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Best Arrowverse Watch Order for New Viewers

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Want to venture into the Arrowverse but don’t know how to navigate the complexities of the multiverse? Worry not! 

The Arrowverse isn’t a mere “casual” watch. It’s a lifestyle choice and a commitment that you can’t help but want to see through to the end.

And that is exactly what this Arrowverse watch order guide will help you with. We’ve broken this down into eras, with exact shows, seasons, and crossover stops, so you never watch the wrong episode and accidentally spoil a universe-ending event at 2 a.m.

How Do You Do Justice to the Arrowverse Watch Order?

Before you dive into the watch order chaos, here’s a master list of every Arrowverse show covered in this guide. Add them to your watchlist first and then figure out the correct order.

OrderShow TitleYearsIMDb RatingCreated By
1Arrow2012–2020⭐ 7.5/10Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg
2The Flash2014–2023⭐ 7.5/10Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, Geoff Johns
3Supergirl2015–2021⭐ 6.2/10Greg Berlanti, Ali Adler, Andrew Kreisberg
4DC’s Legends of Tomorrow2016–2022⭐ 6.7/10Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Phil Klemmer
5Constantine2014–2015⭐ 7.5/10Daniel Cerone, David S. Goyer
6Black Lightning2018–2021⭐ 6.1/10Salim Akil
7Batwoman2019–2022⭐ 3.6/10Caroline Dries
8Superman & Lois2021–2024⭐ 7.8/10Todd Helbing, Greg Berlanti

1. Start Where It All Began: Arrow Builds the Sandbox

A promotional image for the TV series Arrow showing five main characters. In the center stands the Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) in his signature green hooded leather costume, holding a bow and with a quiver of arrows visible over his shoulder. To his left (viewer's right) is a woman in a black jacket. To his right (viewer's left) are three other characters: a woman in a black leather jacket, a man in a black suit jacket, and another man in a grey suit jacket. The background is dark and indistinct.

Watch first: 

Don’t listen to anyone who says otherwise. This is where it all begins, and everything is built upon Oliver Queen punching criminals while working through trauma on rooftops.

These seasons are non-negotiable, since they –

  • Set the darker tone of the show
  • Establish the rules of vigilantism
  • Highlights the emotional baggage every future hero inherits

Keep track of the characters you see here. You’ll find them popping up later on in the crossovers already exhausted and emotionally unavailable.

No Flash or aliens yet. Just an alarming number of secret lairs and so many bad decisions that you’ll actually feel better about some of your own.

2. Introduce Speed (But Don’t Let Him Take Over Yet)

Barry Allen as The Flash in his superhero suit, running in an urban environment.

Next up:

Enter Barry Allen to raise the optimism, the color palette (thank god!), and science nonsense by 300%. Keep watching these shows side by side, and soon, you’ll start getting heavy hints that they’re about to collide.

A casual mention of “that other hero” means you’re close. This is the Arrowverse learning how to share toys.

3. First Crossover Checkpoint (Required Viewing)

This picture displays the characters The Flash and Green Arrow standing back-to-back in an alleyway at night. The character on the left is The Flash, wearing a red suit, while the character on the right is Green Arrow, wearing a green hooded leather suit and holding a bow.

Crossover event:

If you’ve made it this far, then welcome to the iconic “Flash vs. Arrow” crossover. Watch it exactly at this point. Otherwise, the character dynamics will feel emotionally out of sync forever.

This episode proves that a shared universe works. So, get ready for some amazing team-ups that are about to become a permanent lifestyle choice.

4. Finish the Early Seasons (Before Things Get Weird)

An image of three people in superhero costumes standing on a street at night. The central figure is Oliver Queen as the Green Arrow, flanked by Black Canary and Arsenal. All are wearing their full vigilante gear, including masks and weapons.

Now complete:

At this point, the Arrowverse is still pretending it’s a grounded universe. Enjoy that illusion while it lasts.

Consider this the calm before the storm. Before you know it, dealing with time travel, magic, and multiversal consequences will become your daily routine.

5. Optional but Smart Detour: Magic Exists Now

Four cast members from the TV series Constantine, including actor Matt Ryan as John Constantine, stand in an alleyway with fire barrels in the background.

Watch anytime around here:

This show introduces the supernatural side of DC TV. It’s short, dark, sarcastic, and fits perfectly before the Arrowverse goes full cosmic.

6. The Universe Expands (A Lot, Very Quickly)

A promotional photo for the first season of the TV series Supergirl, featuring five main cast members standing side-by-side against a cloudy blue sky background.

Next wave:

You’ve officially reached the point where the Arrowverse becomes a shared universe instead of simply being another simple crossover. Here’s where you’ll feel the complete whiplash, but that’s part of the charm.

Watch the complete seasons of this show. Stay alert, because right now, crossovers are structural.

7. Crossover #2: Team-Ups Are Official Now

A scene from The Flash TV show features Ciara Renée, Grant Gustin, and Stephen Amell, where Grant Gustin holds a drawing of a suspect. The scene is from the "Legends of Today" crossover episode.

Watch in this order:

Remember Avengers: Endgame? Well, here’s another “heroes join forces” locked in the Arrowverse formula. Team-ups are now official.

