1. The Flash was the most popular superhero show of its generation (and perhaps of all time)
The Flash premiered on The CW with the second-largest audience the network had ever seen. By the end of the first season, it was being called “The CW’s biggest hit ever”. But The Flash‘s success wasn’t just limited to the network, as the show quickly became one of the most popular on US TV screens and around the world. Between the success of Arrow and the Scarlet Speedster’s established presence as one of DC’s more famous heroes outside of the trinity, it was a match made in Heaven.
The show was that sweet spot between light-hearted and serious, with fun and colorful characters all connected in a maturely written storyline. There were heroes and villains, family and friends, light and dark. It was fun for the whole family in a way that made it incredibly mainstream, and as it attracted such a large audience, no other superhero show that came after it could come close to replicating that lengthy success.
As The Flash went on for so long and its standard significantly declined, it’s easy for some to overlook just how popular it was. But all you have to do is look around. We’re in an era of resurgence when it comes to superheroes on television. From Amazon Prime Video’s success with The Boys and Invincible to Marvel Studios’ expansion of the MCU through the Disney Plus shows, superheroes are everywhere. And we have The Flash (and the Arrowverse) to thank for that.
The Flash certainly had its highs and lows, but it was easily the most popular superhero show of its generation, and it remained among the Top 10 most-discussed shows globally throughout the majority of its run. It also changed the game for superheores, kickstarting a resurgence for them on the small screen that brought us back to the legendary days of Wonder Woman and Batman.
When it comes to the story of heroes on TV, that conversation starts and ends with The Flash – and it’s about time we gave it the flowers it deserved.
Were you a fan of The Flash during its incredible run? Do you have a favorite season? Let us know!