How To Watch Crisis on Infinite Earths? Easy Watch Order Guide

Crisis on Infinite Earths is, perhaps, the most prodigious and influential crossover in all of CWverse. It is the sixth annual crossover event of Arrowverse between Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman.

It has been partially adapted from the DC comic books serialization of the same name. It’s events are adherent to the first installment in Crisis trilogy comics.

The consequences of the mega crossover are such that fans have started to divide Arrowverse into pre-Crisis and post-Crisis eras.

There is a malevolent force at work; one driven by a singular goal. The destruction of all there is. I have planned, there are those who say I have schemed, but the time for preparation has passed. The Crisis is now upon us all.

Mar Novu

While the official watch order for the crossover episodes is readily available, I have something else which will offer the best viewing experience.

For neophytes of the Arrowverse or those who have simply fallen behind to catch up before Crisis, you might be wondering what list of episodes you must watch to build up to the event. If so, I have got you covered!

1. Watch Order (canon)

For regular audiences, the crossover kicks off with Episode 9 of Supergirl Season 5, where Harbinger and Monitor assemble the world’s greatest superheroes to fight Anti-Monitor, who seeks to destroy reality.

• Supergirl – Season 5, Episode 9
• Batwoman – Season 1, Episode 9
• The Flash – Season 6, Episode 9
• Arrow – Season 8, Episode 8
• DC’s Legends of Tomorrow – Season 5, Episode 1

The final episode of the mega crossover is a prelude to Season 5 of Legends of Tomorrow, so sometimes it is also referred to as Episode 0.

2. Complete Watch Order

Right from the first episode of The Flash, the word ‘Crisis’ was mentioned, teasing this mega crossover event.

If you are new or have not kept up with the entirety of shows in Arrowverse, here is the key list of episodes which will help you get on par with others:

• The Flash, Season 5, Episode 9, “Elseworlds – Part 1”
• Arrow, Season 7, Episode 9, “Elseworlds – Part 2”
• Supergirl, Season 4, Episode 9, “Elseworlds – Part 3”
• Supergirl, Season 4, Episode 15, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
• Supergirl, Season 4, Episode 16, “The House of L”
• Supergirl, Season 4, Episode 22, “The Quest For Peace”
• Arrow, Season 7, Episode 16, “Star City 2040”
• Arrow, Season 7, Episode 22, “You Have Saved The City”
• The Flash, Season 5, Episode 18, “Godspeed”
• The Flash, Season 5, Episode 22, “Legacy”
• Legends of Tomorrow, Season 4, Episode 16, “Hey, World!”
• Black Lightning, Season 3, Episode 9
• Supergirl, Season 5, Episode 9
• Batwoman, Season 1, Episode 9
• The Flash, Season 6, Episode 9
• Arrow, Season 8, Episode 8
• DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Season 5, Episode 1

The road to Crisis on Infinite Earths began with the annual Arrowverse crossover event of 2018 titled Elseworlds. In it, a test for heroes of different realities by The Monitor came in the form of the Book of Destiny. Then the given episodes of Supergirl Season 4 showcased Lex Luthor’s resurrection and transportation of Malefic to Earth, all planned by The Monitor.

Then fast forward to Arrow making a bargain with The Monitor near Season 7’s ending. The season 5 finale of The Flash saw the date of Crisis on Infinite Earths suddenly change from the year 2024 to 2019!

The ninth episode of Black Lightning Season 3 also ties up to the crossover, though Jefferson’s world largely exists in the periphery of events.

3. Where To Watch

Arrow - Season 1 Trailer 3 [HD]

4. How Much Time Will It Take To Watch

By rough calculations, it will take you 12 hours to watch the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

The complete watch order has been taken into account, consisting of 17 episodes.

Note: These are approximate values of the runtimes.

5. About Arrowverse

The Arrowverse is an American media franchise and a 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.

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 seven live-action television series and two animated series.

Seven television series make up the bulk of the Arrowverse franchise: Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, Batwoman and Superman & Lois, along with two web series, Vixen and Freedom Fighters: The Ray.