Next DC Movie After Batman Vs Superman: What's Coming?
So, you've just witnessed the epic showdown between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, and now you're itching to know: what is the next DC movie after Batman vs Superman? Well, buckle up, DC fans, because we're about to dive deep into the future of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and explore what's coming to the big screen! Understanding the timeline of the DCEU releases helps to appreciate the strategic planning involved in bringing these iconic characters and storylines to life. The order in which the films are released is crucial for building character arcs, introducing new heroes and villains, and setting the stage for major crossover events. Each movie serves as a building block, contributing to the overall narrative tapestry of the DCEU. This interconnectedness is what makes the DCEU so engaging for fans, as each film enriches the viewing experience of the others.
Suicide Squad (2016): A Dive into the Dark Side
The immediate follow-up to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was none other than Suicide Squad, released in August 2016. This film marked a significant departure from the somber tone of its predecessor, offering a bold, colorful, and often irreverent take on the superhero genre. Suicide Squad assembles a team of incarcerated supervillains, including Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Killer Croc, and tasks them with a dangerous mission to save the world from a mystical threat. The film's focus on morally ambiguous characters and its emphasis on action and humor resonated with audiences, making it a box office success despite mixed critical reception. The introduction of Harley Quinn, in particular, proved to be a major highlight, with Margot Robbie's portrayal of the iconic villainess earning widespread acclaim. Suicide Squad's success paved the way for future DCEU films to explore the darker corners of the DC universe and to experiment with different tones and styles. It demonstrated that superhero movies could be more than just tales of good versus evil, and that audiences were receptive to stories that embraced complexity and moral ambiguity.
What Made Suicide Squad Stand Out?
Suicide Squad stood out for its unique premise and its focus on villainous characters. It was a departure from the traditional superhero narrative, and it offered a fresh perspective on the genre. The film's use of humor, its vibrant visuals, and its memorable performances also contributed to its appeal. Suicide Squad challenged the notion of what a superhero movie could be, and it paved the way for future DCEU films to take risks and experiment with different approaches. The film's success demonstrated that audiences were eager for superhero stories that were different, daring, and unconventional. It proved that the DCEU could thrive by embracing diversity and by exploring the full spectrum of characters and stories within the DC universe. So, if you're wondering what DC movie came after Batman vs Superman, remember it was this wild ride with the Suicide Squad!
Wonder Woman (2017): A Beacon of Hope
Following the anti-hero antics of Suicide Squad, the DCEU took a turn towards hope and inspiration with Wonder Woman, released in June 2017. This film introduced audiences to the Amazonian princess Diana, played by Gal Gadot, and told her origin story as she leaves her secluded island home to fight in World War I. Wonder Woman was a critical and commercial triumph, praised for its compelling story, its strong female lead, and its message of hope and empowerment. The film's success demonstrated that audiences were eager for superhero stories that were both action-packed and emotionally resonant. Gal Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman was widely lauded, and the film helped to solidify her as a major icon in the superhero genre. Wonder Woman not only revitalized the DCEU but also demonstrated the importance of representation and diversity in superhero movies. It paved the way for future female-led superhero films and showed that audiences were hungry for stories that celebrated strength, compassion, and justice.
Why Wonder Woman Resonated with Audiences?
Wonder Woman resonated with audiences for its uplifting message, its strong female lead, and its depiction of heroism. It was a film that celebrated hope, courage, and compassion, and it offered a refreshing contrast to the darker, more cynical tone of some other superhero movies. The film's success demonstrated that audiences were eager for stories that inspired them and that made them believe in the power of good. Wonder Woman was more than just a superhero movie; it was a cultural phenomenon that inspired countless people around the world. It showed that superhero stories could be both entertaining and meaningful, and that they could have a positive impact on society.
Justice League (2017): Assembling the Heroes
Later in 2017, in November, DC released Justice League. After the standalone success of Wonder Woman, the DCEU geared up for its first major team-up event with Justice League. This film brought together Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash to face a common threat. While Justice League aimed to be a culmination of the storylines established in previous DCEU films, it faced numerous challenges during production, including a change in directors and extensive reshoots. As a result, the film received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office compared to expectations. Despite its shortcomings, Justice League still offered some exciting moments and showcased the potential of the DCEU's ensemble cast. The film's struggles, however, prompted Warner Bros. to re-evaluate its approach to the DCEU and to focus on developing more standalone films with distinct creative visions.
