# The best DC movies: 10 essential films from Superman to The Batman

> The best DC movies in release order, from Superman (1978) and The Dark Knight to Joker, Wonder Woman, The Batman and Superman (2025), with what makes each essential and where to start.

Source: https://rankiew.app/blog/best-dc-movies
Published: 2026-08-15
Author: Rankiew
Tags: lists, dc comics, superhero movies

DC has produced some of the most acclaimed and most successful superhero films ever made. This list gathers ten essential DC movies in release order, with posters, and tells you what makes each one worth watching.

# How we chose

This is not a numbered ranking. We chose ten DC films by critical reception, box office, awards and influence, and listed them in release order. Some are connected and some are separate stories.

## Superman (1978)

::film[Superman|1978]

Christopher Reeve made audiences believe a man can fly. It won a Special Achievement Oscar for visual effects and set the template for superhero films.

## Batman (1989)

::film[Batman|1989]

Tim Burton's gothic Gotham, with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. It won the Oscar for art direction and showed how powerful superhero films could be at the box office.

## The Dark Knight (2008)

::film[The Dark Knight|2008]

Christopher Nolan's crime epic about Batman and the Joker. Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

## Wonder Woman (2017)

::film[Wonder Woman|2017]

Gal Gadot stars in Patty Jenkins' origin story of the Amazon warrior, a hit with more than 800 million dollars worldwide.

## Aquaman (2018)

::film[Aquaman|2018]

James Wan's undersea fantasy with Jason Momoa grossed more than one billion dollars worldwide.

## Shazam! (2019)

::film[Shazam!|2019]

A teenage boy turns into an adult superhero, with Zachary Levi. A warm, funny and family-friendly film.

## Joker (2019)

::film[Joker|2019]

Joaquin Phoenix won the Oscar for Best Actor for this dark portrait of Gotham's clown, and the film grossed more than a billion dollars.

## The Suicide Squad (2021)

::film[The Suicide Squad|2021]

James Gunn's violent, funny team-up with Idris Elba, John Cena and Margot Robbie.

## The Batman (2022)

::film[The Batman|2022]

Matt Reeves' noir detective story, with Robert Pattinson as a young, troubled Batman.

## Superman (2025)

::film[Superman|2025]

James Gunn's hopeful return of the hero, with David Corenswet. It passed 600 million dollars at the box office.

# Frequently asked questions

## What are the best DC movies?

Our list names ten essential films. Most critics and fans point to *The Dark Knight*, *Superman* (1978), *Joker* and *Wonder Woman*, and the other entries add comedy, fantasy and noir.

## Which DC movie should I watch first?

Start with *Superman* (1978) for the origin of the genre, *The Dark Knight* for a crime epic or *Superman* (2025) for a modern start.

## Are the DC movies connected?

Not all of them. Many films, such as *Joker* and *The Batman*, tell separate stories, while the newer DC Universe led by James Gunn begins with *Superman* (2025).

# Rate these movies

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*Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.*