We Won't Be One Tree Hill with Monsters!" |date=July 21, 2007 |work=TV Guide |first=Michael |last=Ausiello |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614163629/http://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-exec-we-8522.aspx |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Katie Cassidy]] and [[Lauren Cohan]] were eventually cast as Ruby and Bela, respectively, though they originally auditioned for the others' role.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=42554 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114073550/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=42554 |archive-date=January 14, 2008 |title=''Supernatural'' Welcomes New Girls |date=July 23, 2007 |publisher=SCI FI Wire |first=Cindy |last=White |access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> Though making only six appearances each in the third season, both actresses were credited as co-stars for their episodes. At the end of the season, Bela was killed off,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-convention-brings-18107.aspx |title=Creator Eric Kripke Talks 'Supernatural' Season 4 |last=Williams |first=Don |date=September 8, 2008 |publisher=BuddyTV |access-date=April 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803070312/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-convention-brings-18107.aspx |archive-date=August 3, 2012}}</ref> and Cassidy was let go for budgetary reasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/Supernatural-Lets-Katie-15874.aspx |title=Supernatural Lets Katie Cassidy Go |date=June 23, 2008 |work=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=January 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008230638/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Supernatural-Lets-Katie-15874.aspx |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The role of Ruby was recast for the fourth season, auditions describing the character only as "a love interest". [[Genevieve Padalecki|Genevieve Cortese]] (who later married Padalecki) took over the role until the character's death at the end of the season.<ref name="tvruby">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Genevieve-Cortese-Supernatural-3.aspx |title=Supernatural's Ruby: "I Feel Like, Deep Down, She's in Love with Sam" |last=Mitovich |first=Matt |date=November 19, 2008 |work=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=January 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201054130/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Genevieve-Cortese-Supernatural-3.aspx |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Wanting to bring in [[Christian mythology]] to the series, the writers created the angel [[Castiel (Supernatural)|Castiel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/misha_collins_is_supernaturals_dark_angel-2008-11 |title=Misha Collins Is 'Supernatural's' Dark Angel |last=O'Hare |first=Kate |date=November 18, 2008 |publisher=[[Zap2it]] |access-date=April 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071414/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/misha_collins_is_supernaturals_dark_angel-2008-11 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> With Kripke wanting to keep the introduction of an angel a secret, the character was instead described as a demon during auditions.<ref name="buddy">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/exclusive-interview-misha-coll-23092.aspx |first=Don |last=Williams |title=Exclusive Interview: Misha Collins of 'Supernatural' |date=September 25, 2008 |publisher=[[BuddyTV]] |access-date=April 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212115520/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/exclusive-interview-misha-coll-23092.aspx |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Misha Collins]] was cast as the character. Making his debut in the fourth-season premiere, Castiel resurrects Dean from hell after his death in the third season and comes to be an ally of the Winchesters. The character was originally intended for only a six-episode story arc, but the role was later expanded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/tv/three-questions-with-supernaturals-misha-collins.html |title=Three Questions With Supernatural's Misha Collins |publisher=UGO.com |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111234124/http://www.ugo.com/tv/three-questions-with-supernaturals-misha-collins.html |archive-date=January 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Collins was promoted to a series regular for the fifth and sixth season, something Collins believes to be mainly due to fan support.<ref name="eagle">{{cite web |url=http://www2.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537 |title='Supernatural' actor Misha Collins is the new angel on the block |last=Spelling |first=Ian |work=Reading Eagle |date=December 14, 2008 |publisher=ReadingEagle.com |access-date=April 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210032722/http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537 |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Collins was downgraded to recurring status for the seventh and eighth seasons, but returned to series regular status for seasons nine and ten.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2014/05/09/supernatural-season-10-misha-collins-series-regular/ |title=Supernatural: Misha Collins to Return as Series Regular for Season 10 |work=TVLine |first=Vlada |last=Gelman |date=May 9, 2014 |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023001855/http://tvline.com/2014/05/09/supernatural-season-10-misha-collins-series-regular/ |archive-date=October 23, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Along with Castiel came other angelic characters, with [[Robert Wisdom]] portraying the "militant" and "dogmatic"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537 |title='Supernatural' actor Misha Collins is the new angel on the block |date=December 14, 2008 |work=The New York Times Syndicate |first=Ian |last=Spelling |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318215507/http://www2.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537 |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Uriel (Supernatural)|Uriel]], who secretly supports Lucifer; [[Julie McNiven]] playing the fallen angel Anna Milton, who eventually regains her angelic form but remains an outcast of Heaven; and [[Kurt Fuller]] as Castiel's boss [[Zachariah (Supernatural)|Zachariah]], who wishes to start the apocalypse in order to bring Paradise to Earth. Though Wisdom's character is eventually killed, McNiven and Fuller continue their roles into the fifth season and are joined by [[Mark Pellegrino]] as the recently released but fallen archangel [[Lucifer (Supernatural)|Lucifer]]. Pellegrino also appears as Lucifer as a hallucination in Sam's head in season 7. Pellegrino had been the second choice for the role of Castiel<ref name="luciferpell">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/comic-con-2009-the-apocalypse-30303.aspx |title=Comic-Con 2009: The Apocalypse of 'Supernatural' Season 5 |date=July 27, 2009 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Christi |last=Kassity |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803105258/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/comic-con-2009-the-apocalypse-30303.aspx |archive-date=August 3, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was offered the role of Lucifer without an audition.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hitfix.com/articles/supernatural-returns-to-haunt-comic-con |title='Supernatural' returns to haunt Comic-Con |date=July 26, 2009 |work=HitFix |first=Tamara |last=Brooks |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810015430/http://www.hitfix.com/articles/supernatural-returns-to-haunt-comic-con |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Further on, Fuller's and McNiven's characters were also killed along with both Harvelle characters.

Season 5 introduces the demon [[Crowley (Supernatural)|Crowley]], played by [[Mark Sheppard]], who would become the Winchester's longest-recurring antagonist and occasional anti-hero in the series. Crowley appears in three episodes of season 5 to help the Winchesters seal Lucifer back in the Cage, believing that once he destroys humanity he will target all demonkind next. In season 6, Crowley becomes the King of Hell and one of the main antagonists working with Castiel to stop Archangel Raphael, the other main antagonist of season 6, from restarting the apocalypse, by harnessing the souls of purgatory and splitting the power with Castiel. In season 7, Crowley becomes an antihero who helps the Winchesters against the threat of Leviathans led by [[List of Supernatural characters#Dick Roman|Dick Roman]] after they are released from purgatory by Castiel. Crowley becomes the main antagonist of season 8, attempting to harness the Words of God and their powers and stop the Winchesters from sealing hell forever. In season 9, Crowley becomes an unwilling prisoner of the Winchesters but is forced to deal with [[Abaddon (Supernatural)|Abaddon]] trying to steal his position as King of Hell. Sheppard was promoted to series regular status for season 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/supernatural-season-10-mark-sheppard-series-regular-1201190067 |title='Supernatural' Season 10: Mark Sheppard Promoted to Series Regular |date=May 23, 2014 |work=Variety |first=Laura |last=Prudom |access-date=July 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704202642/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/supernatural-season-10-mark-sheppard-series-regular-1201190067/ |archive-date=July 4, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Season 7 introduces [[Kevin Tran]] the prophet (played by [[Osric Chau]]), who translates the word of God to help the Winchesters stop the Leviathans, which leads to their destruction. In season 8, Kevin works to translate another word of God to find the means of sealing hell forever. In season 9, Kevin instead tries to find the means of returning the fallen angels to Heaven but is killed by a [[List of angels in Supernatural#Gadreel|Gadreel]]-possessed Sam.

Also introduced in Season 7 is [[Charlie Bradbury]], a tech-savvy geek (played by [[Felicia Day]]) who works at Richard Roman Enterprises. After hacking into Frank's hard drive and learning about the existence of monsters, Charlie becomes an ally of the Winchesters and occasionally helps them out with technical problems and hunts.

Season 9 introduces the angel [[List of angels in Supernatural#Gadreel|Gadreel]], who originally poses as Ezekiel, played by [[Tahmoh Penikett]] and Padalecki. After Sam is seriously injured when he decides not to seal Hell, Gadreel comes to Dean in response to his prayer for help, possesses Sam to heal him, and becomes Dean's ally. However, Gadreel's true identity is later revealed by [[Metatron (Supernatural)|Metatron]] to be the guardian who had allowed Lucifer into the Garden of Eden and was imprisoned until the fall. Gadreel then allies with Metatron in an attempt to redeem himself and lead the angels back to Heaven. He kills Kevin Tran and is later expelled from Sam and possesses his original vessel again. However, after Metatron begins sacrificing angels for his plans, Gadreel becomes regretful and joins Sam, Dean, and Castiel.

Season 4 introduces [[Chuck Shurley]] as one of God's prophets portrayed by [[Rob Benedict]]. Later in season 11, it is revealed that Chuck is God masquerading under the guise of a human to allow angels and mankind free will. In season 15, it is revealed that Chuck is manipulating events in the lives of the Winchesters and their allies for his own perverse amusement and entertainment.

Season 10 introduces the antagonistic witch [[List of Supernatural characters#Rowena MacLeod|Rowena MacLeod]] (portrayed by [[Ruth Connell]]), who is later revealed to be the mother of Crowley, who was previously named Fergus. Rowena returns as a sometime ally of the Winchesters throughout seasons 11 to 15, making her one of the long-standing female characters to exist on the show. Rowena's antagonistic and unpredictable nature is redeemable by her sacrifice in season 15 to close hell's portal opened by Chuck.

Season 11 introduces [[List of Supernatural characters#The Darkness|Amara / The Darkness]], portrayed by [[Emily Swallow]]. The Darkness would later on go on to become an antagonist after being released from imprisonment once the Mark of Cain is broken. The Mark was a seal that kept the Darkness imprisoned in order for God's creation and humanity to survive. Later, it is revealed that the Darkness is a sibling of God.

Season 13 introduces a [[Nephilim]], [[List of angels in Supernatural#Jack Kline|Jack Kline]] portrayed by [[Alexander Calvert]] as the son of Lucifer. Jack would later on become a member of the Winchester family and an important ally in rescuing the people of Apocalypse World (a world without Winchesters to prevent the endtimes) and defeating that world's version of archangel Michael. Jack would go on to be killed by God as part of Chuck's plan only to be resurrected by Billie, a reaper who is a newly turned replacement for Death.

Because the show focuses mainly on the two Winchester brothers, the writers realized that viewers would know that the characters are not in danger of being permanently killed. To fix this, the staff often writes in guest characters to give tension to the episode, occasionally having them die.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/arts/television/22aurt.html |title=Things That Go Bump in Prime Time |date=January 22, 2006 |work=The New York Times |first=Kate |last=Aurthur |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216221055/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/arts/television/22aurt.html |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Series overview ==
{{Main|List of Supernatural episodes{{!}}List of ''Supernatural'' episodes}}
{{:List of Supernatural episodes}}

=== Eric Kripke era ===
==== Season 1 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 1{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 1}}

The first season consists of 22 episodes. It premiered on [[The WB]] on September 13, 2005, and concluded on May 4, 2006. The first 16 episodes aired on Tuesdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm, after which the series was rescheduled to Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/tv/supernatural/1 |title=Supernatural: Season 1 |website=IGN |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927011312/http://www.ign.com/tv/supernatural/1 |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Series creator [[Eric Kripke]] also served as its showrunner, a position he would hold for five seasons.<ref name="kripkeleaves"/>

After their father goes missing during a "hunting trip", Dean Winchester tracks down his brother Sam at [[Stanford University]] and they begin to live a life on the road, in Dean's black [[Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation)|1967 Chevrolet Impala]]. However, their father is not a typical hunter: he hunts supernatural creatures like [[ghost]]s, [[vampire]]s, and demons, and has trained his sons to do the same. Along the way, Sam and Dean save innocent people, fight creatures and ghosts, and collect clues to their father's whereabouts.

==== Season 2 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 2{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 2}}

The second season consists of 22 episodes, and it aired on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm on [[The CW]], beginning September 28, 2006, and ending May 17, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/tv/supernatural/2 |title=Supernatural: Season 2 |website=IGN |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927073615/http://www.ign.com/tv/supernatural/2 |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sam and Dean continue to hunt the demon Azazel. Part of Azazel's master plan is revealed as he gathers Sam and others with similar psychic abilities to fight each other, leading to Sam's death. Dean makes a deal with a [[Crossroads (mythology)|crossroads]] demon to bring Sam back in exchange for his soul, which will be collected in one year and taken to Hell. With the help of the spirit of John Winchester, Dean kills Azazel and the portal is closed.

