The Ideal Chronological Order to Discover the DC Comics Universe

The DC Cinematic Universe (often referred to as the DCEU ) is a real puzzle: between interconnected films , independent works, and recent reboots , it's not always easy to find your way around. With icons like Batman , Superman, Wonder Woman , or Aquaman , every viewer wonders: should we follow the release order? The internal chronology? Or an optimized mix to better understand the major plots?

👉 Here's a complete guide to discovering the DC movies in the most coherent order possible and making sure you don't miss any of the evolution of your favorite heroes. A great starting point for diving into the stories that shaped Gotham, Metropolis, and Atlantis.

1. The chronological order of events (narrative order)

If you want to follow the evolution of the characters in the right direction of the story , this path respects the internal temporality of the DCEU: from the first heroic origins to the cosmic confrontations against Darkseid and the appearance of the multiverse.

• Wonder Woman (2017) – Origins of Diana Prince, during the First World War.
• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – Standalone sequel, set in the heart of the Cold War.
• Man of Steel (2013) – Birth of Superman, between Kryptonian heritage and humanity.
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – Ideological conflict between Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. (👉 To better understand the Dark Knight, check out our Batman history page ).
• Suicide Squad (2016) – Supervillains from Gotham and beyond recruited for suicidal missions.
• Justice League (2017) or Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) – Alliance of heroes against Steppenwolf and threat of Darkseid.
• Aquaman (2018) – Origins of Arthur Curry, between royal duty and the kingdom of Atlantis.
• Shazam! (2019) – Standalone adventure, but anchored in the larger DC Universe.
• Birds of Prey (2020) – Harley Quinn takes flight after her breakup with the Joker. (👉 Read: full profile of Harley Quinn ).
• Black Adam (2022) – An ancient anti-hero, tied to the Shazam mythology.
• The Flash (2023) – The multiverse opens, between time travel and alternate realities. (👉 To explore timelines, check out our complete Batman timeline in theaters ).
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) – Direct sequel, exploring the forgotten realms of Atlantis.

2. The release order of DC films (production order)

If you want to relive the original theatrical experience , there's nothing better than following the release order. This order reflects the studios' strategy and highlights the technical, narrative, and aesthetic evolution of the DCEU, with its successes, controversies, and sometimes opposing visions.

• Man of Steel (2013) – Zack Snyder's first milestone and modern reboot of Superman.
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – A seminal duel between the two icons.
• Suicide Squad (2016) – Introducing cult anti-heroes like Harley Quinn and Deadshot, who quickly become iconic figures.
• Wonder Woman (2017) – Diana's mythological epic, which strengthened the DC Universe in cinema.
• Justice League (2017) – Controversial reunion of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash and Cyborg.
• Aquaman (2018) – Colossal box office success, immersed in the aquatic world of Atlantis.
• Shazam! (2019) – A lighter, family-friendly, and humorous film.
• Birds of Prey (2020) – Harley Quinn takes flight as a solo heroine.
• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – A colorful and retro sequel, but criticized for its story choices.
• Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) – The long, dark, fan-requested version that rehabilitates the director's vision.
• Black Adam (2022) – Arrival of a powerful and charismatic anti-hero, played by Dwayne Johnson.
• The Flash (2023) – Exploration of the multiverse and return of past versions of Batman.
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) – Direct sequel that concludes Arthur Curry's epic story that began in 2018.

3. The recommended order for new viewers

If you're new to the DC Universe, it can be difficult to dive into more than ten interconnected films . This hybrid order, designed for new viewers, gets to the point: it groups together the core films that allow you to quickly understand the stakes of the DCEU without getting lost in the secondary narratives.

• Man of Steel (2013) – The perfect starting point for discovering Superman.
• Wonder Woman (2017) – Introduction of a key character, before her role in Justice League.
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – A seminal duel that shapes everything else.
• Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) – The heroes unite against Steppenwolf and Darkseid.
• Aquaman (2018) – A visual breath of fresh air and an endearing hero.
• Shazam! (2019) – A lighter tone that expands the DC Universe.
• Black Adam (2022) – Introducing a formidable and charismatic anti-hero.
• The Flash (2023) – The multiverse opens, with time travel that reshuffles all the cards.

4. Independent films (outside the official DCEU)

At the same time, DC has produced standalone films that do not follow the DCEU continuity. These works, more artistic and often darker, explore the heroes and villains from a different perspective:

• Joker (2019) – An intense psychological dive into the madness of Arthur Fleck, brilliantly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. 👉 To go further, discover our complete analysis of Joker .
• The Batman (2022) – A dark and realistic investigation led by Robert Pattinson, which redefines the Dark Knight. 👉 Also read: Gotham City, the city symbolizing Batman .

What order should I choose to watch the DC movies?

It all depends on your goals:

• Chronological Order – Ideal for total immersion in the story and world-building.
• Release Order – Perfect for reliving the original fan experience and following the studios' evolution.
• Recommended order – Best choice for new viewers who want to grasp the essentials quickly.

Regardless of the order you choose, each film immerses you in a world where heroism, tragedy, and modern mythologies intertwine. From Gotham City to Metropolis , via the depths of Atlantis and the mysteries of Themyscira, the DCEU unfolds an epic saga that fascinates longtime fans and new viewers alike.

🌌 Extend the DC experience beyond the movies

The movies are just the first step. To dive even deeper into the DC Universe, you can explore:

• Our Batman figurines , ideal for recreating legendary scenes from the DCEU.
• The Batman t-shirt collection , to proudly display the Gotham icon every day.
  

📖 Focus on the major narrative arcs of the DCEU

• Superman's arc: from Man of Steel to Zack Snyder's Justice League , a tale of sacrifice, hope, and rebirth. 👉 Also read: Superman vs. Batman: Two Opposite Symbols .
• Batman's arc: A Bruce Wayne marked by his demons, who evolves from a lone vigilante to a strategist assembling a team.
• Wonder Woman's arc: Diana, a bridge between mythology and the modern world, embodies a timeless and inspiring heroine.
• The Multiverse : Revealed by The Flash , it reshuffles all the cards and opens the way to multiple versions of Batman, Superman and many others.

❓ FAQ – Understanding the order of DC movies