The Flash

Worlds collide.

RELEASED 13 Jun 20232h 24m★ 6.6 TMDB

When his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry Allen becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. In order to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry's only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

Why it matters in DC

Barry Allen's attempt to change his family's fate makes the timeline itself the source of danger. The altered world places familiar DC figures in different circumstances, so its significance lies in exploring consequences and alternatives rather than offering a simple next step for every continuity.

Watch these first

13 titles to watch before The Flash — 30h 42m in total.

Man of SteelRecommended2h 23m★ 6.7
Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeRecommended2h 32m★ 6.0+1 before this
Suicide SquadRecommended2h 2m★ 5.9
Wonder WomanRecommended2h 21m★ 7.2
Justice LeagueRecommended2h★ 6.1+3 before this
AquamanRecommended2h 23m★ 6.9
Shazam!Recommended2h 12m★ 7.0
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)Recommended1h 49m★ 6.9
Wonder Woman 1984Recommended2h 31m★ 6.4+1 before this
Zack Snyder's Justice LeagueRecommended4h 2m★ 8.1+3 before this
The Suicide SquadRecommended2h 12m★ 7.4
Black AdamRecommended2h 5m★ 6.8
Shazam! Fury of the GodsRecommended2h 10m★ 6.4+1 before this

Opens the planner with just these titles, so you can set your own pace.

How these titles are selected

Story prerequisites are curated. Likely prerequisites are inferred from sequel numbering or explicit synopsis references. Recommendations are earlier stories in the same continuity; background picks are separate adaptations. Series lists cover whole shows, not an episode-by-episode watch order.

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Where it fits in the DC universe

The Flash is title 14 of 16 in our DC Extended Universe viewing sequence. The Flash starts with the DCEU Barry Allen but uses changes to history to explore an altered world. Earlier DCEU stories help establish his starting point, while familiar faces from other films provide comparison. Their appearance should not be used to flatten the classic Batman films and the DCEU into one uncomplicated chronology.

Explore this viewing sequence