There are dozens of DC TV shows out there, but they all exist on different streaming services. From several live-action projects to the many animated shows that have come and gone, Warner Bros. has utilized many of its DC assets for TV, more so in the last couple of years. Smallville began the modern trend for DC TV when it began in 2001 as its 10-year run ended up paving the way for more comic book TV shows to become possible.
Following Smallville‘s conclusion, the Arrowverse was born a year later starting with Arrow that launched a whole franchise of shows. Over the years, networks such as The CW, FOX, CBS, NBC, Syfy, and EPIX, as well as streaming platforms like DC Universe, Netflix, and HBO Max have become destinations for the ever-growing DC TV library. But the DC TV history goes back all the way to the early ’50s with multiple live-action properties as well as cartoons that have continued to be iconic.
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With so many DC TV shows available today, there are multiple places for consumers to turn to for their DC TV viewing experience. While the DC TV universe will continue to grow, here is where viewers can watch several past and present shows. Of course, there are several titles that are not featured here, such as the Batman ’66 series, due to them not being available on any existing streaming service. This guide focuses specifically on live-action and animated DC TV shows that are available on current streaming platforms.
Where To Watch Arrowverse Shows Online
When it comes to the Arrowverse shows, the franchise goes beyond the shows that are currently airing on The CW, thanks to Crisis on Infinite Earths. Sticking specifically to those that are set on Earth-Prime, Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Black Lightning are all available on Netflix. It remains to be seen how long that will last as they could be heading to HBO Max in a few years depending on when Warner Bros. TV’s contract with Netflix ends. The only Arrowverse series that is available on HBO Max is Batwoman as the new WarnerMedia digital platform had acquired the streaming licenses for it ahead of its premiere. That implies that any new DC TV show The CW produces will now land on HBO Max instead of on Netflix.
While Lucifer didn’t start as an Arrowverse product, the 5-part crossover officially placed the Vertigo-based drama on Earth-666. Despite being canceled by FOX after 3 seasons, Netflix revived Lucifer by acquiring all of the previous episodes and has since then produced a fourth season. Lucifer will be back for season 5 and is being eyed to be renewed for season 6 as well. Smallville, which still remains as the longest-running DC TV show of all time, has all 10 seasons available on Hulu. Even though the Superman prequel began prior to the Arrowverse, Crisis on Infinite Earths officially made the Clark Kent-drama part of the Arrowverse Multiverse canon. Another DC TV show that became part of the franchise’s canon was Constantine after being canceled after one season on NBC which is available to stream on DC Universe.
The Arrowverse has also produced a few animated series that have become available to stream on The CW’s own digital platform, CW Seed. The first two seasons of Vixen, which introduces Mari McCabe into the Arrowverse, are available that also features the voice talent of the actors from The CW shows. While it was a limited series, Freedom Fighters: The Ray, which was meant to set up the Crisis on Earth-X crossover, has its first season available on CW Seed too.
Where To Watch DC Universe Shows Online
Since their launch in 2018, DC Universe has produced a number of original series that introduces several iconic characters from the comics to the small screen. With the live-action shows, there are Titans, Doom Patrol, the newly launched Stargirl show, and the short-lived Swamp Thing series. Despite launching outside The CW, these shows ended up becoming Arrowverse-adjacent thanks to Crisis on Infinite Earths. Excluding Titans, the other shows are available to stream outside DC Universe, with Doom Patrol season 2 set to air on HBO Max as well as on the DC digital platform. Swamp Thing’s only season was recently acquired by The CW as it will be getting a broadcast airing this fall. Stargirl is also airing on The CW, with the episodes becoming available on CW Seed after its broadcast airing.
DC Universe has also produced a few animated shows too, one being a completely original series and the other one being a resurrection of a canceled Cartoon Network series. The first original two seasons of Young Justice are streaming on DC Universe as well as its third season Young Justice: Outsiders, with a fourth one set to arrive either later this year or in 2021. The original series Harley Quinn began last year on DC Universe and is still going strong in its second season.
Where To Watch DC Animated TV Shows Online
When it comes to animated shows that Warner Bros. Animation has produced, DC Universe is the platform with the biggest library thus far. DC Universe offers the complete seasons of Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Static Shock, Justice League, Teen Titans, Justice League Unlimited, The Batman, Legion of Super-Heroes, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Green Lantern: The Animated Series. However, Beware the Batman is available on HBO Max, making it one of the few past animated shows to join the new streaming platform. DC Universe also has several iconic old-school series with Max Fleischer’s Superman, The New Adventures of Superman, Aquaman, Super-Friends, and The New Adventures of Batman.
While CW Seed has produced a few more DC animated shows, based on Arrowverse characters, there are a few that got set in their own continuities. Constantine: City of Demons, despite starring Matt Ryan voicing the iconic Hellblazer, follows the version that was established in the animated Justice League Dark films as part of the DC Animated Movie Universe. The latest series to join CW Seed is Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons, which premiered back in January. On Hulu, Justice League Action has all of its episodes available to stream while the first four seasons of Teen Titans Go! is available there as well. Lastly, DC Superhero Girl is currently the only animated series to be streaming on Netflix.
Where To Watch Other DC TV Shows Online
While there are plenty of Arrowverse shows that are connected through Earth-Prime or the new Multiverse, there are several shows that have nothing to do with that franchise. The entire run of the Batman prequel series Gotham as well as Vertigo-based dramedy iZombie is available on Netflix. With HBO Max up and running, Watchmen now has its one and only season available to stream. Additionally, there is another Batman prequel that is still airing with EPIX’s Pennyworth that has the entire first season available on their site. When it comes to Vertigo shows, there is also Preacher, which has its four seasons available on Hulu. Syfy continues to stream Krypton with both seasons available on their website while season 1 can be found available on DC Universe, too.
Additionally, DC Universe also has several live-action shows available in their library with Adventures of Superman, Shazam!, Wonder Woman, Superboy, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Human Target and the Aquaman pilot starring Justin Hartley, from before he joined Smallville as the Green Arrow. While they lasted only for one season, DC Universe also has the original The Flash series and Birds of Prey, both of which became part of the Arrowverse as those Earths got destroyed prior and during Crisis on Infinite Earths.
