DC Cinematic Universe Timeline: A Shared Universe

DCEU (DC Extended Universe)

Detective Comics Extended Universe, or as we call it, DCEU! Has anyone known what it is?

Produced by Warner Bros. and DC Studios, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), often referred to as the Snyderverse and Earth-1 in the DC Multiverse, is a shared universe of movies and other media based on DC Comics characters. It started with Man of Steel and now includes TV shows Peacemaker, movies, and tie-in products.

The DC Universe (DCU) is a new continuity that was created by essentially rebooting the DCEU. Creature Commandos, released in 2024, marked the formal start of this new period. Superman, the first live-action movie, was released in July 2025.

DCEU Etymology

The phrase "DC Extended Universe" (DCEU) has a confusing history and was first used unofficially. The phrase "DCEU" was ironically created by an Entertainment Weekly writer in 2015, but fans and the media initially referred to it as the "DC Cinematic Universe" (DCCU). Despite its unofficial beginning, it became well-known very fast, and director Zack Snyder even used it.

Warner Bros. subsequently explained, nevertheless, that "DCEU" was not an official word used internally. Although they appeared, other terms like "Worlds of DC" and "Justice League universe" did not catch on. Jim Lee, the DC publisher, coined the word "DCEU" in 2020, and it was used on HBO Max before being dropped for unknown reasons.

DC Comics has continued to use "DCEU" in official contexts, and James Gunn confirmed in 2021 that the label was still being used internally.

DC Extended Cinematic Universe Timeline

DCEU has so many released items, from films, TV series, short films, comics, books, music, video games, newspapers, and even theme park attractions! But, we will not be listing all of them, as there are too many! Therefore, let’s see the key films in timeline order from the Detective Comics Extended Cinematic Universe!

Films in Timeline Order

Man of Steel (2013)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Suicide Squad (2016)
Wonder Woman (2017) – mostly set in WWI
Justice League / Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2017/2021)
Aquaman (2018)
Shazam! (2019)
Birds of Prey (2020)
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – set in 1984
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Black Adam (2022)
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
The Flash (2023) – introduced the multiverse
Blue Beetle (2023)
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

DCU (New DC Universe)

Warner Bros. Entertainment's DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU), sometimes known as the Detective Comics Cinematic Universe, is a shared film and television continuity based on DC Comics that takes place in a near-future setting. Major characters like Superman, Batman, Flash, and Green Lantern are introduced without complete origin stories, in contrast to traditional formats.

In addition to short films (like Marvel One-Shots) that were released with Blu-ray versions, the DCCU grew with television series on WBTV and Netflix. Video games and tie-in comics are also included, as they all take place in the same realm. Notably, Darkseid and the New Gods are not included in this DCCU edition.

DCU Production

Early attempts to establish a DC Cinematic Universe (DC-CU) started in 2002 when Wolfgang Petersen's planned Batman vs. Superman movie was put on hold in favor of unrelated character projects. Due to production issues and the Writers Guild strike, George Miller's 2007 Justice League movie, Justice League Mortal, which had an ensemble cast, was also canceled.

The foundation for a shared world was established in 2013 when Warner Bros. relaunched Superman in response to the popularity of The Avengers. A slate of DC movies, including Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Justice League, was announced as a result of the movie's success. Additionally, Miller and Bruce Timm presented an idea for a movie universe that was realistic yet upbeat, which Christopher Nolan helped to improve.

DC chose a multiverse strategy, keeping distinct yet complementary TV and movie universes. Geoff Johns and Greg Silverman, among other creatives, stressed the importance of maintaining cross-media project coordination while embracing the visions of individual filmmakers.

New DC Cinematic Universe Timeline

After everything we discussed about the cinematic universe, let’s see what the NEW DC cinematic universe timeline has!

The Contents in Timeline Order

"Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters" (partial announced slate):

Creature Commandos (animated, 2024)
Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy, now titled simply Superman, releasing July 11, 2025) – considered the true beginning of the DCU
The Authority (TBA)
Paradise Lost (HBO Max series)
Booster Gold (HBO Max series)
Lanterns (HBO Max series)
The Brave and the Bold (Batman + Damian Wayne)
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Swamp Thing

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