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
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeRecommended2h 32m★ 6.0+1 before this
Features Batman earlier in DC Extended Universe, providing character context before The Flash.
Suicide SquadRecommended2h 2m★ 5.9
Features The Flash earlier in DC Extended Universe, providing character context before The Flash.
Wonder WomanRecommended2h 21m★ 7.2
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Justice LeagueRecommended2h★ 6.1+3 before this
Features Batman and The Flash earlier in DC Extended Universe, providing character context before The Flash.
AquamanRecommended2h 23m★ 6.9
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Shazam!Recommended2h 12m★ 7.0
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)Recommended1h 49m★ 6.9
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Wonder Woman 1984Recommended2h 31m★ 6.3+1 before this
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Zack Snyder's Justice LeagueRecommended4h 2m★ 8.1+3 before this
Features Batman and The Flash earlier in DC Extended Universe, providing character context before The Flash.
The Suicide SquadRecommended2h 12m★ 7.4
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Black AdamRecommended2h 5m★ 6.8
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.
Shazam! Fury of the GodsRecommended2h 10m★ 6.4+1 before this
Shows an earlier chapter of DC Extended Universe and the state of that world before The Flash.

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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