2026 will take a major step toward a Supernatural revival, as Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins reunite in the final season of The Boys. This three-way unification marks the first occasion all three have appeared onscreen together since Supernatural ended in 2020, but with Ackles and Padalecki both willing to bring the Winchester brothers back one day, it’s unlikely to be the last.
Supernatural season 16 must happen, but plenty of details need to be ironed out first. Chief among them is deciding which villain Sam and Dean will face upon their return. Supernatural ended by pitting the Winchesters against God, which doesn’t leave much room for escalation. Does Supernatural introduce an even higher being? Or return to its roots with a more conventional big bad?
Please, Supernatural, No More Angelic Villains
Whichever villain Supernatural season 16 opts for, the revival must avoid another angelic baddie. From the very beginning, Sam and Dean were destined to face the archangel Lucifer, but even after the Devil’s defeat, the brothers kept running into angelic foes.
From the archangel ranks, Lucifer became a recurring villain throughout Supernatural, plaguing the Winchesters right up until the final seasons. The Alternate Universe’s version of Michael proved the most prominent antagonist of Supernatural‘s penultimate run, while Raphael had a short-lived walk on the dark side in season 6.
Other angels who could be considered main Supernatural villains include Metatron, Zachariah, Castiel, the original Michael, Naomi, and Gadreel. Supernatural season 16 could easily debut a fresh angelic enemy, or drag an archangel over from a different universe, but the idea has been overdone at this point.
The problem with angels is that, Lucifer aside, their powers and motivations are usually very similar. Supernatural featured a lot of demonic enemies too, but Crowley felt completely different to Azazel, who felt completely different to Abaddon, etc. By their nature, demons tend to be more individualistic, making them infinitely more interesting opponents. Angels, on the other hand, are usually just angels.
Who Supernatural Season 16’s Villain Could Be, If Not An Angel
Within established Supernatural lore, there are two main villains who would be ideal for season 16. The first is the Shedim – a breed of monster that made a brief appearance in Supernatural season 13. These creatures were hyped as some of the most dangerous in all of Supernatural, with God deeming them too evil to exist and even Lucifer fearing their presence. To scare an archangel is quite something.
The demon Asmodeus attempted to release the Shedim, but the ritual was never completed, meaning these villains remain a relative mystery. That leaves Supernatural with a ready-made threat just waiting to take the spotlight, and in terms of power level, an entire race of beings who give Lucifer the heebie-jeebies would surely prove stronger than any single archangel. God’s defeat provides the perfect excuse for the Shedim to finally be unleashed.
The other option would be the Winchesters vs. God round 2. While not exactly original, God’s downfall at the end of Supernatural was something of a letdown, coming a little too easily to feel earned. Supernatural season 16 would present an opportunity to deliver the epic final showdown Chuck Shirley always deserved.
And since the literal God of the universe is difficult to top, it makes sense to bring him back rather than contrive an enemy who somehow trumps God for power. Supernatural season 16 would, therefore, have plenty of viable villain options, but as long as it avoids another naughty angel, the revival should be just fine.
- Release Date
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2005 – 2020
- Showrunner
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Eric Kripke
