We're almost two years into James Gunn's DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, and the phase is in full swing with two movies on the big screen and multiple TV shows over on HBO. The slate kicked off with Creatures and Commandos in 2024, followed by Superman in 2025. But there's still plenty more on the way as the ever-expanding universe continues to change and grow.
This year, Supergirl continues the adventure over on the big screen, followed by new intergalactic detective show Lanterns on the small screen. That's not all, though, as we still have Batman spin-off Clayface set to scare us silly this Halloween, before we return to Metropolis in 2027 with Man of Tomorrow. However, the DCU has already seen a major shake-up. Previously announced shows Waller and Paradise Lost have been scrapped. But on the bright side, Lanterns season 2 seems pretty likely.
In short, there's plenty of upcoming DC movies and shows to look forward to. So, to make your life a little easier, we have rounded up everything you need to know about DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters projects on the way, as well as what has already been released. It is important to note that you won't find The Batman 2 or any other Elseworlds projects here, since this is just for the DCU. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll on down.
DCU movies
Superman
Release date: July 11, 2025
Superman has been released and marks the first movie in the new slate. Written and directed by James Gunn, it follows a younger Clark Kent as a reporter at The Daily Planet, and it looks at how he balances his Kryptonian and human heritage in a world full of heroes. "This is really the start of the DCU," Safran said in a statement, per Deadline, before the film was released. "It's not an origins story; it focuses on Superman's balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He's the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, he's kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned."
David Corenswet plays Kal-El, while Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult is donning the bald cap to become Lex Luthor (the movie's main villain), while Nathan Fillion plays Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi is Mister Terrific, Isabel Merced portrays Hawkgirl, and Anthony Carrigan is Metamorpho. For more information on this one, you can read our Superman review or our Superman ending explained guide if you want to see where the DCU could be heading next.
Supergirl
Release date: June 26, 2026
Supergirl is based on Tom King's comic book series 'Woman of Tomorrow' and introduces a "Supergirl viewers are not used to seeing". Superman's titular cousin, Kara Zor-El, is played by House of the Dragon's Milly Alcock, while Cruella helmer Craig Gillespie is in the director's chair.
"We see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he's an infant," Gunn told Variety. "Versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip off of Krypton, and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life."
The movie sees Kara Zor-El go through a whole load of character development as she teams up with a young girl called Ruthye to hunt down the loathsome Krem. Shifting from a party-loving free spirit to a superhero in charge of her powers by the end, the movie also subtly sets up Man of Tomorrow, where we'll see Kara next.
Clayface
Release date: September 11, 2026
The third movie in the DCU is set to move away from former citizens of Krypton and change the pace entirely: things are about to go full body horror with a new Clayface film, which has been likened to David Cronenberg's The Fly. Directed by Speak No Evil helmer James Watkins and co-written by Mike Flanagan, Tom Rhys Harries plays the shapeshifting actor, while Naomi Ackie plays the rogue scientist who turns his body into clay.
The first trailer for the film teases a full-on body horror, and it's gross enough to make you queasy. Clayface the character also appears in Creature Commandos, which has caused some confusion, though we'll just have to wait and see how it all fits together when the film arrives this fall.
Man of Tomorrow
Release date: July 9, 2027
The follow-up to Superman isn't a sequel, per se, at least according to James Gunn. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult will return as the Man of Steel and Lex Luthor, though, and some new concept art (featuring Lex in some new armor) suggests that the pair could be teaming up – although it looks like there'll still be some conflict between them, naturally…
The movie has begun filming but we still don't have much to go on yet, other than a possible link to a comic book story of the same name by Alan Moore that follows Supes' last days on Earth.
The Brave and the Bold
Release date: TBC
DC is set to introduce its live-action Batman and Robin in a new movie called The Brave and the Bold, directed by The Flash's Andy Muschietti. Gunn described Damien Wayne, AKA Robin, as "a little son of a bitch" to Deadline, and an "assassin, murderer who Batman takes on, who is Batman’s actual son that he doesn’t know exists for the first 8-10 years of his life… It's a strange father and son story about the two of them and based on Grant Morrison’s run of the Batman," he added.
The film will be written by The Flash scribe Christina Hodson, reuniting her and Muschietti. Gunn has also indicated that we won't get two Batman movies in the same year, so, thanks to The Batman 2, we won't see The Brave and the Bold until at least 2028.
