In what order should you watch dc comics?

The list of superheroes is long, and their world is vast, complex, and even confusing. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and many others: they are all part of the DC Extended Universe. Released on different dates, one wonders How to watch DC Comics in order to understand the chronology.

The adventures of these characters sometimes unfold in parallel, sometimes centuries apart. Wonder Woman's First World War takes place long before Flash appeared on our screens. And what about the dawn of the Justice League and the turmoil of the Suicide Squad? In this sea of iconic superheroes and villains, this article is your lifeline.

Discover the chronological path Follow along to get the most out of this cinematic epic. Put aside the MCU vs. DCEU debates, because today is all about DC, all day long!

The ideal viewing order for DC Comics

Please note that complying with this timeline is not just a matter of broadcast dates; it is a deep dive in history itself.

So, whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this viewing guide will help you better understand and appreciate every adventure, every relationship, and every scene.

The latest updates on DC comics

• On March 24, 2023, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" (you'll find it at the end of the order - before the two most recent).
• On June 16, 2023, "The Flash" was added to the end of the order (you'll find it at the end of the order - penultimate).
• August 18, 2023 from "Blue Beetle" (you'll find it at the end of the order);

• December 22, 2023, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Does chronological or release order always correspond to the best viewing experience?

Immersing yourself in the DC Extended Universe is a exciting adventureIt's also a cinematic labyrinth, where chronological order and release dates are not always the most reliable guides.

Take, for example, the flamboyant Harley Quinn in "Birds of Prey" or the powerful Black Adam in his initial broadcast: watching these films according to their output order could muddy the story that the DC universe is trying to tell. Indeed, the DCEU, like its counterpart the MCU, is building a structure where each stone, each film, fits into a larger picture.

However, relying solely on the release date is a bit like following a map without a compass: you risk missing the subtleties of the plot, losing track of a valuable connection, or missing an enlightening post-credits scene.

Imagine discovering the dark and mysterious Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before the sunny introduction of Man of Steel. The experience would be radically different, wouldn't it? Sometimes, the DC universe sees its characters evolve outside of time, unfolding major scenes even before key events have taken place.

The ideal order for viewing DC comics

The order we are presenting here concerns the viewing sequence rather than strict chronological order. It is important to note that this order takes into account the chronology of the universe, but with some flexibility, particularly in consideration of future film additions.

Our suggestion is to offer you a particularly comfortable viewing experienceWhile respecting the chronology, we only suggest adjustments when necessary. You are also free to skip watching some of the films, particularly those released after Justice League.

So here's the chart showing you the viewing order of DC Comics:

CHAPTER	RANK	FILM/SERIES TITLE
THE ROAD TO JUSTICE LEAGUE	1	Wonder Woman
	2	Wonder Woman 1984
	3	Man of Steel
	4	Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
	5	Suicide Squad
	6	Justice League
THE AFTERMATH - "JUSTICE LEAGUE	7	Aquaman
	8	Shazam!
	9	Birds of Prey - and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn
	10	The Suicide Squad
	11	HBO series Max: Peacemaker (episodes 1-8)
	12	black adam
	13	Shazam! Fury of the Gods
THE TRANSITION TO DC UNIVERSE	14	The Flash
	15	Blue Beetle
	16	Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

 

Why this order?

First, with "Wonder Woman, you will discover the heroine's main adventures during World War I, making it a logical choice before the other films, which take place in the 21st century. Its sequel, the film "Wonder Woman 1984, in the 20th century in 1984.

Then continue viewing with "Man of Steel, the dark and mysterious "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice then "Suicide Squad following the release order, where the first two follow on directly from each other and the last one paves the way for "Justice League" thanks to its post-credits scene.

Indeed, in "Justice League", events take place after "Batman v Superman" and "Suicide Squad". Continue with the film "Aquaman following the eponymous character after the events of "Justice League".

Then there's "Shazam!". Although it has little to do with the other films, it is supposed to take place after "Justice League" due to its release date. "Birds of Prey takes place a few years after "Suicide Squad"; it's a logical sequel.

Continue with "The Suicide Squad". Harley Quinn's adventures in "Birds of Prey" precede those in "The Suicide Squad," followed by "Peacemaker, taking place after the film. The film "Black Adam is logically situated after "Peacemaker" and has links with it.

