This list puts DC on screen in the order it came out, from the Batman (1943) serial to the DCU of James Gunn. It mixes live action and animation, movies and series seasons. Release order is the easy way to watch it all, since you do not need to know which universe a title belongs to.

DC has many separate continuities, so release order jumps between them. A Batman film from one era can appear next to a Superman show from another. To follow one story at a time, pick a story order: the DCU for the James Gunn universe, the DCEU for the films from Man of Steel to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the Arrowverse for the CW shows, or the DC Animated Universe for the cartoons from 1992 to 2006.

Do you have to watch DC movies in order? No. Most DC films tell a story that stands on its own. For a short start, the guide on how to watch DC movies in order picks a few films to begin with. The essentials guide has the core titles of each universe, and the watch orders page lists every story order on this site.

Frequently asked questions

How do I watch DC movies in order?

Start with release order, which follows the dates the movies and series came out. This site lists 145 movies and 199 series seasons in release order. DC has many separate continuities that do not connect, so each universe also has its own story order. To go deep on one, pick a story order such as the DCU or the Dark Knight trilogy and watch it from start to finish.

How many DC movies are there?

This site lists 145 movies and 199 series seasons, live action and animated, from the 1940s serials to the DCU. It leaves out shorts, documentaries, cancelled films and titles with no release date yet.

Where can I watch DC movies in order?

Most watch links on this site go to HBO Max. Some titles are on other services, and what you can stream depends on your country, so check the title page and your own services.

What is the difference between release order and story order?

Release order sorts by release date. Story order follows one universe at a time, such as the DCU, the DCEU, the Arrowverse or the DC Animated Universe, and sorts that universe by when the story happens. A title that counts in two universes, such as The Suicide Squad (2021), shows in both.

Do I need to watch everything?

No. Set Show to Essential to keep only the core of each universe. This site marks 78 titles as essential, and every story order has some of them.

Is Peacemaker canon to the DCU?

Yes. James Gunn counts The Suicide Squad (2021) and Peacemaker season 1 as DCU canon, and Peacemaker season 2 is a DCU series. Both seasons are in the DCU story order. See Peacemaker season 1.

Is Smallville canon to the DCU?

No. Smallville (2001 to 2011) came long before the new DCU and is not part of it. It has its own Smallville story order on this site. See Smallville season 1.

Is Blue Beetle canon to the DCU?

Not confirmed. James Gunn calls Blue Beetle the first DCU character and Xolo Maridueña returns in Man of Tomorrow, but DC Studios has not said the 2023 film itself is DCU canon. This site lists it in the DCEU and the DCU story orders. See Blue Beetle.

Where does Peacemaker fit in the DC timeline?

Peacemaker season 1 is in two story orders, the DCEU and the DCU, and so is The Suicide Squad (2021). Peacemaker season 2 is in the DCU story order.

Where do The Batman and The Penguin fit in the DC timeline?

They have their own story order, The Batman saga, apart from the DCU and the DCEU. It has The Batman (2022), The Penguin season 1 and The Batman: Part II, in that order.

Is Joker DC?

Yes. The Joker is a DC character and this site lists both films, Joker and Joker: Folie à Deux, in their own Joker story order. They are not part of the DCU or the DCEU.

Is The Sandman DC?

Yes. The Sandman is a DC Comics property. This site files it under Vertigo and Black Label, in the Sandman universe story order. See The Sandman season 1.

Is Watchmen DC?

Yes. Watchmen is a DC Comics property. This site files it under Vertigo and Black Label and lists the 2009 film, the 2019 series and the animated chapters.

Do I need an account to track my progress?

No. You can browse and track your watched and skipped titles in your browser without signing up. A free account needs only an email address and syncs that progress across your devices.

What do I need to create an account?

Only an email address. You get a sign-in link by email instead of a password. One account works on every We Watch Stuff site, and each site keeps its own progress.

DC movies and shows in release order

Progress

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