Can you watch The Flash (1990) online? (Where to stream)

We all know and love The Flash on The CW! The superhero series starring Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, aka the titular character, began in 2014. It’s been such a success over the years, and we can’t wait to see how the ninth and final season decides to wrap up the story.

The Arrowverse show was first introduced as a backdoor pilot on Arrow when Gustin appeared for two episodes. Executives liked his performance and found Barry made a good fit in the universe, and so a pilot was made. Now, here we are in 2023 and look how far the successful show has gotten!

Arrow, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, and more each have their own unique story about our favorite superheroes. The projects, based on characters from the DC Comics, have definitely made fans happy over the years.

But did you know that this actually isn’t the first iteration of The Flash? There was a series about the very same superhero and his story that aired in 1990. What is it about and where can you watch it? We’ve got the answer for you below!

What is The Flash (1990) about?

Unfortunately, the superhero series didn’t last long. It first premiered in September 1990 on CBS and aired a total of 22 episodes in one season. The show came to an end in May 1991. Some of the reasons it ended quickly were how expensive its production was, as well as the constant changes of its timeslots on air.

The Flash (1990) synopsis

The first and older version was similar to the modern one we know today. The series was also based on the DC Comics, and followed Barry Allen. The forensic scientist worked for the Central City Police Department. One day, he’s struck by lightening and covered in chemicals from his lab, which result in him developing superspeed. Barry decides to take up a life of saving as The Flash, while research assistant Dr. Tina McGee who works at S.T.A.R. Labs helps him do that while trying to understand his powers. The superhero will have to do all that while hiding who he is from his boss, colleagues, and best friend.

The Flash (1990) cast

Actor John Wesley Shipp took on the lead role of Barry Allen/The Flash, with actress Amanda Pays playing Christina R. “Tina” McGee. Alex Désert played Barry’s best friend, Julio Mendez, who is a scientist at the police department.

Can you watch The Flash (1990) online? (Where to stream)

Yes, you can watch the 1990 version of the story online! However, the show is not streaming in terms of it being included in what you already pay for. If you want to watch the episodes, you need to purchase them on one of the platforms. We provided a list of all the places the series is available to watch as of March 30, 2023:

• Apple TV – $24.99 for the whole season or $1.99 per episode
• Prime Video – $21.99 for the whole season
• YouTube – $39.99 for the whole season or $1.99 per episode
• Vudu – $29.99 for the whole season or $1.99 per episode
• Google Play Movies & TV – $39.99 for the whole season or $1.99 per episode

The modern version of The Flash has actually made multiple references to the 1990 series, and Shipp has actually played a number of characters on the 2014 television series, including Barry’s father Henry Allen. He also reprised his role as The Flash himself in “Elseworlds” and “Crisis on Infinite Earths” as Jay Garrick.

The Flash (2014) season 9 airs new episodes Wednesday nights on The CW.