The Challenges of Justice League
The production challenges of Justice League are well-documented, and they undoubtedly impacted the film's overall quality. The change in directors led to tonal inconsistencies, and the extensive reshoots resulted in a film that felt disjointed and incomplete. Justice League also suffered from comparisons to Marvel's The Avengers, which had already established a successful formula for superhero team-up movies. Despite these challenges, Justice League still managed to deliver some entertaining moments and to showcase the potential of the DCEU's characters. However, the film's shortcomings served as a valuable lesson for Warner Bros., highlighting the importance of clear creative vision and consistent execution in the development of superhero movies.
Aquaman (2018): Diving into New Depths
In December 2018, the DCEU took audiences on an underwater adventure with Aquaman. Starring Jason Momoa as the titular hero, the film explored the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and told the story of Aquaman's journey to becoming king. Aquaman was a massive success, both critically and commercially, becoming the highest-grossing DCEU film to date. The film's vibrant visuals, its action-packed sequences, and its charismatic lead performance resonated with audiences worldwide. Aquaman demonstrated that the DCEU could still deliver crowd-pleasing blockbusters, and it helped to solidify Jason Momoa as a major star. The film's success also highlighted the importance of embracing unique creative visions and of allowing directors to put their own stamp on the DCEU's characters and stories.
Why Aquaman Swam to Success?
Aquaman's success can be attributed to its unique setting, its action-packed sequences, and its charismatic lead performance. The film's underwater world was visually stunning, and it offered a fresh and exciting backdrop for a superhero story. Jason Momoa's portrayal of Aquaman was also a major highlight, bringing a sense of humor, swagger, and vulnerability to the character. Aquaman proved that the DCEU could thrive by embracing diversity and by exploring new and exciting corners of the DC universe. The film's success demonstrated that audiences were eager for superhero stories that were both entertaining and visually spectacular.
Shazam! (2019): A Bolt of Fun
Following the success of Aquaman, the DCEU continued to diversify its offerings with Shazam!, released in April 2019. This film told the story of Billy Batson, a teenager who gains the ability to transform into a superhero with the powers of Shazam. Shazam! was a lighthearted and comedic take on the superhero genre, and it was praised for its humor, its heart, and its strong performances. The film's success demonstrated that the DCEU could also deliver smaller-scale, character-driven stories that resonated with audiences. Shazam! helped to broaden the appeal of the DCEU and to attract viewers who might not have been interested in the darker, more serious tone of some of the earlier films.
The Charm of Shazam!
Shazam!'s charm lies in its humor, its heart, and its focus on character development. The film's story of a teenager who gains superpowers was relatable and engaging, and its comedic tone made it a fun and enjoyable experience. Shazam! also benefited from strong performances from its cast, particularly Zachary Levi as Shazam and Asher Angel as Billy Batson. The film's success demonstrated that the DCEU could thrive by embracing different tones and styles, and by telling stories that were both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
Joker (2019): A Different Kind of DC Movie
While not officially part of the DCEU, Joker, released in October 2019, deserves a mention for its impact on the DC film landscape. This standalone film offered a dark and gritty origin story for the Joker, and it was praised for its performances, its direction, and its bold and unsettling tone. Joker was a critical and commercial phenomenon, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. The film's success demonstrated that audiences were willing to embrace superhero-adjacent stories that were more mature, complex, and thought-provoking. Joker paved the way for future DC films to explore darker themes and to take more risks with their storytelling.
The Impact of Joker
Joker's impact on the DC film landscape cannot be overstated. The film demonstrated that audiences were eager for superhero-adjacent stories that were more mature, complex, and thought-provoking. Joker also proved that DC could compete with Marvel in terms of critical acclaim and commercial success. The film's success has influenced the development of future DC films, encouraging Warner Bros. to take more risks and to explore darker themes.
Birds of Prey (2020): Emancipation in Gotham
Returning to the DCEU, Birds of Prey (February 2020) offered a vibrant and chaotic adventure centered around Harley Quinn and a group of female vigilantes. The film's unique visual style, its action-packed sequences, and its emphasis on female empowerment resonated with audiences. Birds of Prey showcased the potential of the DCEU to tell diverse and unconventional stories, and it further solidified Margot Robbie's status as a fan-favorite Harley Quinn.
Why Birds of Prey Soared
Birds of Prey stood out for its unique visual style, its action-packed sequences, and its emphasis on female empowerment. The film's story of a group of female vigilantes fighting for justice in Gotham City was both entertaining and inspiring. Birds of Prey also benefited from Margot Robbie's strong performance as Harley Quinn, who brought a sense of chaos, humor, and vulnerability to the character.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020): A Retro Adventure
Wonder Woman 1984 (December 2020) brought back Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in a retro-themed adventure set in the 1980s. While the film received mixed reviews compared to its predecessor, it still offered some exciting moments and showcased Wonder Woman's enduring appeal. Wonder Woman 1984 continued to explore themes of hope, compassion, and justice, and it reminded audiences of the importance of standing up for what is right.
