Ranked: DCEU Films

So I have finished watching all the DC Extended Universe films, these are all the films that are linked together in the universe beginning with the film Man Of Steel.

15. The Flash (2023) 

After many years and controversies we have The Flash and it is a huge let down. 2023 is not a good year for the DCEU and you can see why it is dying. The acting is okay, but the script and CGI is some of the worst you will ever see, the ending leaves this universe in a mess and I hope when it is officially finished that we completely move on and start fresh with the DCU. 

14. Shazam! Fury Of The Gods (2023)

With the DCEU at deaths door, we got Shazam! Fury of the Gods and it is the definition of average. It did very little to progress its main characters with dull villains and a generic story. It has some enjoyable sequences but this is a huge step down for the character and might be the last we see of Shazam!

13. Birds Of Prey (2020)

 

This film had a lot of buzz but was a pretty big let down and ended up being a very messy film. Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is always great and the film has some enjoyable moments but overall it just doesn't have anything that makes it a really good comic book film which is why it ranks low on this list. 

12. Suicide Squad (2016)

 

The other film that has Robbie as Quinn is here with Suicide Squad. This film has some great performances by actors such as Robbie, Will Smith & Jai Courtenay but again it is a bit of a mess and lacks an antagonist worthy of this film. It had potential but really fell short of those expectations.

11. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

The last film in the DCEU is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and it is just okay. Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson are great in their roles but the film ultimately falls flat with poor pacing and lacklustre side characters. The story doesn't do much but there are some good action scenes and this film does just about enough to get by. 

10. Batman V Superman - Dawn Of Justice (2016)

 

2016 wasn't a great year for the DCEU, this film was the ultimate mess but it truly has some amazing moments. Ben Affleck is great as Batman but the rest of the film is all over the place and makes this feel like real wasted potential as it looks amazing and has some great things but it doesn't maximise that potential.

9. Black Adam (2022)

This film was in development hell for years, but we finally got a chance to see Black Adam and it is an okay film. Dwayne Johnson is good as the title character and it is nice to see a main character with a less then idealistic moral system. But the film is just a bit too generic for me, there isn't much originality in it and that holds it back from being much better. 

8. Justice League (2017)

 

The first of the great DCEU films in my opinion, this film is just fun to be honest. The characters are well done and seeing this ensemble on screen together for the first time is a real treat to watch. The lack of backstory for some characters is an issue and some unfinished CGI but overall I really enjoy this film and believe it is better then most people think. 

7. Wonder Woman (2017)

This might get me some hate for not putting this film further up but I think this a great film. It does a great job of fleshing out the character of Wonder Woman and Gal Gadot really impresses in the role. This film also includes one of my favourite comic book moments so it has that going for it. But the villains are really weak and the last battle feels like one you have seen plenty of times before and holds it back, but it is a great origin film that sets the character up well for the future.

6. Shazam! (2019)

 

The comedy for the DCEU here and one that is very enjoyable indeed. Zachary Levi is great as the titular character and it is really fun watching his development as a superhero. Yes it is a bit generic but it does a great job in setting up this characters world and making you care.

5. Aquaman (2018) 

 

The first solo film after Justice League was Aquaman and I thought it was a great film that really fleshed out Aquaman as a character. Seeing the underwater scenes is really impressive and the characters well done. The film tries to take on a bit too much but it is a really great experience and one that should be watched. 

4. Man Of Steel (2013)

 

So in my opinion the first film in the DCEU was the best one for a long time, Man Of Steel did a fantastic job in setting up Superman and making this feel like a different take on the character. The action scenes are epic in nature and the best that has involved the character, yes it is darker in tone but it does pretty much everything well and set the tone in this universe. 

3. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

The sequel and for me the better Wonder Woman film. This film has such a great style and love put into it, the characters are fantastic and have so much depth put into them that it really draws you into the film. The message of the story is very important and for me this is the best DCEU film so far and I really hope we get to see this film kind of relaunch the franchise and get DC films to somewhat compete with Marvel.

2. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) 

For years fans have wanted to see the definitive version of Justice League made by Zack Snyder and now we finally have it and it is a fantastic film and experience. It gives the characters more development and provides a great showpiece film that shows that Snyder can still make a fantastic DC film. 

1. The Suicide Squad (2021) 

After the mess that was the first Suicide Squad film, it is fantastic to see a Suicide Squad film that finally delivers on the craziness that this franchise has. Great characters with a more violent style mashes really nicely and provides one of the more entertaining comic book films of recent years. 

Overall

So the DCEU is over and this is clearly a cinematic universe that missed its chance to succeed. There were some good individual films but not enough to really make it a success. There are too many average films and with a lack of plan I think it has failed. I am hoping that the upcoming DCU will fix the majority of issues that have been seen here.