Release date and plot summary guide to streaming DC movies
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” marked the formal end of the DCEU. However, fans are eager to see what more the creative team behind the reimagined DC Universe has in store. The “Creature Commandos” animated series by Max officially kicked it off in December. But the DC Extended Universe won’t make its big-screen debut until July with the launch of “Superman” by David Corenswet. Until then, we know you’re in the mood for watching superhero flicks nonstop. You’ll be pleased to hear that it’s far easier than hopping from one skyscraper to another.
Although the majority of the DCEU films featuring Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the rest are still accessible on Max, occasional updates remove some of them. It’s not as simple as just streaming the Marvel films on Disney+, which is a huge help.
While it’s easy to view DC films in their original order, it can be more challenging to view them chronologically.
Starting with “Man of Steel” (2013), this guide will concentrate on the DC Extended Universe films. Film adaptations of DC Comics have been numerous, starting with 1951’s “Superman and the Mole Men.” The Joker (2019, starring Joaquin Phoenix) and its sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” as well as “The Batman” (2019, starring Robert Pattinson), are independent films. Therefore, they are not included in this list.
Warner Bros. and DC have produced Batman and Superman films on occasion for decades. However, the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) marks the first shared cinematic universe encompassing numerous superhero characters.
What is the right order to watch movies in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU)?
The right order for the DC Extended Universe movies is Wonder Woman (2017), which takes place during World War I, then Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). After that, Man of Steel (2013), Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), Justice League (2017) or Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Aquaman (2018), Shazam! (2019), Birds of Prey (2020), The Suicide Squad (2021), Black Adam (2022), Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), The Flash (2023), Blue Beetle (2023), and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).
Where can I watch DC flicks online?
You can watch most DC Extended Universe movies on streaming services like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix (depending on where you live), and Max (formerly HBO Max). But because of licensing deals, streaming access changes all the time, so viewers should check their local streaming services to see what they offer.
Is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom the last DCEU movie?
Yes, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) is the last movie in the DC Extended Universe. The storylines that started with Man of Steel (2013) come to an end. Beginning with Superman in 2025, all future DC movies will be part of the new DC Universe remake, which is being led by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Do Joker and Batman fit into the story of the DC Extended Universe?
No, The Batman (2022), Joker (2019), and Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) are not part of the DC Extended Universe. They are separate DC movies. These movies take place in different timelines and don't have anything to do with the main DCEU plot.
Should you watch DC movies in the order they came out or in the order they happened?
Each watching order gives you a different experience. Watching DC movies in the order they came out helps viewers understand how the characters are introduced and how the story develops the way the filmmakers meant. The events in the DC Universe are clearer when they are put in chronological order, which makes it easier to understand how the story develops overall.
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As of January 2026, there are fifteen DC films set in the extended world. You may have noticed that there are sixteen films here. However, “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is actually a director’s edit of the original “Justice League,” not a separate DCEU feature.
Superman (Henry Cavill), Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Shazam (Zachary Levi), and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) are the main characters.
Here are all of the DC movies in order, as per the chronology of their release.
DC movies in order
1. “Wonder Woman” (2017)
Critics agree: Wonder Woman is amazing because it is thrilling, sincere, and helped along by Gal Gadot’s magnetic performance.
Cast: Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), General Antiope (Robin Wright), and Ares (David Thewlis).
Directed By: Patty Jenkins
2. (2020) “Wonder Woman 1984.”
Critics Agree: Despite its problems with sequel overload, Wonder Woman 1984 provides thrilling entertainment worthy of the series and its iconic lead character.
Cast: Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as General Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta.
Directed By: Patty Jenkins
3. “Man of Steel” (2013) premiered
Critics’ Consensus: The majority of critics agree that, despite the film’s thrilling action and spectacular visuals, Man of Steel falls victim to the trap of being just another formulaic blockbuster.
DC Movies in Order: Superman
Cast: Clark Kent/Superman, played by Henry Cavill; Lois Lane, by Amy Adams; General Zod, by Michael Shannon; Martha Kent, by Diane Lane; Jonathan Kent, by Kevin Costner; Perry White, by Laurence Fishburne; and Jor-El, by Russell Crowe, are the whole cast.
Directed By: Zack Snyder
4. “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
Critics’ Consensus: A dismal maelstrom of effects-driven action smothers a potentially dramatic plot in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, according to critics. The film also stars some of America’s most recognizable superheroes.
Cast: Henry Cavill plays Clark Kent/Superman, Gal Gadot plays Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Ben Affleck plays Bruce Wayne/Batman, and Amy Adams plays Lois Lane.
Directed By: Zack Snyder
5. “Suicide Squad” (2016)
Critics’ Consensus: The consensus among critics is that Suicide Squad has a stellar cast and more humor than prior DCEU films, but these factors aren’t enough to redeem the film’s ultimately unsatisfying plot, poorly developed characters, and shaky direction.
Cast: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and Will Smith as Deadshot.
Directed by: Jared Leto
6. The 2017 film “Justice League.”
Critics Agree: Justice League improves upon previous DC films, but it can’t save the series from its muddled look, flat characters, and disorganized action.
