In 2025, streaming platforms are more saturated than ever. New shows drop almost daily, and yet, a growing number of viewers are hitting pause on the latest originals and instead turning back the clock — binging older CW shows from the 2000s and 2010s. From Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries to the Arrowverse and Gossip Girl, CW’s golden era content is experiencing a massive resurgence.

So what’s fueling this nostalgia-powered viewing trend? Why are Gen Z and Millennials — many of whom grew up with the CW — returning to its classic catalog in droves? The answers lie in comfort, quality, and fandom longevity. Let’s break down why the CW’s most iconic shows are thriving once again in 2025.

The Golden Age of CW Programming

Before we get into the why, it’s important to remember what made CW programming so unique. The network, which evolved from a merger between UPN and The WB in 2006, quickly carved out a niche with its youthful tone, strong genre identity, and consistent programming blocks. Whether it was supernatural dramas, superhero adventures, or teen angst-fueled series, CW became a go-to destination for escapist television.

Shows like:

  • Supernatural (2005–2020) – A juggernaut that ran for 15 seasons and followed the Winchester brothers as they hunted demons, angels, and everything in between.
  • The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) – A flagship teen vampire drama that spawned The Originals and Legacies.
  • Arrow (2012–2020) – The show that kicked off the Arrowverse, CW’s interconnected DC superhero universe.
  • The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman – All built on the success of Arrow and expanded CW’s genre empire.
  • One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, and 90210 – Which solidified CW as the go-to for dramatic teen soap operas.

The CW became known for its lovable characters, cliffhanger endings, and bingeable arcs — all of which are perfect for today’s on-demand audience.

Streaming Availability Boosts Accessibility

A huge reason why old CW shows are finding new life is their easy availability on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Max, and Hulu. Thanks to legacy licensing deals, The Flash, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries have stayed accessible on platforms where viewers already spend time. These shows are often promoted in trending sections or recommended based on viewing history, pulling in curious newcomers and nostalgic fans alike.

Netflix in particular played a huge role in creating second-wave fandoms for CW content. Teen viewers who missed the original airings of The Vampire Diaries or Supernatural are discovering them for the first time — and quickly falling into binge cycles. Meanwhile, fans who watched week to week in the 2010s now get to enjoy multi-season marathons without commercial breaks or mid-season hiatuses.

Comfort TV in Uncertain Times

Let’s be honest: the world in 2025 is still a lot. Between economic stress, cultural shifts, and a sea of streaming content, viewers are craving comfort — and that’s exactly what these old CW shows provide.

There’s something incredibly reassuring about revisiting familiar characters and storylines. Sam and Dean Winchester’s weekly monster hunts. Barry Allen’s time-travel dilemmas. Elena Gilbert’s love triangle woes. Whether you’re rewatching or experiencing it for the first time, CW shows offer a clear emotional rhythm. You know there will be drama. You know there will be redemption. You know there will be stakes — but also heart.

In a world of gritty prestige dramas and morally gray antiheroes, CW shows are unapologetically earnest. And right now, that earnestness is refreshing.

A New Wave of Fandom on Social Media

Fandoms for shows like Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries never truly went away. But in 2025, they’re experiencing a digital rebirth thanks to TikTok and fan accounts on Instagram and Twitter (er, X). Younger fans are discovering shows through viral edits, quote compilations, cosplay videos, and “first time watching” reaction series.

TikTok, in particular, has introduced a new generation to CW classics through fan edits of Dean Winchester’s most emotional scenes or Barry and Iris’s most romantic moments. These shows may be “old” in TV years, but the fandoms are thriving like it’s 2015 again.

Even long-canceled shows are getting fresh content. Legends of Tomorrow, which was known for its chaotic charm and underdog appeal, has found new life with fans lamenting its abrupt cancellation. Campaigns for reboots or reunions have resurfaced, and fan fiction communities are still going strong on platforms like AO3.

Superhero Burnout Sends Fans Back to the Source

It’s no secret that in 2025, superhero fatigue is real. With the MCU’s multiverse stretching thin and the DC cinematic universe constantly in flux, fans are turning back to the Arrowverse — where storytelling was simpler, stakes were personal, and characters actually had time to grow over multiple seasons.

CW’s superhero shows weren’t always critically acclaimed, but they offered an emotional investment that’s harder to find in today’s bloated blockbusters. Watching Kara Danvers wrestle with identity on Supergirl, or Sara Lance’s redemption arc on Legends of Tomorrow, feels deeply personal compared to today’s CGI-heavy, cameo-driven spectacles.

Even Arrow, with its gritty tone and grounded approach, is being reappraised as a blueprint for how to do long-form superhero storytelling right. Many fans miss the weekly release format and the way crossovers like Crisis on Infinite Earths made the TV universe feel alive.

Streaming Fatigue & “Too Many Options”

In a world of endless streaming options, paradoxically, many viewers feel overwhelmed by choice. Dozens of shows drop each week — many of which are canceled after one season. That instability, paired with the lack of long-running narratives, makes fans hesitant to invest in new properties.

Older CW shows offer something rare: commitment. You’re not getting one eight-episode season that ends on a cliffhanger and never returns. You’re diving into 5, 8, or even 15 seasons of content. That’s hundreds of episodes with established lore, consistent character arcs, and the kind of world-building that’s hard to find in today’s content churn.

In that sense, binging old CW shows is a form of streaming self-care — it’s predictable, enjoyable, and deeply satisfying.

The CW’s Identity Shift Leaves a Void

After the network was sold and restructured in the early 2020s, the CW underwent a dramatic shift in programming. Many of its beloved scripted series were canceled, and the network pivoted to cheaper unscripted and syndicated content to stay afloat.

That shift left longtime fans adrift. There’s no more Arrowverse. No more high-concept teen dramas. The DNA that once defined CW programming is now largely found in reruns and streaming archives. So fans are returning to the old catalog — not just for the stories, but to preserve a piece of pop culture history.

Final Thoughts: CW Nostalgia Isn’t Just a Phase

In 2025, the CW’s golden era lives on — not through reboots or remakes, but through the passionate fans who continue to stream, celebrate, and share its iconic shows. Whether you’re reliving Sam and Dean’s last ride, catching up on Barry Allen’s time-bending trials, or sinking back into the Mystic Falls drama, there’s something timeless about these stories.

At a time when media is constantly evolving and often disposable, the CW’s back catalog offers consistency, heart, and a reminder of why we fell in love with these fandoms in the first place. So yes — the binging is real. The fandom is strong. And the CW era? It might just be immortal after all.