The list of superheroes is long, and their world is vast, complex and even confusing. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and many others: they're all part of DC's Extended Universe. And yet, with so many films, series and episodes released on different dates, it's hard to know in what order to watch them in order to understand the chronology? That's the question thousands of fans around the world are asking themselves.
The adventures of these characters sometimes take place in parallel, sometimes centuries apart. Wonder Woman's First World War took place long before The Flash appeared on our screens. And what about the dawn of the Justice League and the tumult of the Suicide Squad? In this sea of superheroes and iconic villains, this article is your lifeline.
Discover the chronological path to get the most out of this cinematic epic. Put aside the MCU vs. DCEU debates, because today, it's all about DC, all day long!
The ideal DC comics viewing order
Keep in mind that adhering to this chronology isn't just a question of release dates; it's also a question of the time of day. a deep dive into history itself. So whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this viewing guide will help you better grasp 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 DC's 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 original broadcast: watch these films according to their output order could blur the story the DC Universe is trying to tell. Indeed, the DCEU, like its MCU counterpart, is building an edifice in which each stone, each film, fits into a larger fresco. 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 the thread of a precious link or an enlightening post-generic 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 world sees its characters evolve out of time, unfolding major scenes before key events have even occurred.
The ideal order for viewing DC comics
The order we are presenting here concerns the viewing sequence rather than strict chronological order. It's important to note that this order takes into account the chronology of the universe, but with a certain amount of flexibility, particularly when considering future film additions.
Our suggestion is to offer you a particularly comfortable viewing experience. While respecting chronology, we offer adjustments only when essential. You also have the freedom not to view all the films, especially those 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 WomanIn this film, you'll discover the heroine's main adventures during the First World War, making it a logical choice ahead of 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 in release order, where the first two follow directly on from each other, and the last opens the way to "Justice League" with its post-generic 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", so it's a logical sequel.
Continue with "The Suicide Squad". Harley Quinn's adventures in "Birds of Prey" precede those of "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 start 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 offers a fluid vision of the DC, making it possible to follow the evolution of heroes and events in a coherent way. In this update, we've added the film " Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom "released December 22, 2023 at the end of the list. Superhero Aquaman attempts to do all he can to save the underwater city of Atlantis and the rest of the planet from impending doom.
What is the DC Extended Universe or DCEU?
Since the dawn of comic books, superheroes have captured our imagination. From iconic figures like Superman, Batman and Darkseid, to more contemporary heroes like Aquaman and Blue Beetle, the comic book universe has expanded considerably.
But how do you navigate this sea of interwoven narratives and post-generic scenes? How do we understand the road traced by Batman, played by Ben Affleck, or the childlike joy of Shazam, brilliantly brought to the screen by Zachary Levi? This is where the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) comes in - an attempt by Warner Bros to align their heroic stories in a precise order.
Unlike the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), the DCEU takes a completely different approach. Where Marvel sees its universe in phasesDC has opted for thelive actionwith films like "Man of Steel" and the epic "Justice League" saga.
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;
- Shazamer ;
- Joker;
- Adam Noir;
- Darkseid;
- Wonder Woman;
- Flash ;
- Lex Luthor;
- Jean Constantin;
- Batman;
- Aquaman.
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.
