The DC Universe Timeline A Chronological Guide to the DCEU & DCU
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU), now transitioning into a new era under the DC Universe (DCU) banner, tells its story across multiple timelines, prequels, sequels, and reboots. Watching these films in release order doesn't always reflect the internal continuity of the universe itself.
This guide presents the DCEU and early DCU films in chronological order based on in-universe events, alongside their actual release years. From the trenches of World War I in Wonder Woman to the multiversal reset in The Flash, this timeline helps clarify how the events unfold within the DC narrative, regardless of when the films premiered in theaters.
Wonder Woman
Release 2017
In-Universe 1918
Diana, princess of the Amazons, leaves her island home to stop what she believes is a world-ending war with the god Ares as its secret architect.
The film explores the loss of innocence, the inherent goodness of humanity, and the conflict between duty and love.
The iconic "No Man's Land" sequence was almost cut from the film, but director Patty Jenkins fought to keep it, turning it into one of the most celebrated scenes in modern superhero cinema.
Wonder Woman 1984
Release 2020
In-Universe 1984
Diana battles Maxwell Lord, a charismatic businessman who acquires a powerful ancient artifact that grants wishes but takes the user's most valued possession in return.
This story is a critique of excess and greed, focusing on the importance of truth, sacrifice, and accepting difficult realities.
Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins changed the original ending, which was a large-scale battle, to have Diana defeat Maxwell Lord by appealing to his humanity instead of through violence.
Man of Steel
Release 2013
In-Universe 2013
An alien infant from the doomed planet Krypton is raised as Clark Kent, who must embrace his destiny as Superman to protect humanity from the genocidal General Zod.
The film centers on identity, the burden of choice, and the struggle to find one's place in a world that may fear what it doesn't understand.
To achieve Superman's flight effects, Henry Cavill was often suspended from a complex gimbal rig against a green screen, a physically demanding process that required immense core strength.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Release 2016
In-Universe 2015
Fearing the unchecked power of a god-like superhero, Batman takes on Superman while Lex Luthor manipulates them both to further his own deadly agenda.
Key themes include fear of the "other," the nature of power and accountability, and the loss of faith leading to extremism.
The "Knightmare" sequence, showing a dystopian future, was originally part of a larger, five-movie arc planned by Zack Snyder that would have seen Darkseid conquer Earth.
Suicide Squad
Release 2016
In-Universe 2016
A secret government agency recruits a team of expendable, imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency.
The film explores ideas of redemption, found family among outcasts, and the moral ambiguity of fighting fire with fire.
Much of Jared Leto's performance as the Joker was cut from the final film; director David Ayer has since stated that the theatrical cut does not represent his original vision.
Justice League
Release 2017
In-Universe 2017
In the wake of Superman's death, Batman and Wonder Woman assemble a team of metahumans to defend Earth from the alien conqueror Steppenwolf.
The core theme is unity, emphasizing that diverse individuals must overcome their differences and grief to face a threat no single hero can defeat.
The extensive reshoots led by Joss Whedon are infamous for digitally removing a mustache Henry Cavill had grown for his role in *Mission: Impossible – Fallout*.
Aquaman
Release 2018
In-Universe 2018
Arthur Curry, the half-human heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, must embrace his destiny to prevent his half-brother from waging war on the surface world.
The story revolves around heritage, accepting one's dual identity, and the responsibility that comes with leadership.
The elaborate underwater visual effects required actors to be suspended on complex tuning-fork-like rigs that could simulate floating and swimming motions against a blue screen.
Shazam!
Release 2019
In-Universe 2018
A troubled foster kid, Billy Batson, is granted the power to transform into an adult superhero by an ancient wizard and must learn to use his new abilities to stop the vengeful Dr. Sivana.
Central themes include the meaning of family, wish fulfillment, and the idea that true strength comes from embracing vulnerability.
The film contains numerous references to other DCEU events, including a Batarang and news clippings about Superman's battle with Zod in Metropolis.
Birds of Prey
Release 2020
In-Universe 2020
After a messy breakup with the Joker, Harley Quinn forms an unlikely alliance with Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from Gotham's crime lord, Black Mask.
The film is about emancipation, female camaraderie, and finding personal identity outside of a toxic relationship.
The full title, *Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)*, was shortened by some theaters during its run to simply *Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey* to improve ticket sales.
The Suicide Squad
Release 2021
In-Universe 2021
A new Task Force X is sent to the South American island of Corto Maltese to destroy a Nazi-era laboratory housing the giant alien starfish, Starro the Conqueror.
This story explores the disposable nature of soldiers in geopolitics, anti-imperialism, and the bonds formed by dysfunctional outcasts.
Director James Gunn was given complete creative freedom and chose to feature obscure characters like Polka-Dot Man simply because he felt a connection to their absurd backstories.
Black Adam
Release 2022
In-Universe 2022
After 5,000 years of imprisonment, the ancient, god-like anti-hero Teth-Adam is freed in modern Kahndaq and clashes with the Justice Society over his brutal methods of justice.
The film questions the definition of a hero, explores colonialism, and contrasts absolute power with moral restraint.
Dwayne Johnson spent over a decade trying to get the *Black Adam* movie made, consistently advocating for the character to debut in a solo film rather than as a villain in a *Shazam!* movie.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Release 2023
In-Universe 2023
Billy Batson and his foster siblings must reunite as superheroes to fight the Daughters of Atlas, who seek to reclaim the magic they believe was stolen from them.
Core themes include imposter syndrome, the challenges of leadership, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The film features a surprise cameo by Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, which was kept secret until the movie's premiere.
The Flash
Release 2023
In-Universe Multiverse Reset
Barry Allen uses his super-speed to travel back in time to save his mother, but inadvertently fractures the timeline, creating a world without metahumans and trapping himself in the past.
The film deals with processing grief, accepting what cannot be changed, and the unforeseen consequences of good intentions.
The movie went through multiple directors and script rewrites over many years, a phase often referred to in Hollywood as "development hell," before Andy Muschietti finalized the project.
Blue Beetle
Release 2023
In-Universe Unclear
Recent college grad Jaime Reyes comes into possession of the Scarab, an ancient alien biotechnology that chooses him as its host, granting him a powerful suit of armor.
The story emphasizes the strength of family, gentrification, and the burden of legacy for a first-generation hero.
While its place in the new DCU is ambiguous, director Angel Manuel Soto has stated he considers it part of the new universe being built by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Release 2023
In-Universe Unclear
Arthur Curry must team up with his imprisoned brother, Orm, to stop Black Manta from destroying Atlantis and the surface world after he uncovers the powerful Black Trident.
The movie focuses on brotherhood, the responsibilities of kingship, and the global consequences of climate change.
This film officially marked the end of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) that began with *Man of Steel* in 2013.
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