8. Aliens Have Entered the Chat

A group of characters from the CW superhero shows, including The Flash (Grant Gustin) in his red suit, Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) in her blue and red suit, and Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) in civilian clothes, stand together in a large, industrial warehouse setting with other cast members.

Before continuing seasons, stop here:

You’re now going to enter the “Invasion!” crossover. And yes, that means watching all these four episodes in the exact order mentioned.

Skip one, and you’re just going to be known as that one friend who ends up asking more questions than the group chat can tolerate. Aliens are now canon, and there’s no going back.

9. Finish the Middle Era Seasons

A still from the Supergirl TV series shows the character Kara Zor-El (played by Melissa Benoist) using her heat vision. The image captures her in her Supergirl costume, with bright red and orange light emanating from her eyes as blue beams shoot upward. The setting is a night-time city street, with a flipped car visible in the background and a blue light in the mid-ground. The scene is dramatic and action-oriented, likely from an episode such as "Hostile Takeover".

Now complete:

Arrowverse has lore?! No way! Well, once you see characters referencing past events like it’s shared trauma, you’ll realize that you’re smack in the middle of the said lore.

10. Welcome to the Multiverse (It’s a Lot)

Three characters from the "Crisis on Earth-X" crossover stand together in a concrete area. On the left is Earth-X's Dark Arrow (Oliver Queen doppelganger) in a black leather suit with a quiver of arrows on his back. In the center is Earth-X's Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne as Harrison Wells doppelganger) in a yellow and black suit. On the right is Earth-X's Overgirl (Kara Zor-El doppelganger) in a black and red Supergirl-style costume with a red cape.

Crossover event:

This is “Crisis on Earth-X”, and it’s darker, bigger, and emotionally unhinged (complimentary). It proves the Arrowverse can still go big and hit emotionally.

11. Side Earth Energy: Black Lightning Arrives

Description: The image shows two individuals dressed in superhero costumes standing in a school hallway. Characters: The man on the right is Jefferson Pierce (Black Lightning), wearing a black and blue suit with a mask. The woman on the left is Anissa Pierce, wearing a black and yellow suit. Setting: They are in a school hallway, with a sign reading "PRIDE" visible on the wall in the background.

Watch separately (for now):

The story exists on another Earth, doing its own thing, with some heavier undertones and grounded stakes. Watch it before it decides to join hands with the multiverse.

12. Reality Starts Acting Weird

Description: Grant Gustin (left), Stephen Amell (center), and Melissa Benoist (right) stand outdoors during the "Elseworlds" Arrowverse crossover event. The characters appear to be on a porch or deck. Context: This image is from The Flash Season 5, Episode 9, titled "Elseworlds, Part 1", where the characters Barry Allen and Oliver Queen have swapped bodies. Grant Gustin is playing Oliver Queen's character, and Stephen Amell is playing Barry Allen's character. Melissa Benoist is playing Kara Danvers/Supergirl.

Next crossover:

You’ve reached “Elseworlds,” so make sure you prepare yourself for the emotional damage you’re about to take. Nothing has broken yet, but the cracks are visible.

13. The Big One (No Skipping Allowed)

Ruby Rose as Batwoman, Tyler Hoechlin as Superman, and Brandon Routh as The Atom standing together in a rubble-filled area.

Crisis on Infinite Earths — watch in order:

This event reshapes the entire Arrowverse. So make sure you pay attention because whatever comes after this assumes you were emotionally present during this phase.

14. Post-Crisis Era (The Beginning of the End)

Barry Allen (The Flash) and Wally West (Kid Flash), in their superhero suits, share a fist bump on a wet paved area, with a city skyline in the background. A black and blue racing bucket seat is in the foreground. Other people are visible in the background.

Finish remaining seasons:

The universe might be fixed at this point, but the emotional scars still live on. Closure is the main theme here.

15. Final Chapters & Farewells

The image features five main characters from the TV series Legends of Tomorrow standing indoors in a museum setting. The characters are, from left to right: Sara Lance (White Canary): Dressed in a light grey/white uniform, holding a knife and in a defensive stance. John Constantine: Wearing his signature trench coat. Zari Tomaz: Dressed in black attire. Mick Rory (Heat Wave): Dressed in dark clothing. Nate Heywood (Citizen Steel): Dressed in a blue and red superhero uniform with a star emblem. Two large banners for "The History Museum" are visible in the background.

Watch the remaining series finales:

This is the slow goodbye phase. So, keep a box of tissues close by. They are not optional.

16. Optional Epilogue: Superman, But Make It Sadder

A man in a blue and red Superman suit with a red cape stands next to a woman with long dark hair wearing a black jacket, likely actors Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch from the series Superman & Lois. They are standing in what appears to be a barn or rustic indoor setting.

Optional but popular:

This one starts as an adjacent to the Arrowverse, but soon becomes its own universe. Consider it like an optional homework if you love Superman.

How Do You Follow The Arrowverse Watch Order Without Getting Confused?

After going through that list, there’s a high chance you have one foot out the door already. Just wait. Give this multiverse a try, and you won’t regret it (as long as you follow this specific Arrowverse watch order).

Want some helpful tips? Watch the full seasons unless a crossover interrupts them. But once you encounter a crossover, do NOT skip it.

If the universe feels confusing, congratulations – you’re watching it correctly!

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