Swamp Thing
Release date: TBC
Despite being announced in 2023, information on the new Swamp Thing movie is still limited, but it will focus on the origins of the mysterious DC character. From what's been revealed so far about this one, it's expected it will be tonally darker than the other DC projects. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold is directing, and he described the movie as a "simple, clean Gothic horror" and "just a standalone" film. "I’m not that interested in being handcuffed by so much lore at this point that it's almost immovable and you can't please anybody," he said.
However, like The Brave and the Bold, this project is also now on the backburner, with Gunn saying that he and Mangold "talk about it occasionally." If you want to find out more about this iconic character ahead of the new DC movie, you can read our list of the 10 best Swamp Thing stories of all time.
The Authority
Release date: TBC
Another new upcoming movie from DC Studios is The Authority, which will see WildStorm characters joining the DCU. We don't know what form the group will take, but we do know it'll have links to Superman and see The Authority taking "matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right," per the official synopsis.
"Whether that means killing people, destroying heads of state, changing governments, you know, whatever they want to do to make the world better," Gunn previously explained, while Safran likened the morally complex team to Jack Nicholson's character in A Few Good Men. This is another movie that's on the DCU back burner right now, with Gunn saying it's "had a hard time coming along," and "hasn't been much of a priority."
Wonder Woman
Release date: TBC
James Gunn recently revealed that a new Woman movie is being written. The upcoming film is separate from Paradise Lost, a Wonder Woman TV series that was previously announced during the initial rollout of DCU: Chapter One. Paradise Lost will focus on the Amazon island of Themiscyra. Gunn also confirmed that no one has been cast as Wonder Woman just yet, meaning that Gal Gadot, much like the previous DCEU actors, will not be returning.
DCU TV shows
Creature Commandos season 1
Release date: December 5, 2024
Creature Commandos is an animated series that follows a black ops team of monstrous prisoners assembled by Amanda Waller. Season 1 was the first project of the new DCU, premiering on Max in December 2024, and season 2 is now on the way (although we don't have a release date just yet).
Frank Grillo is Rick Flag Sr, Maria Bakalova voices Princess Ilana, David Harbour is Eric Frankenstein, Indira Varma is the Bride of Frankenstein, Alan Tudyk is Doctor Phosphorus, Steve Agee as John Economos, and Zoe Chao voices team scientist and mermaid Dr. Nina Mazursky. They're joined by Sean Gunn pulling double duty as Weasel and G.I. Robot. The Witcher's Anya Chalotra plays villain Circe, while Viola Davis reprises her role as Suicide Squad boss Amanda Waller.
Peacemaker season 2
Release date: August 21, 2025
Peacemaker season 2 recently wrapped and largely revolved around Rick Flag Sr.'s quest for revenge against Peacemaker after the latter killed the former's son in The Suicide Squad. This season is canon in the DCU, too, and introduced Salvation (a prison for metahumans) that will no doubt be seen in future movies like Man of Tomorrow.
James Gunn has teased that Peacemaker will continue to be a big part of the new DCU going forward. However, no Peacemaker season 3 has been confirmed just yet. Considering the Peacemaker season 2 ending, though, we are sure that he and Superman will have another crossover soon. Possibly, we'll see him in Supergirl as well. Stay tuned for updates!
Lanterns
Release date: August 16, 2026
Described as an "enormous TV event series", Lanterns follows Green Lantern Hal Jordan and his trainee, played by Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler, as an intergalactic cop investigating crime in the American heartland. But the duo is really put to the test when a local murder seems to have extraterrestrial connections. It will be a mystery show described as a superhero take on True Detective, which is definitely the vibe of the first full trailer.
True Detective: Night Country writer Chris Mundy serves as showrunner, while Damon Lindelof of Lost and HBO's Watchmen fame has written the series alongside award-winning comic writer Tom King. The first season takes place across two timelines in 2016 and 2026, seemingly leading into next year's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry, Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, and Nathan Fillion as Superman's very own Green Lantern Guy Gardner.
Booster Gold
Release date: TBC
Booster Gold is a series based on, you guessed it, time-traveling hero Booster Gold. Per the synopsis, he will use "basic technology from the future to pretend to be a superhero in the present day."
In the comics, Booster Gold is Michael Jon Carter, a football star from the 25th Century. He travels back in time and, equipped with his robot Skeets, is able to use his knowledge of events and high-end technology to gain the upper hand. There isn't much info about this show out there just yet, other than Safran saying that an unnamed showrunner hasn't been available to work on it, so the studio "had to pivot."
If you need to catch up, here's how to watch the DC movies in order and our ranking of the best Superman movies, then fly on over to the heavy list of new superhero movies coming your way.
