If you find the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) timeline confusing, you are not alone. From its start in 2013 with Man of Steel to its final chapter in 2023, the DCEU’s 15 movies are not in chronological story order. While you can watch them in release order, a story timeline journey is possible. This guide gives you the simple chronological order for the DCEU, explains where to watch each movie, and clarifies how it all ended with a new DC Universe.
The DCEU Chronological Watch Order
The easiest way to follow the DCEU timeline is with this list. It places the main story of each movie in the order events happen, not the order they were released.
- Wonder Woman (2017) – Set primarily during World War I in 1918.
- Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – Set in the year 1984.
- Man of Steel (2013) – Takes place in the modern day, around 2013.
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – Set about 18 months after Man of Steel.
- Suicide Squad (2016) – Set about a year after Batman v Superman.
- Justice League (2017) / Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) – Set about a year after Suicide Squad in 2016. You can choose one version; they cover the same story period.
- Aquaman (2018) – Set about a year after Justice League.
- Shazam! (2019) – Takes place around late 2018.
- Birds of Prey (2020) – Set about four years after Suicide Squad, around 2019.
- The Suicide Squad (2021) – Set in 2021, several years after the first Suicide Squad.
- Black Adam (2022) – Set after the events of The Suicide Squad.
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) – Takes place about two years after the first Shazam!, around 2020-2021.
- The Flash (2023) – Begins in the “present day” but involves significant time travel.
- Blue Beetle (2023) – A standalone story set in 2023.
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) – The final DCEU film, set furthest in the timeline.
A few movies have flashbacks or time jumps. Wonder Woman starts with a modern-day scene set after Batman v Superman. The Flash involves time travel that places parts of its story during the events of Man of Steel, but in an alternate reality.
Where to Stream All DCEU Movies
All DCEU movies are available to stream. The primary streaming home for the franchise in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia is Max (formerly HBO Max). You can find almost every film there. Some movies, like The Flash, are also on other platforms such as Netflix, while Wonder Woman 1984 and Justice League are on Prime Video.
The Justice League and the “Snyder Cut”
A unique part of the DCEU is the existence of two versions of Justice League. The theatrical version from 2017 was finished by Joss Whedon after original director Zack Snyder left the project. In 2021, Warner Bros. released Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a four-hour director’s cut based on Snyder’s original vision.
For timeline purposes, both versions cover the same story period. The theatrical cut is often considered the main canon for the DCEU, but director Patty Jenkins and other filmmakers have stated they see Snyder’s version as canonical. Many fans view Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League as a complete trilogy.
“We consider the theatrical cut to be the most canon, but director Patty Jenkins contradicted that, saying she and other DC directors consider Snyder’s vision to be canonical.”
The End of the DCEU and the New DC Universe
The DCEU officially concluded in December 2023 with the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. This followed a major leadership change, with filmmakers James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over DC Studios.
They have started a new, rebooted franchise called the DC Universe (DCU). Gunn stated, “Nothing is canon until Creature Commandos [in 2024]… & then a deeper dive into the universe with Superman after that.” This means the DCEU story is complete, and new projects belong to a fresh continuity.
However, a few actors and characters will continue from the DCEU into the new DCU. Xolo Maridueña will continue as Blue Beetle, and John Cena will return as Peacemaker. The second season of the Peacemaker TV series will be part of the new DCU.
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What About Other DC Movies Like Joker and The Batman?
Movies such as Joker (2019), The Batman (2022), and their sequels are not part of the DCEU timeline. They exist as standalone “Elseworlds” stories in their own separate universes. You can watch them at any time without worrying about DCEU connections. The Flash movie did introduce the concept of the multiverse, which allowed for cameos from other DC film universes, but it did not merge the main timelines.
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