Release order
Release order introduces heroes before team-ups and is the simplest route. Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and the theatrical Justice League give the central shared-story spine.
Many heroes. One shared era.
A universe of
different beginnings.
The DC Extended Universe connects heroes, antiheroes, and standalone-feeling adventures across an eleven-year theatrical run. This guide follows the released live-action films in that shared era, leaving later DC reboots in their own worlds.
DC Extended Universe2013–2023About 33 hours
Before you press play
Two ways in.
One great journey.
Story order
Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 take place earlier than most modern-day films. We place them first in an editorial whole-film chronology, then the present-day stories. The Flash complicates continuity through time travel. This is a useful viewing path, not an official exact calendar.
The films / 15 theatrical releases
DC Extended Universe
Your viewing guide.
Release order · US theatrical dates where available. Story order is an editorial viewing suggestion.
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Man of Steel
The shared film era begins with Clark Kent’s origin.
Directed by Zack Snyder
With Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael ShannonUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Man of Steel (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
The first major crossover follows the consequences of Man of Steel.
Directed by Zack Snyder
With Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jesse EisenbergUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Suicide Squad
A government team introduces antiheroes within the shared world.
Directed by David Ayer
With Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot RobbieUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Suicide Squad (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Wonder Woman
Diana’s main story begins during the First World War.
Directed by Patty Jenkins
With Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie NielsenUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Wonder Woman (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Justice League
The theatrical team-up brings the early hero threads together.
Directed by Zack Snyder, Joss Whedon
With Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy AdamsUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Justice League (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Aquaman
Arthur’s solo adventure expands the shared world beneath the sea.
Directed by James Wan
With Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem DafoeUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Aquaman (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Shazam!
A teenager finds extraordinary powers in a lighter corner of the universe.
Directed by David F. Sandberg
With Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher AngelUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Shazam! (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Harley Quinn leads a more street-level story after Suicide Squad.
Directed by Cathy Yan
With Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth WinsteadUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Wonder Woman 1984
Diana’s second solo film moves her story to the 1980s.
Directed by Patty Jenkins
With Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen WiigUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Wonder Woman 1984 (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The Suicide Squad
A different mission and team, with some returning characters.
Directed by James Gunn
With Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John CenaUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for The Suicide Squad (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Black Adam
An ancient power enters the modern shared universe.
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
With Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah CentineoUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Black Adam (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
The Shazam family returns for a larger-scale challenge.
Directed by David F. Sandberg
With Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan GrazerUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Shazam! Fury of the Gods (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The Flash
Time travel crosses several versions of the DC screen world.
Directed by Andy Muschietti
With Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael KeatonUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for The Flash (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Blue Beetle
A young hero gets a largely self-contained origin late in the shared run.
Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto
With Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Susan SarandonUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Blue Beetle (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Arthur returns for the final theatrical DCEU chapter.
Directed by James Wan
With Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen IIUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Guide notes & sources
Editorial review: . Released theatrical features only; television, shorts, direct-to-video titles, and unreleased films are excluded. Story order follows each whole film’s main narrative. This guide is not a content rating or age recommendation.
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