The Flash (2014)

Kernel Score: 83% · 11,518 ratings

Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

First aired: 2014-10-07

Seasons: 9 · 184 episodes

Is The Flash worth watching?

Depends on your taste. A cheerful, fast-paced superhero series about a forensic scientist who gets super speed. It's light, romantic and full of comic-book ideas, but it runs many seasons and gets formulaic in places.

Watch it if you

  • enjoy lighthearted superhero shows
  • like weekly villains plus a big ongoing story
  • want something easy to binge

Skip it if you

  • want serious, gritty drama
  • dislike soap-style romance

Best for: Binge weekend

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch The Flash

  • Stream: Netflix
  • Buy: Google Play, Fandango At Home

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

After being struck by lightning, CSI investigator Barry Allen awakens from a nine-month coma to discover he has been granted the gift of super speed. Teaming up with S.T.A.R. Labs, Barry takes on the persona of The Flash, the Fastest Man Alive, to protect his city.

The Flash parents' guide: ages 10+

Parents need to know that this TV-14 superhero series follows a speedster who protects his city from supervillains with stylized action.

  • Violence & scariness: Moderate — A masked superhero battles supervillains with superpowered action; conflict is frequent but stays within TV-14 limits.
  • Language: Some — Mild language consistent with a TV-14 superhero series.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-14 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Shows like The Flash

If you liked The Flash, these are the shows we'd watch next.

  • Superman & Lois (2021) — 89%: Another warm, character-led superhero show with family at its heart.
  • Smallville (2001) — 90%: The long-running show that set the template for young heroes on TV.
  • X-Men '97 (2024) — 96%: Faithful, colourful superhero storytelling with big team stakes.
  • Young Justice (2010) — 87%: Teen heroes on a team, with serial plotting for fans.
  • Harley Quinn (2019) — 88%: Comic-book fun with a sharper, funnier edge.
  • WandaVision (2021) — 92%: Superhero TV that plays with big ideas and emotion.

Cast

  • Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
  • Candice Patton as Iris West-Allen
  • Danielle Panabaker as Khione
  • Danielle Nicolet as Cecile Horton
  • Kayla Compton as Allegra Garcia
  • Brandon McKnight as Chester P. Runk
  • Jon Cor as Mark Blaine / Chillblaine

The Flash FAQ

Is The Flash worth watching?

Depends on your taste. A cheerful, fast-paced superhero series about a forensic scientist who gets super speed. It's light, romantic and full of comic-book ideas, but it runs many seasons and gets formulaic in places.

Where can I watch The Flash?

In the US you can stream The Flash on Netflix and buy it from Google Play and Fandango At Home.

Is The Flash OK for kids?

The Flash is rated TV-14. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 10+. Parents need to know that this TV-14 superhero series follows a speedster who protects his city from supervillains with stylized action.

What shows are like The Flash?

If you liked The Flash, try Superman & Lois, Smallville, X-Men '97 and Young Justice.