Cast: Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), Lois Lane (Amy Adams), Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher).
Directed By:Zack Snyder
7. Justice League: Zack Snyder’s Vision (2021)
Critics’ Consensus: The reviewers have spoken. And Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder, plays up to its moniker with a massive cut that grows to accommodate Snyder’s vision. This version should please the fans who wished it into being.
Cast: Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J. K. Simmons, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg
Directed By:Zack Snyder
Image source: Warner Bros
8. The 2018 film “Aquaman.”
Critics Agree: In agreement among critics, Aquaman rides a wave of entertainingly ridiculous CGI superhero extravagance. In doing so, it delivers exciting action with a focus on good old-fashioned fun.
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman are Aquaman, Mera, Nuidis Vulko, Orm Marius, and David Kane/Black Manta, respectively.
Directed By:James Wan
9. “Shazam!” This year (2019)
Critics’ Consensus: The reviewers have unanimously praised Shazam! Reviewers have praised Shazam! for its heartwarming and hilariously entertaining mix of the two. It is a film about superheroes that keeps in mind the genre’s true strength. Ultimately, the film aims to make people happy by fulfilling their wishes.
Cast: Djimon Hounsou as Shazam, Zachary Levi as Billy Batson, Asher Angel as Dr. Thaddeus Silvana, and Mark Strong as himself.
Directed By:David F. Sandberg
10. The year 2020’s “Birds of Prey.”
Critics’ Consensus: The critical consensus is that Birds of Prey successfully portrays Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie. As a vibrantly anarchic individual, it also offers a fresh perspective and new friends. Finally, the film offers a wealth of thrilling action sequences.
Image Source: Warner Bros
Cast: Josie Perez plays Renee Montoya, Ella Jay Basco portrays Cassandra Cain, Chris Messina plays Victor Zsasz, and Ewan McGregor plays Roman Sionis/Black Mask. Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Helena Bertinelli. The Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, plays Dinah Lance/Black Canary, and Margot Robbie plays Harley Quinn. Jurnie Smollett-Bell, Ella Jay Basco, Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star
Directed By:Cathy Yan
11. “The Suicide Squad” (2021)
Critics Agree: The Suicide Squad is a hilarious, fast-paced return to form, capitalizing on the violent, anarchic qualities of the original material, as envisioned by writer-director James Gunn.
Cast: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, and Peter Capaldi
Directed By:James Gunn
12. Peacemaker
In summary, a man will do whatever it takes to bring about peace, no matter how many people he has to kill.
Cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji
13. “Black Adam” in 2022.
Critics Agree: Overall, reviewers agree that Black Adam could be a stepping stone to more thrilling DC cinematic franchises, but the picture is a huge disappointment when seen in isolation.
DC Movies in Order: Black Adam
Cast: Julianne Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, and Aldis Hodge are the actors in this film.
Directed By:Jaume Collet-Serra
14. 2013’s “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”
Critics’ Consensus: Dissatisfying and lacking in concentration compared to Shazam! Thankfully, Fury of the Gods manages to hold on to nearly all of the ridiculous fun seen in the original material.
Cast: Julianne Moore, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Lucy Liu, and Helen Mirren
Directed By:David F. Sandberg
15. “The Flash” (2023)
Critics’ Consensus: With its hilarious plot and its rapid pace, The Flash is undeniably one of the finest DC films of late.
Cast: Michael Keaton, Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdu, Kiersey Clemons, and Antje Traue.
Directed By:Andy Muschietti
16. (2023) “Blue Beetle.”
Critics Agree: Blue Beetle, starring Xolo Maridueña, is an entertaining and heartwarming superhero film that focuses on families.
Cast: Adriana Barraza, Xolo Mariduena, Damian Alcazar, Susan Sarandon, Raoul Max Trujillo, and George Lopez.
Directed by: Angel Manuel Soto
17. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (2023)
DC Movies in Order: Aquaman
Critics’ Consensus: Despite its stunning underwater scenery and high-energy action, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was panned for its conventional plot and shallow characters. Jason Momoa’s charming performance offsets the film’s uneven pacing and superhero clichés. It’s entertaining, but it doesn’t match its predecessor.
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Patrick Wilson, Jason Momoa, and Amber Heard are among the cast members. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is also in the cast.
Directed by: James Wan
18. The 2024 film “Joker: Folie à Deux”
Critics Agree: Joker: Folie à Deux combines psychological drama and music, but critics’ opinions were mixed. Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix give powerful performances, but the film’s pacing and tonal risks may not appeal. Bold sequel challenges more than it fulfills.
Cast: Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Steve Coogan, Harry Lawtey, Zazie Beetz, Catherine Keener, and Joaquin Phoenix.
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Shazam are famous heroes in the DC Extended Universe. This film series starts with Man of Steel and ends with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. It builds to a thrilling climax filled with action and character growth.
Although the DCEU has ended, its films are still accessible on streaming services. Fans can relive the adventure or watch them for the first time. This guide ensures you don’t miss any moments in DC’s universe. You can watch in chronological order or by release date.
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