DC watch order

DC movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

DC on OrderToWatch is three separate continuities: the DC Extended Universe (2013 to 2023, from Man of Steel), James Gunn's new DCU (from Creature Commandos and Superman in 2025), and Watchmen. Watch the DCEU in release order for the Snyder arc, or start the DCU fresh with Superman (2025), which does not depend on the older films.

How to watch the DC movies in order: the full guide

All 25 films and series in the DC franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Watchmen (2009); the first in chronological order is Wonder Woman (set in 1918).

Release order

Watchmen (Movie, 2009): Zack Snyder's adaptation of the graphic novel; its own continuity.
Man of Steel (Movie, 2013): Henry Cavill's Superman begins the DC Extended Universe.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Movie, 2016): Ben Affleck's Batman and Wonder Woman arrive; sets up Justice League.
Suicide Squad (Movie, 2016): Task Force X's first mission; Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn debuts.
Wonder Woman (Movie, 2017): Diana's origin in World War I; works on its own.
Justice League (Movie, 2017): The team assembles; the 2021 Snyder Cut is the longer alternative.
Aquaman (Movie, 2018): Arthur Curry's standalone adventure in Atlantis.
Shazam! (Movie, 2019): A lighter, self-contained origin story.
Watchmen (Series, 2019): HBO's sequel to the graphic novel, set 34 years later.
Birds of Prey (Movie, 2020): Harley Quinn after the Joker; optional.
Wonder Woman 1984 (Movie, 2020): Diana in the 1980s; optional.
The Suicide Squad (Movie, 2021): James Gunn's soft reboot of the Squad; it introduces Peacemaker.
Peacemaker (Series, 2022): Picks up after The Suicide Squad and carries into Gunn's new DCU.
Black Adam (Movie, 2022): A standalone antihero film; optional.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (Movie, 2023): The Shazam family's sequel; optional.
The Flash (Movie, 2023): Barry Allen breaks time and resets the DCEU; Michael Keaton's Batman returns.
Blue Beetle (Movie, 2023): A standalone origin; optional.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Movie, 2023): The last DCEU film; optional.
Watchmen: Chapter I (Movie, 2024): An animated retelling of the graphic novel; optional.
Watchmen: Chapter II (Movie, 2024): The second half of the animated retelling; optional.
Creature Commandos (Series, 2024): The first chapter of James Gunn's new DCU, in animation.
Superman (Movie, 2025): David Corenswet's Superman: the start of the new DCU and the place to begin it.
Peacemaker: Season 2 (Series, 2025): Peacemaker inside the new DCU, after Superman.
Supergirl (Movie, 2026): Kara Zor-El's film in the new DCU.
Lanterns (Series, 2026): Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart in the new DCU.

Chronological order

Wonder Woman (set in 1918): Diana's origin in World War I; works on its own.
Wonder Woman 1984 (set in 1984): Diana in the 1980s; optional.
Man of Steel (set in 2013): Henry Cavill's Superman begins the DC Extended Universe.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (set in 2015): Ben Affleck's Batman and Wonder Woman arrive; sets up Justice League.
Suicide Squad (set in 2016): Task Force X's first mission; Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn debuts.
Justice League (set in 2017): The team assembles; the 2021 Snyder Cut is the longer alternative.
Aquaman (set in 2018): Arthur Curry's standalone adventure in Atlantis.
Shazam! (set in 2019): A lighter, self-contained origin story.
Birds of Prey (set in 2020): Harley Quinn after the Joker; optional.
The Suicide Squad (set in 2020): James Gunn's soft reboot of the Squad; it introduces Peacemaker.
Peacemaker (set in 2021): Picks up after The Suicide Squad and carries into Gunn's new DCU.
Black Adam (set in 2022): A standalone antihero film; optional.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (set in 2023): The Shazam family's sequel; optional.
Blue Beetle (set in 2023): A standalone origin; optional.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (set in 2023): The last DCEU film; optional.
The Flash (set in 2023, Multiverse): Barry Allen breaks time and resets the DCEU; Michael Keaton's Batman returns.
Creature Commandos (set in Before Superman): The first chapter of James Gunn's new DCU, in animation.
Superman (set in Mid-2025): David Corenswet's Superman: the start of the new DCU and the place to begin it.
Peacemaker: Season 2 (set in 2025): Peacemaker inside the new DCU, after Superman.
Supergirl (set in 2026): Kara Zor-El's film in the new DCU.
Lanterns (set in 1996 & 2026): Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart in the new DCU.
Watchmen (set in 1985): Zack Snyder's adaptation of the graphic novel; its own continuity.
Watchmen: Chapter I (set in 1985): An animated retelling of the graphic novel; optional.
Watchmen: Chapter II (set in 1985): The second half of the animated retelling; optional.
Watchmen (set in 2019): HBO's sequel to the graphic novel, set 34 years later.

Coming next

Man of Tomorrow (2027-07-09)

Common questions

What order should I watch the DC movies in?

How many DC movies and shows are there?

There are 25 titles in the DC franchise: 20 films and 5 series, released from 2009 to 2026. 1 more is announced: Man of Tomorrow.

How long does it take to watch all the DC movies?

About 74 hours for all 25 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (17 titles) take about 58 hours.

What is the first DC title in chronological order?

Wonder Woman, set in 1918. In release order the first is Watchmen (2009).

Which DC titles can I skip?

Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Blue Beetle, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Watchmen: Chapter I, and Watchmen: Chapter II. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.

What is the next DC release?

Man of Tomorrow, out July 9, 2027.