==== Season 3 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 3{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 3}}
The third season consists of 16 episodes that aired on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning October 4, 2007, and ending May 15, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/tv/supernatural/3 |title=Supernatural: Season 3 |website=IGN |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924031537/http://www.ign.com/tv/supernatural/3 |archive-date=September 24, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Originally 22 episodes were ordered for the third season, but production was halted on December 5, 2007, upon completion of the twelfth episode by the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike]]. The season number was shortened to sixteen episodes, with four new episodes airing in April and May 2008.<ref name="EW4">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/03/24/spring-tv-preview-inside-26-shows/ |title=Spring TV preview: Inside 26 shows |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=March 27, 2008 |last=Stack |first=Tim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324215931/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20185232_13,00.html |archive-date=March 24, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The season focuses on trying to save Dean from his deal and tracking down the demons that were released from hell. The brothers learn which demon holds Dean's contract: a powerful demon named [[Lilith (Supernatural)|Lilith]]. The brothers, along with a demon named Ruby, track Lilith down and attempt to kill her. Lilith is unable to stop Sam on account of his mysterious abilities; however, Dean's contract expires and his soul is taken to Hell.

==== Season 4 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 4{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 4}}
The fourth season consists of 22 episodes that aired on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning September 18, 2008, and ending May 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/tv/supernatural/4 |title=Supernatural: Season 4 |website=IGN |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908051858/http://www.ign.com/tv/supernatural/4 |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dean is rescued from hell and brought back by an angel of the Lord named [[Castiel (Supernatural)|Castiel]]. The rest of the season follows the brothers as they work with Castiel to stop Lilith's plan of breaking the [[Seven Seals|66 seals]], which would allow the fallen archangel Lucifer to walk the Earth free once again. Dean escapes and tries to stop Sam after learning that Lilith is, in fact, the last seal, but Sam kills her anyway, breaking open Lucifer's prison. Ruby reveals her true colors as a demon loyal to Lucifer, and Dean kills her. As the season ends, Lucifer's cage opens and he escapes from hell.

==== Season 5 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 5{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 5}}
The fifth season consists of 22 episodes that aired on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning September 10, 2009, and ending May 13, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/tv/supernatural/5 |title=Supernatural: Season 5 |website=IGN |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924080600/http://www.ign.com/tv/supernatural/5 |archive-date=September 24, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> This season was rumored to be the last season,<ref name="highnote" /> but Padalecki and Ackles had contracts for a sixth season,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/jensen-and-jared-definitely-in-29055.aspx |title=Jensen and Jared Definitely in for a Likely 'Supernatural' Season 6 |date=June 1, 2009 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=John |last=Kubicek |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607074723/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/jensen-and-jared-definitely-in-29055.aspx |archive-date=June 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> and The CW renewed it on February 16, 2010.<ref name="renew">{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/the_cw_renews_top_model_vampire_diaries_supernatural_gossip_girl_90210-2010-02 |title=The CW renews 'Top Model', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Supernatural', 'Gossip Girl', '90210' |publisher=Zap2it |first=Korbi |last=Ghosh |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022011116/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/the_cw_renews_top_model_vampire_diaries_supernatural_gossip_girl_90210-2010-02 |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The fifth season revolves around the fight to stop Lucifer and save the world from the Apocalypse. In the end, Sam throws himself and Adam into the Cage to trap Lucifer once more. Castiel is resurrected by God and returns to heaven to restore order. Dean returns to his old girlfriend Lisa to live a normal life. Sam is mysteriously freed of the Cage.

=== Sera Gamble era ===
==== Season 6 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 6{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 6}}
The sixth season consists of 22 episodes that aired on Fridays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning September 24, 2010, and ending May 20, 2011. Beginning with this season, Kripke left as showrunner, leaving executive producer [[Sera Gamble]] to take over the reins.<ref name="return">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/17/supernatural-renewed-for-season-6 |title=Supernatural Renewed for Season 6 |website=IGN |first=Eric |last=Goldman |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513100034/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/17/supernatural-renewed-for-season-6 |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sam and Dean are forced to work to capture Alpha monsters for Crowley. Dean discovers that Sam's soul is still in the Cage, so he implores the [[Pale horse (Bible)|Horseman Death]] to retrieve it. The brothers discover Castiel has orchestrated all of these events from behind the scenes and was working with Crowley the entire time. Castiel proceeds with his plan, absorbing all the souls from purgatory and pronouncing himself God.

==== Season 7 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 7{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 7}}
The seventh season consists of 23 episodes that aired on Fridays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning September 23, 2011, and ending May 18, 2012.

After declaring himself God, Castiel unwittingly releases the Leviathans, ravenous creatures who feed on human flesh. Sam and Dean must work to stop the Leviathans and their leader Dick Roman. The brothers learn that the only way to kill the Leviathans is with the "bone of a righteous mortal washed in the three bloods of the fallen". Dean and Castiel kill Dick but are dragged into purgatory as a result, while Sam is left alone to deal with Crowley, who plans to rise to power.

=== Jeremy Carver era ===
==== Season 8 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 8{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 8}}
The eighth season consists of 23 episodes that aired on Wednesdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning October 3, 2012, and ending May 15, 2013. [[Jeremy Carver]] would take over as showrunner beginning this season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/new-supernatural-showrunner-on-his-plans-for-season-8 |title=New Supernatural Showrunner on His Plans for Season 8 |website=IGN |first=Eric |last=Goldman |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223220300/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/new-supernatural-showrunner-on-his-plans-for-season-8 |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The two brothers begin a fight against Crowley to find the Demon Tablet and trap all demons in Hell. Kevin Tran translates three trials that must be completed in order to lock the Gates of Hell for good, but although Sam completed the first two, Dean ends the trials before the third can be finished as completing the trials would kill Sam. Castiel is tricked by the angel Metatron into banishing every angel apart from Metatron to Earth.

==== Season 9 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 9{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 9}}
The ninth season consists of 23 episodes that aired on Tuesdays at 9:00&nbsp;pm beginning October 8, 2013, and ending May 20, 2014.

The brothers search for a way to return the angels to Heaven. The angel [[Gadreel]] murders Kevin Tran and escapes to join Metatron. Sam expels Gadreel, but the experience causes Sam and Dean to split up. Castiel begins a search of his own for Metatron, believing him to be the key to reversing the expulsion of the angels. Metatron begins trying to unite all the angels under his rule while Castiel leads other angels against him to retake heaven. Castiel defeats Metatron after a repentant Gadreel sacrifices himself. Metatron kills Dean, causing Dean to become a demon.

==== Season 10 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 10{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 10}}
The tenth season consists of 23 episodes that aired beginning on October 7, 2014, and ended on May 20, 2015. The season began airing Tuesdays at 9:00 pm, and moved to Wednesdays at 9:00 pm beginning March 18, 2015.

Dean is now a demon, working alongside Crowley. Meanwhile, Sam continues to search for Dean. After Dean refuses to follow Crowley's order and embarrasses him in front of his demon followers, Crowley gives Sam his brother's location. Sam and Castiel cure Dean by using sanctified human blood. A mysterious new witch comes into play, revealed to be Crowley's mother, [[Rowena (Supernatural)|Rowena]].

A large focus of the season is Dean's quest to overcome the Mark of Cain and have it removed if possible. New hope for ridding Dean of the Mark comes when Charlie unearths the ''Book of the Damned''.

==== Season 11 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 11{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 11}}
In the eleventh season, Sam and Dean deal with the release of [[The Darkness (Supernatural)|Amara / The Darkness]]. When nothing works to get rid of the Darkness, Amara claims that God must appear Himself to see her destroying everything He created and loves. Chuck returns and tells Metatron he is God. Amara and Chuck reconcile and leave the Earth, but not before Amara tells Dean she is going to give him what he wants most for helping her: a reunion with his mother.

=== Robert Singer and Andrew Dabb era ===
==== Season 12 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 12{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 12}}
The twelfth season premiered on October 13, 2016, and concluded on May 18, 2017, consisting of 23 episodes. [[Robert Singer (producer)|Robert Singer]] and [[Andrew Dabb]] became showrunners after Carver left the writers' room.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/13/supernatural-season-12-jeremy-carver-leaving-showrunner/ |title=Supernatural Names New Showrunners as Jeremy Carver Moves to Frequency |work=TVLine |first1=Michael |last1=Ausiello |first2=Vlada |last2=Gelman |date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514110140/http://tvline.com/2016/05/13/supernatural-season-12-jeremy-carver-leaving-showrunner/ |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Lucifer makes the President of the United States his human vessel. The president gets his assistant [[Kelly Kline (Supernatural)|Kelly Kline]] pregnant and Kelly gives birth to the Nephilim, while Crowley sacrifices himself to kill Lucifer. Crowley and Castiel die trying to kill Lucifer, while Mary and Lucifer are pulled into the rift created by the Nephilim's birth. Sam is shocked to see [[List of angels in Supernatural#Jack Kline|Jack]] the Nephilim grown into a teenager.

==== Season 13 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 13{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 13}}
The thirteenth season premiered on October 12, 2017, and concluded on May 17, 2018, consisting of 23 episodes.

Dean and Sam are left to 'raise' Jack. Sam is willing to give the boy a chance, while Dean is concerned due to his heritage. As Jack sides with Mary and the humans against the angels, the Winchesters and Castiel gather the ingredients for a spell to open the portal to hell while Lucifer tries to reestablish himself as king of heaven. Dean kills Lucifer, but the season ends with Michael taking control of Dean's body.

==== Season 14 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 14{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 14}}
The fourteenth season premiered on October 11, 2018, and concluded on April 25, 2019, consisting of 20 episodes.

Michael begins experimenting with monsters, making them immune to their former weaknesses. Dean, Sam, Castiel and Jack decide to take down Michael and his army of monsters once and for all, but Michael retakes control of Dean and unleashes his monsters on the city. God returns and tells the boys that they must use a gun that he built to kill Jack, but Sam and Dean refuse. Angered at their defiance, God smites Jack and unleashes every vengeful spirit from Hell back on Earth.

==== Season 15 ====
{{Main|Supernatural season 15{{!}}''Supernatural'' season 15}}
The fifteenth and final season premiered on October 10, 2019, and the series finale aired on November 19, 2020, following delays due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]; it consisted of 20 episodes.

Sam, Dean and Castiel's battle against God who has been manipulating events in their lives including their family, friends and allies. Angered by their decision to fight him, God jumpstarts the end of everything in creation.

== Recurring elements ==

=== Impala ===
Throughout the series, Dean drives a black 1967 [[Chevrolet Impala]] which he refers to as "Baby". Having been passed down to him by his father (John), it is Dean's most prized possession, with actor Jensen Ackles feeling it is Dean's "life" and "sanctuary".<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=142}} The brothers travel in it throughout the country as they hunt the supernatural, and the trunk holds various weaponry and their fake IDs. In the first two seasons, it has a Kansas license plate with the number KAZ 2Y5, a reference to the Winchesters' home state of Kansas, and the series premiere date of 2005.<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=142}} Towards the end of the second season, the car sports a new [[Ohio]] license plate (CNK 80Q3) to aid the brothers in hiding from the [[FBI]].<ref name="Knight s2"/>{{rp|p=105}} Throughout the course of the show, the Impala has been wrecked or severely damaged several times, but it is repaired or rebuilt by Dean each time, a few times on-screen.

In season 11, the episode "Baby" – named after Dean's nickname for the car – takes place entirely from the Impala's perspective with all of the action taking place either in the car itself or around it. While filming the episode, Jensen Ackles found the hollowed-out remains of the Impala wrecked in the season 1 finale "[[Devil's Trap]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/08/15/jensen-ackles-supernatural-impala/ |title=Jensen Ackles' Supernatural Impala discovered on the set |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Nick |last=Romano |date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref>

All of the cars used in the show are stock 1967 Chevrolet Impala four door [[hardtop]]s. They feature Chevrolet small-block engines, recolored interiors, custom seats, and nonfunctioning radios. Other than the one used in the original, all of the Impalas had to be painted black for the series. One of the Impalas used features a detachable roof and doors for up-close shots, and is capable of being separated in half.<ref name="impaladvd">{{cite AV media |people=Jeff Budnick, John Lange, Darren Allan |title=Supernatural Season 3 – Impala Featurette |medium=DVD}}</ref> After filming of the series concluded, Ackles was allowed by Warner Bros. and The CW to keep the main Impala.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33934155/supernatural-jensen-ackles-prop-keepsake/ |title=Supernatural star Jensen Ackles reveals incredible prop he will take home from the set |website=Digital Spy |first1=Susannah |last1=Alexander |first2=Adam |last2=Tanswell |date=September 6, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2020}}</ref>

=== The Colt ===
[[File:Supernatural TheColt.png|thumb|right|The Colt with thirteen original bullets]]
The 1836 [[Colt Paterson]] revolver,<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=137}} usually referred to simply as "the Colt", was made by Samuel Colt, a paranormal hunter. According to legend, anything shot by this gun using one of its thirteen original bullets will die, including creatures normally immune to any and all weapons. The last of the original bullets is used by Dean to kill the demon [[Azazel (Supernatural)|Azazel]] in the season 2 finale "All Hell Breaks Loose: Part 2", fulfilling the Winchesters' lifelong goal. In the same episode, the Colt is revealed to act as the key to a Devil's Gate in [[Wyoming]]. In the Season 5 episode "Abandon All Hope...", the Winchester brothers attempt to kill Azazel's "father", the fallen archangel [[List_of_angels_in_Supernatural#Lucifer|Lucifer]], in the same way after replacement bullets are created, only for it to fail and Lucifer to reveal he is one of five entities in existence who cannot be killed by the Colt.

