11 Best CW Shows of All Time, Ranked
Right now, a lot is changing at The CW following Nexstar’s acquisition, and while quite a few shows are ending (or have already) during the 2022-2023 season, we have already gotten some great content since the network’s debut in 2006, replacing UPN and The WB.
Several shows carried over after originally airing on one of the two networks it replaced, including Supernatural (all but one season aired on The CW), Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Smallville, and Veronica Mars. Soon after that, the network would become home to teen dramas, sci-fi/fantasy shows, superheroes, and much more. Arrow would lead into an entire Arrowverse, which would go on to unite in several major crossovers. Other shows would spawn spinoffs.
Below, take a look at the best we’ve gotten out of The CW (so far). To qualify for our list, a show had to become popular while airing on the network.
Black Lightning
A retired vigilante (Cress Williams) dons the supersuit once again — and even takes it over to the Arrowverse in a massive crossover — to fight for justice for his community. The series shows the effects on his family, as well as how they all, too, get involved in the superhero life.
The 100
Based on Kass Morgan’s YA novel, the series begins by following juvenile delinquents (Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos, Richard Harmon, and others) sent back down to Earth after living in space following a nuclear apocalypse. But things get complicated when it comes to them interacting with the survivors on the planet — and that’s just the beginning.
All American
Inspired by pro football player Spencer Paysinger’s life, the sports drama follows two families from different worlds (Crenshaw and Beverly Hills) when they collide after a football player (Daniel Ezra) from South L.A. is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High. It leads to the spinoff All American: Homecoming.
The Vampire Diaries
The drama features one of the most debated love triangles on TV in recent years — two vampire brothers (Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley) and a human teen (Nina Dobrev) — other romances, life-and-death stakes, and even follows the characters, at various times, to the afterlife. The world grows with The Originals, then its spinoff Legacies.
iZombie
Dying doesn’t stop Liv (Rose McIver) from living. With a change of profession and her new zombie abilities, she works in the coroner’s office and helps a detective (Malcolm Goodwin) solve crimes thanks to visions she gets by eating victims’ brains. The most fun part? She thanks on the characteristics of the victims whose brains she consumes.
Nancy Drew
Whether or not you read any of the Carolyn Keene books, the mysteries — with supernatural twists! — that the amateur sleuth (Kennedy McMann) and her friends (Tunji Kasim, Alex Saxon, Leah Lewis, and Maddison Jaizani) solve are intriguing and allow for a fresh take on a well-known character.
Walker
The reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger follows Cordell Walker (Jared Padalecki), a widower and father who started the series returning from a stint undercover. It’s a mix of personal, family, and procedural drama that both fits in with The CW programming and takes it beyond teen conflicts.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Inarguably the most fun series of the Arrowverse, it first brings together various heroes and villains from the other shows (played by Caity Lotz, Brandon Routh, Victor Garber, and others) to travel through time and deal with threats. The various time periods lead to entertaining adventures, and characters come and go from the Waverider. Beebo alone earns this show a spot on this list.
Arrow
The Stephen Amell-led series is the one to kickstart what would come to be known as the Arrowverse. It all starts with Oliver Queen returning home after five years on an island (and other places, as would be revealed) and setting out to right the wrongs in his city with help from family and friends (played by David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Katie Cassidy, Willa Holland, and others). By the end — and across various crossovers with the other shows in the franchise — Oliver saves the multiverse.
Supernatural
For 15 seasons, fans watch Sam and Dean Winchester (Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) as they save people, hunt things, and stop a few apocalypses as part of the family business. They’re joined by allies and show that family doesn’t end with blood with help from angel Castiel (Misha Collins), fellow hunter Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver), and many more.
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RedPlane
The fact that Smallville is not on this list makes this article irrelevant
PurpleChilli
Not actually a cw show as it predated the network, as did Buffy
GreenSushi
Technically neither is supernatural. It's first season was on the wb.
PurpleGlasses
Smallville, anyone?
