The Gifted

Pick a side. Take a stand.

2017–2019Ended2 seasons29 episodes~45 min/epTV-14

A suburban couple's ordinary lives are rocked by the sudden discovery that their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Gifted?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Gifted streaming on Hulu and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about The Gifted?

The Gifted earns 1 badge: Crowd Pleaser.

Crowd Pleaser, Reception badge.77% rated it 7 or higher

Reception

Is The Gifted worth watching?

The Gifted's Midcredits score is the 66^th percentile of all shows, from 43K ratings across 2 sources. 77% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

66^th percentile

Better received than 66% of shows

57^th Action64^th 2010s

Acclaim64^th

Approval65^th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser

How much people like it

74 /100

64^th percentile of all shows

60^th Action62^nd 2010s

Rating distribution

12345678910

votes at each rating level (1–10)

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

77% liked it

65^th percentile of all shows

53^rd Action63^rd 2010s

77% rated it 7–1023% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

97^th percentile

41K ratings across platforms

86^th Action96^th 2010s

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 9% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The Gifted is a network TV drama about a family of mutants on the run, with decent effects and a talented cast, but bogged down by uneven writing.

Fans praised

strong cast with standout performances from Amy Acker and Emma Dumont
engaging family dynamic and emotional core
solid visual effects and CGI for network television

Detractors panned

poor script with clichéd dialogue and forced melodrama
annoying and illogical parent characters, especially the mother
slow pacing with too much talking and not enough action

What stands out

ActingDivisive68

generally praised cast, especially Amy Acker and Emma Dumont, but detractors find some performances wooden

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

good for network TV, but detractors find CGI cheap and inconsistent

AtmosphereDivisive60

grim and tense; captures persecution tone but sometimes overly melodramatic

Plot and storyDivisive50

predictable and slow-moving for many; fans appreciate the allegory and emotional stakes

CharactersDivisive45

parents widely criticized as annoying and poorly written; some fans find the family dynamics compelling

PacingDivisive45

slow with too many talk-heavy scenes; action picks up in season 2

OriginalityDivisive40

derivative of Heroes and other mutant stories; fans appreciate the X-Men universe expansion

DialogueDivisive35

frequently described as clichéd, wooden, and overly dramatic

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

Women vs men 3 points apart
Under-30s vs over-30s 6 points apart
Critics vs users 2 points apart
US vs non-US 5 points apart