In the series finale of ''[[The Winchesters]]'', the Colt is given by Dean to younger alternate versions of his parents Mary and John so that they will be able to kill Azazel if they ever encounter a version of him in their universe and thus avoid the original Mary and John's dire fates.

The gun used in the series is actually a replica Paterson modified to fire [[cartridge (firearms)|metallic cartridges]].<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=137}} The gun was described as being built in 1835, before Colt made firearms, and fires metallic cartridges, which were never made to fire in a Colt revolver until 10&nbsp;years after Samuel Colt's death. On the barrel of the gun is inscribed the Latin phrase ''non-timebo mala'', meaning "I will fear no evil".<ref name="Knight s1"/>{{rp|p=110}} On the grip is a carving of a [[pentagram]], with much of the finish removed to give it an aged appearance.<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=137}} The prop department also has a rubber version of the Colt to be used in fight scenes for [[pistol-whipping]].<ref name="impaladvd" />

=== Ruby's knife ===
Ruby possesses a mysterious and presumably magical demon-killing knife, which Kripke refers to as "a hand-to-hand version of the Colt".<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=22}} Its handle is made of elk antlers, and the knife has engravings on both sides of the blade, although the symbols are all nonsensical.<ref name="Knight s3"/>{{rp|p=22}} It has been seen and used many times following its introduction in the third season. Creator Eric Kripke doubted that how the knife functions would ever be revealed, stating, "I like to leave some things mysterious. And that's likely to remain mysterious."<ref name="askaus" /> In the Season 8 episode "As Time Goes By", the Winchester brothers' grandfather Henry Winchester, a member of the Men of Letters organization, identifies it as "an ancient demon-killing knife of the [[Kurd]]s", realizing that [[List_of_Supernatural_and_The_Winchesters_characters#Abaddon|Abaddon]], a Knight of Hell, must be an unusually powerful demon since it failed to kill her.

== Other media ==
=== Promotion and tie-ins ===
The advertisements The WB chose for the show went beyond just commercials and billboards. Before the series debuted, the network placed signs for the show at gas station pumps, and gave out rubber glow-in-the-dark bracelets at New York and Los Angeles movie theaters.<ref name="promotion" /> Also, coffee cup sleeves revealed the image of a "terrified woman seemingly pinned to a ceiling" when heated<ref name="promotion2">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-19-fi-tvbuzz19-story.html |title=TV Networks Pursue the 'Super Fan' |date=September 19, 2005 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Meg |last=James |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614190954/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/sep/19/business/fi-tvbuzz19 |archive-date=June 14, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> were distributed to 500 cafes throughout New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.<ref name="promotion" /> The same image was used in special mirrors the network installed in almost 200 nightclubs throughout three cities in order to reach "young, hip horror fans".<ref name="promotion2" /> Additional advertisements were also placed in bars, movie theaters, and video game stores, with hundreds of the bars also receiving ''Supernatural'' napkins and coasters.<ref name="promotion" />

The series also has many real-life tie-ins. The urban legend website ''Hellhounds Lair'' featured in the season one episode "Hell House" was a real website set up by the show's producers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvfodder.com/supernatural/archives/2006/10/supernatural_hellhounds_lair_c.shtml |title=Supernatural: Hellhounds Lair Connections with Next Episode? |publisher=TV Fodder |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220162239/http://www.tvfodder.com/supernatural/archives/2006/10/supernatural_hellhounds_lair_c.shtml |archive-date=February 20, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a tie-in to the sequel episode "Ghostfacers", in which the owners of ''Hellhounds Lair'' create their own ''[[Ghost Hunters (TV series)|Ghost Hunters]]''-style reality show, The CW set up Ghostfacers.com.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernaturals-ghostfacers-get-18759.aspx |title=Supernatural: The Ghostfacers Get Their Own Website |date=April 21, 2008 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Don |last=Williams |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202122515/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernaturals-ghostfacers-get-18759.aspx |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Winchesters later visit this website in the fourth-season episode "It's a Terrible Life". Series tie-ins, however, extend beyond the internet. For a time, Dean's cell number—revealed in the first-season episode "Phantom Traveler"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/stv-supernatural-phantom-episode-story.html |title=Phantom Traveler |date=October 4, 2005 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224225423/http://www.latimes.com/stv-supernatural-phantom-episode-story.html |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to be 1–866–907–3235—was a real number, with [[Jensen Ackles]] reading the message: "This is Dean Winchester. If this is an emergency, leave a message. If you are calling about 11–2–83, page me with your coordinates."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/supernatural-number_article_49798.html |title=A Supernatural Number |access-date=October 10, 2006 |date=October 8, 2005 |publisher=Mania |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414221909/http://www.mania.com/supernatural-number_article_49798.html |archive-date=April 14, 2008}}</ref> The second-season episode "Tall Tales" featured a tie-in to that week's issue of the tabloid newspaper ''[[Weekly World News]]''. The February 19 and March 19, 2007, editions of the paper featured exclusive interviews with Sam and Dean, the articles being written by [[Paul Kupperberg]].<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Kupperberg |title=Supernatural Menace Inspiration in Weekly World News |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0_QDAAAAMBAJ |access-date=September 22, 2009 |date=February 19, 2007 |work=[[Weekly World News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327113826/https://books.google.com/books?id=0_QDAAAAMBAJ |archive-date=March 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Kupperberg |title=Talking with the Winchesters! |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPQDAAAAMBAJ |access-date=September 22, 2009 |date=March 19, 2007 |work=[[Weekly World News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327112906/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPQDAAAAMBAJ |archive-date=March 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Merchandise ===
''Supernatural'' has a vast amount of merchandise available, including calendars, T-shirts, shot glasses, temporary tattoos and posters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbshop.com/category/wbshop_brands/supernatural.do |title=Supernatural |publisher=The WB Shop |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331093203/http://www.wbshop.com/category/wbshop_brands/supernatural.do |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Inkworks has released trading cards for the show, some cards featuring actors' autographs and swatches from actual costumes used on the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nsu-magazine.com/cryptozoic-announces-new-licenses-at-philly-non-sports-card-show/ |title=Cryptozoic Announces New Licenses at Philly Non-Sports Card Show |first=Harris |last=Toser |publisher=Non-Sport Update Magazine |date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207145022/http://www.nsu-magazine.com/cryptozoic-announces-new-licenses-at-philly-non-sports-card-show/ |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ''[[Supernatural Role Playing Game]]'' (a [[pen-and-paper role-playing game]]) was developed by [[Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/10438/supernatural-rpg |title='Supernatural RPG' from Margaret Weis Productions |date=April 20, 2007 |access-date=June 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233740/http://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/10438/supernatural-rpg |archive-date=January 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Originally scheduled for release in October 2007,<ref name="WB1">{{cite web |url=http://www.winchesterbros.com/site/index.php/interviews/483-winchesterbroscom-exclusive-qaa-with-rpg-guru-a-developer-jamie-chambers |title=WinchesterBros.com Exclusive&nbsp;– Q&A with RPG Guru & Developer, Jamie Chambers |date=June 10, 2007 |access-date=June 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111234014/http://www.winchesterbros.com/site/index.php/interviews/483-winchesterbroscom-exclusive-qaa-with-rpg-guru-a-developer-jamie-chambers |archive-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> it was delayed until August 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/14/14435.phtml |title=Review of Supernatural Role Playing Game |date=August 14, 2009 |publisher=RPG.net |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819141400/http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/14/14435.phtml |archive-date=August 19, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game uses material from the series, novels, and comics.<ref name="WB1" /> Additionally, on September 7, 2010, Watertower Music released Supernatural: Original Television Soundtrack&nbsp;– Seasons 1–5. It features 18 original tracks by Supernatural series composers [[Christopher Lennertz]] and Jay Gruska.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YUC4M0/ |title=Supernatural: Original Television Soundtrack – Seasons 1-5 CD |website=Amazon |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103185319/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YUC4M0/ |archive-date=November 3, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Funko has also released three Pop! form figures of Dean, Sam, and Castiel as of November 21, 2013.<ref name="thenerdfu">{{cite web |url=http://thenerdfu.com/supernatural-pops-funko-brings-us-the-winchester-boys |title=Supernatural Pop!'s – Funko Brings us the Winchester Boys |date=October 25, 2013 |publisher=NerdFu |access-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409105646/http://thenerdfu.com/supernatural-pops-funko-brings-us-the-winchester-boys/ |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Further information on the series' mythology and production have been detailed through print. Official companion guides for the first six seasons have been released ({{ISBN|1845765354}}, {{ISBN|1-84576-657-1}}, {{ISBN|1-84856-103-2}}, {{ISBN|1-84856-738-3}}, {{ISBN|1-84856-739-1}}, {{ISBN|0-85768-289-X}}), all written by Nicholas Knight and published by Titan Books. Two additional guides written by [[Alex Irvine]], ''The "Supernatural" Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls'' ({{ISBN|0-06-136703-6}}) and ''John Winchester's Journal'' ({{ISBN|0-06-170662-0}}), have been published by It Books. Irvine's books function as resource guides that contain illustrations and detailed descriptions of the supernatural creatures the Winchester family has encountered, giving additional background on creatures and mythology featured on the show. Premiering on November 27, 2007, was the Official ''Supernatural'' Magazine.<ref name="supmag">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/official-supernatural-magazine-14150.aspx |title=Official 'Supernatural' Magazine Now Available |date=November 27, 2007 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Lisa |last=Claustro |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207083732/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/official-supernatural-magazine-14150.aspx |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Published by Titan Magazines, it contains series information and exclusive cast and crew interviews.<ref name="supmag" /> It Books published ''Supernatural: Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting'' by David Reed on September 6, 2011 ({{ISBN|0062103377}}), sharing all the knowledge that the character Bobby Singer had to share about hunting, the Winchesters, and other knowledge he picked up over the years dealing with the elements of the supernatural.