The Legacy of Wonder Woman Continues
Wonder Woman 1984 continued to build upon the legacy of Wonder Woman as a symbol of hope, compassion, and justice. The film's retro setting added a unique flavor to the story, and its themes resonated with audiences. Wonder Woman 1984 may not have reached the same heights as the first Wonder Woman film, but it still served as a reminder of the character's enduring appeal and her importance in the DC universe.
The Suicide Squad (2021): A Fresh Start
James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (July 2021) served as a soft reboot of the original Suicide Squad film, featuring a new cast of characters and a more comedic and over-the-top tone. The film was praised for its humor, its action, and its willingness to take risks. The Suicide Squad revitalized the Suicide Squad franchise and demonstrated that the DCEU could still surprise and delight audiences.
Why The Suicide Squad Succeeded
The Suicide Squad succeeded by embracing its unique tone, its over-the-top action, and its willingness to take risks. James Gunn's direction brought a fresh perspective to the Suicide Squad franchise, and the film's humor and heart resonated with audiences. The Suicide Squad proved that the DCEU could learn from its past mistakes and deliver crowd-pleasing blockbusters.
The Batman (2022): A Dark Knight Rises Again (Outside the DCEU)
Another film outside the DCEU, The Batman (March 2022) introduced Robert Pattinson as a new, brooding Dark Knight in a standalone story. The film was praised for its dark and gritty tone, its strong performances, and its detective-focused narrative. The Batman offered a fresh and compelling take on the Batman mythos and demonstrated the character's enduring appeal.
The Allure of The Batman
The Batman captivated audiences with its dark and gritty tone, its strong performances, and its detective-focused narrative. Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Batman was both compelling and unique, and the film's story offered a fresh perspective on the character's origins. The Batman proved that the Batman mythos could still be explored in new and exciting ways.
Black Adam (2022): A New Power Arrives
Black Adam (October 2022) introduced Dwayne Johnson as the powerful anti-hero of the same name. The film explored Black Adam's origins and his role in the DC universe. Black Adam expanded the scope of the DCEU and introduced a new and formidable force to the superhero landscape.
The Might of Black Adam
Black Adam brought a new level of power and intensity to the DCEU. Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of Black Adam was both charismatic and intimidating, and the film's action sequences were visually stunning. Black Adam expanded the scope of the DCEU and set the stage for future stories.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023): More Family Fun
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (March 2023) continued the story of Billy Batson and his foster family as they faced new threats. The film offered more of the humor and heart that made the first Shazam! movie a success. Shazam! Fury of the Gods further solidified the Shazam! franchise as a fun and family-friendly corner of the DCEU.
The Charm of the Shazam! Family
Shazam! Fury of the Gods continued to charm audiences with its humor, its heart, and its focus on family. The film's action sequences were exciting, and its story was both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Shazam! Fury of the Gods proved that the Shazam! franchise could continue to deliver fun and engaging superhero stories.
The Flash (2023): A Multiverse Adventure
The Flash (June 2023) took audiences on a multiverse-spanning adventure with Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster. The film explored the consequences of tampering with time and introduced multiple versions of iconic characters. The Flash was a visually stunning and ambitious film that pushed the boundaries of the DCEU.
The Speed and Spectacle of The Flash
The Flash wowed audiences with its visually stunning effects, its multiverse-spanning narrative, and its exploration of iconic characters. Ezra Miller's portrayal of The Flash was both charismatic and complex, and the film's action sequences were thrilling. The Flash was a bold and ambitious film that pushed the boundaries of the DCEU and has a lot of exciting things in store for future DC installments.
What's Next for DC? (2024 and Beyond)
With the recent changes at DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, the future of the DCEU is looking both exciting and uncertain. Several projects are in development, including a new Superman film (Superman: Legacy), a new Batman film (The Brave and the Bold), and a new Wonder Woman series (Paradise Lost). These projects aim to revitalize the DC universe and to create a more cohesive and interconnected storytelling experience. Keep an eye out, DC fans, because the future is bright!
So, while Suicide Squad was the direct follow-up to Batman v Superman, the DCEU has continued to evolve and expand with a diverse range of films and characters. From the hopeful heroism of Wonder Woman to the dark and gritty world of The Batman, there's something for every DC fan to enjoy. And with the new leadership at DC Studios, the future of the DCEU is looking brighter than ever! Hope this helps you know what the next DC film was after Batman vs Superman!