TV · in order
New DC Universe (DCU) Watch Order
The rebooted James Gunn and Peter Safran DC Universe, "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters." Start with the animated Creature Commandos, then the Superman film and Peacemaker Season 2, with more films and series arriving across 2026.
New DC Universe (DCU) Watch Order: complete list
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Why this order?
The new DC Universe is a clean-slate reboot from co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, branded "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters." It is separate from the older DCEU that ran from Man of Steel through the Snyder-era films, and it is also distinct from the standalone "Elseworlds" projects like Matt Reeves' The Batman and the Joker movies. This page covers only the connected DCU canon, which is still small enough that a single viewing order works for almost everyone.
For the entries released so far, watch order and release order line up, because the DCU has been rolling out in a straightforward line. Begin with Creature Commandos (2024), the animated series that was the first piece of the new universe to air. Move to Superman (2025), Gunn's theatrical anchor film for the whole franchise, and then Peacemaker Season 2 (2025), which continues John Cena's character directly into the rebooted continuity and is set after the events of Superman.
The key gotcha is Peacemaker Season 1. It premiered in January 2022 as a spin-off of the DCEU's The Suicide Squad, so it predates the reboot. Gunn has confirmed that almost all of Season 1 remains canon in the new DCU, with one explicit exception: the Justice League cameo in the Season 1 finale (Jason Momoa's Aquaman and Ezra Miller's Flash). Season 2 performs a soft reboot of that moment and otherwise builds straight on Season 1, so watch Season 1 before Season 2 and treat only that cameo as out of continuity.
The slate is now expanding fast in 2026 and into 2027: Supergirl hit theaters June 26, 2026, the Lanterns HBO series debuts August 16, 2026, the Clayface film arrives October 23, 2026, and Man of Tomorrow (the Superman sequel) has a confirmed July 9, 2027 theatrical release. Those three upcoming entries have firm dates, and as more entries land the chronological and watch orders may eventually diverge. For now, the top-to-bottom list below is all you need to be caught up on Gods and Monsters.
How many episodes is DC Universe (DCU)?
DC Universe (DCU) has 24 episodes across the 4 series entries tracked in this guide.
- Creature Commandos 7 episodes 2024-2025
- Peacemaker Season 1 8 episodes 2022
- Peacemaker Season 2 8 episodes 2025
- Lanterns 1 episode 2026
Timeline 2022-2027
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 2022 Peacemaker Season 1
- 2024 Creature Commandos
- 2025 SupermanPeacemaker Season 2
- 2026 SupergirlLanternsClayface
- 2027 Man of Tomorrow
Upcoming / TBA: The Brave and the Bold · Swamp Thing · Booster Gold
Where to play it today
- Max (HBO Max)
- Theaters
- Digital purchase/rental
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for DC Universe (DCU).
Cameos & crossovers
Characters from DC Universe (DCU) who also show up elsewhere. see the full character atlas →
- Amanda Waller
Ruthless spymaster who runs Task Force X across Suicide Squad, the DCEU, and the DCU.
- Superman / Clark Kent
The original Man of Steel, DCEU centerpiece and flagship of James Gunn's rebooted DCU.
- Lex Luthor
Superman's billionaire arch-rival, villain of the DCEU and the new DCU.
Also in DC Extended Universe - Peacemaker / Christopher Smith
Peace-at-any-cost mercenary linking Suicide Squad to his own DCU spinoff.
Also in Suicide Squad
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch the new DC Universe (DCU) in?
Watch Creature Commandos (2024) first, then the Superman film (2025), then Peacemaker Season 1 (2022) before Peacemaker Season 2 (2025). For the entries released so far, release order and story order line up. The 2026 entries (Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface) slot in afterward as they release.
How many DCU shows and movies are there so far?
Released entries are Creature Commandos (animated series), the Superman film, Peacemaker Season 2, and Supergirl (in theaters since June 26, 2026; announced as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow before the title was shortened). Peacemaker Season 1 (2022) is older but counts as canon. Still to come in 2026 are Lanterns (Aug 16) and Clayface (Oct 23).
Is this the same as the DCEU with Henry Cavill?
No. The new DCU is a full reboot under James Gunn and Peter Safran. It is separate from the older DCEU (Man of Steel, Justice League) and from standalone films like The Batman.
Do I need to watch Peacemaker Season 1 first?
Yes, watch Season 1 before Season 2. Season 1 (2022) was made for the old DCEU, but Gunn has confirmed almost all of it is canon in the new DCU. The one exception is the Justice League cameo in the Season 1 finale, which Season 2 soft-reboots.
Where does Creature Commandos fit in?
Creature Commandos is the starting point. It was the first DCU project to air and introduces tone and characters that feed into the wider universe, including ties to the Peacemaker corner of the franchise.
What DCU projects are coming next?
Supergirl is now in theaters (released June 26, 2026). Two more entries have firm 2026 dates: the Lanterns HBO series (Aug 16, 2026) and the Clayface film (Oct 23, 2026). Beyond that, Man of Tomorrow (the Superman sequel directed by James Gunn) has a confirmed July 9, 2027 theatrical release.
How many episodes is DC Universe (DCU)?
DC Universe (DCU) has 24 episodes across the 4 series entries tracked in this guide.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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