==== Comics ====
The series has also developed an [[expanded universe]]. Three six-issue [[comic book]] miniseries were published by [[WildStorm]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12458 |title=Previews: "Supernatural: Rising Son," "Supernatural: Origins," "Team Zero" |date=February 6, 2008 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514034235/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12458 |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> a company under the [[DC Comics]] umbrella. ''[[Supernatural: Origins]]'' (2007) depicts the early lives of John, Sam, and Dean Winchester, and shows how John became a hunter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15485 |title=Lying in the Gutters |date=February 5, 2007 |website=Comic Book Resources |first=Rich |last=Johnston |author-link=Rich Johnston |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616213310/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15485 |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Supernatural: Rising Son'' (2008), "a dysfunctional family story", details Dean as he begins following in his father's footsteps.<ref name="dysfunc">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/new-supernatural-comic-book-se-15722.aspx |title=New 'Supernatural' Comic Book Series Starting in April |date=January 16, 2008 |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Don |last=Williams |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818005914/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/new-supernatural-comic-book-se-15722.aspx |archive-date=August 18, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first two miniseries were written by Peter Johnson, one of the series co-executive producers. While Kripke was heavily involved with the first series, the writer's strike prevented him from doing so with ''Rising Son''.<ref name="dysfunc" /> The third miniseries, ''Supernatural: Beginning's End'' (2010), deals with "the definitive events that led to Sam leaving his family to attend Stanford" and is by television series writers Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dccomics.com/comics/supernatural-beginnings-end-2010/supernatural-beginnings-end-1 |title=SUPERNATURAL: BEGINNING'S END #1 |publisher=DC Comics |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016094241/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/supernatural-beginnings-end-2010/supernatural-beginnings-end-1 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A fourth miniseries, ''Supernatural: Caledonia'' (titled ''Supernatural: The Dogs of Edinburgh'' for its omnibus release), was written by [[Brian Wood (comics)|Brian Wood]], illustrated by [[Grant Bond]], and released by DC Comics in 2011. It deals with Sam Winchester's trip to the United Kingdom during his Stanford years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dccomics.com/comics/supernatural-2007/supernatural-1 |title=SUPERNATURAL #1 |publisher=DC Comics |access-date=October 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311233229/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/supernatural-2007/supernatural-1 |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In July 2025, [[Dynamite Entertainment]] announced a new ''Supernatural'' comic book series, which began release on October 29, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=5 Years Later, 'Supernatural' Is Finally Coming Back — But There's a Catch|language=en|work=Collider|first1=Britta|last1=DeVore|date=October 29, 2025|access-date=October 31, 2025|url=https://collider.com/supernatural-comic-book-plot-details/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The New Supernatural Comic Is the Perfect "Lost" Sam and Dean Adventure|language=en|work=Screen Rant|first1=Ambrose|last1=Tardive|date=October 29, 2025|access-date=October 31, 2025|url=https://screenrant.com/supernatural-comic-season-one-lost-episode/}}</ref> The series is written by [[Greg Pak]] and illustrated by Eder Messias.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supernatural Returns To Comics In Dynamite October 2025 Full Solicits|date=July 18, 2025|first=Rich|last=Johnston|author-link=Rich Johnston|work=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=July 20, 2025|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/supernatural-returns-to-comics-in-dynamite-october-2025-full-solicits/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719142150/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/supernatural-returns-to-comics-in-dynamite-october-2025-full-solicits/|archive-date=July 19, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The first issue has received mostly positive reviews, averaging a critic score of 8.2/10 on ''Comic Book Roundup''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supernatural #1 Reviews|language=en|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=November 14, 2025|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/supernatural-(2025)/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251031200322/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/supernatural-(2025)/1|archive-date=October 31, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2025, Dynamite Entertainment announced ''Supernatural Valentine's Day Special 2026''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supernatural Is Planning a Valentine's Day Special, And We Have New Details|language=en|work=CBR|first1=Annie|last1=Banks|date=2025-11-22|access-date=2025-11-22|url=https://www.cbr.com/supernatural-valentines-day-special-comic/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dynamite February Full 2026 Solicits - Muppets Noir & Disney's Ursula|language=en|work=Bleeding Cool News|date=2025-11-21|access-date=2025-11-22|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dynamite-february-full-2026-solicits-muppets-noir-disneys-ursula/|first1=Rich |last1=Johnston}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Published !! Publisher !! Writer !! Artist !! Notes
|-
| ''Supernatural: Origins'' || 2007 || WildStorm || Peter Johnson || Matthew Dow Smith ||
|-
| ''Supernatural: Rising Son'' || 2008 || WildStorm || Peter Johnson & Rebecca Dessertine || Diego Olmos || 
|-
| ''Supernatural: Beginning's End'' || 2010 || WildStorm || Andrew Dabb & Daniel Loflin || Diego Olmos || 
|-
| ''Supernatural: Caledonia'' || 2011 || DC Comics || Brian Wood || Grant Bond || 
|-
| ''Supernatural'' || 2025 || Dynamite Entertainment ||  Greg Pak || Eder Messias || Ongoing
|-
| ''Supernatural Valentine's Day Special 2026'' || February 2026 || Dynamite Entertainment || Preeti Chhibber || Pasquale Qualano || Upcoming
|}

==== Novels ====
Several novels based on the series have also been published.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Published !! Publisher !! ISBN
|-
| ''Nevermore'' || [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]] || July 31, 2007 || HarperEntertainment || {{ISBNT|0-06-137090-8}}
|-
| ''Witch's Canyon'' || [[Jeff Mariotte]] || October 30, 2007 || HarperEntertainment || {{ISBNT|0-06-137091-6}}
|-
| ''Bone Key'' || Keith R.A. DeCandido || August 26, 2008 || HarperEntertainment || {{ISBNT|0-06-143503-1}}
|-
| ''Heart of the Dragon'' || Keith R.A. DeCandido || February 16, 2010 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|1-84856-600-X}}
|-
| ''The Unholy Cause'' || [[Joe Schreiber]] || May 4, 2010 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|1-84856-528-3}}
|-
| ''War of the Sons'' || Rebecca Dessertine and David Reed || August 31, 2010 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|1-84856-601-8}}
|-
| ''One Year Gone'' || Rebecca Dessertine || May 24, 2011 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|0-85768-099-4}}
|-
| ''Coyote's Kiss'' || [[Christa Faust]] || July 12, 2011 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|0-85768-100-1}}
|-
| ''Night Terror'' || [[John Passarella]] || September 13, 2011 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|0-85768-101-X}}
|-
| ''Rite of Passage'' || John Passarella || August 14, 2012 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|1781161119}}
|-
| ''Fresh Meat'' || [[Alice Henderson (novelist)|Alice Henderson]] || February 19, 2013 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|1781161127}}
|-
| ''Carved in Flesh'' || [[Tim Waggoner]] || April 16, 2013 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|1781161135}}
|-
| ''Cold Fire'' || John Passarella || March 29, 2016 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|9781781166758}}
|-
| ''Mythmaker'' || Tim Waggoner || July 26, 2016 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|9781783298549}}
|-
| ''The Usual Sacrifices'' || [[Yvonne Navarro]] || June 27, 2017 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|9781783298563}}
|-
| ''Joyride'' || John Passarella || October 30, 2018 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|9781783299362}}
|-
| ''Children of Anubis'' || Tim Waggoner || April 30, 2019 || Titan Books || {{ISBNT|9781785653261}}
|}

==== Secondary literature ====
An unofficial anthology titled ''In the Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural'' ({{ISBN|1933771631}}) was released on February 10, 2009, by Smart Pop and featured essays covering different aspects of both the series and its fanbase. ''The Mythology of Supernatural: The Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show'' ({{ISBN|0425241378}}), published by Berkley Trade on August 2, 2011, sought to explore the religious and mythological roots of the show. And on October 1, 2011, ECW Press released the book ''TV Goes to Hell: An Unofficial Road Map of Supernatural'' ({{ISBN|1770410201}}), which explores topics such as folklore, religion, gender and sexuality, comedy, and music through essays from a number of contributors.

=== Spin-off series ===
==== ''Ghostfacers'' ====
After their first season debut in "Hell House" (episode 17 written by [[Trey Callaway]]), the growing popularity of "amateur spook-hunters" Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spangler prompted Kripke to consider a spin-off series for the characters. He discussed the idea of an online venture with actors [[A. J. Buckley]] and [[Travis Wester]], and held a successful meeting with studio and network executives.<ref name="ghostfacersm">{{cite news |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/04/supernatural-ghostfacers.html |work=Chicago Tribune |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |date=April 15, 2010 |title='Supernatural's' Ghostfacers scare up their own Web series |access-date=June 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623062215/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/04/supernatural-ghostfacers.html |archive-date=June 23, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Though Kripke announced their plans to produce "some new material, either webisodes, potentially cell phone content or basically an off-network ''Ghostfacers'' series" at the 2008 [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]],<ref name="ghostfacersk" /> the economic downturn delayed production until 2009.<ref name="ghostfacersm" />

Buckley and Wester, along with Patrick J. Doody and Chris Valenziano, penned the series.<ref name="ghostfacersm" /> They found the format—ten three-minute segments<ref name="ghostfacersv" />—difficult to manage because each webisode has to work both individually and as part of the overall storyline.<ref name="ghostfacersm" /> However, Wester noted, "We couldn't get too indulgent, we couldn't delve into long conversations. That helps not only with the storytelling but with the comedy... With drama, it takes time to establish an emotional connection with the characters. With comedy, you can jump right in."<ref name="ghostfacersm" />

Though an initial idea of Kripke's involved the cast searching real haunted houses,<ref name="ghostfacersk">{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/20712/supernatural-boys-dish-on-new-season-possible-spinoff |title=Supernatural Boys Dish on New Season, Possible Spinoff |publisher=E! |first=Kristin |last=Dos Santos |date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007021808/http://www.eonline.com/news/20712/supernatural-boys-dish-on-new-season-possible-spinoff |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> the first season instead features the Ghostfacers investigating a haunted theater. The series also stars [[Brittany Ishibashi]] as Maggie and [[Austin Basis]] as Spruce.<ref name="ghostfacersv">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2010/digital/news/supernatural-spawns-web-spinoff-1118014263/ |work=Variety |title='Supernatural' spawns Web spinoff |first=Michael |last=Schneider |date=January 25, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112223653/http://variety.com/2010/digital/news/supernatural-spawns-web-spinoff-1118014263/ |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2011, a webisode was released online in which the Ghostfacers meet Castiel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/supernatural-ghostfacers-castiel/ |title=Unreleased 'Supernatural' Ghostfacers Webisode With Castiel Revealed [Updated] |website=Screen Rant |first=Michael |last=Crider |date=August 3, 2011 |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715181322/https://screenrant.com/supernatural-ghostfacers-castiel/ |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Supernatural: The Anime Series'' ====
On June 9, 2010, the official Japanese Warner Bros. website announced an anime version of the series titled ''Supernatural: The Animation'' (スーパーナチュラル・ザ・アニメーション), also known as ''Supernatural: The Anime Series'' which debuted in Japan in January 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-09/supernatural-the-animation-project-launched-in-japan |title=Supernatural The Animation Project Launched in Japan |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=June 9, 2010 |access-date=June 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613034945/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-09/supernatural-the-animation-project-launched-in-japan |archive-date=June 13, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was produced by Japanese anime studio [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]].<ref name="animenn">{{cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-10/madhouse-makes-anime-for-warners-supernatural-tv-show |title=Madhouse Makes Anime For Warners Supernatural TV Show |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=June 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906020353/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-10/madhouse-makes-anime-for-warners-supernatural-tv-show |archive-date=September 6, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shigeyuki Miya and [[Atsuko Ishizuka]] are co-directors for the series, with Kripke credited as the project creator.<ref name="animenn" /> Madhouse co-founder [[Masao Maruyama (film producer)|Masao Maruyama]] served as executive producer, with Naoya Takayama supervising the scripts and Takahiro Yoshimatsu designing the characters. [[Yūya Uchida (voice actor)|Yūya Uchida]] and [[Hiroki Touchi]], who voiced Sam and Dean for the Japanese dub of the live-action series, reprised their roles.<ref name="animenn" />

The anime consisted of 22 half-hour episodes; while the storyline covered the first two seasons of the live-action series, it also includes original content exploring the Winchesters' childhoods and expanding upon secondary characters.<ref name="animenn" /> [[Warner Home Video]] released the first two episodes on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on January 12, 2011; episodes 3 through 12 shipped on February 2, and the rest on April 6.<ref name="animenn" /> Warner Home Video released the Blu-ray and DVD box sets of the anime series on July 26, 2011, in North America.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-04/supernatural-the-anime-ships-in-north-america-in-july |title=Supernatural the Anime Ships in North America in July |work=Anime News Network |date=April 4, 2011 |access-date=April 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405141421/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-04/supernatural-the-anime-ships-in-north-america-in-july |archive-date=April 5, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jared Padalecki voices Sam in the English-language version of the series, while Jensen Ackles voices Dean only in the last two episodes for scheduling reasons; Andrew Farrar voices Dean in English for the first 20 episodes.

==== ''Supernatural: Bloodlines'' ====
{{Main|Supernatural: Bloodlines{{!}}''Supernatural: Bloodlines''}}
On July 22, 2013, The CW announced there was a spin-off of ''Supernatural'' in the works, with the 20th episode of season nine serving as a back-door pilot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/22/supernatural-spin-off-in-development-at-the-cw/193165/ |title='Supernatural' spin-off in the works at The CW |last=Bibel |first=Sara |work=TV by the Numbers |date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=July 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122210651/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/22/supernatural-spin-off-in-development-at-the-cw/193165/ |archive-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> On January 29, 2014, it was revealed that the spin-off was to have been titled ''Supernatural: Bloodlines''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2014/01/29/supernatural-tribes-spinoff-the-cw-cast/ |title=Pilot Scoop: CW Orders Rob Thomas' iZombie – Plus, Supernatural Spin-Off Gets a Title |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |work=TVLine |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130015409/http://tvline.com/2014/01/29/supernatural-tribes-spinoff-the-cw-cast/ |archive-date=January 30, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The backdoor pilot was written by Andrew Dabb and directed by Robert Singer. The series was going to set to explore the "clashing hunter and monster cultures in Chicago". The show was not picked up by the CW for the 2014–2015 season. However, the network has remained open to another spin-off of the series.<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2014/05/08/the-cw-new-series-fall-2014-the-flash/ |title=Fall TV Scoop: The CW Orders Four Dramas, Including Flash, iZombie and Jane the Virgin, Passes on Supernatural Spin-Off |work=TVLine |first=Michael |last=Ausiello |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=January 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508223350/http://tvline.com/2014/05/08/the-cw-new-series-fall-2014-the-flash/ |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/cw-passes-supernatural-spinoff-bloodlines |title=CW Passes on 'Supernatural' Spinoff 'Bloodlines' |last=Molloy |first=Tim |website=[[TheWrap]] |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=May 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223828/http://www.thewrap.com/cw-passes-supernatural-spinoff-bloodlines/ |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Samuel Colt ====
During production of ''Supernatural''{{'}}s third season, Kripke stated that the writers sometimes discussed the possibility of a prequel series. Set in the [[American Old West|Old West]], the spin-off would follow [[Samuel Colt]] and a group of hunters.<ref name="lastname" />

