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, Caroline Dries and Todd Helbing. 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 was further expanded in 2016, when in January of that year a new series titled Legends of Tomorrow debuted, starring characters that originally appeared on both Arrow and The Flash. Later that year, the CBS series Supergirl , having already crossed- over with The Flash , was moved to The CW for its second season and following seasons until its ending. 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 took place, beginning with "Flash vs. Arrow" in 2014 and concluding with "Crisis on Infinite Earths" in-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.

The 2018 and 2019 crossovers, "Elseworlds" and "Crisis on Infinite Earths", respectively, saw multiple DC television series and films be retroactively added to the franchise's multiverse. "Crisis on Infinite Earths" also rebooted the multiverse, which saw Supergirl join the other live-action series on a new fictional Earth 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, where critics have praised the themes, acting, action sequences, direction and character development.