DC Comics has always aimed to tell unique superhero stories, and the Arrowverse was meant to carry that legacy forward. Spanning multiple shows based on iconic characters, the franchise built an ambitious shared universe but struggled to maintain a consistent audience and never fully realized its potential.
While it delivered a steady stream of superhero content, only a handful of series truly made a lasting impact. The Arrowverse timeline includes six core shows, with several others loosely connected through the multiverse rather than directly part of the canon. So, let’s break down the entire Arrowverse timeline and rank its best and worst shows.
6. Batwoman (2019-2022)
‘Batwoman,’ starring Ruby Rose, began on a strong note with its first season and seemed poised for a successful run. However, things unraveled after Rose’s exit, which marked a major turning point for the series. While Javicia Leslie did her best to step in and showcase her talent, the show struggled to retain its audience.
With a limited roster of characters and ongoing production challenges, it was ultimately canceled after three seasons, making it one of the shortest-lived entries in the Arrowverse.
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5. Supergirl (2015-2021)
‘Supergirl ‘ took place in another reality, but it remained closely connected to the Arrowverse throughout its run. Although it became an important part of the franchise, the early seasons struggled under the weight of the ‘Superman‘ mythos.
Nevertheless, the show featured a strong cast led by Melissa Benoist. Over time, it found its footing and developed into a solid series, but it never quite stood out among the best in the Arrowverse. With DC’s Supergirl reboot in its upcoming film, it remains to be seen how the character will fare next.
4. Black Lightning (2018-2021)
The Arrowverse largely missed the mark with ‘Black Lightning,’ which wrapped up after an underwhelming four-season run. Although its final two seasons were officially tied to the Arrowverse, they did little to make a meaningful impact.
Despite a strong premise and moments of promise, the show ultimately struggled to retain its audience.
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3. Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)
Throughout its seven-season run, ‘Legends of Tomorrow‘ constantly reinvented itself, turning into one of the Arrowverse’s most entertaining entries. After a rough start, it quickly found its rhythm, bringing together misfit characters from across the franchise and giving them a second chance to shine.
While it was never a massive blockbuster, the series has since built a passionate fan base, with many still calling for another season after its planned eighth installment was scrapped by The CW.
2. Arrow (2012-2020)
As the pioneer of the Arrowverse, ‘Arrow‘ remains one of the best shows in the franchise. Stephen Amell’s portrayal of Oliver Queen anchored the series throughout its eight-season run. While other Arrowverse entries struggled to find a strong footing early on, ‘Arrow‘ excelled from the start, with its first two seasons setting a high standard for superhero storytelling.
Though it had its flaws, ‘Arrow‘ ultimately paved the way for the many spinoffs and crossovers that followed in the Arrowverse.
1. The Flash (2014-2023)
While Arrow gave the Arrowverse its perfect starting point, ‘The Flash‘ elevated the entire franchise from the moment it premiered. Blending emotional storytelling with strong themes of humanity, the show had all the ingredients of a standout hit. Its final season brought back several Arrowverse characters, further reinforcing its legacy.
Despite losing some momentum in its later seasons, ‘The Flash‘ still stands as the best show in the Arrowverse franchise.
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