The CW has for a long time been good at developing shows that pique the target audience's interests; especially when it comes to the superhero and supernatural genre. While the network has dominated in bringing DC Comics characters to life, they also hit the top of the list for all things fantasy, vampires, spooky, mystery, and even zombies.
Fans recall the network's success in developing a goldmine with The Vampire Diaries and its sister series. Even the pop-culture frenzy that is Supernatural. There are many more shows that did well in rankings amongst audiences when it comes to some needed escapist drama.
The Outpost (2018): 6.1
Not many may know that The Outpost was originally produced by SyFy before it was acquired by The CW. Fans of the fantasy-adventure drama will find the show easy to watch and binge-worthy. It takes place in a different reality following the lone survivor of a special race called Blackbloods. It's a story of revenge and seeking justice.
Talon (Jessica Green) travels to a lawless fortress hunting down the people who killed her family. It only gets better as Talon soon discovers she has a special supernatural ability. To top it off, there is a religious dictator she must stop.
Nancy Drew (2019): 6.2
Many older fans remember Nancy Drew from the popular mystery novels that were always at their school library and bookstores. The character was even revamped for two unrelated movies. The CW decided to do a more adult spin on the character while also adding a more supernatural element. The show's production jumped between networks before finally landing on The CW.
In this show, the kid characters are instead full-fledged teenagers with their own personal issues. Their lives come to a halt when Nancy (Kennedy McMann) and her four friends try to solve a murder. But said murder is plagued with shades of something supernatural.
Trickster (2020): 6.7
Trickster is a bit confusing; not because of its storyline but because of its production and its reason for cancellation. The show did very well amongst audiences as it was a first in showcasing primarily Indigenous character and story.
It followed Jared (Joel Oulette), an Indigenous Haisla teenager and part-time drug dealer who becomes aware of the supernatural occurrences in his small town. As soon as the show was renewed for its second season, it was soon canceled due to controversy over the co-creator/director's claimed indigenous ancestry. The show was initially created by CBC before The CW acquired the show rights.
Riverdale (2017): 6.9
It's up for grabs on whether or not Riverdale can be considered a supernatural show. In the beginning, it didn't seem that way as it focused on Archie (KJ Apa), the title character from the original comics, but with a mature twist. But as the show went on, it had inklings of a supernatural theme although never explicitly explained or confirmed.
Some fans even found that the show was making the switch by its third season. According to the show and the comics, Riverdale is a non-supernatural town. But comically enough right across the river is Greendale, home of Sabrina Spellman and her witchcraft.
The Secret Circle (2011-2012): 7.3
The Secret Circle was a show that ended far too soon for fans' liking. It was another attempt by The CW to take advantage of the boom that arose from Twilight and its comparable hit show, The Vampire Diaries. The CW saw an opportunity to turn another one of L.J. Smith's best-selling book series into a show.
The Secret Circle adaptation mostly focused on witchcraft as a teen girl moves to her mother's hometown. She soon learns that she's a powerful witch with dark magic and is meant to complete the circle of the original families. Fans were dedicated from the start, but it wasn't renewed for its second season, leaving fans with more questions than answers about the finale.
Legacies (2018): 7.5
Legacies was a slam dunk in continuing the Vampire Diaries storyline but with new fresh faces and some fan-favorite old ones. The show was a sister show of TVD with new storylines but still held on to certain connections from the original series. At the end of TVD, Alaric turns the Salvatore boarding house into a school for the supernaturally gifted.
This new generation would include some familiar children now grown up. Klaus's daughter, Hope (Danielle Rose Russell), who harnesses immense power as a witch, hybrid, and vampire. Also, Alaric and Caroline's twin daughters, Lizzie (Jenny Boyd) and Josie (Kaylee Bryant) who harness immense power.
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017): 7.7
The Vampire Diaries is inarguably one of the most successful CW show's to date when it comes to the supernatural genre. It flourished when werewolves, vampires, and teen drama were everywhere. It was often pitted again Twilight in terms of grand pop culture success and media franchising.
The show had everything fans were craving from the genre. The brooding Salvatore brothers, the sweet and the innocent young woman who's thrust into the world of vampires and witches. The show wouldn't have been complete without its love triangle between the Salvatores and Elena (Nina Dobrev).
iZombie (2015-2019): 7.8
iZombie hit the mark in bringing to life a popular comic revolving around a supernatural procedural crime drama. Murders and crime got far more interesting with the added inclusion of zombies. When unwillingly turned into a ravenous zombie with pale skin and white hair, there's a need to adapt.
Liv (Rose Mclver) drops her old life and becomes a coroner's assistant after she's infected. Having to feed on brains to survive, she realizes she can do some good. The brains allows her to access the victim's memories and take on their personalities. It's helpful when having to solve multiple grisly murders.
Supernatural (2002-2020): 8.4
Originally a WB show before the merger, Supernatural went on to air for a whopping 15 seasons after premiering in 2005. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester had die-hard fans that were along for the journey from beginning to end.
What kept fans engaged was the always evolving storylines throughout the seasons. Fans are first introduced to the brother continuing their father's work of eradicating supernatural beings. Their story soon changed to include the celestial and their own greater purpose in the larger story.
The Originals (2013-2018): 8.6
The Originals beat out Supernatural by two points. With the success of TVD, the CW saw how many fans clung to one of its main anti-heroes, Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan). Seeing as a good portion of his storyline, as well as his family's, was already developed in the original series, The Originals would only further it along. And the sister series soon beat the original.
In the spinoff, Klaus returns to his stomping ground of New Orleans, a place seeped in Mikaelson history. Klaus first comes back to eradicate a threat and regain control. Eventually, he reunites with his brother, has a relationship, and even a powerful hybrid child who is now part of Legacies.