All seven seasons of Arrow ranked from worst to best

Arrow is about to conclude its eight-year run, so why not rank the seasons before it all comes to an end?

Arrow has entertained viewers for almost eight years, kick-starting The CW’s Arrowverse in the process. With the end now in sight, there are many things about the show that, on a rewatch, look different than they did when watching it for the first or second time.

Relationships, stories and character arcs come much more into focus on the subsequent viewings and thus, can change the way you feel about certain seasons once you know where it’s headed.

Even watching it again, looking at it through new eyes, Arrow still had its high points and its low points.

So, with all of that in mind, why not rank those highs and lows before the final season makes its way onto our screens?

7. Season 6

The sixth season of Arrow was easily its biggest stumble when it came to the narrative. None of the overall arcs of the season were ever really that interesting and most of them often just felt like a slog to get through – especially once Team Arrow splits. 

Oliver, Felicity, and John were much more interesting than Dinah, Curtis, and Rene and, because of that, the writing consistently tried to bring the split teams back together every episode because of a different threat. It was frustratingly monotonous. However, even though the narrative was lacking, especially in the first half of the season, every performance ranged from good to great.

As for the villains of the season, Cayden James was simply boring. Nothing about him felt exciting at all. Luckily though, once he was out of the way, we got Ricardo Diaz – who was excellent. The episode detailing his origin is arguably up near the top of the list for best Arrow episodes. It’s too bad he didn’t have equal to how great the character is.

6. Season 4

This is the season where magic is really introduced – that should be all you need to know.

The season was often lackluster when it came to its handling of both H.I.V.E. and the overall narrative in general. The same can be said for the flashbacks. Additionally, the relationship drama was way more CW-inspired than it ever had been it the past, which created a frustratingly numb feeling whenever it got touched upon.

Luckily, this season did give us Damien Darhk who became one of the best villains in the Arrowverse over his varying appearances. Like Diaz in season 6 though, it’s disappointing that the narrative didn’t live up to the quality of the character here.

5. Season 3

Let’s get this out of the way, the first half of season 3 is great. The nine-episode story arc at the beginning of the season is one of the best stories that Arrow has had within its entire run. However, it’s once the season gets into its back half that it falters quite a bit.

That said, the second half of the season isn’t bad, it’s simply okay which, when compared to the strong first half creates a sense that its much worse than it actually is.

We also get the full introduction of the League of Assassins in this offering which, in hindsight, was good in the moment, but we would end up getting way too much of them over the next couple of seasons.

4. Season 7

The most recent season of Arrow utilized both its best qualities and its worst qualities. Thankfully though, its best qualities shined through the most.

The character arcs, especially Oliver’s, are excellent throughout the season and the new flash-forward story is one of the cleverest structural changes to this show.

Like season three though, the front half of the season is excellent, but the second half becomes a bit lackluster. The Ninth Circle simply becomes just another faceless organization that has a leader with which there’s a personal connection to Oliver. Even though this is the case, there are some excellent episodes in the back half, such as “Confessions”.

3. Season 1

This is where it all began. For that reason alone it deserves to be this high on the list, but after a re-watch, it deserves to be this high based on quality alone.

Yes, some of the early episodes feel very procedural in nature and the voiceover, to be blunt, isn’t that great. But, as the season goes on and more and more characters get introduced, it really becomes fantastic. In fact, this is the only season of Arrow where the front half is weaker than the back half.

Plus, we get out first introductions to Oliver, Diggle, Felicity, Malcolm, Laurel, Thea, and Tommy, giving us our first glimpse at what we will come to love about these characters. Tommy did get the short straw though because he was definitely the best character on the show in this season. Thankfully he did get chances to reappear later down the line.

2. Season 5

Prometheus. Prometheus makes this season what it is.

Throughout the entire season, the narrative is often streamlined and simple because of the threat Prometheus poses. And, once the audience learns his true identity, he becomes one of, if not the most, terrifying villains on the show.

This season definitely feels the closest in tone and scale to season 1 out of any of the later offerings and it succeeds because of that. Plus, the season finale is perfection and sets the stage for a future that, sadly, season 6 never took full advantage of.

The flashbacks though, do seem to be running on a bit of steam this season, but Konstantin Kovar is a really enjoyable villain and is played very well by Dolph Lundgren.

1. Season 2

All. Hail. Deathstroke.

Everything about this season is Arrow at its best: Oliver’s struggles in both of his lives, the character arcs for everyone and the flashbacks are incredible. Plus, the introduction of new characters, such as Sara and Barry, expand the universe into what it is today.

Yet, the best part of the season are the interactions between Oliver and Slade. These characters have the most honest, brutal, complicated relationship in the history of the show and we really get to see that in both the present day storyline and flashbacks.

Everything that involves Slade is nothing short of intoxicating and this is one of the main reasons that season 2 has remained the best season of Arrow.

Arrow returns to The CW for its eighth and final season on Tuesday, October 15, at 9:00 p.m. Are you looking forward to season 8? How would you rank the first seven seasons? Let us know in the comments below!