While James Gunn’s new DCU is well underway, many viewers remain nostalgic for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). After all, the DCEU gave us Henry Cavill as Superman, Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, and live-action movie adaptations of many iconic DC storylines for the first time.
For those interested in catching up on or reliving the former DC cinematic universe, this guide will explain where you can watch the DCEU movies in release date order on platforms like HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
Man of Steel (2013)
Man of Steel kick-started the DCEU in 2013, opening the cinematic universe with DC Comics’ most iconic and recognizable hero, Superman. In the film, Clark Kent (Cavill) has spent his life hiding his Kryptonian powers until General Zod's (Michael Shannon) arrival on Earth forces him to accept his destiny as Earth’s protector.
Man of Steel is a solid Superman movie for fans of the hero and Cavill. Many fans still hail Cavill as one of the best iterations of the hero, especially because of the emotional depth and complexity he brings to the character. The action is also exhilarating, as is the contrast between General Zod and Superman. It’s one of the few Superman movies that leaves you genuinely wanting to dissect the main hero and his haunted past. What the film lacks in story and plot, it makes up for with visuals, thoughtfulness, and emotional depth. Viewers looking for an exciting and enjoyable superhero blockbuster with a strong Superman iteration won’t want to miss Man of Steel.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice marked the DCEU’s first major crossover as it sees Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) pit DC’s biggest heroes, Superman (Cavill) and Batman (Ben Affleck), against each other.
Batman v Superman is quite the spectacle, and it doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of Superman and Batman’s personalities and histories. Along with Man of Steel, the film helps set a more mature, dark tone for the DCEU. Meanwhile, Cavill and Affleck portray their roles, animosity, and motivations convincingly. However, it is overly long and struggles to conclude its feud satisfactorily. Still, if you enjoyed Man of Steel and are looking for a visually epic and tonally dark hero crossover, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a good watch.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Suicide Squad brought the first anti-hero team to the DCEU. The film centers on a task force of convicts dubbed the “Suicide Squad,” who Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) commissions to investigate a mysterious, powerful force.
Suicide Squad offers some of the best DCEU performances and character iterations, including Margot Robbie’s eccentric Harley Quinn and Davis’s stern, intimidating Waller. Viewers hoping for a more comedic and irreverent tone after the serious Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will find Suicide Squad more appealing, as well as those eager to watch a few standout performances. However, if you’re hoping for an anti-hero story as well put together as Thunderbolts* (2025) or The Suicide Squad (2021), you may be a bit disappointed due to the messy plot and inconsistent tone. While it’s perfect for some light entertainment, it feels oddly restrained given the potential of the source material.
Wonder Woman (2017)
Wonder Woman tells the origin story of its titular hero (Gal Gadot), who leaves her life as Amazonian Princess Diana for the outside world, where she hopes to stop World War I.
Wonder Woman is one of the biggest highlights of the DCEU, appealing to viewers who had waited decades for a satisfying female-centric comic book adaptation. Gadot wholly embodies the charisma and strength of Wonder Woman, while the visuals are stunning, with a strong action-packed plot and convincing central romance. Compared to the DCEU’s prior films, Wonder Woman also felt like a breath of fresh air. It offered a brighter, more inspirational tone and abandoned the brooding, haunted hero trope. Ultimately, Wonder Woman isn’t just for fans of the DCEU, but for fans of Wonder Woman and superhero films in general seeking a top-notch adaptation.
Justice League (2017)
Justice League marked an even bigger crossover than Batman v Superman as Batman assembles a whole team to stop Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and his army of Parademons.
Justice League is quite a compelling superhero movie, reminiscent of The Avengers (2012) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) with its superhero team-up and unique blend of action, comedy, and drama. While the film struggles with some poor CGI and a messy plot, it still delivers on what viewers expect from a big-budget comic book film with a fast pace, action, and entertainment. You will appreciate Justice League if you go in aware of the production issues behind the scenes and what to expect, understanding it’s not quite The Avengers, but still stands well on its own as a satisfying superhero team movie.
Aquaman (2018)
Aquaman is another highlight of the DCEU, taking viewers on an underwater adventure as half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) seeks to save Atlantis from his evil half-brother’s tyranny.
Aquaman is a delightful blend of fantasy and superhero action with gorgeous visuals that truly transport you to the city of Atlantis. It embraces a lighter, more comedic tone and emphasizes relatable heroes. It’s also impossible not to love the whole Curry family and feel for their story. Viewers who loved Wonder Woman and are looking for another well-made, feel-good DCEU movie won’t want to miss Aquaman.
Shazam! (2019)
Shazam! is one of the DCEU’s most lighthearted and spirited movies, as it centers on young hero Billy Batson (Asher Angel), who has the unique power to transform into adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi).
Shazam! is the kind of film you watch for a good time. It’s pure, wholesome, and fun entertainment, suitable for the whole family. The idea of a superhero who is a kid at heart adds to the comedic tone of the film, but it also elevates the emotion as Batson navigates the foster care system and struggles to find where he belongs. In Batson/Shazam, viewers see a surprisingly relatable hero who is impossible to dislike. If you’re looking for a wildly fun and hilarious superhero movie with a few heartwarming messages, you can’t go wrong with Shazam!.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)
Birds of Prey is a spin-off of Suicide Squad that sees Harley Quinn team up with a group of female vigilantes to save Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco).