==== ''Wayward Sisters'' ====
On June 20, 2017, it was announced that ''Wayward Sisters'', a spin-off series starring [[Kim Rhodes]] as Sheriff [[Jody Mills]], was being developed by ''Supernatural'' writer-producers Andrew Dabb and Robert Berens, along with Robert Singer and Phil Sgriccia. The spin-off debuted as a [[backdoor pilot]] during the [[Supernatural season 13|thirteenth season]] of ''Supernatural''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/supernatural-spinoff-wayward-sisters-kim-rhodes-the-cw-backdoor-pilot-season-13-1202116253/ |title='Supernatural' Spinoff 'Wayward Sisters' Starring Kim Rhodes Set As Backdoor Pilot For Season 13 Of CW Series |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 20, 2017 |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620195322/http://deadline.com/2017/06/supernatural-spinoff-wayward-sisters-kim-rhodes-the-cw-backdoor-pilot-season-13-1202116253/ |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2018, it was confirmed that the series was not picked up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2018/05/11/supernatural-spinoff-wayward-sisters-cancelled-the-cw/ |title=Supernatural Spinoff Wayward Sisters Not Going to Series at The CW |work=TVLine |date=May 11, 2018 |first=Vlada |last=Gelman |access-date=May 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512004514/http://tvline.com/2018/05/11/supernatural-spinoff-wayward-sisters-cancelled-the-cw/ |archive-date=May 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''The Winchesters'' ====
{{Main|The Winchesters{{!}}''The Winchesters''}}
In May 2022, the CW ordered ''The Winchesters'', a prequel series that focuses on Sam and Dean's parents, John and Mary. The series is executive produced by Jensen Ackles, his wife [[Danneel Ackles]] (who portrayed Anael on the series), and ''Supernatural'' writer Robbie Thompson. Ackles reprises his role as Dean Winchester as the narrator.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cw-picks-up-supernatural-walker-prequels-gotham-knights-1235145368/ |title='Supernatural' and 'Walker' Prequels, 'Gotham Knights' Land CW Series Orders |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Rick |last=Porter |date=May 12, 2022 |access-date=May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=June 24, 2021|title='Supernatural' Prequel 'The Winchesters' In Works At the CW From Jensen & Danneel Ackles|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/supernatural-prequel-the-winchesters-john-mary-jensen-ackles-dean-winchester-danneel-the-cw-1234781239/|access-date=June 25, 2021|website=Deadline}}</ref> It premiered on October 11, 2022.<ref name="CWPrem">{{cite web |last1=Mitovich |first1=Matt Webb |title=The CW Sets Fall Premiere Dates, Plus a Late-Summer Return for Stargirl |url=https://tvline.com/2022/07/05/the-cw-fall-premiere-dates-walker-all-american-stargirl/ |website=TVLine |access-date=July 6, 2022 |date=July 5, 2022}}</ref> In May 2023, the series was canceled after one season.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Highfill |first=Samantha |title=The Winchesters canceled at the CW after 1 season |url=https://ew.com/tv/the-winchesters-canceled-cw/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 11, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2023}}</ref>

=== Podcast ===
An official rewatch [[podcast]] titled ''Supernatural: Then and Now'' debuted on January 24, 2022, and is hosted by [[Rob Benedict]] and [[Richard Speight Jr.]], who played Chuck and Gabriel on the series. On the podcast, they revisit the show and interview cast and crew members to share behind-the-scenes information. [[Jensen Ackles]] and [[Jared Padalecki]] guest starred on the first two episodes.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/podcasts/supernatural-stars-launch-rewatch-podcast/ |title=Supernatural stars are launching a rewatch podcast |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Samantha |last=Highfill |date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref>

== Impact ==
===Ratings===
Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of ''Supernatural'' on [[The WB]] and [[The CW]] (some including repeats).
{{Television season ratings
| show_network  = y
| hide_18_49_rank=y
| link1         = Supernatural (season 1)
| timeslot1     = Tuesday 9:00&nbsp;pm {{small|(1–16)}}<br />Thursday 9:00&nbsp;pm {{small|(17–22)}}
| network1      = [[The WB]]
| episodes1     = 22
| start1        = {{Start date|2005|9|13}}
| startrating1  = 5.69<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092005_04|title=Weekly Program Rankings|date=September 20, 2005|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=September 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707090011/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092005_04|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end1          = {{End date|2006|5|4}}
| endrating1    = 3.99<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050906_02|title=Weekly Program Rankings|date=May 9, 2006|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=September 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528010130/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050906_02|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season1       = 2005–06
| rank1         = 165<ref name="s1ratings">{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050906_04|title=Season program ranking|date=May 9, 2006|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=September 14, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118224432/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050906_04|archive-date=January 18, 2012}}</ref>
| viewers1      = 3.81<ref name="s1ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating1 = 1.4<ref name="s1ratings"/><ref group="a">Statistics run from September 19, 2005, through May 7, 2006, leaving out the season premiere.</ref>

| link2            = Supernatural (season 2)
| timeslot2        = Thursday 9:00&nbsp;pm
| timeslot_length2 = 4
| network2         = [[The CW]]
| network_length2  = 14
| episodes2        = 22
| start2           = {{Start date|2006|9|28}}
| startrating2     = 3.93<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=100306_09|title=Weekly Program Rankings|date=October 3, 2006|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=October 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731090224/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=100306_09|archive-date=July 31, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end2             = {{End date|2007|5|17}}
| endrating2       = 2.72<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052207_06|title=Weekly Program Rankings|date=May 22, 2007|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=October 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528010145/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052207_06|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season2          = 2006–07
| rank2            = 216<ref name="s2ratings">{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052207_07|title=Season Program Rankings|date=May 22, 2007|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825010107/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052207_07|archive-date=August 25, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
| viewers2         = 3.14<ref name="s2ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating2    = 1.1<ref name="s2ratings"/>

| link3         = Supernatural (season 3)
| episodes3     = 16
| start3        = {{Start date|2007|10|4}}
| startrating3  = 2.97<ref name="Season3Rating">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2007/11/18/supernatural-ratings-2007-2008/1814|title=Supernatural Ratings 2007–2008|access-date=November 2, 2009|publisher=TV by the Numbers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722212658/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2007/11/18/supernatural-ratings-2007-2008/1814/|archive-date=July 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end3          = {{End date|2008|5|15}}
| endrating3    = 3.00<ref name="Season3Rating"/>
| season3       = 2007–08
| rank3         = 187<ref name="s3ratings">{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052008_06|date=May 20, 2008|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=September 13, 2009|title=Season rankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229223545/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052008_06|archive-date=February 29, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
| viewers3      = 2.74<ref name="s3ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating3 = 1.0<ref name="s3ratings"/>

| link4         = Supernatural (season 4)
| episodes4     = 22
| start4        = {{Start date|2008|9|18}}
| startrating4  = 3.96<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092308_03|title=Weekly Program Rankings|date=September 23, 2008|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=November 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530015423/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092308_03|archive-date=May 30, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
| end4          = {{End date|2009|5|14}}
| endrating4    = 2.89<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/05/19/top-cw-primetime-shows-may-11-17-2009/19087|first=Robert|last=Seidman|publisher=TV by the Numbers|title=Top CW Primetime Shows, May 11–17, 2009|date=May 19, 2009|access-date=May 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005090016/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/05/19/top-cw-primetime-shows-may-11-17-2009/19087|archive-date=October 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season4       = 2008–09
| rank4         = 161<ref name="s4ratings">{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051909_05|date=May 19, 2009|publisher=ABC Medianet|access-date=September 13, 2009|title=Season rankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623063544/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051909_05|archive-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group="a">Statistics run from September 22, 2008, through May 17, 2009, leaving out the season premiere.</ref>
| viewers4      = 3.14<ref name="s4ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating4 = 1.1<ref name="s4ratings"/>

| link5         = Supernatural (season 5)
| episodes5     = 22
| start5        = {{Start date|2009|9|10}}
| startrating5  = 3.40<ref>{{cite web|author=Kubicek, John|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-vampire-diaries/the-vampire-diaries-makes-a-ki-31169.aspx|title='The Vampire Diaries' Makes a Killing with Viewers|publisher=BuddyTV|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=October 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914095020/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-vampire-diaries/the-vampire-diaries-makes-a-ki-31169.aspx|archive-date=September 14, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
| end5          = {{End date|2010|5|13}}
| endrating5    = 2.84<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/05/14/thursday-finals-survivor-greys-anatomy-csi-mentalist-community-adjusted-up/51466|title=Thursday Finals: Survivor, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Mentalist, Community Adjusted Up|last=Seidman|first=Robert|publisher=TV by the Numbers|date=May 14, 2010|access-date=May 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529103050/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/05/14/thursday-finals-survivor-greys-anatomy-csi-mentalist-community-adjusted-up/51466/|archive-date=May 29, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season5       = 2009–10
| rank5         = 125<ref name="s5ratings">{{cite news|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336/|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Bill|last=Gorman|date=June 16, 2010|title=Final 2009–10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605180041/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336/|archive-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| viewers5      = 2.64<ref name="s5ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating5 = 1.2<ref name="s5ratings"/><ref group="a">Statistics are based on first-run episodes only.</ref>

| link6            = Supernatural (season 6)
| timeslot6        = Friday 9:00&nbsp;pm
| timeslot_length6 = 2
| episodes6        = 22
| start6           = {{Start date|2010|9|24}}
| startrating6     = 2.90<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/09/27/friday-finals-supernatural-up-dateline-down/65397|title=Friday Finals: ''Supernatural'' Up; ''Dateline'' Down|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=September 27, 2010|access-date=September 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001090113/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/27/friday-finals-supernatural-up-dateline-down/65397|archive-date=October 1, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end6             = {{End date|2011|5|20}}
| endrating6       = 2.11<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/23/friday-final-ratings-kitchen-nightmares-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-to-supernatural-finale/93648/|title=Friday Final Ratings: 'Kitchen Nightmares' Adjusted Up, No Adjustments To 'Supernatural' Finale|last=Gorman|first=Bill|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 23, 2011|access-date=May 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526235329/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/23/friday-final-ratings-kitchen-nightmares-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-to-supernatural-finale/93648/|archive-date=May 26, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season6          = 2010–11
| rank6            = 209<ref name="s6ratings">{{cite web|last=Gorman|first=Bill|title=2010–11 Season Broadcast Primetime Show Viewership Averages|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=October 15, 2014|date=June 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812083815/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>
| viewers6         = 2.42<ref name="s6ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating6    = 1.1<ref name="s6ratings"/>

| link7         = Supernatural (season 7)
| episodes7     = 23
| start7        = {{Start date|2011|9|23}}
| startrating7  = 2.01<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/26/friday-final-broadcast-tv-ratings-no-adults-18-49-adjustments-plus-fringe-a-gifted-man-15-min-ratings/104856/|title=Friday Final Broadcast TV Ratings: No Adults 18–49 Adjustments, Plus 'Fringe' & 'A Gifted Man' 15 min. Ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=September 26, 2011|access-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928160548/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/26/friday-final-broadcast-tv-ratings-no-adults-18-49-adjustments-plus-fringe-a-gifted-man-15-min-ratings/104856/|archive-date=September 28, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end7          = {{End date|2012|5|18}}
| endrating7    = 1.56<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/21/friday-final-tv-ratings-shark-tank-supernatural-finales-adjusted-up-what-would-you-do-adjusted-down/135180/|title=Friday Final TV Ratings: 'Shark Tank', 'Supernatural' Finales Adjusted Up; 'What Would You Do?' Adjusted Down|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=May 21, 2012|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=May 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524043800/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/21/friday-final-tv-ratings-shark-tank-supernatural-finales-adjusted-up-what-would-you-do-adjusted-down/135180/|archive-date=May 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season7       = 2011–12
| rank7         = 176<ref name="s7ratings">{{cite magazine|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/full-2011-2012-tv-season-series-rankings-277941/#more-277941|title=Full 2011–2012 TV Season Series Rankings|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 24, 2012|access-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907060022/http://deadline.com/2012/05/full-2011-2012-tv-season-series-rankings-277941/#more-277941|archive-date=September 7, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| viewers7      = 2.03<ref name="s7ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating7 = 0.89<ref name="s7ratings"/>