RedSushi
Where is smallville? This is no list without it
CyanWeights
DC legends made it, and not the flash especially Smallville
CyanTag
I agree that the long running series The Flash and Smallville should have been on this list!! Who made this list anyway?
And I am so happy that Superman & Lois was renewed for Season 4!
CyanBucket
Horrible list. Wh6 no Flash? Or the best of them all that started CW upward and lasted 10 seasons... Smallville!!!!????
RedElephant
What no The Flash, Supergirl and Superman and Lois
Who did this list?
BlueCone
Hello? The Flash!
OliveGrapes
Thank you
PurpleRing
I agree with supernatural👌🙌
OrangePumpkin
Hells yeah Supernatural is definitely number 1. Always will be.
CyanLamp
No Smallville?!?!
For shame.
RedPlane
I do agree that this list does seem incomplete. Smallville’s absence does seem strange. Also, what about Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill? Is there anyone who still remembers One Tree Hill? I would have also added Dawson’s Creek but this was during the time that The CW was The WB. The CW’s future is just saddening to think about. The network was known for having a formula that they really stuck with - angsty teenagers, love triangles, a murder mystery and prided itself on being a network with actual LGBTQIA+ representation even at a time when this was shunned by mainstream society. Yet even with all of this: at least they had a formula. With their acquisition by Nexstar, the company is basically burning this network to the ground. Does this organization truly believe that FBOY Island, imported Canadian shows and 500 Days to Indy is going to bring a wealth of viewers? It should have stayed under the ownership of Warner Bros. Hope everyone didn’t mind this mini monologue.
GoldChilli
Yes hello!!! Where is one tree hill on this list and yeah Smallville
BlueBullhorn
No Superman & Lois or The Flash?
RedBone
How the heck does Walker rank higher than TVD!?!? And where in the world is Smallville? The top 3 should have been in order Supernatural, Smallville, and Arrow.
GreenFlask
Wow this list is absurd. No Smallville or the Flash. Seriously?? Like 4-5 shows could be dropped off this list completely.
GreenPlane
Love the rare iZombie appreciation but where's superman and lois lol
GreenGoggles
Where is the flash?!
RedHat
Black Lightning made the list, but The Flash didn't??? Must be a (bad) AI attempt at writing!
RedWrench
The Flash should have been on this list. And on the top 5.
CyanBike
The exclusion of The Flash and Smallville makes this list bogus.
RedSeahorse
One tree hill left out....? No Smallville. Shows that carried the cw for years.
MrJacobrabbit
Dynasty reboot Sam was awesome
OliveFlower
I think Supernatural should still be on. When is it going to return to TNT. It's my favorite show!!
RedSeahorse
I'm happy to see Supernatural got the number one spot.
GreenQuill
I definitely agree that Flash and Smallville should have been on there and some on the list should not have been in my opinion. The two things I do agree with are the positions for Arrow and Supernatural.
GreenQuill
I forgot to add Supergirl to the must have on this list.
I ♥️ stories
I'm so beyond happy to see Nikita on this list. BC sadly it doesn't get nearly as much recognition for how great of a show and cast was, as it deserves to. I really hope it comes back in some form of capacity as either a revival series Or as a movie like Teen Wolf had done. being although they had tied up things with Amanda. She's still alive so there's always a possiblity she could some how escape to wreck havoc again. Or new baddie or others Old ones could be introduced or return to the canvas. So there's so much potential there for more story. Also they'll especially need a new serie or a movie instalment. to fix the oh so wrong so many levels 🤮 paring between Alex and Owen/Sam. Like if the writes wanted Alex to be in a relationship. they should've never killed off Sean Pierce. Who they had established was perfect for her, was her soulmate for how Much they had in common, and was everything she could ever hope to have in a man. instead of killing him off so they could pair Alex with Owen/ Sam a boreline Sociopath serial killer.
GreenQuill
What… all American should be higher
OliveTooth
This is some bull. Where’s Smallville, Gossip Girl, The Flash, AND why would you EVER think Black Lightning was a good show???? Nancy Drew? Today ain’t April 1st… Stop playing…