The DC cinematic universe is vast, action-packed, and—let’s be honest—a little confusing. Between the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), the upcoming DCU reboot under James Gunn, and standalone films like Joker and The Batman, figuring out how to watch DC movies in order can feel like its own superhero mission.
This guide will break down the two main ways to watch:
- Chronological Order – by the story’s in-universe timeline
- Release Order – based on theatrical debut
And we’ll also clarify where standalone titles and the upcoming DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters fit in.
🧭 Part 1: DC Movies in Chronological Story Order
This list follows the narrative timeline, not the release schedule—perfect if you want to watch events unfold as they happened within the universe.
🛡️ 1. Wonder Woman (2017)
- Set during World War I, this is the earliest point in the DCEU timeline.
- Introduces Diana Prince and sets the stage for gods and meta-humans.
🕊️ 2. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
- Set decades after the first film, Diana reunites with Steve Trevor and faces off against Maxwell Lord and Cheetah.
👽 3. Man of Steel (2013)
- The official kickoff of the DCEU.
- Explores Clark Kent’s origin and the emergence of Superman.
⚔️ 4. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Takes place 18 months after Man of Steel.
- Introduces Ben Affleck’s Batman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.
- Seeds the idea of the Justice League.
⚡ 5. Suicide Squad (2016)
- Set after Superman’s “death.”
- Brings together villains like Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang.
🤖 6. Justice League (2017) or Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
- Your call here:
- Justice League (2017) is the theatrical version.
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the director’s 4-hour cut, considered by fans as the definitive version.
🧜 7. Aquaman (2018)
- Set shortly after the events of Justice League.
- Arthur Curry embraces his destiny as King of Atlantis.
💋 8. Birds of Prey (2020)
- Picks up after Suicide Squad.
- Focuses on Harley Quinn’s emancipation from the Joker and her team-up with Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya.
🃏 9. The Suicide Squad (2021)
- Not a sequel, not a reboot—more of a soft reimagining.
- Features some returning cast (Harley Quinn, Amanda Waller), with new additions like Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and King Shark.
🌩️ 10. Black Adam (2022)
- Set in the modern day.
- Introduces the Justice Society of America (JSA) and expands the DCEU’s mythos.
🦇 11. Shazam! (2019)
- Light-hearted and disconnected from main DCEU stories.
- Focuses on Billy Batson discovering his magical powers.
⚡ 12. Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
- Direct sequel to Shazam!.
- Billy and his foster siblings face the daughters of Atlas.
⏳ 13. The Flash (2023)
- Explores the multiverse and timeline changes.
- Features both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton’s Batman.
🧠 14. Blue Beetle (2023)
- Originally planned as a standalone, later confirmed as the first character of James Gunn’s new DCU, though the movie was made under the old regime.
- Story-wise, it works as a fresh introduction with limited connections to past DCEU films.
🎥 Part 2: DC Movies in Release Order
Prefer to experience the highs and lows as audiences originally did? Here’s the DCEU’s release timeline:
| Year | Movie |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Man of Steel |
| 2016 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice |
| 2016 | Suicide Squad |
| 2017 | Wonder Woman |
| 2017 | Justice League |
| 2018 | Aquaman |
| 2019 | Shazam! |
| 2020 | Birds of Prey |
| 2020 | Wonder Woman 1984 |
| 2021 | Zack Snyder’s Justice League (HBO Max) |
| 2021 | The Suicide Squad |
| 2022 | Black Adam |
| 2023 | Shazam! Fury of the Gods |
| 2023 | The Flash |
| 2023 | Blue Beetle |
| 2023 | Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom |
🃏 Where Do Standalone Films Like The Batman and Joker Fit?
They don’t—at least not in the DCEU.
- 🦇 The Batman (2022) starring Robert Pattinson is part of a separate timeline known as “Elseworlds”.
- 🤡 Joker (2019), set in 1981, is a standalone origin story with no ties to the broader DC Universe.
Both are artistic, gritty takes on iconic characters and are outside the main continuity. However, they’re absolutely worth watching for fans of the franchise.
🔄 What’s Next? James Gunn’s New DC Universe (DCU)
In 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran took over the DC Studios creative direction. They’re building a new, rebooted shared universe starting with:
- 🎬 Superman (2025) – Official start of “DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters”
- 🧟 Creature Commandos (animated)
- 🦇 The Brave and the Bold – New Batman/Bruce & Damian Wayne
- 👩🦰 Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
- 🌍 Swamp Thing
Where to start:
You can treat Superman (2025) as your new starting point if you want to follow the rebooted universe from scratch.
🧠 Tips for the Best Experience
- 🎧 Watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League instead of the 2017 version for story continuity and depth.
- 🧭 Choose your watch order based on preference:
- Chronological = Story-driven immersion
- Release = Follows fandom and pop culture evolution
- 🗂️ Use streaming services wisely:
- Max (HBO Max), Netflix (some regional), Amazon Prime, and Apple TV often rotate DC titles.
✅ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re new to the DC universe or revisiting it before the new DCU launches, watching the films in order—chronologically or by release—can give you a deeper appreciation of its characters and story arcs.
With a mix of myth, grit, humor, and cosmic stakes, the DC movies may not always be perfectly connected, but they offer iconic moments, unforgettable heroes, and now, a promising rebooted future.