Navigating the sprawling and often confusing landscape of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and its related films can be daunting. This guide provides a definitive roadmap, outlining the best viewing orders to maximize your enjoyment and understanding of these superhero sagas, whether you prioritize chronological events, release dates, or the interconnected narrative threads.
Understanding the DC Movie Universe: Three Primary Viewing Orders
Deciding how to watch the DC movies depends on your personal preference. Do you want to experience the story as it unfolded for audiences? Or delve into the internal chronology of events? Perhaps you’re most interested in focusing on specific storylines? Here are three primary approaches:
- Release Order: This is arguably the most straightforward method, mirroring the order in which the films were released in theaters. It allows you to experience the evolution of the DCEU as intended, including the stylistic shifts and narrative experiments.
- Chronological Order: This approach focuses on the timeline of events within the DC universe itself. It’s ideal for those who want to follow the narrative continuity from beginning to end, even if that means jumping between different timelines.
- “Elseworlds” vs. Connected Universe: This method divides the films into those that are part of the shared DCEU (mostly) and those that exist in their own separate universes (“Elseworlds”), offering a more streamlined experience focused on specific storylines.
Option 1: Release Order – Witnessing the DCEU’s Evolution
Watching the DC films in release order provides a fascinating insight into the franchise’s trajectory, including its successes and stumbles. This order reflects the choices Warner Bros. made in shaping the DCEU and allows you to witness the evolution of the characters and the overall tone.
Here’s the release order list:
- Man of Steel (2013)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Suicide Squad (2016)
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- Justice League (2017)
- Aquaman (2018)
- Shazam! (2019)
- Joker (2019) – Elseworlds
- Birds of Prey (2020)
- Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) – Alternative Cut
- The Suicide Squad (2021) – Soft Reboot
- The Batman (2022) – Elseworlds
- Black Adam (2022)
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
- The Flash (2023)
- Blue Beetle (2023)
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
This list presents the films as they were presented to the public, allowing you to experience the progression of the DCEU as audiences did. This is a good starting point for newcomers.
Option 2: Chronological Order – Following the In-Universe Timeline
For those seeking strict narrative continuity, watching the films in chronological order is key. This requires paying close attention to flashbacks and time jumps within the films themselves.
Here’s a proposed chronological order, acknowledging that certain timelines overlap:
- Wonder Woman (primarily set during World War I)
- Wonder Woman 1984 (set in 1984)
- Man of Steel (begins with Krypton’s destruction and then moves to Clark Kent’s childhood and early adulthood)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (set shortly after Man of Steel)
- Suicide Squad (takes place shortly after Batman v Superman)
- Justice League / Zack Snyder’s Justice League (occurs shortly after Suicide Squad)
- Aquaman (contains flashbacks to Arthur Curry’s childhood)
- Shazam! (set in the present day of the DCEU)
- Birds of Prey (set after Harley Quinn breaks up with the Joker, following the events of Suicide Squad)
- The Suicide Squad (essentially a soft reboot, taking place after the original)
- Black Adam (contains flashbacks to ancient times, but the main story is set in the present)
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (following directly after Shazam!)
- The Flash (involves time travel and alternate realities, making its precise placement challenging)
- Blue Beetle (set in the present day, seemingly disconnected from the larger DCEU after The Flash.)
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (continues Arthur’s story from Aquaman)
Note: The placement of “The Flash” is contentious due to its multiversal nature and impact on the timeline. Its position here reflects its impact on resetting the DC universe. Also, “Elseworlds” films like Joker and The Batman are excluded from this chronological ordering.
Option 3: “Elseworlds” vs. Connected Universe – Focusing Your Experience
For a more focused experience, consider separating the films into those that are part of the core DCEU narrative and those that exist in their own isolated universes, often referred to as “Elseworlds.”
The Core DCEU (Pre-James Gunn’s Reboot)
This list includes films that were intended to be part of a larger interconnected universe, even with continuity inconsistencies:
- Man of Steel
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
- Suicide Squad
- Wonder Woman
- Justice League / Zack Snyder’s Justice League
- Aquaman
- Shazam!
- Birds of Prey
- Wonder Woman 1984
- The Suicide Squad
- Black Adam
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods
- The Flash
- Blue Beetle
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
DC “Elseworlds” Films
These films exist outside the established DCEU continuity and tell standalone stories:
- Joker (2019)
- The Batman (2022)
This separation allows you to focus on the central narrative of the DCEU without the distraction of standalone stories. This is particularly useful if you’re trying to understand the planned (but now largely defunct) Snyderverse or the future direction of the franchise under James Gunn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Snyder Cut, and why is it different from the theatrical version of Justice League?
The Snyder Cut, officially titled Zack Snyder’s Justice League, is Zack Snyder’s original vision for the film, completed and released in 2021. The theatrical version was heavily altered by Joss Whedon after Snyder stepped down due to personal reasons. The Snyder Cut features a significantly different story, tone, and visual style and is considered by many fans to be the superior version.
2. Do I need to watch Suicide Squad (2016) before The Suicide Squad (2021)?
While The Suicide Squad (2021) features some of the same characters as Suicide Squad (2016), it’s a soft reboot. You don’t need to watch the 2016 version to understand the 2021 film. However, watching both provides context for characters like Harley Quinn and Rick Flag.
3. Is Joker (2019) connected to the main DCEU?
No, Joker (2019) is an Elseworlds film, meaning it exists in its own separate continuity and is not connected to the main DCEU timeline.
4. Should I watch the theatrical version of Justice League or Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Most fans and critics recommend watching Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It provides a more complete and coherent story. However, the theatrical cut offers a condensed, albeit flawed, version of the narrative.
5. What is the future of the DCEU after The Flash?
Following The Flash, James Gunn and Peter Safran are rebooting the DCEU into a new cohesive universe, DCU. Superman: Legacy is slated to be the first movie of the reboot.
6. Is there a post-credit scene I should watch in each of the movies?
Yes, most DC movies feature post-credit scenes that tease future storylines or provide comedic relief. Checking online resources like IMDb after watching a film can confirm whether there’s a post-credit scene and what it entails.
7. Where can I stream or rent the DC movies?
DC movies are available on various streaming platforms, including HBO Max (Max), as well as for rent or purchase on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies.
8. What order should I watch the DC animated movies in?
The DC animated universe is separate from the live-action DCEU, offering its own interconnected storylines and standalone adventures. Research specific story arcs, like the “New 52” movies, to find the best chronological order for those series.
9. How does The Batman (2022) fit into the DC movie universe?
The Batman (2022) is another Elseworlds film, taking place in a separate continuity from the DCEU. It is unconnected to any other live-action DC film.
10. Is the TV series Peacemaker canon to the DCEU?
Yes, the Peacemaker TV series, starring John Cena, is considered canon to the DCEU and is a direct continuation of the events of The Suicide Squad.
11. What’s the best way to prepare for the new DC Universe (DCU) under James Gunn?
Stay informed about the announcements from James Gunn and Peter Safran regarding the new DCU slate of films and TV shows. Familiarize yourself with the characters and storylines they plan to adapt from the comics.
12. Why is there so much debate about the “correct” order to watch the DC movies?
The debate stems from the varying degrees of interconnectedness between the films, the changes in creative direction, and the presence of alternate cuts and continuities. Ultimately, the “correct” order is subjective and depends on individual preferences.
By following this guide and considering your personal viewing preferences, you can confidently navigate the DC movie universe and enjoy these superhero epics to the fullest.