Name: The Flash
Genre: Crime, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Released: 1990-09-20
Rating: 7.4
Cast: John Wesley Shipp, Amanda Pays, Alex Désert

The Flash ran so the Arrowverse could sprint — '90s cheese at supersonic speed.

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Saturday morning energyPre-CGI chaosPulp noir meets spandex

Latest Episode

7.345 min

Season 1 • Episode 22

Latest

The Trial of the Trickster

May 18, 1991

With the help of an insane admirer who wants to be his sidekick, the Trickster escapes from police custody and places the Flash under his mind control.

Overview

Crime Action & Adventure Sci-Fi & Fantasy

When a bolt of lightning crashes through a police crime lab, a mix of electrically charged substances bathes chemist Barry Allen, transforming him into the fastest man alive--The Flash.

Content warning

superhero super power based on comic one man army

Loneliness of secret identityFound family in isolationJustice vs. the systemScience as double-edged sword

Standout Aspects

Costume

That rubber muscle suit is art, actually.

Practical Effects

Pre-digital speed effects that aged like fine wine.

Acting

John Wesley Shipp's earnest charm anchors the chaos.

Best for:Solo·Friends·Binge

Heads up:Violence

Creators

Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo

First AiredSep 20, 1990

StatusCanceled

Vibe

Pacefast

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelmedium

Seasons1·Episodes22

Top Cast

John Wesley Shipp

Barry Allen / Flash

Amanda Pays

Christina 'Tina' McGee

Alex Désert

Julio Mendez

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

John Wesley Shipp hated the muscle suit so much he eventually got a thinner version, then played Henry Allen and Jay Garrick in the 2014 Flash series.

Cultural

This was the first live-action Flash since the 1950s serials, and its cult following directly pressured WB into letting the 2014 version happen.

Gallery(20 images)