Crisis On Infinite Earths: Ultimate Guide to Watching in Chronological Order

Article Overview

The CW's Crisis On Infinite Earths mini-series brings together all DC movies and TV shows under a collective multiverse umbrella.

The mini-series includes appearances and supporting roles from various DC actors who have appeared in different shows and movies, such as Tom Welling and Ezra Miller.

Crisis On Infinite Earths effectively concluded the Arrowverse, resulting in subsequent shows establishing their own separate universes. However, it officially acknowledged and made significant the entire history of DC's movie and TV content.

The CW's Crisis On Infinite Earths mini-series is a multiverse-spanning narrative in DC's continuity canon. Marv Wolfman and George Pérez's renowned 1986 Crisis On Infinite Earths comic book established DC's multiverse of alternate continuities, consolidating them into one before later returning to Elseworlds and alternate universe stories. However, The CW's Crisis On Infinite Earths takes on a different role by uniting all DC movies and TV shows within a collective multiverse umbrella.

The Arrowverse-based Crisis On Infinite Earths features cameos and supporting roles from various DC actors from different shows and movies. This adaptation renders DC reboots insignificant, as all DC movies and TV shows exist together within the larger DC multiverse, with The Flash movie also highlighting this concept. Presented here is the storyline of the CW's Crisis On Infinite Earths and the recommended viewing order for the mini-series.

What You Need To Know Before Crisis On Infinite Earths

How To Watch The Arrowverse's Elseworlds Crossover

In the Arrowverse, Crisis On Infinite Earths follows the 2018 crossover event Elseworlds. The Monitor, a guardian of the multiverse played by LaMonica Garrett, calls upon heroes like Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) to help stop the impending disaster caused by the DC villain, the Anti-Monitor (also portrayed by LaMonica Garrett). Besides setting up the crisis, Elseworlds also gives a dark glimpse of the future destruction of the multiverse. In this future, depicted in December 2019, the Flash (Barry Allen, played by Grant Gustin) must sacrifice his life to prevent the catastrophe.

Ultimately, the heroes of Earth successfully manage to avert the destruction of the multiverse in Elseworlds. However, the unwavering determination of the Anti-Monitor to eliminate all life beyond the anti-matter universe foreshadows his inevitable return. Overall, the tale of parallel Earths depicted in Elseworlds serves as the groundwork for a much broader exploration of DC's multiverse in Crisis On Infinite Earths. Below is the correct sequence to watch Elseworlds along with the corresponding episode count:

Crisis On Infinite Earths Episodes In Order

How To Watch Crisis On Infinite Earths In Chronological Order

A year following Elseworlds, Crisis On Infinite Earths commences with the catastrophic event that threatens the entire multiverse. The heroes of the Arrowverse unite in a valiant effort to thwart the Anti-Monitor's plan of annihilating the multiverse. Amidst their journey, Crisis On Infinite Earths offers a thrilling exploration of DC's rich film and television legacy. The event pays homage to various DC continuities, including Tim Burton's iconic Batman movies, popular streaming shows such as Titans and Swamp Thing, and the beloved Adam West Batman TV series.

Moreover, Crisis On Infinite Earths features appearances by numerous actors who have portrayed DC characters in movies and TV shows. Tom Welling reprises his role as Clark Kent from Smallville, while Ezra Miller's Barry Allen from the DC Extended Universe encounters Grant Gustin's Flash in a highly-anticipated face-to-face encounter. Brandon Routh also makes a triumphant return as Superman, providing vital assistance in the battle against the Anti-Monitor. Additionally, John Wesley Shipp's Flash, known for his portrayal in the '90s Flash TV show set in Earth-90, makes a selfless sacrifice to ensure the destruction of the Anti-Monitor's anti-matter canon.

Earth-90's Flash is not the sole hero to sacrifice himself during Crisis On Infinite Earths. Oliver Queen also meets his demise in the battle against the Anti-Monitor, only to be resurrected as the ethereal being called the Spectre, who guides Earth's heroes. Using his newfound abilities, Oliver, as the Spectre, ultimately brings back the multiverse and perishes as a heroic figure in the final showdown with the Anti-Monitor. Simultaneously, a brand new Earth-Prime is formed by merging all the CW Arrowverse shows' Earths, leading to the formation of the Justice League by the newly united heroes. The chronological order for viewing Crisis On Infinite Earths is as follows:

How To Watch The Crisis On Infinite Earths Epilogue

Arrow's Series Finale Shows the Aftermath of Crisis

Oliver Queen's self-sacrifice in Crisis On Infinite Earths not only marks a pivotal moment in the multiverse, but also paves the way for the final chapter of Arrow. Through his sacrifice, the timeline of Earth-Prime undergoes a reset, reversing various events and character deaths, including the loss of his mother, Moira (portrayed by Susanna Thompson). In Star City, Oliver's legacy is honored with a bronze statue that symbolizes his years of heroism as the Green Arrow. Additionally, Oliver's partner, Roy Harper (played by Colton Haynes), proposes to Oliver's sister, Thea (played by Willa Holland), and she accepts.

Meanwhile, John Diggle (portrayed by David Ramsey), a trusted ally of Oliver's for a long time, bids farewell to Star City and heads to Metropolis. Along his journey, Diggle witnesses a meteor crash and discovers a mysterious glowing green box, hinting at the intriguing possibility of Diggle becoming the Arrowverse's Green Lantern, a popular theory among fans. As the dust settles after Crisis, Oliver's girlfriend, Felicity Smoak (played by Emily Bett Rickards), remains deeply saddened by his demise. However, fate brings them a happy ending when the Monitor shows up, escorting Felicity to reunite with Oliver in the afterlife.

Despite its efforts to explore the vast DC multiverse, Crisis On Infinite Earths ultimately caused the demise of the Arrowverse, as each of the franchise's other shows gradually came to an end, culminating with The Flash's conclusion in 2023. Additionally, the subsequent show, Superman & Lois, established itself as existing in a separate universe from Earth-Prime. As a result, Tyler Hoechlin, who portrayed various iterations of Superman across both the Arrowverse and Superman & Lois, holds the distinction of being a record-breaking Superman actor.

Unfortunately, while Crisis On Infinite Earths set up exciting possibilities for the Arrowverse, such as the Justice League and Diggle becoming a Green Lantern, these developments largely remained unexplored or without resolution (though Oliver Queen does make a return in The Flash's final season.) Nevertheless, Crisis On Infinite Earths will forever remain a monumental moment in DC's film and television history, as it made the entirety of that history relevant, canonized, and perpetually open to revisitation.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover event. I have been following the Arrowverse for years and am eager to see how the story concludes. I am also excited to see all of the different DC characters come together in one place. It will be interesting to see how the different storylines are resolved and how the multiverse is affected.

Overall, I think Crisis On Infinite Earths is a great way to celebrate the history of DC Comics and its many different adaptations. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the DC Universe.