We'll finish with the most recent additions, including "Shazam! Fury of the Gods", "The Flash » and "Blue Beetle. Indeed, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" follows "Black Adam and the introduction of the Justice Society. "The Flash" marks the beginning of a new transition, taking place after "Justice League" to reboot the universe in preparation for the next DC Universe. And "Blue Beetle" is none other than the film that began this transition.

This order provides a fluid view of the DC universe, allowing you to follow the evolution of heroes and events in a coherent manner. In this update, we have added the movie " Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ", released on December 22, 2023, at the end of the list. The superhero Aquaman tries his best to save the underwater city of Atlantis and the rest of the planet from an impending disaster.

What is the DC Extended Universe or DCEU?

Since the dawn of comic books, superheroes have captured our imagination. From iconic figures such as Superman, Batman, and Darkseid to more contemporary heroes such as Aquaman and Blue Beetle, the world of comic books has expanded considerably.

But how does one navigate this sea of intertwined narratives and post-credits scenes? How does one understand the path laid out by Batman, played by Ben Affleck, or the childlike joy of Shazam, brilliantly brought to life on screen by Zachary Levi? That's where the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) comes in—an attempt by Warner Bros. to align their heroic stories in a specific order.

Unlike the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), the DCEU takes a completely different approach. Where Marvel sees its universe in phases, DC has taken the side of thelive action, with films such as "Man of Steel" or the epic saga "Justice League."

Who are the main DC comics characters?

In DC Comics, there are a few characters who have set themselves apart from the rest to become benchmarks for the world. They've captivated readers and viewers alike with their compelling stories, uncommon abilities and their timeless appeal. These are :

• Superman;
• Shazam ;
• Joker;
• Adam Noir;
• Darkseid;
• Wonder Woman;
• Flash ;
• Lex Luthor;
• Jean Constantin;
• Batman;
• Aquaman.

Some DC Comics movies coming soon!

Here are a few upcoming film projects until 2024 and beyond for the DC Comics universe!

Joker: Madness for two

The film, which is part of DC Elseworlds, will feature the return of Joaquin Phoenix in the role of the supervillain in a "psychological musical."

The feature film is written and directed by Todd Phillips. It will star Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck. Joker: Folie à deux is scheduled for release on October 4, 2024.

Superman: Legacy

The next adventure of the Son of Krypton, originally titled Superman: Legacy, is written and directed by James Gunn himself and is currently being filmed. Not much is known about the film's plot, but we do know that it will not be an "origin story," and it is expected to explore Clark Kent's conflicts between his destiny as a superhero and his life on Earth.

The new Superman is starring David Corenswet, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film is scheduled for release on July 9, 2025.

Supergirl: Women of tomorrow

In this upcoming film, which will be adapted from the eponymous book by author Tom King, we will discover the adventures of Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin, who lives on a piece of Krypton that fell into space. Milly Alcock, known for her role in House of the Dragon, will play the superheroine.

The work Supergirl, described by Gunn as “great sci-fi epic", is written by Ana Nogueira but does not yet have a confirmed director. The film is scheduled to be shot at the end of 2024. There is no confirmed release date yet.

Batman II

The plot, like Joker: Folie à deux, takes place outside the DCEU. Robert Pattinson reprises the role of Bruce Wayne, although not much is known about it yet. Zoë Kravitz is set to return as Catwoman and Colin Farrell as Penguin.

The film was scheduled for release on October 1, 2025, but has now been cancelled. postponed to October 2026.

Swamp Thing

A true DC Comics horror film, the story of the DC character, who possesses superhuman strength and incredible physical endurance, will be based on Alan Moore's comic book series entitled The Saga of the Swamp Thing.

Although little information is providedHowever, it is known that this film will be directed by James Mangold. There is no official release date for this gothic horror film.

The Autority

The first chapter is dedicated to a new universe called Gods and Monsters. The members of The Authority use brutal methods to get the job done, as do the Boys from The Boys.

This team will a link with the new Superman featured in Superman: Legacy, but not much else is known. In fact, there is no official release date for this film either!

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

This is (once again) a reboot for Batman, which will feature a new actor.

Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's distant son, is being followed. The story will be inspired by Grant Morrison's comics released between 2006 and 2013. And unfortunately for us, there is no official release date for this film!

In any case, it is important to note that Robert Pattinson will still have his own version in The Batman trilogy—it is a separate version!

Several films from the DC Comics saga are eagerly awaited for 2024. Stay tuned for every new update on this saga! In the meantime, discover the most-watched films in the world.