| link8         = Supernatural (season 8)
| timeslot8     = Wednesday 9:00&nbsp;pm
| episodes8     = 23
| start8        = {{Start date|2012|10|3}}
| startrating8  = 1.85<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/04/wednesday-final-ratingsthe-x-factor-survivor-adjusted-up-animal-practice-guys-with-kids-the-neighbors-adjusted-down-plus-final-debate-numbers/151507/|title=Wednesday Final Ratings:'The X Factor', 'Survivor' Adjusted Up; 'Animal Practice', 'Guys With Kids' & 'The Neighbors' Adjusted Down Plus Final Debate Numbers|work=TV by the Numbers|date=October 4, 2012|last=Bibel|first=Sara|access-date=October 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005034153/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/04/wednesday-final-ratingsthe-x-factor-survivor-adjusted-up-animal-practice-guys-with-kids-the-neighbors-adjusted-down-plus-final-debate-numbers/151507/|archive-date=October 5, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end8          = {{End date|2013|5|15}}
| endrating8    = 2.31<ref>{{cite web|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|title=Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Chicago Fire', 'Modern Family', 'American Idol', 'Criminal Minds' & 'Supernatural' Adjusted Up; 'Nashville' Adjusted Down|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/16/wednesday-final-ratings-chicago-fire-modern-family-american-idol-criminal-minds-nashville-adjusted-down-adjusted-up/182915/|access-date=May 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611140637/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/16/wednesday-final-ratings-chicago-fire-modern-family-american-idol-criminal-minds-nashville-adjusted-down-adjusted-up/182915/|archive-date=June 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season8       = 2012–13
| rank8         = 152<ref name="s8ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-ncis-the-big-bang-theory-ncis-los-angeles/184781/|title=Complete List Of 2012–13 Season TV Show Viewership: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'NCIS', 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'NCIS: Los Angeles'|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Sara|last=Bibel|date=May 29, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628043440/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-ncis-the-big-bang-theory-ncis-los-angeles/184781/|archive-date=June 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| viewers8      = 2.52<ref name="s8ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating8 = 1.1<ref name="s8ratings"/>

| link9         = Supernatural (season 9)
| timeslot9     = Tuesday 9:00&nbsp;pm
| episodes9     = 23
| start9        = {{Start date|2013|10|8}}
| startrating9  = 2.59<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/09/tuesday-final-ratings-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-ncis-chicago-fire-the-goldbergs-adjusted-down/207852|title=Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.', 'NCIS' & 'The Voice' Adjusted Up; 'Chicago Fire', 'The Goldbergs' Adjusted Down|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=October 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011233615/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/09/tuesday-final-ratings-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-ncis-chicago-fire-the-goldbergs-adjusted-down/207852|archive-date=October 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end9          = {{End date|2014|5|20}}
| endrating9    = 2.30<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/21/tuesday-final-ratings-dancing-with-the-stars-road-to-the-finals-adjusted-up/266339/|title=Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Dancing With the Stars: Road to the Finals' Adjusted Up|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 21, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522014304/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/21/tuesday-final-ratings-dancing-with-the-stars-road-to-the-finals-adjusted-up/266339/|archive-date=May 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season9       = 2013–14
| rank9         = 141<ref name="s9ratings">{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/tv-season-series-rankings-2013-full-list-2-733762/|title=Full 2013–14 TV Season Rankings|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140905153941/http://deadline.com/2014/05/tv-season-series-rankings-2013-full-list-2-733762/|archive-date=September 5, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| viewers9      = 2.81<ref name="s9ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating9 = 1.3<ref name="s9ratings"/>

| link10         = Supernatural (season 10)
| timeslot10     = Tuesday 9:00&nbsp;pm {{small|(1–14)}}<br />Wednesday 9:00&nbsp;pm {{small|(15–23)}}
| episodes10     = 23
| start10        = {{Start date|2014|10|7}}
| startrating10  = 2.50<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/10/16/tuesday-final-ratings-selfie-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-forever-adjusted-down/315994/|title=Revised Tuesday, October 7 Final Ratings: 'Selfie', 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' & 'Forever' Adjusted Down|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Sara|last=Bibel|date=October 16, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018160419/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/10/16/tuesday-final-ratings-selfie-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-forever-adjusted-down/315994/|archive-date=October 18, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end10          = {{End date|2015|5|20}}
| endrating10    = 1.73<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/21/wednesday-final-ratings-survivor-survivor-reunion-modern-family-adjusted-up/406776/|title=Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Survivor', 'Survivor: Reunion' & 'Modern Family' Adjusted Up|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 21, 2015|access-date=May 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525020605/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/21/wednesday-final-ratings-survivor-survivor-reunion-modern-family-adjusted-up/406776/|archive-date=May 25, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season10       = 2014–15
| rank10         = 156<ref name="s10ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/08/live7-dvr-ratings-complete-2014-15-season-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-raising-hope-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-the-blacklist-tops-viewership-gains/413678/|title=Live+7 Ratings: Complete 2014–15 Season 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase; 'The Messengers' Earns Biggest Percentage Increase, 'The Blacklist' Tops Viewership Gains|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Sara|last=Bibel|date=June 8, 2015|access-date=June 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627052815/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/06/08/live7-dvr-ratings-complete-2014-15-season-the-big-bang-theory-leads-adults-18-49-ratings-increase-raising-hope-earns-biggest-percentage-increase-the-blacklist-tops-viewership-gains/413678/|archive-date=June 27, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| viewers10      = 2.02<ref name="s10ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating10 = 0.8<ref name="s10ratings"/>

| link11         = Supernatural (season 11)
| timeslot11     = Wednesday 9:00&nbsp;pm
| episodes11     = 23
| start11        = {{Start date|2015|10|7}}
| startrating11  = 1.94<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/08/wednesday-final-ratings-oct-7-2015/477200/|title=Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire', 'SVU' and others adjusted up, 'Arrow' holds, 'Nashville' adjusted down|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=October 8, 2015|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008210328/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/10/08/wednesday-final-ratings-oct-7-2015/477200/|archive-date=October 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end11          = {{End date|2016|5|25}}
| endrating11    = 1.84<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/26/wednesday-final-ratings-may-25-2016/|title=Wednesday final ratings: 'SVU' finale adjusts up, 'Supernatural' finale adjusts down|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=May 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528130310/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/05/26/wednesday-final-ratings-may-25-2016/|archive-date=May 28, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season11       = 2015–16
| rank11         = 131<ref name="s11ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/06/13/final-live-7-viewer-averages-for-2015-16-the-big-bang-theory-moves-ahead-of-ncis-nfl-stays-no-1/|title=Final Live +7 viewer averages for 2015–16: 'The Big Bang Theory' moves ahead of 'NCIS', NFL stays No. 1|work=TV by the Numbers|date=June 13, 2016|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617111756/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/06/13/final-live-7-viewer-averages-for-2015-16-the-big-bang-theory-moves-ahead-of-ncis-nfl-stays-no-1/|archive-date=June 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| viewers11      = 2.81<ref name="s11ratings"/>
| 18_49_rating11 = 1.0<ref name="s11ratings"/>

| link12         = Supernatural (season 12)
| timeslot12     = Thursday 9:00&nbsp;pm {{small|(1–8)}}<br />Thursday 8:00&nbsp;pm {{small|(9–23)}}
| episodes12     = 23
| start12        = {{Start date|2016|10|13}}
| startrating12  = 2.15<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-13-2016/|title='Notorious' adjusts down, final NFL numbers: Thursday final ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Rick|last=Porter|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017184836/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-13-2016/|archive-date=October 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end12          = {{End date|2017|5|18}}
| endrating12    = 1.65<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-may-18-2017/|title='Grey's Anatomy' and 'Masterchef Junior' finales, 'Amazing Race' adjust up: Thursday final ratings|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 19, 2017|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519234826/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-may-18-2017/|archive-date=May 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season12       = 2016–17
| rank12         = 132<ref name="Season 12 ratings"/>
| viewers12      = 2.62<ref name="Season 12 ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/final-live-7-viewer-averages-for-2016-17-sunday-night-football-holds-off-the-big-bang-theory/|title=Final Live +7 viewer averages for 2016–17: 'Sunday Night Football' holds off 'The Big Bang Theory'|work=TV by the Numbers|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315115612/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/final-live-7-viewer-averages-for-2016-17-sunday-night-football-holds-off-the-big-bang-theory/|archive-date=March 15, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 18_49_rating12 = 0.9<ref name="Season 12 ratings"/>

| link13            = Supernatural (season 13)
| timeslot13        = Thursday 8:00&nbsp;pm<ref group="a">The twelfth and thirteenth episodes of the final season aired outside of their regular timeslot on Mondays at 8:00&nbsp;pm.</ref>
| timeslot_length13 = 3
| episodes13        = 23
| start13           = {{Start date|2017|10|12}}
| startrating13     = 2.10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-12-2017/|title='Will & Grace', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Gotham' and NFL adjust up: Thursday final ratings|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=TV by the Numbers|date=October 13, 2017|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015051258/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-12-2017/|archive-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end13             = {{End date|2018|5|17}}
| endrating13       = 1.63<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-may-17-2018/|title='SWAT' and 'Arrow' finales adjust down: Thursday final ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519120454/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-may-17-2018/|archive-date=May 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season13          = 2017–18
| rank13            = 166<ref name="S13Ratings" />
| viewers13         = 2.32<ref name="S13Ratings" />
| 18_49_rating13    = 0.8<ref name="S13Ratings">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/2017-2018-tv-series-ratings-rankings-full-list-of-shows-1202395851/|title=2017-18 TV Series Ratings Rankings: NFL Football, 'Big Bang' Top Charts|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Lisa|last=de Moraes|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523031012/http://deadline.com/2018/05/2017-2018-tv-series-ratings-rankings-full-list-of-shows-1202395851/|archive-date=May 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link14         = Supernatural (season 14)
| episodes14     = 20
| start14        = {{Start date|2018|10|11}}
| startrating14  = 1.49<ref name="14.01">{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-11-2018/|title='Big Bang Theory' and 'Thursday Night Football' adjust up, 'I Feel Bad' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Alex|last=Welch|date=October 12, 2018|access-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013044612/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-11-2018/|archive-date=October 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end14          = {{End date|2019|4|25}}
| endrating14    = 1.30<ref name="14.20">{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-april-25-2019/|title='The Big Bang Theory' adjusts up, NFL Draft adjusts down: Thursday final ratings|last=Rejent|first=Joseph|work=TV by the Numbers|date=April 26, 2019|access-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426215120/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-april-25-2019/|archive-date=April 26, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| season14       = 2018–19
| rank14         = 159<ref name="S14Ratings" />
| viewers14      = 2.07<ref name="S14Ratings">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/tv-ratings-2018-2019-season-totals-viewers-demo-cbs-nbc-1202620062/|title=2018-19 TV Season Ratings: CBS Wraps 11th Season At No. 1 In Total Viewers, NBC Tops Demo; 'Big Bang Theory' Most Watched Series|work=Deadline|first=Lisa|last=de Moraes|date=May 21, 2019|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831200358/https://deadline.com/2019/05/tv-ratings-2018-2019-season-totals-viewers-demo-cbs-nbc-1202620062/|archive-date=August 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 18_49_rating14 = 0.6<ref name="S14Ratings" />

| link15         = Supernatural (season 15)
| episodes15     = 20
| start15        = {{Start date|2019|10|10}}
| startrating15  = 1.23<ref name="15.01">{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-october-10-2019/|title='Grey's Anatomy' and 'Evil' adjust up: Thursday final ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Joseph|last=Rejent|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011205641/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-october-10-2019/|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| end15          = {{End date|2020|11|19}}
| endrating15    = 1.38<ref name="15.20">{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-thursday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-19-2020.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120211108/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-thursday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-19-2020.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2020|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.19.2020|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=November 20, 2020|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=November 20, 2020}}</ref>
| season15       = 2019–20
| rank15         = 116<ref name="entertainment2020"/> <br />{{small|(1–13)}} <hr /> 131<ref name="Rankings21"/> <br />{{small|(14–20)}}
| viewers15      = 1.86<ref name="entertainment2020"/> <br />{{small|(1–13)}} <hr /> 1.63<ref name="Rankings21"/> <br /> {{small|(14–20)}}
| 18_49_rating15 = 0.6<ref name="entertainment2020">{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Rick|title=TV Ratings: 7-Day Season Averages for Every 2019-20 Broadcast Series|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-7-day-season-averages-2019-20-broadcast-series-1297228|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 4, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605132531/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-7-day-season-averages-2019-20-broadcast-series-1297228|archive-date=June 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> <br />{{small|(1–13)}} <hr /> 0.5<ref name="Rankings21">{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Rick|title=2020-21 TV Ratings: Complete 7-Day Ratings for Broadcast Network Series|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2020-21-tv-ratings-every-network-show-ranked-1234964854/|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 8, 2021|access-date=June 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609002528/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2020-21-tv-ratings-every-network-show-ranked-1234964854/|archive-date=June 9, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> <br /> {{small|(14–20)}}
}}

