The release of "The Flash" will be the third time fans experience the "Flashpoint" storyline. The first was with the original comic book run in 2011, followed by "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox" in 2013 and 2023's "The Flash." While each version has its differences, they all serve the same purpose: rebooting the DC Universe.
By 2011, DC Comics decided to simplify its expansive continuity and universe through a reboot, with "Flashpoint" acting as the catalyst. "Flashpoint" saw Barry Allen almost destroy the DC Universe, but after accepting his mom's death, Flash brings forward a new, simplified DC Universe under the New 52 banner. Similarly, DC Animation wanted to streamline their shared universe, so making "The Flashpoint Paradox" gave them a blank slate to create an interconnected cinematic universe, bringing forward the DC Animated Movie Universe.
Once "The Flash" became a "Flashpoint" story, it seemed inevitable that the DC Extended Universe would be rebooted. Along with moving away from the Snyderverse canon, the hiring of James Gunn and Peter Safran turned a soft reboot into a full-on reboot, with "The Flash" giving the new executives an opportunity to wipe the slate clean. While the upcoming movie won't be on the same scale as its predecessors, "The Flash" still does right by "Flashpoint" standards, making way for a new universe.