Episodes

2 seasons

Season 2 · 2018 · 16 episodes · 6.9 average across 16 rated episodes

S2E1
eMergence
Sep 25, 201844 minTMDB rating 7.0
Reeva Payge purges the Inner Circle of those who disagree with her, leaving her completely in charge. Then, fast-forward six months, when the Mutant Underground saves a girl, but not her family, from a Sentinel raid. Against the group's wishes, Eclipse and Caitlin meet with a criminal hacker to get info on the Inner Circle. Meanwhile, Polaris prepares for the birth of her baby, her contractions magnetizing anything metal and wreaking havoc. She also makes Andy promise to save the baby, no matter what.
S2E2
unMoored
Oct 2, 201845 minTMDB rating 6.8
Thunderbird contacts a mutant lawyer who recruited him to the Underground years ago, hoping she can help him find the Inner Circle. Lauren and Andy have a shared dream, which distracts Andy from his training and prompts Reeva to consider cutting her losses with him, which, in turn, makes Andy second-guess his separation from his sister. Meanwhile, Reed must keep a huge secret from the group and Jace picks up the mutants' trail again
S2E3
coMplications
Oct 9, 201844 minTMDB rating 7.0
Polaris' baby begins to suffer from a deadly illness, leaving the Inner Circle unable to heal her, and prompting them to turn to an unexpected source for help. Meanwhile, Reed and Lauren take an excursion to deliver illegal meds, but Reed's powers complicate their plans. Then, Thunderbird and Blink meet the leader of the Morlocks - a shadowy group of mutants that live underground - who offers to help them find the Inner Circle, but the two factions may not have the same goals.
S2E4
outMatched
Oct 16, 201844 minTMDB rating 6.9
The Struckers, minus Andy, begin to rebuild their broken trust, while Thunderbird, Blink and Eclipse visit Wire, hoping to convince him to help again. But when they get there, they learn that something terrible has happened from Wire's brother, Graph. The team discovers that the Inner Circle is on the way to raid a mutant detention facility, so they make moves to try to intercept them. Meanwhile, Jace is contacted by a member of the Purifiers.
S2E5
afterMath
Oct 30, 201843 minTMDB rating 6.9
As Caitlin and Thunderbird struggle to save the life of a mutant injured in the Inner Circle's chaotic liberation of a psychiatric hospital, they discover clues to the identity of the powerful mutant Polaris and Andy were sent to retrieve. Meanwhile, as Jace joins up with the Purifiers to chase down the escaped mutants, he comes dangerously close to colliding once again with the Mutant Underground.
S2E6
iMprint
Nov 6, 201844 minTMDB rating 7.0
S2E7
no Mercy
Nov 13, 201845 minTMDB rating 7.1Season best
Reeva reveals her plans for a major mission for the Inner Circle to secure some needed funds. Meanwhile, the Mutant Underground must contend with Reed's unstable powers, hoping that some medical help from Caitlin and Lauren will keep his destruction in check. Also, Jace is introduced to Benedict Ryan, a well-connected public figure who supports the efforts of the Purifers, but the two may not see eye-to-eye. Then, Thunderbird finally confronts Blink about her dealings with Urg, after weeks of tension over their meeting.
S2E8
the dreaM
Nov 27, 201845 minTMDB rating 6.7
In attempts to stabilize Reed's powers, Reed, Caitlin and Lauren meet with Dr. Risman, a doctor who treats patients with debilitating X genes. However, Lauren finds out Dr. Risman is not who she thought she was. Following the Inner Circle's bank ambush, Thunderbird and Blink continue to work together to chase them down. Meanwhile, Polaris reflects on her troubled relationship with her father and takes steps to protect Dawn from the Inner Circle.
S2E9
gaMe changer
Dec 4, 201845 minTMDB rating 6.8
Tensions within the Inner Circle are at an all-time high, as Andy comes to Rebecca's defense against Reeva. After making an important discovery about Dr. Risman's research, Lauren convinces Reed and Caitlin that they must take action to destroy it. Frustrated with not being taken seriously, Jace begins to strategize with the Purifiers. Meanwhile, the Mutant Underground continues to work on saving mutants. However, tensions flare between Blink and Thunderbird as they confront their differences.
S2E10
eneMy of My eneMy
Jan 1, 201945 minTMDB rating 7.0
S2E11
meMento
Jan 8, 201945 minTMDB rating 6.7
Reed worries as Lauren becomes intrigued by her ancestors and their violent powers. Lorna begins to reevaluate her trust in the Inner Circle after figuring out the past of Reeva's new trainees. Meanwhile, Benedict Ryan continues to encourage Jace to take action with the Purifiers. Marcos asks Clarice to go to the Morlocks in search of information on the Inner Circle and Thunderbird gets a call from Evangeline.
S2E12
hoMe
Jan 15, 201945 minTMDB rating 6.8
With the Inner Circle and the Purifiers on the rise, and the nation more divided than ever, the dream of the X-Men is on the verge of failure. In attempts to revive the Mutant Underground, Evangeline proposes a country-wide meeting. Meanwhile, Lauren and Andy continue to disagree in their dreams and the Frost Sisters attempt to intervene. Caitlin makes the risky suggestion of connecting with a family member for vital intel, and Lorna tries to secretly investigate Reeva's plans for the Inner Circle.
S2E13
teMpted
Jan 22, 201944 minTMDB rating 6.6
S2E14
calaMity
Feb 12, 201945 minTMDB rating 6.8
When one of the Inner Circle goes missing, Reeva intensifies security in their compound, but realizes that her plans may have already been exposed. Furious and paranoid, Reeva resorts to violence. Caitlin and Reed consider using the serum to restrict Lauren's use of her powers, hoping it will help her as she wrestles with nightmares about the Inner Circle and her ancestors. And it's the battle of two extreme ideologies when the Morlocks and the Purifiers come face-to-face in battle.
S2E15
Monsters
Feb 19, 201945 minTMDB rating 6.9
S2E16
oMens
Feb 26, 201944 minTMDB rating 6.8Finale
Reeva prepares to carry out her plan for the Inner Circle, but not everyone is on the same page. Reed struggles to manage his powers and the family realizes that without enough of the serum, it's only a matter of time before he completely loses control. Frustrated and egged on by Benedict Ryan, Jace and the Purifiers are on the attack, but for Jace, things aren't as black and white as they once were.

Watch experience

What is The Gifted like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you bittersweet.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Full focus

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Heavy

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

Open-ended

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

What it feels like

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

Intense

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Straight-faced

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

Moods

TenseHopefulMelancholic

Heaviest: throughout

Melodramatic · 9% of showsWarm

Told as

Three-actSerializedOne continuous story

ToneThe series treats its persecution allegory and family drama with earnestness, though its emotional beats are often played broadly.

The rideThe series sustains a tense, often somber atmosphere with fleeting moments of hope and warmth, intensifying during action sequences and reveals.

StructureThe series follows a linear timeline with a typical narrative arc of discovery, conflict, and escalation across its two seasons.

Episode formatEach episode continues the ongoing story of the mutants and the Struckers, with plotlines evolving across the season.

Season formatThe series follows a single continuous narrative across both seasons, with no reset between episodes or seasons.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

BittersweetThought-provoking

Why it leaves you this wayThe series ends on a cliffhanger due to cancellation, leaving the fate of characters uncertain and the wider conflict unresolved, which mixes satisfaction with lingering questions.

How it ends · evidence

Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows

Every story archetype, clockwise from the top

Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

18% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe series follows the Strucker family as they go on the run after their children's mutant powers are revealed, joining the Mutant Underground to fight a government determined to suppress mutants.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes

Every theme, clockwise from the top

Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
Self 27%: Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% (this title) · Freedom 4%
Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsIdentityOppression · 2% of shows

Warns its themeSocietal stakesEnsemble lead

How it treats its themeThe Strucker family's unity is tested as they navigate a world that fears them, while individual mutants grapple with who they are in a hostile society.

StanceThe series uses the mutants' plight to warn about the dangers of prejudice and authoritarianism, framed through the lens of a family drama.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanInstitutionalScience fiction

Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score

SettingA near-contemporary world where mutants are hunted and marginalized, with the Struckers moving between suburban safety and hidden mutant hideouts.

Content guide

Is The Gifted okay for kids?

TV-14

The Gifted is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (45/100), sexual content at mild (17/100), language at mild (30/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (30/100) and frightening material at moderate (48/100). Overall it is heavier than 24% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 20 other countries