Crisis on Infinite Earths Watch Order: Episode Guide

Few TV events still demand this level of commitment. Crisis on Infinite Earths spanned five Arrowverse shows across five episodes—and it still holds up as one of the most ambitious crossover experiments in broadcast television history. If you’ve been putting off watching it, or already started and need the roadmap, here’s exactly how to approach it.

Episodes: 5 · Shows Involved: Supergirl, Batwoman, The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow · Main Villain: Anti-Monitor · Crossover Number: Sixth Arrowverse crossover · Comic Origin: 1985 DC Comics series

In what order do I watch Crisis on Infinite Earths?

The core viewing sequence is straightforward: five episodes air across five shows in order. But “just watch the five parts” misses context that changes the experience. The previous Elseworlds crossover (December 2018) plants seeds the Crisis harvests (Screen Rant), and Black Lightning S3E9 (“Earth Crisis”) directly precedes Part 3 (Tech Advisor). Skipping these doesn’t break the plot, but it dulls the emotional payoff.

Episode sequence

• Part 1: Supergirl S5E9 (December 8, 2019) — The Monitor gathers heroes including Green Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, Sara Lance, and Ray Palmer to confront the Anti-Monitor (Arrowverse Wiki)
• Part 2: Batwoman S1E9 (December 9, 2019)
• Part 3: The Flash S6E9 (December 10, 2019)
• Part 4: Arrow S8E8 (January 14, 2020)
• Part 5: Legends of Tomorrow S5E1 (January 14, 2020) — Some sources list it as a special; functionally it concludes the event (Collider)

Air date order

The crossover aired over three nights from December 8 to December 10, 2019, then resumed January 14, 2020, with Arrow and Legends back-to-back (Wikipedia). Supergirl, Batwoman, and Flash episodes landed in December 2019; Arrow and Legends closed the event in January 2020.

What are the 5 Crisis on Infinite Earths episodes?

Five distinct episodes, each embedded within regular series seasons, carry the event forward. Every episode title includes “Crisis on Infinite Earths Part [Number]” (Love Thy Nerd). The episodes function both as standalone chapters and as a unified narrative—viewers familiar with each show get more, but each part stands alone enough for casual viewers.

Part One details

Supergirl S5E9 opens the event on December 8, 2019. The Monitor arrives with a warning—and a recruitment mission. Heroes from across the multiverse assemble as the Anti-Monitor’s threat becomes undeniable.

Part Two details

Batwoman S1E9 shifts focus to the new Earth’s hero as the multiverse crisis deepens. This installment introduces viewers to a world rebuilding after Batman vanished—and adds urgency to the gathering storm.

Hour One overview

The Flash S6E9 raises stakes with speedster involvement, tying the crisis to Barry Allen’s journey. Part 3 connects directly to Black Lightning S3E9 “Earth Crisis,” which should be watched after Part 2 for maximum continuity (Tech Advisor).

Who is the main villain in Crisis?

The Anti-Monitor serves as the primary antagonist of Crisis on Infinite Earths. This entity systematically destroys parallel Earths, threatening to erase the entire multiverse (Wikipedia). Unlike street-level threats the Arrowverse heroes typically face, the Anti-Monitor operates on a cosmic scale—it requires every available hero working in concert.

Anti-Monitor role

The Anti-Monitor functions as the inverse of the Monitor. Where the Monitor preserves and observes universes, the Anti-Monitor consumes them. The event depicts the consequences of that hunger: Earth after Earth falling to annihilation as the villain advances toward total erasure. This isn’t a villain the heroes can punch into submission—the resolution requires sacrifice and strategic choices that reshape the Arrowverse permanently.

Why was Supergirl killed off?

Supergirl’s death in the crossover represents one of the event’s most discussed moments—and the most consequential. In the Arrowverse context, Kara Danvers’ sacrifice during the crisis carries weight because the show had spent five seasons building her character. The death isn’t a cliffhanger trick; it’s a deliberate choice that raises the stakes for every remaining hero.

Event plot impact

Supergirl’s death signals that no one is safe—not even the most powerful hero in the room. The Arrowverse had established its shared-universe stakes before, but Crisis pushed further by eliminating a central figure mid-event. This permanently affected Supergirl’s show, requiring the series to rebuild its premise for subsequent seasons. For viewers, the death establishes tone: this crossover operates at a different scale than prior Arrowverse events.

How do I watch the Arrowverse in chronological order?

For viewers committed to full Arrowverse context, the essential pre-Crisis episodes include Arrow S7E22 (“You Have Saved This City”), Flash S5E22, and Arrow S8E7 as direct prelude material (The DC Multiverse). However, Tech Advisor notes that viewers can skip the latest Supergirl, Batwoman, and Legends seasons—but not Arrow or The Flash (Tech Advisor). These two shows carry the heaviest continuity weight.

Crisis placement in Arrowverse

Crisis on Infinite Earths effectively reboots the Arrowverse, merging Earths into Earth-Prime and affecting all series going forward (Wikipedia). The event sets up Oliver Queen’s ultimate sacrifice and connects to the Justice League foundation that follows. Arrow S8 builds directly toward this sacrifice; Flash S6 carries prelude material throughout its run.

How to watch: step-by-step guide

Three viewing paths exist depending on how much Arrowverse context you want. Each path delivers a complete crisis experience; the depth of prior investment determines which path fits.

• Minimum path: Watch the five main episodes in broadcast order—Supergirl S5E9, Batwoman S1E9, Flash S6E9, Arrow S8E8, Legends S5E1. You understand the full story with no required preamble.
• Standard path: Add the Elseworlds prelude (Flash S5E9, Arrow S7E9, Supergirl S4E9) before starting Crisis. This context enriches the Monitor’s appearance and ties to prior multiverse setup.
• Full-context path: Watch recent seasons of Arrow and The Flash, plus Arrow S7 finale, as recommended by Tech Advisor (Tech Advisor). Add Black Lightning S3E9 between Parts 2 and 3 for maximum continuity.

Crisis timeline

Four distinct phases mark the event’s progression from prelude to conclusion, with notable gaps between broadcast segments.

What this timeline reveals: the crossover technically ended before Arrow’s series did. Crisis resolved the multiverse crisis on January 14, 2020; Arrow’s finale followed two weeks later, dealing with consequences rather than continuing the immediate threat.

What people are saying

Crisis on Infinite Earths is the “Avengers Endgame” of the Arrowverse.

— The DC Multiverse (Fan analyst) (The DC Multiverse)

Crisis effectively ends the Arrowverse and sets up Superman & Lois separately from main continuity.

— Screen Rant (Entertainment publication) (Screen Rant)

The biggest event of the Arrowverse is the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.

— The DC Multiverse (Guide author) (The DC Multiverse)

For Arrowverse completists, the comparison to Avengers: Endgame resonates—the crossover represents a generational culmination point rather than a standalone adventure. The event’s scale (five shows, one story, permanent consequences) justifies the Endgame label even if the execution quality remains subjective.

Summary

The Arrowverse’s most ambitious event delivers a complete story across five hours of television—but only if you watch it in order. The minimum viable watch is those five episodes in sequence. Full enrichment comes from the Elseworlds prelude, Black Lightning integration, and Arrow/Flash context, but these are enhancements, not requirements. What Crisis sets up matters beyond viewing: Earth-Prime, Oliver’s sacrifice, and the foundation for what follows. For Arrowverse newcomers, start with the five core episodes and work backward. For longtime viewers, the event rewards deep continuity investment with emotional payoffs earned across years of storytelling.

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