Supernatural ran for 15 seasons (327 episodes), making it the longest-running American fantasy/sci-fi TV show. In November 2020, Supernatural came to an end and fans said goodbye to Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles). However, fans will get to follow the early years of John and Mary Winchester's relationship in the prequel series The Winchesters in fall 2022.
For 15 years, fans followed the Winchesters as they prevented multiple apocalypses and battled angels, demons, and God. While some characters and plotlines got lost along the way, some important elements of Supernatural remained vital to the show until the series finale.
8 The Anti-Possession Tattoo
After Meg possesses Sam, Bobby gives the Winchester boys amulets with anti-possession symbols. Not long after, Sam and Dean had the emblem tattooed on their chests. The symbol is a pentagram in an endless knot that's surrounded by flames and has become synonymous with Supernatural.
The anti-possession symbol is used in Supernatural's opening credits and has become the show's logo. The symbol makes various appearances in the show, including the finale when Sam's son shows the tattoo to his father. Other characters who got the tattoo are Kevin Tran, Mrs. Tran, and Sera Siege.
7 Classic Rock Anthems
Fans of Supernatural will forever associate "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas with the Winchesters, but that is not the only classic rock hit to be featured on the show. Dean Winchester makes his love for classic rock apparent from the beginning when Sam comments that his taste in music is "mullet rock," and Dean replies, "Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole."
Besides Kansas, AC/DC, Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Bob Seger's music are frequently played on Supernatural. However, an iconic moment for fans was Dean's exuberant lip-synch to "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor while hanging out of the Impala. An emotional cover of "Carry On Wayward Son," sung by Neoni, plays over the finale moments of Supernatural.
6 The Colt Is A Recurring Weapon
Throughout Supernatural's 15 seasons, Sam and Dean used impressive and creative weaponry to kill demons and monsters. One of the more iconic weapons featured until the end of the series is The Colt.
The Colt was created by monster hunter Samuel Colt in 1863 and could kill anything with one of its thirteen bullets. The Colt proved its usefulness on many occasions until Dagon melted it in season 12. However, it continued to make appearances in dreams and flashbacks until the end of the series.
5 Salt Remained An Important Weapon
The Winchesters and their fellow monster hunters used a variety of magical weaponry, spells, and powerful allies to fight the creatures of darkness, but salt remained an important part of their monster hunting arsenal. Salt was used in every season of Supernatural to banish ghosts, ward a home, and exorcise demons.
This seemingly simple tool helped Sam and Dean out of dangerous situations and created some humorous scenes when it was unavailable. This further conveyed the importance of salt when fighting vengeful ghosts and unholy demons.
4 Dean's Love Of Pie
A love for pie may not seem like an essential element in monster hunting unless that hunter is Dean Winchester. Dean's love for the baked good, regardless of flavor, served as a humorous element throughout Supernatural to lighten some of its darker aspects.
It is suggested in season 5 that Dean finds pie comforting because he associates it with his mother, Mary. However, Dean seems to give up his desire for pie during season 12 when he feels betrayed by her. As he begins to move on and forgive, he finds joy in his comfort food once more. In the series finale, the brothers travel to Akron, Ohio, and stumble upon a pie festival, the sight which causes Dean to tear up.
3 "Baby" AKA The Impala
An iconic part of Supernatural is the 1963 Chevrolet Impala, which serves as Sam and Dean's main form of transportation. Nicknamed "Baby" by Dean, the Impala was also equipped with various protective symbols and weapons to assist the Winchesters during monster hunts and was Dean's most valued possession.
The Impala was featured in nearly every episode of the show's 15-season run, and even some storylines revolved around it. After Dean dies in the final episode, Sam inherits and maintains his brother's car. A manifestation of the Impala joins Dean in heaven, and he is seen driving the open road while he waits for Sam to meet him.
2 Family Bonds
Family is a powerful element that remained at the heart of Supernatural until the end. This was apparent from the first episode when Sam and Dean are brought together to find their father and avenge their mother. Despite the toll that monster hunting took on Sam, Dean, and their parents, the Winchesters found ways to forgive and protect one another.
Supernatural also proved that family doesn't have to mean biological, and found family is just as strong. This is true for Sam and Dean's relationship with Bobby Singer, the veteran hunter who acted as a mentor and father figure to the brothers and remained an important figure in their lives even after his death in season 7. However, he continues to appear in either flashbacks or as a spirit when the brothers need guidance.
1 Sacrifice Was A Core Element
From the beginning, sacrifice was a core element of Supernatural and was used to show a character's emotional growth and devotion to the ones they love. The Winchester brothers have sacrificed themselves multiple times to save the world from destruction or keep each other safe.
Fan-favorite antagonists Crowley and Rowena sacrificed themselves in significant displays of character growth to keep a larger evil at bay. Crowley stabbed himself to seal Lucifer in an alternate reality, and Rowena asked Sam to kill her to cast escaped souls and demons back into hell. In Supernatural's final season, Castiel allows the Shadow to drag him into the Empty to save Jack, but not before confessing his love for Dean.