Arrowverse Watch Order: Seasons and Crossover Episodes

Start the Arrowverse with Arrow seasons 1 and 2. Then watch The Flash season 1 alongside Arrow season 3. Add the other shows in the season groups below, pausing at crossover episodes so you do not watch part two before part one.

You do not need to alternate every episode across every show. This season-based order keeps the main crossover stories together without trying to synchronize every minor cameo or reference.

• Following the connected shows: use the season table and pause for each crossover.
• Only interested in Arrow and The Flash: follow those two shows and add the other series’ crossover chapters. See the shorter route.
• Already watching: go straight to the crossover episodes, or to the five parts of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Arrowverse watch order by season

Treat each row as a group of seasons running alongside one another, not an instruction to finish the first show before starting the next. Reach the relevant crossover on each participating show, watch the event in order, then resume the remaining episodes.

Black Lightning is largely independent until the Crisis period. You can leave its early seasons for later if you want a shorter route, but watching them first gives its lead character’s involvement more context. Supergirl begins on a separate Earth and becomes more closely connected through the crossovers.

How to use this order: your first crossover

Once you finish Arrow season 2, bring both Arrow season 3 and The Flash season 1 through episode 7. Then watch:

1. The Flash season 1, episode 8: “Flash vs. Arrow”
2. Arrow season 3, episode 8: “The Brave and the Bold”

After those two episodes, resume each show at episode 9. Do not finish all of Arrow season 3 first: its episode 8 is the second half of an event that starts on The Flash. The same pause, switch and resume method works for the later crossovers.

The major Arrowverse crossover episodes in order

“S” means season and “E” means episode. If you are already partway through a show, jump to the event you need below.

Flash vs. Arrow

The Flash S1E8 → Arrow S3E8. Arrow’s chapter is called “The Brave and the Bold,” so a search for the crossover name alone may miss it.

Heroes Join Forces

The Flash S2E8, “Legends of Today” → Arrow S4E8, “Legends of Yesterday.” Watch these before starting Legends of Tomorrow season 1. They introduce the conflict and characters that feed into the spin-off.

Invasion!

Supergirl S2E8, “Medusa” (lead-in) → The Flash S3E8 → Arrow S5E8 → Legends of Tomorrow S2E7. The main crossover occupies the final three episodes in that sequence; most of “Medusa” is a Supergirl story, with the connection arriving at the end.

Crisis on Earth-X

Supergirl S3E8 → Arrow S6E8 → The Flash S4E8 → Legends of Tomorrow S3E8. Watch all four parts together. This event also affects ongoing character stories, so it is more than an optional team-up to drop into at random.

Elseworlds

The Flash S5E9 → Arrow S7E9 → Supergirl S4E9. Legends does not carry a chapter. DC’s original event announcement confirms this three-show sequence. Batwoman appears here before her own series begins.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

1. Supergirl season 5, episode 9: Part One
2. Batwoman season 1, episode 9: Part Two
3. The Flash season 6, episode 9: Part Three
4. Arrow season 8, episode 8: Part Four
5. Legends of Tomorrow: “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five”

Find the Legends chapter by its title, not just its episode number. It can be presented as the season 5 opening episode or as a special before the regular premiere, “Meet the Legends.” Apple TV lists Part Five as season 5 episode 1. Whichever numbering your service uses, Part Five comes first.

Black Lightning season 3 episode 9, “The Book of Resistance: Chapter Four: Earth Crisis,” is a related tie-in, not a sixth numbered crossover chapter. If you are following that series, watch it before Crisis Part Three.

After Part Five, resume Supergirl 5, Batwoman 1 and The Flash 6 at episode 10, and Arrow 8 at episode 9. Begin the regular Legends season 5 story with “Meet the Legends.” In particular, do not finish Arrow season 8 before watching Crisis: its final episodes follow the event.

Armageddon

The Flash season 8, episodes 1 to 5. Familiar characters visit from other shows, but the five parts all belong to The Flash. You do not need to hunt for an Arrow, Batwoman or Legends episode between them.

Smaller crossovers worth adding

• “Worlds Finest”: Supergirl season 1 episode 18 features Barry’s visit. For a closer fit with his own series, watch The Flash season 2 episode 18 before it, then return to The Flash episode 19.
• “Duet”: Supergirl season 2 episode 16 provides the lead-in, followed by The Flash season 3 episode 17. The main musical story is on The Flash.

Both are smaller team-ups rather than season-long storylines. If you missed one, return to those specific episodes instead of restarting either season.

Do you need Constantine, Vixen or Superman & Lois?

Constantine and the animated Vixen add background for characters who appear in the live-action shows. They are optional for this route. You can understand the major crossovers without finishing them first.

Superman & Lois is not another required season block. Despite familiar actors, its story takes place on a different Earth from the main post-Crisis shows, as DC’s explanation of the series’ setting confirms.

You also do not need Gotham, Titans, Doom Patrol or the DC films as preparation. A multiverse cameo acknowledges another screen world; it does not make that entire franchise homework for the next Arrowverse episode.

Can you just watch Arrow and The Flash?

Yes. Keep following those two shows, and add the other series’ chapters when a crossover reaches them. You will meet some unfamiliar supporting characters, but you will not leave the event half-finished.

Once a crossover ends, return to the next episode of the show you were following. Save the visiting team’s own seasons for later if you want its full story.