OrderToWatch

Arrowverse watch order

Arrowverse shows in order, by release and rating. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch the Arrowverse by air date, starting with Arrow (2012) and adding The Flash (2014), Supergirl (2015) and Legends of Tomorrow (2016) as each premieres. The yearly crossovers (Invasion!, Crisis on Earth-X, Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths) run across several shows in one week, so watch those episodes together. Black Lightning, Batwoman and Superman & Lois can be watched on their own.

How to watch Arrowverse in order: the full guide

All 10 films and series in the Arrowverse franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Arrow (2012); the first in chronological order is Arrow (set in Oliver Queen comes home).

Release order

  1. Arrow (Series, 2012): Oliver Queen returns from five years on an island; the show that started it all.
  2. The Flash (Series, 2014): Barry Allen gets super speed; the crossovers run through this show.
  3. Constantine (Series, 2014): An NBC show whose hero later joins Arrow and Legends; optional.
  4. Vixen (Series, 2015): Two short animated web seasons; optional.
  5. Supergirl (Series, 2015): Kara Danvers on her own Earth until Crisis on Infinite Earths merges them.
  6. DC's Legends of Tomorrow (Series, 2016): A time-travelling team of side characters; starts serious, gets gloriously silly.
  7. Freedom Fighters: The Ray (Series, 2017): An animated web series tied to the Crisis on Earth-X crossover; optional.
  8. Black Lightning (Series, 2018): On its own Earth until Crisis; mostly standalone and optional.
  9. Batwoman (Series, 2019): Kate Kane, then Ryan Wilder, protect Gotham while Batman is missing.
  10. Superman & Lois (Series, 2021): Clark and Lois raise twin sons in Smallville; revealed as its own Earth.

Chronological order

  1. Arrow (set in Oliver Queen comes home): Oliver Queen returns from five years on an island; the show that started it all.
  2. The Flash (set in Barry Allen): Barry Allen gets super speed; the crossovers run through this show.
  3. Constantine (set in NBC, later folded in): An NBC show whose hero later joins Arrow and Legends; optional.
  4. Vixen (set in Animated web series): Two short animated web seasons; optional.
  5. Supergirl (set in National City): Kara Danvers on her own Earth until Crisis on Infinite Earths merges them.
  6. DC's Legends of Tomorrow (set in Across time): A time-travelling team of side characters; starts serious, gets gloriously silly.
  7. Freedom Fighters: The Ray (set in Earth-X): An animated web series tied to the Crisis on Earth-X crossover; optional.
  8. Black Lightning (set in Its own Earth until Crisis): On its own Earth until Crisis; mostly standalone and optional.
  9. Batwoman (set in Gotham, Batman missing): Kate Kane, then Ryan Wilder, protect Gotham while Batman is missing.
  10. Superman & Lois (set in After Crisis, its own Earth): Clark and Lois raise twin sons in Smallville; revealed as its own Earth.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Arrowverse shows in?

Watch the Arrowverse by air date, starting with Arrow (2012) and adding The Flash (2014), Supergirl (2015) and Legends of Tomorrow (2016) as each premieres. The yearly crossovers (Invasion!, Crisis on Earth-X, Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths) run across several shows in one week, so watch those episodes together. Black Lightning, Batwoman and Superman & Lois can be watched on their own.

How many Arrowverse movies and shows are there?

There are 10 titles in the Arrowverse franchise: 0 films and 10 series, released from 2012 to 2021.

How long does it take to watch all the Arrowverse shows?

About 540 hours for all 10 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (6 titles) take about 487 hours.

What is the first Arrowverse title in chronological order?

Arrow, set in Oliver Queen comes home. In release order the first is Arrow (2012).

Which Arrowverse titles can I skip?

Constantine, Vixen, Freedom Fighters: The Ray, and Black Lightning. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.