Birds of Prey is further proof that the DCEU knows how to do female superhero movies the right way. Robbie is as eccentric and engaging as ever as Quinn, while her co-stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and Rosie Perez complement her performance, and the script gives her far more to work with than Suicide Squad. Fans of The Suicide Squad and Deadpool (2016) will love that Birds of Prey amps up the creativity, irreverence, and violence, offering the DCEU’s first proper mature superhero movie.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Wonder Woman 1984 is the sequel to Wonder Woman, which sees Diana Prince attempting to lead a quieter life until she is forced to face the rise of powerful villains Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) and The Cheetah (Kristen Wiig).
Fans of the first Wonder Woman movie will want to return for the sequel, which provides much more context to Diana’s story, exploring how her experiences in the first film have shaped her as a human and superhero. Viewers really start to understand how she came into the confident and powerful figure she exudes in Justice League. The ‘80s nostalgia and inclusion of some iconic Wonder Woman-adjacent comic book characters will further draw in Wonder Woman and DCEU fans, even if the sequel doesn’t eclipse the original.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the director’s cut of Justice League that presents Zack Snyder’s original vision for the film before he left production.
Audiences and critics gave the director’s cut more favorable reviews than the original movie. It boasts a longer runtime, more cohesive storytelling, and reverts to the darker tone of earlier DCEU movies. If you’re expecting something radically different from Justice League, you may be disappointed by Zack Snyder’s Justice League. However, if you’re a big fan of Snyder and interested in seeing a different version of a familiar movie, the director’s cut is worth a watch.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
The Suicide Squad is a soft reboot of Suicide Squad, which sees Waller gather the Squad to fight the giant alien starfish Starro the Conqueror.
The Suicide Squad is a significant improvement over the first. It retains the best aspects of Suicide Squad, including Robbie and Davis, and the dark humor and eccentricity, while adding an array of exciting new characters, such as John Cena’s Peacemaker, and dialing up the action, adult humor, violence, and outlandish plotlines. The reboot also drives home the “found family” aspect, making for some emotional undertones. The Suicide Squad is for viewers looking for a proper Suicide Squad adaptation and those who can’t resist a good, mature underdog superhero story.
Black Adam (2022)
Black Adam follows the rise of Teth Adam (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), who returns to Earth after thousands of years in imprisonment, attracting the attention of the Justice Society.
Like The Suicide Squad, Black Adam explores the concept of anti-heroes with the vengeful and powerful Teth-Adam. However, it does so with much more comedy and less grit than The Suicide Squad, making it more enjoyable for those seeking some lighter superhero fare. Since Black Adam is a very self-contained film, you don’t even have to be familiar with the DCEU to enjoy it or follow the plotline. Hence, it’s an excellent film for anyone looking for a standard superhero or popcorn movie with dazzling visuals and epic action.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the sequel to Shazam!, sees the return of Billy and his foster siblings as they face the Daughters of Atlas.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a satisfying sequel for fans of the first movie. Although it fails to capture the heart and spirit of the original, it maintains the lighthearted tone and goofy sense of humor. The film also elevates the action a bit and expands Shazam! lore with the introduction of the Daughters of Atlas. If you enjoy the DCEU’s lighter movies, Shazam! Fury of the Gods makes for a breezy superhero watch.
The Flash (2023)
The Flash centers on speedster Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), who becomes trapped in an alternate timeline while traveling back in time to change his past.
The Flash is a good film for those interested in multiverse action movies. Additionally, since it brings back Michael Keaton’s Batman, fans of Tim Burton’s Batman movies will especially get a kick out of The Flash. Ultimately, it’s like the DCEU’s version of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), featuring a multiversal setting, alternate timelines, and the return of some familiar DCEU and pre-DCEU faces. Fans who appreciate the tribute to DC’s earlier film history and love multiverse movies will enjoy The Flash.
Blue Beetle (2023)
Blue Beetle tells the story of Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), who becomes the Blue Beetle after unwittingly bonding with a relic of alien technology.
Blue Beetle is another fun and vibrant entry in the DCEU. Like Black Adam, it works well as a standalone film, thus appealing to viewers within and outside the DCEU fandom. Meanwhile, Blue Beetle is a light-hearted, funny, and heartwarming story with its focus on the whole Reyes family and positive depiction of the DCEU’s first solo lead Latino hero. Blue Beetle also carries some emotional depth as it delves into loss, grief, and financial struggles. Ultimately, viewers seeking a strong superhero origin movie will love Blue Beetle.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the sequel to Aquaman, which sees Arthur team up with his estranged half-brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), to fight the return of Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II).
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is quite different from the original movie, as it takes the form of a buddy comedy with Orm and Arthur. Still, the pair's comedic dynamic is one of the highlights of the film. Black Manta’s epic return will also appeal to fans of the first Aquaman. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom offers some strong visuals and entertaining superhero action. However, it doesn’t have much to offer in terms of depth and story, especially as it marked the final film of the DCEU and may feel a little irrelevant to viewers. Still, fans of Aquaman and those eager to see the DCEU through to the end will want to give Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom a try.
