The CW has had a unique influence on television programming. Although it now primarily broadcasts reality shows and sports after being bought by Nexstar in 2022, it was once known for its fantastic shows, especially those geared towards teenagers. The network launched many popular teen dramas and comedies, and later became a major player in superhero television with shows like those in the ‘Arrowverse.’ The 2010s were a particularly strong period for The CW, offering a diverse lineup that appealed to a wide audience.
The CW has given us a lot of great shows over the years, but some are truly exceptional. We’ve put together a list of the seven best, based on what critics and viewers thought. These aren’t necessarily the most famous shows, but they’re the ones that really connected with audiences. You might be more surprised by the shows that didn’t make the list than by the ones that did!
7) iZombie
Rose McIver is popular for her role as Sam in the CBS series Ghosts, but many CW viewers remember her from iZombie. This show, which ran for five seasons starting in 2015, is often overlooked as being based on a comic book – it’s an adaptation of the DC Comic of the same name. iZombie blends elements of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with zombies and a crime procedural, similar to Veronica Mars – in fact, Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas also worked on iZombie.
The show centers around Liv Moore (a clever name!), a medical student who becomes a zombie after a party on a boat. Her life changes completely, and she ends up working at a morgue. She discovers that by eating the brains of the deceased, she gains their memories, abilities, and personality – which she then uses to help solve crimes. As the series progresses, Liv and her friends work together, hoping to find a cure, but they also face growing danger as the number of zombies in Seattle increases. Critics generally loved the show, although many viewers weren’t satisfied with the final season. Despite that, it remains a strong and original take on the zombie genre.
6) Supernatural
Supernatural began on The WB, but it really became known as a flagship show for The CW, where it aired for 14 out of its 15 seasons. The series centers on brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, as they investigate and battle all sorts of supernatural beings – from classic monsters to even biblical figures like the angel Castiel, portrayed by Misha Collins.
Despite still having a huge and dedicated following, and remaining one of the network’s most popular shows of all time, Supernatural appears lower on this list than some might expect. This is mainly because the show ran for 15 seasons, and while many were excellent, some weren’t as well-received. Nevertheless, Supernatural remains a standout achievement for the network – and truly some of the best horror ever shown on network television.
5) DC’s Stargirl
DC’s Stargirl is a compelling show with a bit of a complicated history. The first season started on the now-closed DC Universe platform, with episodes also airing on The CW the next day. Later seasons, two and three, only aired on The CW. While connected to The CW’s Arrowverse, Stargirl exists separately from that universe, though it did feature a brief appearance in the ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event. The series, which began in 2020, stars Brec Bassinger as Courtney Whitmore, a teenager who finds the powerful staff of the superhero Starman. This discovery leads her to become the new hero Stargirl and form a new version of the Justice Society of America.
Stargirl was a cheerful and accessible superhero show that introduced viewers to some of DC’s more obscure characters. While it didn’t offer anything groundbreaking, it was consistently enjoyable for both fans and critics, with the second season receiving particularly positive feedback. Sadly, the show was cancelled after three seasons, but it ended on a hopeful note, which felt true to the show’s optimistic spirit.
4) Superman & Lois
Superman & Lois is another superhero show based on comic books, but it stands out from others. Though the actors who play Clark Kent/Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) first appeared in the ‘Arrowverse,’ and the show’s creators were also involved with that universe, Superman & Lois exists in its own separate world. The series focuses on a more grown-up Superman and his family as they move back to Smallville to raise their teenage sons while still battling the villains he always has.
Superman & Lois stands out as a different take on the classic Superman story, focusing more on his family life, and both critics and viewers loved this approach. While the show wasn’t without flaws – some found the later season a bit weak and the large cast was sometimes difficult to manage – it’s widely considered one of the best portrayals of Superman ever made, lasting for four seasons.
3) Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Regardless of audience and critical reception, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend would easily be considered one of the best shows ever made. This four-season series, created by and starring Rachel Bloom, follows Rebecca Bunch, a lawyer who relocates from New York to California to win back her high school summer camp crush. Though the idea sounds unusual, the show is surprisingly insightful and humorous, offering a smart and funny look at mental health and complicated relationships. It’s a well-crafted and highly enjoyable series.
I think everyone, both the people who review shows and the fans like me, could agree on this: Even though Crazy Ex-Girlfriend wasn’t a massive hit in terms of viewers on The CW, it was incredibly well-respected. It actually won a bunch of awards – Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a Critics Choice Award – which really showed that a show doesn’t have to be super popular to be truly great.
2) Jane the Virgin
Inspired by the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la Virgen, Jane the Virgin premiered in 2014 and ran for five seasons. The show centers around Jane Villanueva, played by Gina Rodriguez, a deeply religious 23-year-old who unexpectedly becomes pregnant after being accidentally artificially inseminated during a doctor’s appointment. The main cast also includes Justin Baldoni, Brett Dier, Jaime Camil, and Yael Grobglas.
During its five seasons, Jane the Virgin was a critical and popular success. It earned Gina Rodriguez a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy TV series, along with numerous other nominations, and a prestigious Peabody Award. Named one of the best shows of 2014, it cleverly parodied telenovelas with its humorous and often over-the-top storylines. But beyond the laughs, Jane the Virgin was a genuinely touching and insightful look at a young woman navigating family, unexpected challenges, and pursuing her dreams. It truly stood out as a unique and special show.
1) Everybody Hates Chris
You might be surprised to find Everybody Hates Chris on this list, but it makes sense when you know the history. The show first aired on UPN, which later combined with The WB to create The CW. Three out of the four seasons of Everybody Hates Chris actually aired on The CW. Created by Chris Rock, the series is inspired by his own experiences growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and featured a talented cast including Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews, and Tichina Arnold.
As a sitcom fan, I really think Everybody Hates Chris is special. It’s not just a show about Chris Rock growing up; it’s a genuinely great family sitcom in its own right. People often compare it to the classics from creators like Norman Lear, and honestly, I think it deserves to be mentioned among the all-time best.
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2026-01-08 00:14