| Arrowverse | |
|---|---|
 Promotional image for the 2016–17 television season | |
| Created by | |
| Original work | Arrow |
| Years | 2012–2023 |
| Based on | Characters from DC Comics |
| Films and television | |
| Television series | |
| Web series | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Crossovers | |
The Arrowverse is an American superhero media franchise and shared universe that is centered on various interconnected television series based on DC Comics superhero characters, primarily airing on The CW as well as web series on CW Seed. The series were developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Geoff Johns, Ali Adler, Phil Klemmer, Salim Akil, and Caroline Dries. Set in a shared fictional multiverse much like the DC Universe and DC Multiverse in comic books, it was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast and characters that span six live-action television series and two animated series.
The franchise began with Arrow, based on the character Green Arrow, which debuted in October 2012. It was followed by The Flash in 2014, and the animated web series Vixen in 2015. The franchise further expanded in January 2016 with the debut of Legends of Tomorrow, starring characters who previously appeared on both Arrow and The Flash. Later that year, the CBS series Supergirl, having already crossed over with The Flash, moved to The CW for the remainder of its run. A second animated web series, Freedom Fighters: The Ray, was released in 2017, which followed Ray Terrill / The Ray, who would make a live-action appearance during that year's crossover event "Crisis on Earth-X". In addition to the live-action and web-based series, the franchise has spawned three promotional tie-in live-action web series: Blood Rush, Chronicles of Cisco and The Flash: Stretched Scenes; released in 2013, 2016 and 2017 respectively. A fifth series, Batwoman, premiered in 2019. Six ensemble crossover events involving many of the live-action series of the Arrowverse have taken place, beginning with "Flash vs. Arrow" in 2014 and concluding with "Crisis on Infinite Earths" between 2019 and 2020. Additionally, Matt Ryan has reprised his role as John Constantine from the NBC series Constantine, initially in guest appearances in episodes of Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, before becoming a series regular for the latter, in addition to continuing storylines from the former series. In 2023, the franchise concluded with the ninth and final season of The Flash.
The 2018 and 2019 crossovers, "Elseworlds" and "Crisis on Infinite Earths", saw multiple DC television series and films retroactively added to the franchise's multiverse. "Crisis on Infinite Earths" also rebooted the multiverse, with Supergirl joining the other live-action series on a new Earth-Prime along with the series Black Lightning, which had been separate up to this point. The franchise has been successful, creating a large fandom around the world, and has received positive reviews; critics have praised the themes, acting, action sequences, direction and character development.