With a brand-new Superman flying into theaters, there’s never been a better time to dive into the DC Universe. Whether you're a longtime fan or just getting started, this guide will help you watch DC movies in order—by release date and storyline—plus give you a sneak peek at what’s coming next.
And the best part? You can catch the action-packed return of Superman in Cinemark XD and D-Box for the ultimate superhero experience.
The Ultimate DC Movie Watch Order (By Release Date)
Man of Steel (2013)
This is the starting point. Zack Snyder's singular version of Superman sets the tone for everything else that follows over the next decade, even when the DC movies veer far from this opening chapter.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Superman and Batman are the cornerstones of DC Comics, but even so, it was a surprise to see the second chapter of the DCEU go straight to a years-in-the-making battle between the titans — and even more surprising to see Superman put in the ground, at least temporarily.
Suicide Squad (2016)
With no Superman, the world turned to a different set of peacemakers. Maybe that word should be in quotes, as the anti-heroes in this funny, violent team-up aren't very interested in peace. But everyone was interested in Harley Quinn after this movie opened, and that helped shape DC's future.
Wonder Woman (2017)
The best argument for watching the DC movies in release order rather than chronological story order. If you watch chronologically, then the two solo Wonder Woman movies fall well before everything else. The character benefits from a little bit of buildup thanks to BATMAN V SUPERMAN.
Justice League (2017)
We're not going to weigh in on which version of JUSTICE LEAGUE you watch — the theatrical or the Snyder Cut — but the title occupies the same space regardless. Obviously, you can watch both, but despite the vast differences between the two versions, both fulfill the same story purpose within the greater DCEU. (If we have to pick one, we're going with the Snyder Cut.)
Aquaman (2018)
About halfway through the DCEU, things pivot to mostly solo movies. While there are two team films, they don't follow a long build-up in the way that Marvel's Avengers movies tend to. Regardless, AQUAMAN is one of the best DC movies — it gives Jason Momoa room to flex and director James Wan gets to play on a massive scale.
Shazam! (2019)
With the first two movies out of the gate, the DCEU earned a reputation for embracing a darker outlook than rival Marvel. SHAZAM! is a different story — it's a relatively sunny and light-hearted look at young superheroes, even when the movie's young hero has to deal with huge issues.
Birds of Prey (2020)
This Harley Quinn-focused movie ties up a few loose ends from SUICIDE SQUAD and explores the DCEU version of Gotham City in a way that no other movie in the series gets to do.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
This movie is as close as the DCEU gets to a standalone chapter, as the events of WW84 do not dramatically tie into the larger story. It's just a fun Wonder Woman movie, and that's more than enough.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
This is where it becomes apparent that Amanda Waller might be the glue that holds the second half of the DCEU story cycle together. And while there is some reason to wonder what the DC movie landscape will look like as James Gunn and Peter Safran's movies come out, we know that Viola Davis will continue to play Waller — so a full reboot isn't on the horizon.
Black Adam (2022)
While Black Adam is fundamentally related to Shazam, this is mostly a solo movie that details Black Adam's history while setting up his standing in the modern world. There is a post-credit scene, however, to tie the movie and character to the larger DCEU — but whether we'll see that play out in the new DCEU or not is uncertain.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
Like the original movie, this SHAZAM! sequel is more or less a standalone tale, though it is part of the larger DCEU. Diana Prince makes a cameo, and characters from THE SUICIDE SQUAD and the "Peacemaker" series show up as well. Diana's appearance helps place this on the DCEU timeline.
The Flash (2023)
Barry Allen's accidental mucking about with his own timeline results in a rewrite of the DCEU hero lineup and a near destruction of the multiverse. By the end of the movie, there's a slightly different Batman in Barry's original timeline, and he looks pretty familiar… but not to Barry.
The Appendix
Two of these movies aren't in the main DCEU continuity but do have ties to it, as THE FLASH builds a bridge to the Tim Burton Batman movies starring Michael Keaton. (In fact, THE FLASH establishes a multiverse in which most of the other major movies based on DC Comics are present. At least one movie that was never made — the Nicolas Cage Superman — is also there.) Three aren't connected at all… though one might be tied to the future of DC movies.
Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)
Tim Burton's two Batman movies starring Michael Keaton were never part of the DCEU, but they are now, kind of. Keaton returned as Batman in THE FLASH, which ties these movies into the larger storyline. And, yes, George Clooney appears as Bruce Wayne at the end of THE FLASH, so technically BATMAN & ROBIN is connected to the DCEU as well.
Joker (2019) and The Batman (2022)
Both JOKER and THE BATMAN are set aside from the mainstay DCEU, but they're both great movies. We don't want to leave them out just because they don't play directly into the larger story. Both movies will be followed by sequels in the next couple years, and in both cases those sequels will be explicitly labeled as "Elseworlds" stories, to make clear that they are not part of the larger DC story.
Blue Beetle (2023)
Despite being released between other DCEU movies, BLUE BEETLE is not really part of that continuity. There are no ties to other DCEU films. In fact, new DC movie creative boss James Gunn has said that the movie is connected to his own developing slate of DC movies, and has suggested that the character could appear in future films.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
The blockbuster, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is a thrilling continuation of Arthur Curry's underwater adventures. As the final film in the Zack Snyder DCEU era, this movie stands alone, yet it delivers an epic conclusion to Aquaman’s journey. Fans can enjoy stunning visuals, intense action sequences, and deeper explorations of the mystical and majestic realms of Atlantis.
DCU (DC Universe Reboot) – Starting 2025
Superman (2025) – The official start of James Gunn’s new DC Universe
The Authority (TBA)
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (TBA)
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (TBA)
Swamp Thing (TBA)
Watch the DCEU Movies in Chronological Order
We don't actually recommend this viewing order, because it takes away some of the effect of the first Wonder Woman movie. But if you do want to watch in chronological story order, here's the way to go:
Wonder Woman (2017) – Set during World War I
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – Set in the Cold War era
Man of Steel (2013) – Superman’s origin story
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – The rise of Batman and Superman’s rivalry
Suicide Squad (2016) – A team of villains on a government mission
Justice League (2017) – Heroes unite to stop Steppenwolf
Aquaman (2018) – Arthur Curry claims the throne of Atlantis
Shazam! (2019) – A teen gains magical powers
Birds of Prey (2020) – Harley Quinn’s post-Joker adventures
Black Adam (2022) – The anti-hero awakens in modern times
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) – The Shazam family returns
The Flash (2023) – Multiverse chaos and timeline resets
Blue Beetle (2023) – A young hero bonds with alien tech
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) – Arthur faces a new threat
Superman (2025) – The start of the new DC Universe
How Many DC Movies Are There?
There are over 40 live-action DC movies, including classics, the DCEU, and the new DCU. Add in animated films from the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), and the number climbs even higher.
If you're a completionist, check out the dcau watch order to explore animated gems like Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
What Is DC’s Best Movie?
Fans and critics often point to The Dark Knight (2008) as the best DC movie ever made. It won two Oscars and redefined superhero storytelling. But Aquaman (2018) holds the title for DC’s biggest box office hit, earning over $1.1 billion worldwide.
What Does DC Stand For?
DC stands for Detective Comics, the name of the comic book where Batman first appeared in 1939. Today, DC Studios is the film and TV division behind the new DCU, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
DC vs. Marvel: Who Came First?
DC was founded in 1934, while Marvel came later in 1939.
DC gave us Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman—some of the most iconic heroes ever.
Marvel has dominated recent box office numbers, but DC is rebooting with a bold new vision.
So… who’s better? That’s up to you. But with the new Superman movie, DC is ready to soar again.