After the first four episodes of ''Supernatural'' aired in 2005, the WB decided to pick up the series for a full season of 22 episodes. During those first episodes, the series was ranked third in males aged 18–34 and 12–34. It also posted an increase of 73% in males aged 18–49 from the year before, although it only gained 4% in total viewers, and retained 91% of viewers from its lead-in, ''[[Gilmore Girls]]''.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/10/06/supernatural-given-full-season-pick-up-by-the-wb-19444/20051006wb01/|title=Supernatural Given Full-Season Pick-Up by the Wb|date=October 6, 2005|publisher=The WB|access-date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> ''Supernatural'' had low ratings during its second season, with viewers consisting mainly of teen girls, and the CW trying to attract more male viewers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv/2007/03/15/TV-Preview-Supernatural-tries-to-come-out-of-the-shadows/stories/200703150354|title=TV Preview: 'Supernatural' tries to come out of the shadows|last=Owen|first=Rob|date=March 15, 2007|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219062117/http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv/2007/03/15/TV-Preview-Supernatural-tries-to-come-out-of-the-shadows/stories/200703150354|archive-date=February 19, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The show's future was in doubt at the end of the second season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/11918311.html|title=Supernatural ratings less than super|last=McFarland|first=Melanie|date=November 23, 2007|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=September 14, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308165151/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/11918311.html|archive-date=March 8, 2008}}</ref> Despite mediocre ratings in the previous year, it was back for a third season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/this-time-the-cw-network-gets-it-right/|title=This time, the CW network gets it right|last=Downey|first=Kevin|date=September 28, 2007|work=Media Life Magazine|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233601/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/this-time-the-cw-network-gets-it-right/|archive-date=January 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Although its third season's rating were low, it did well with viewers aged 18–49. In this category, it ranked eighth of all returning series broadcast by a major network.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/18/AR2008091803997_pf.html|title=So, America's Going Steady With 'Survivor'|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|date=September 19, 2008|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111035052/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/18/AR2008091803997_pf.html|archive-date=November 11, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The show received an early pickup for its fourth season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/57639/cw-wants-more-model-gossip-chris|title=CW Wants More Model, Gossip, Chris|last=Serpe|first=Gina|date=March 3, 2009|publisher=E!|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019011831/http://www.eonline.com/news/57639/cw-wants-more-model-gossip-chris|archive-date=October 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The show's ratings increased in its fourth season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537|title='Supernatural' actor Misha Collins is the new angel on the block|last=Spelling|first=Ian|date=December 14, 2008|publisher=ReadingEagle.com|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318215507/http://www2.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537|archive-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fourth-season premiere aired on September 18, 2008, averaging its highest rating ever since its debut on [[The CW]] with 3.96&nbsp;million viewers, a 33% surge over the season three premiere and a 1.7/5 in adults 18–49, up 42% from one year earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/09/19/thursday-september-18-flashpoint-nightmares-and-supernatural-score/5193/|title=Thursday, September 18: Flashpoint Shines for CBS, Supernatural's Strong Debut|first=Bill|last=Gorman|date=September 19, 2008|access-date=September 19, 2008|work=TV by the Numbers|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019203834/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/09/19/thursday-september-18-flashpoint-nightmares-and-supernatural-score/5193/|archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref> On October 16, 2008, the show was watched by 3.06&nbsp;million viewers, making the lowest rating for the season. On October 30, 2008, the show climbed to its best performance in adults 18–34 (1.4/4), adults 18–49 (1.5/4) and total viewers (3.6mil) since its season premiere on September 18, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/10/31/smallville-and-supernatural-on-the-rise/7337/|title="Smallville" and "Supernatural" on the Rise...|date=October 31, 2008|work=TV by the Numbers|first=Robert|last=Seidman|access-date=September 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131163819/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/10/31/smallville-and-supernatural-on-the-rise/7337|archive-date=January 31, 2011}}</ref> For the fifth-season premiere, viewership increased by 6% in women 18–34 (1.7/5) over the fourth-season premiere.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2009/09/11/chicks-dig-the-vampires-vampire-diaries-sets-record-as-the-cws-most-watched-series-premiere-ever-32663/20090911cw01/|title=Chicks Dig the Vampires! Vampire Diaries Sets Record as the CW's Most Watched Series Premiere Ever|date=September 11, 2009|publisher=The CW|access-date=September 20, 2009}}</ref> However, taking DVR viewings into account with new Live-Plus 7&nbsp;Day data, total viewership for the premiere increased 38%, with women 18–34 increasing by 35% and adults 18–34 by 47%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2009/10/01/dvr-spells-omg-ratings-for-cw-32899/20091001cw01/|title=DVR Spells OMG Ratings for CW|date=October 1, 2009|publisher=The CW|access-date=September 20, 2009}}</ref>

According to [[Nielsen ratings]], ''Supernatural'' placed sixth and seventh in 2020 and 2021, respectively, in the rankings of the most-watched acquired streaming series in the United States. It had 20.3 billion minutes watched in 2020 and 18.9 billion in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ozark-the-office-lead-nielsens-2020-streaming-rankings-4114460/ |title='Ozark,' 'The Office' Lead Nielsen's 2020 Streaming Rankings |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Rick |last=Porter |date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=June 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/most-streamed-tv-shows-movies-2021-criminal-minds-1235159626/ |title=Surprise! 'Criminal Minds' Was 2021's Most-Streamed TV Show in the U.S. |website=Variety |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=June 8, 2022}}</ref> For 2022, it placed eighth for most-watched acquired streaming series and eleventh for most-watched streaming series overall, with 18.8 billion minutes watched.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/stranger-things-most-streamed-tv-show-2022-1235503095/ |title='Stranger Things' Was Most-Streamed TV Show in 2022 |website=Variety |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2023}}</ref> In 2023, it tied with ''[[Heartland (Canadian TV series)|Heartland]]'' for ninth most-watched streaming series overall, both with 22.8 billion minutes watched.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 29, 2024|title='Suits' Beats 'The Office' Streaming Record in 2023; Nielsen Reveals Original Streaming Shows Shut Out of Yearly Top 10 |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/nielsen-2023-streaming-report-suits-the-office-record-1235890306/|work=Variety|first=Selome|last=Hailu|access-date=March 2, 2024}}</ref>

=== Awards and nominations ===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Supernatural{{!}}List of awards and nominations received by ''Supernatural''}}

=== Reception ===
{{Television critical response
| link1            = Supernatural season 1#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes1 = 87% (31 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS1RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s01|title=Supernatural: Season 1|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523212840/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s01/|archive-date=May 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| metacritic1      = 59 (22 reviews)<ref name=MetacriticS1>{{cite web |title=Supernatural: Season 1 |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 8, 2019 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/supernatural/season-1/critic-reviews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127151329/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/supernatural |archive-date=November 27, 2015}}</ref>

| link2            = Supernatural season 2#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes2 = 100% (6 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS2RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s02|title=Supernatural: Season 2|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330192513/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s02|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link3            = Supernatural season 3#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes3 = 88% (8 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS3RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s03|title=Supernatural: Season 3|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330192457/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s03|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link4            = Supernatural season 4#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes4 = 88% (8 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS4RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s04|title=Supernatural: Season 4|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330194055/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s04|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link5            = Supernatural season 5#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes5 = 100% (9 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS5RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s05|title=Supernatural: Season 5|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329204234/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s05|archive-date=March 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link6            = Supernatural season 6#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes6 = 100% (6 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS6RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s06|title=Supernatural: Season 6|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329204456/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s06|archive-date=March 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link7            = Supernatural season 7#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes7 = 100% (5 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS7RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s07|title=Supernatural: Season 7|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405230132/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s07|archive-date=April 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link8            = Supernatural season 8#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes8 = 67% (9 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS8RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s08|title=Supernatural: Season 8|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405230214/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s08|archive-date=April 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link9            = Supernatural season 9#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes9 = 100% (12 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS9RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s09|title=Supernatural: Season 9|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330195630/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s09|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link10            = Supernatural season 10#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes10 = 100% (8 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS10RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s10|title=Supernatural: Season 10|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405230142/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s10|archive-date=April 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link11            = Supernatural season 11#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes11 = 90% (10 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS11RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s11|title=Supernatural: Season 11|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330192347/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s11|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link12            = Supernatural season 12#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes12 = 100% (10 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS12RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s12|title=Supernatural: Season 12|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=March 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523212514/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s12/|archive-date=May 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link13            = Supernatural season 13#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes13 = 100% (7 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS13RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s13|title=Supernatural: Season 13|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405230335/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s13|archive-date=April 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link14            = Supernatural season 14#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes14 = 83% (12 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS14RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s14|title=Supernatural: Season 14|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=December 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523212216/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s14/|archive-date=May 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link15            = Supernatural season 15#Reception
| rotten_tomatoes15 = 100% (13 reviews)<ref name="SupernaturalS15RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s15|title=Supernatural: Season 15|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107130841/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/supernatural/s15|archive-date=November 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

During its first season, the show received generally mixed critical reception. It grew more favorable as the series progressed, with subsequent seasons receiving generally positive reviews from critics.

The first season received a Metacritic score of 59 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/supernatural/season-1/critic-reviews |title=Critic Reviews for Supernatural Season 1 |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107163528/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/supernatural/season-1/critic-reviews |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported an 87% approval rating for the first season, with an average rating of 7.32/10 based on 31 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Despite some too-hip dialogue and familiar thematic elements, ''Supernatural''{{'}}s vigilante brothers manage to stir up some legitimate scares."<ref name="SupernaturalS1RT"/> Tanner Stransky of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the first season a B, saying the show "comes off as weekly installments of a horror movie series", but that "Adding to the show's cred are the '67 Chevy Impala the boys rumble around in and their kick-ass soundtrack".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/09/05/supernatural-complete-first-season/ |title=Supernatural: The Complete First Season (2006) |last=Stransky |first=Tanner |date=September 6, 2006 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427145744/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1531991,00.html |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jeff Swindoll of ''Monsters and Critics'' "really liked" the first season<ref name="mac2" /> for its "horrific content and the brotherly chemistry between its two stars". He also noted that the season finished "with one bang of a cliffhanger".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1198720.php |title=DVD Review: Supernatural&nbsp;– The Complete First Season |last=Swindoll |first=Jeff |date=September 6, 2006 |publisher=Monsters and Critics |access-date=September 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008003414/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1198720.php |archive-date=October 8, 2010}}</ref> Swindoll enjoyed the second season, too, saying that it "still works thanks to the brotherly chemistry between Padalecki and Ackles" and noted the second season focused more on the show's mythology.<ref name="mac2">{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1354007.php/DVD_Review_Supernatural_-_The_Complete_Second_Season |title=DVD Review: Supernatural&nbsp;– The Complete Second Season |last=Swindoll |first=Jeff |date=September 10, 2007 |publisher=Monsters and Critics |access-date=September 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002142629/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1354007.php/DVD_Review_Supernatural_-_The_Complete_Second_Season |archive-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref>

Swindoll also liked the third season, saying "Eric Kripke must've sold his soul to the devil so that the show wouldn't suffer a third season slump." He also enjoyed the moments featuring Bobby Singer ([[Jim Beaver]]), likening him to the character Cooter from ''[[Dukes of Hazzard]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1429895.php/Supernatural_-_The_Complete_Third_Season_%E2%80%93_DVD_Review |title=Supernatural: The Complete Third Season&nbsp;– DVD Review |last=Swindoll |first=Jeff |date=September 10, 2008 |publisher=Monsters and Critics |access-date=September 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625024646/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1429895.php/Supernatural_-_The_Complete_Third_Season_%E2%80%93_DVD_Review |archive-date=June 25, 2013}}</ref> However, Daniel Bettridge of ''Den of Geek'' believed that the writer's strike hindered the season, with many issues being left unresolved and the finale feeling "a little rushed". He also felt that new characters Ruby ([[Katie Cassidy]]) and Bela ([[Lauren Cohan]]) were "disappointingly unexplored and ineffectively used".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/dvd-bluray/7735/supernatural-season-3-dvd-review |title=Supernatural season 3 DVD review |publisher=Den of Geek |first=Daniel |last=Bettridge |date=August 26, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016071112/http://www.denofgeek.com/dvd-bluray/7735/supernatural-season-3-dvd-review |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> While Diana Steenbergen of IGN liked that there was a season-long story arc with Dean's demonic deal, she believed that viewers would know that the pact would not be resolved until the finale, making the self-enclosed episodes feel like they are "treading water, waiting for the main storyline to resume".<ref>{{cite web |last=Steenbergen |first=Diana |url=https://ign.com/articles/2008/05/24/supernatural-season-3-review |title=Supernatural: Season 3 Review |website=IGN |date=May 23, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105071021/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/24/supernatural-season-3-review |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, [[AOL TV]] placed the show on its list of TV's Biggest Guilty Pleasures.<ref>{{cite web |title=TV's Biggest Guilty Pleasures |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2008/01/02/biggest-best-tv-guilty-pleasures/ |publisher=AOL TV |access-date=September 16, 2012 |date=January 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025103743/http://www.aoltv.com/2008/01/02/biggest-best-tv-guilty-pleasures/ |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another ''Monsters and Critics'' reviewer, June L., gave the fourth season a positive review, saying the show "remains intriguing and entertaining, giving viewers much to ponder in terms of the philosophical analysis of the nature of good and evil."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1498683.php/Supernatural-The-Complete-Fourth-Season-%E2%80%93-DVD-Review |title=Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season&nbsp;– DVD Review |last=L. |first=June |date=September 2, 2009 |publisher=Monsters and Critics |access-date=September 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108022307/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1498683.php/Supernatural-The-Complete-Fourth-Season-%E2%80%93-DVD-Review |archive-date=January 8, 2010}}</ref> Steenbergen felt that the series made a transition from a "pretty good show to being a pretty great show". She praised Misha Collins for his portrayal of the angel Castiel and felt that the interactions between Dean and Castiel were "one of the highlights of the season".<ref>{{cite web |last=Steenbergen |first=Diana |url=https://ign.com/articles/2009/05/22/supernatural-season-4-review |title=Supernatural: Season 4 Review |website=IGN |date=May 22, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105070950/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/22/supernatural-season-4-review |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before the premiere of the fifth season, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' listed the series as one of "The 50 Best Reasons to Watch TV", citing Sam and Dean Winchester as the "Bo and Luke Duke of demon hunting".<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Rolling Stone |title=The 50 Best Reasons to Watch TV |date=September 2009}}</ref>

