You can skip 4 of the 10 titles in the Arrowverse franchise and still follow the main story: Constantine, Vixen, Freedom Fighters: The Ray, and Black Lightning. The essentials (6 titles) take about 487 hours instead of 540 hours.
- Skippable
- 4
- Essentials
- 6
- Time saved
- 53 hours
Safe to skip
- Constantine2014 · Series · 9h 11m · optionalAn NBC show whose hero later joins Arrow and Legends; optional.
- Vixen2015 · Series · 1h 4m · optionalTwo short animated web seasons; optional.
- Freedom Fighters: The Ray2017 · Series · 1h 12m · optionalAn animated web series tied to the Crisis on Earth-X crossover; optional.
- Black Lightning2018 · Series · 41h 21m · optionalOn its own Earth until Crisis; mostly standalone and optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2014 · Series · 9h 11m · optional
Constantine
A man struggling with his faith is haunted by the sins of his past but is suddenly thrust into the role of defending humanity from the gathering forces of darkness.
Why it matters: An NBC show whose hero later joins Arrow and Legends; optional.
- Starring
- Matt Ryan, Angélica Celaya, and Charles Halford
- Creator
- Daniel Cerone and David S. Goyer
- Scores
- IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 73%
- Episodes
- 13
No. 02 · 2015 · Series · 1h 4m · optional
Vixen
Originally from Africa, Mari McGabe's parents were killed by local greed, corruption and wanton violence. But the orphaned Marl refuses to succumb to the terrors surrounding her. Inheriting her family's Tantu Totem, Mari can access the powers of animals - anything from the super-strength of a gorilla to the speed of a cheetah. As Vixen she fights valiantly to protect the world from threats like those that claimed her family.
Why it matters: Two short animated web seasons; optional.
- Starring
- Megalyn Echikunwoke, Grant Gustin, and Stephen Amell
- Creator
- Marc Guggenheim
- Scores
- IMDb 6.9
- Episodes
- 12 across 2 seasons
No. 03 · 2017 · Series · 1h 12m · optional
Freedom Fighters: The Ray
Reporter Raymond "Ray" Terrill is investigating a group of government scientists who are developing a weapon using light, when he is attacked with a "genetic light bomb" that ends up bestowing him with light-based super powers.
Why it matters: An animated web series tied to the Crisis on Earth-X crossover; optional.
- Starring
- Russell Tovey, Jason Mitchell, and Dilshad Vadsaria
- Scores
- IMDb 5.9
- Episodes
- 12 across 2 seasons
No. 04 · 2018 · Series · 41h 21m · optional
Black Lightning
Jefferson Pierce is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of two daughters and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe haven for young people in a New Orleans neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero to his community.
Why it matters: On its own Earth until Crisis; mostly standalone and optional.
- Starring
- Cress Williams, Nafessa Williams, and China Anne McClain
- Creator
- Salim Akil
- Scores
- IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%
- Episodes
- 58 across 4 seasons
The essentials, in release order
- Arrow2012 · Series · 119h 10mOliver Queen returns from five years on an island; the show that started it all.
- The Flash2014 · Series · 128h 15mBarry Allen gets super speed; the crossovers run through this show.
- Supergirl2015 · Series · 88h 22mKara Danvers on her own Earth until Crisis on Infinite Earths merges them.
- DC's Legends of Tomorrow2016 · Series · 76h 38mA time-travelling team of side characters; starts serious, gets gloriously silly.
- Batwoman2019 · Series · 36h 3mKate Kane, then Ryan Wilder, protect Gotham while Batman is missing.
- Superman & Lois2021 · Series · 38h 20mClark and Lois raise twin sons in Smallville; revealed as its own Earth.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Arrowverse title?
No. You can skip 4 of the 10 titles in the Arrowverse franchise and still follow the main story: Constantine, Vixen, Freedom Fighters: The Ray, and Black Lightning. The essentials (6 titles) take about 487 hours instead of 540 hours.
How long are the Arrowverse essentials?
About 487 hours for 6 titles, in release order starting with Arrow.
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