When audiences saw it
Follow films and series by their release or premiere date. Use this to explore DC's screen history or follow how a particular continuity was introduced.
Browse the full release libraryTHE DC TIMELINES
Different worlds. Different timelines.
Understand release order, follow a connected story, and find the points where DC's screen histories branch.
152 titles14 catalogue collections
How a story connects
Choose one continuity and follow its curated sequence. Prequels, alternate versions and crossovers need context that a release date alone cannot provide.
Choose a viewing pathExplore a timeline
DC Universe
The shared universe from DC Studios. Follow these stories on their own terms; older adaptations are not automatic prerequisites.
Years show film releases and series premieres, not when their stories take place. Upcoming dates are provisional.
Where a simple timeline breaks down
These are the distinctions that matter when deciding what to watch next.
A period story released later
Wonder Woman takes Diana into the First World War, while Man of Steel introduces the modern DCEU. Release order and the setting of a story therefore lead to different starting points. The catalogue’s suggested sequence makes that distinction explicit.
One team origin, two versions
Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League occupy the same broad team-formation slot. They are alternative tellings, not consecutive missions. Pick one for a straightforward watch; explore the other as a comparison.
A sequel branch, not a straight line
Superman Returns draws on the first two classic Superman films. Superman III and Superman IV continue another sequel path, so a simple list of release years hides the branch.
One Gotham with a connected spin-off
The Batman establishes the Gotham explored in The Penguin and continued by The Batman: Part II. The Dark Knight trilogy and other Batman films follow different versions of Bruce, rather than filling gaps in this sequence.
Television needs episode-level context
Peacemaker’s earlier story grows from The Suicide Squad, while later material uses a DCU setting. Arrowverse crossover events also connect specific episodes. A single series card cannot describe all those boundaries.
Compare the collections
Release spans run from the earliest to latest recorded title premiere, including announced dates. Series runtimes cover available aired episodes; estimates may be included.
| Universe / collection | Sequence starts with | Titles | Runtime | Release span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Universe | Superman | 7 | 22h 32m | 2022–2027 |
| DC Extended Universe | Wonder Woman | 16 | 37h 18m | 2013–2023 |
| The Dark Knight Trilogy | Batman Begins | 3 | 7h 37m | 2005–2012 |
| The Batman Saga | The Batman | 3 | 10h 44m | 2022–2028 |
| Classic Batman | Batman | 4 | 8h 18m | 1989–1997 |
| Classic Superman | Superman | 6 | 12h 44m | 1978–2006 |
| Joker | Joker | 2 | 4h 20m | 2019–2024 |
| DC Animated Universe | Batman: The Animated SeriesSERIES | 13 | 137h 46m | 1992–2019 |
| DC Animated Movie Universe | Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox | 16 | 20h 34m | 2013–2022 |
| Tomorrowverse | Superman: Man of Tomorrow | 10 | 14h 51m | 2020–2024 |
| Arrowverse | ArrowSERIES | 7 | 499h | 2012–2019 |
| Animated ElseworldsSeparate adaptations | No shared viewing order | 40 | 203h 25m | 2003–2024 |
| Live-action ElseworldsSeparate adaptations | No shared viewing order | 24 | 620h 42m | 1951–2023 |
| DC · continuity unassignedAwaiting continuity assignment | Continuity not yet confirmed | 1 | TBA | 2028 |
Frequently asked questions
Is there one chronological DC timeline?
No. DC has multiple film and television continuities, plus standalone adaptations. A release-year timeline shows publication history; it does not make those stories part of one universe.
Which viewing order should I choose?
Release order within a continuity preserves the order in which that screen series was introduced. Our suggested sequence is another route through its stories. Check title guides for direct prerequisites and alternate versions before switching between them.
Why do the series appear only once on the year timeline?
Each series is placed at its recorded premiere date. Its later seasons can overlap films and other shows. This view does not interleave individual episodes or claim that an entire series takes place in its premiere year.
Are the DCU and DCEU the same timeline?
They are separate catalogue continuities. Some characters and performers recur, but that alone does not carry every earlier event into the new setting. Peacemaker requires particular attention to its season-level context.
How are unreleased films handled?
They appear under their currently recorded release year and are marked Upcoming. Dates can change. Films without a known date appear under Date TBA, and unconfirmed continuity remains unassigned.
Does the timeline update automatically?
Title counts, release years and the visual timeline use the current catalogue. Editorial viewing order and explanatory exceptions are curated; an updated release date is not treated as proof of a different story chronology.
Track your watch progress
DCU Watchlist helps you explore DC movies and TV series, follow viewing orders across separate DC universes, and track the titles you’ve watched. Choose your next film or series and build a personalised viewing schedule around your available time.
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