The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''{{'}}s Maureen Ryan named ''Supernatural'' among the top ten shows of 2009, stating that the "thoughtfully crafted show got bolder and more creative in 2009, coming up with hilarious and innovative episodes and taking risks with its storytelling."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/12/sons-of-anarchy-modern-family-big-bang-theory-supernatural-chuck-dollhouse.html |title=Watch this: The Top TV shows of 2009 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |date=December 14, 2009 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=December 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217091826/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/12/sons-of-anarchy-modern-family-big-bang-theory-supernatural-chuck-dollhouse.html |archive-date=December 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mike Hale of ''[[The New York Times]]'' also named the series on his top ten list for the year: "''Supernatural'' is currently among the wildest and most entertaining series in prime time."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/arts/television/20hale.html |title=A Top 10 List That Needs an Addendum |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=December 18, 2009 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921184334/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/arts/television/20hale.html |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, AOL TV ranked ''Supernatural'' fourth of the Top 20 Magic/Supernatural Shows of All Time, noting that the show had been compared to ''[[The X-Files]]'' early in its run before "distinguishing itself as a unique, unpredictable and addictive series that not only features monsters, magic and Lucifer himself, but also boasts a dynamic duo arguably better at the banter than [[Fox Mulder|Mulder]] and [[Dana Scully|Scully]] -- Sam and Dean Winchester".<ref name="top20">{{cite web |title=Top 20 Magic/Supernatural Shows of All Time |url=http://www.aoltv.com/best-shows-ever/magic-supernatural-shows/ |publisher=AOL TV |access-date=March 7, 2015 |date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104220645/http://www.aoltv.com/best-shows-ever/magic-supernatural-shows/ |archive-date=November 4, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, ''Entertainment Weekly'' listed the show at No. 19 in the "25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25&nbsp;Years", saying, "''Supernatural'' began with a pretty straightforward premise – hot guys kill spooky things – but it didn't stay that way for long. The characters have literally been to [[hell]] and back, and along the way, they have woven a complicated and compelling mythology filled with friends (angel Castiel), recurring foes (demon Crowley), and inside jokes (Wincest!). ''Supernatural'' has also, however, dedicated episodes to mocking the sillier aspects of its own existence, like its hypercritical fandom. This self-referential approach has rewarded longtime viewers and helped build a community so passionate, it's almost scary."<ref>"25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25&nbsp;Years", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. August 3, 2012, p.&nbsp;42.</ref> The show has a broad demographic base and is more popular in Russia than the US.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Ashley |title=TV's new longest-running fantasy show unites Democrats and Republicans—and Russians |url=https://qz.com/1100849/supernatural-the-tv-show-that-unites-democrats-and-republicans-and-russians/ |access-date=October 12, 2017 |work=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] |date=October 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012195223/https://qz.com/1100849/supernatural-the-tv-show-that-unites-democrats-and-republicans-and-russians/ |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Syndication ===
On January 4, 2010, the cable television network [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] began airing reruns of ''Supernatural''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2009/12/13/exclusive-tnt-lands-supernatural-repeats-33819/8423/ |title=Exclusive: TNT Lands "Supernatural" Repeats |website=The Futon Critic |first=Brian Ford |last=Sullivan |date=December 13, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010}}</ref> In Canada, the series has been syndicated on [[Space (Canadian TV channel)|Space]], [[Dusk (TV channel)|Dusk]], [[ABC Spark]], [[M3 (Canadian TV channel)|M3]], and [[E! (Canadian TV channel)|E!]].<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.space.ca/Supernatural.aspx |title=Supernatural |publisher=Space |access-date=November 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125111355/http://www.space.ca/Supernatural.aspx |archive-date=November 25, 2014 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://shaw.ca/uploadedFiles/Customer_Bulletins/DUSK_Shutdown_FAQs-Shaw.pdf |title=DUSK Shutdown FAQs |publisher=Shaw |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903104357/http://shaw.ca/uploadedFiles/Customer_Bulletins/DUSK_Shutdown_FAQs-Shaw.pdf |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.m3tv.ca/shows/supernatural |title=Supernatural |publisher=M3 |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028083720/http://www.m3tv.ca/shows/supernatural/ |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Fandom and popular culture ===
<!-- ANY UNSOURCED ADDITIONS REGARDING DESTIEL AND WINCEST WILL BE REMOVED -->
Being a [[Cult following|cult]] series, ''Supernatural'' has garnered a dedicated fanbase.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20270843_3,00.html |title='Supernatural': Sexy. Scary. Over? |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218135056/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20270843_3,00.html |archive-date=February 18, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They are active online,<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/17/supernatural-behind-the-scenes-and-behind-the-demons?page=2 |title=Supernatural: Behind the Scenes and Behind the Demons |website=IGN |date=April 17, 2007 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103013041/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/17/supernatural-behind-the-scenes-and-behind-the-demons?page=2 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> and many have written [[fanfiction]] stories about the show, ranging from [[Wincest]] (the romantic pairing of brothers Dean and Sam Winchester) to [[Destiel]] (the romantic pairing of Dean Winchester and Castiel) to various other character pairings. The writers have referenced this several times in the series,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-slash-this-is-wro-31170.aspx |title='Supernatural' Slash: "This is Wrong" |publisher=BuddyTV |first=John |last=Kubicek |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210165854/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-slash-this-is-wro-31170.aspx |archive-date=February 10, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> including the 200th episode, which makes references to Wincest, Destiel, and Sastiel (the romantic pairing of Sam Winchester and Castiel).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sastry |first=Keertana |url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/48816-supernatural-addresses-wincest-destiel-the-lack-of-female-characters-more-in-its-200th-episode |title='Supernatural' Addresses Wincest, Destiel, the Lack of Female Characters, & More in Its 200th Episode |magazine=Bustle |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112171932/http://www.bustle.com/articles/48816-supernatural-addresses-wincest-destiel-the-lack-of-female-characters-more-in-its-200th-episode |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first fan conventions dedicated to ''Supernatural'' took place in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in October 2006<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Busse |first1=Kristina |last2=Hellekson |first2=Karen |last3=Tosenberger |first3=Catherine |year=2010 |title=Interview with Wincon organizer Ethrosdemon |url=https://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/208/151 |journal=Transformative Works and Cultures |volume=4 |doi=10.3983/twc.2010.0208 |issn=1941-2258 |doi-access=free}}</ref> and in [[London]] in May 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/jensen-ackles-headed-to-firste-6330.aspx |title=Jensen Ackles Headed To First-ever Supernatural Convention |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Kris |last=De Leon |date=May 10, 2007 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004052750/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/jensen-ackles-headed-to-firste-6330.aspx |archive-date=October 4, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and conventions have since expanded through to Germany and throughout the United States. The series' stars and large guest cast make appearances,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-stars-to-attend-c-10199.aspx |title='Supernatural' Stars to Attend Convention Saluting Various Genre Series |publisher=BuddyTV |first=Lisa |last=Claustro |date=September 2, 2007 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314191702/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-stars-to-attend-c-10199.aspx |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> with fans from the United States, Europe, China, and Australia attending.<ref name="eclipsemagazine" />

Before the debut of the series' [[Supernatural season 5|fifth season]], in which [[Lucifer (Supernatural)|Lucifer]] is finally freed from his imprisonment, fans attempted to promote the show through [[Twitter]]. Enough fans posted the [[Tag (metadata)#Hashtags|hashtag]] "#LuciferIsComing" that it made it into "[[trending topic]]s"<ref name="twitter">Multiple sources:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/lucifer-is-coming-how-supernat-31138.aspx |title=Lucifer is Coming: How 'Supernatural' Stole Twitter |publisher=BuddyTV |first=John |last=Kubicek |date=September 10, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411070415/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/lucifer-is-coming-how-supernat-31138.aspx |archive-date=April 11, 2010 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/misha-collins-supernatural-fan-31194.aspx?pollid=600001057&answer=600003597 |title=Misha Collins and 'Supernatural' Fans Declare Twitter War on P.&nbsp;Diddy |publisher=BuddyTV |first=John |last=Kubicek |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514191952/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/misha-collins-supernatural-fan-31194.aspx?pollid=600001057&answer=600003597 |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>—a list depicting words and phrases posted with the highest frequency on the website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blog.twitter.com/2009/twitter-search-everyone |title=Twitter Search for Everyone! |publisher=Twitter |date=April 30, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901050908/https://blog.twitter.com/2009/twitter-search-everyone |archive-date=September 1, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Twitter users who were unaware of the fans' intentions responded with numerous posts of "#GodIsHere", and the topic was blocked from Twitter's trending topics after complaints. Actor [[Misha Collins]], who portrays [[Castiel (Supernatural)|Castiel]] in the series, tried to continue the campaign by requesting that fans post "#PDiddyIsScaredOfHisTV", rapper [[P.&nbsp;Diddy]] being the one whom many fans believe to be the instigator of the initial backlash.<ref name="twitter" /> However, after an hour, this attempt to trend the topic was also stymied by Twitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/is-twitter-silencing-supernatu-31275.aspx |title=Is Twitter Silencing 'Supernatural' Fans Again? |publisher=BuddyTV |first=John |last=Kubicek |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302163509/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/is-twitter-silencing-supernatu-31275.aspx |archive-date=March 2, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In honor of the series' season 14 renewal, [[Mayor of Austin|Mayor]] [[Steve Adler (lawyer)|Steve Adler]] of [[Austin, Texas]], declared June 23, 2018, as "''Supernatural'' Day" in the city, as the show's stars Ackles and Padalecki are both Austin residents. The day, which coincided with the duo participating in local charity events, also recognized ''Supernatural'' for, as the declaration proclaimed, "bringing the best fans in the world" to the city.<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/supernatural-day-austin-texas/ |title=Supernatural Day Proclaimed by Austin, Texas Mayor |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |last=Gumeny |first=Eirik |date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=June 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629102247/https://www.cbr.com/supernatural-day-austin-texas/ |archive-date=June 29, 2018 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2018/06/27/supernatural-day-declared-by-austin-texas-mayor/ |title='Supernatural' Day Declared by Austin, Texas Mayor |website=ComicBook.com |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=June 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627061032/http://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2018/06/27/supernatural-day-declared-by-austin-texas-mayor/ |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/supernatural-holiday-austin-texas/ |title=Supernatural Gets Its Own Holiday in Austin, Texas |website=Screen Rant |last=Elvy |first=Craig |date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626174946/https://screenrant.com/supernatural-holiday-austin-texas/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The series's fandom gave rise to a new subgenre of [[Slash fiction|erotic]] [[fan fiction]] and then to a subgenre of [[speculative fiction|speculative]] [[erotic fiction]] in its own right, the "[[Omegaverse]]". Works in this genre feature humans with a wolf-like social structure and sexual behavior.<ref name="NYT 23 May 2020">{{cite news |last1=Alter |first1=Alexandra |title=A Feud in Wolf-Kink Erotica Raises a Deep Legal Question |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/business/omegaverse-erotica-copyright.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523093017/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/business/omegaverse-erotica-copyright.html |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |date=May 23, 2020 |access-date=May 25, 2020}}</ref>

== Explanatory notes ==
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{{Reflist|group=a}}
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |last1=Buchbinder |first1=David |last2=McGuire |first2=Ann |author-link1=David Buchbinder |date=Winter 2010 |title=The Forensic Gothic: Knowledge, the Supernatural, and the Psychic Detective |journal=[[Canadian Review of American Studies]] |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=289–307 |doi=10.1353/crv.2010.0012 |s2cid=201789941}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category|Supernatural (TV series)}}
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