Two universes
DC Universewatch order 2026
· The new DCU titles are on HBO Max (Max). Older DCEU films rotate between Max and rental.
There are two DC film universes, and only one of them is still being made. The DCEU runs from Man of Steel (2013) through Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023). It is finished. Zack Snyder's Justice League replaces the 2017 theatrical cut. You do not need any of it to watch Superman (2025).
The new DCU starts with Creature Commandos, then Superman, Peacemaker Season 2, Supergirl (June 26, 2026), and Lanterns, which finished on October 4, 2026. Clayface opens October 23, 2026 and is set earlier, but the release order is still the viewing order. Peacemaker Season 1 mostly carries over. The Justice League cameo at the end of it does not.
Chapter One in release order. This is the list if you do not want the old universe. Peacemaker Season 1 and Blue Beetle are optional primers, not the start.
This cut
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8 titles · 26h 42m
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Chapter One
6- 01
01Creature Commandos, Season 1
2024
Series · 2h 45mEssential
Seven animated episodes. The actual start of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU. Watch this before Superman.
Where to watch2024
- 02
02Superman
2025
Movie · 2h 9mEssential
Released July 11, 2025. A new Superman, not a sequel to Man of Steel. Creature Commandos is the only preamble.
Where to watch2025
- 03
03Peacemaker, Season 2
2025
Series · 5h 33mEssential
Eight episodes, late summer 2025. Set about a month after Superman. This is the DCU season, and it points at the next Superman film.
Where to watch2025
- 04
04Supergirl
2026
Movie · 1h 48mEssential
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, released June 26, 2026. Kara, after you have met this universe's Superman.
Where to watch2026
- 05
05Lanterns, Season 1
2026
Series · 7hEssential
Eight episodes, August 16 to October 4, 2026. It moves between a 2016 case and a 2026 case. Watch the season whole, in release order, not split by the flashbacks.
Where to watch2026
- 06
06Clayface
2026
Movie · 1h 48mEssentialUpcoming
Opens October 23, 2026. Set earlier than Superman — Gunn has still said these early projects are meant to be watched in release order. A body-horror story, and not a required mood if you only wanted Superman.
Where to watch2026
Optional primers
2- 07
07Peacemaker, Season 1
2022
Series · 5h 20mEssential
Follows The Suicide Squad. Most of it still counts for the new DCU. The Justice League cameo in the finale was later retconned into the Justice Gang.
Where to watch2022
- 08
08Blue Beetle
2023
Movie · 2h 7mOptional
A standalone origin. Often treated as a soft primer for the new DCU, not a requirement.
Where to watch2023
Runtimes are estimates. Series minutes assume a typical episode length, not a stopwatch.
More guides: Marvel Cinematic Universe · Star Wars · Gundam
FAQ
Before you press play
Do I need to watch the DCEU before Superman (2025)?
No. Superman is the start of a new continuity. Watch Creature Commandos first if you want the one preamble that is actually in this universe.
Which Justice League do I watch?
Zack Snyder's Justice League. Skip the 2017 theatrical cut unless you are comparing them on purpose.
What is the DCU watch order in 2026?
Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker Season 2, Supergirl, Lanterns, then Clayface on October 23, 2026. Peacemaker Season 1 is optional and mostly compatible.
Where does The Batman go?
It does not. Matt Reeves' The Batman and its sequel plans are a separate world, not the DCEU and not Gunn's DCU. This page does not fold them in.
Keep going
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01Marvel Cinematic Universe
The MCU watch order that holds up in 2026 is still release order for a first pass.
Films and series
02Star Wars
The nine saga episodes are a first-watch cut, not the whole canon.
Pick a universe
03Gundam
Gundam is not one story with a secret order.