DCEU Movies, Ranked By Re-Watch Value

The DCEU sports a series of films ranging from totally forgettable to inescapably enthralling, leaving viewers eager to forget or eager for more.

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Ranking the movies of the DC Extended Universe by quality or consensus is common, but less discussed are those little somethings that can be uncovered on repeat viewings after the core movie has settled in. Superhero films especially are known for these kinds of details, ramping up world-building and nods to the wider franchise with Easter eggs and references to keep fans on their toes. DC’s films are certainly no exception.

After over a dozen movies in the DCEU, there has never been a better time to dive back in and find what secrets lurk. With a range of directors like James Gunn and Zack Snyder in love with the worlds they are adapting or playing with, there is always a scavenger hunt’s worth of things to be found.

11 Justice League (2017)

Excessively cutting down on material means cutting down on re-watch value. The film is (re)constructed with such a mechanical focus on maximizing elements the studio felt would attract audiences that it lost much of what makes these kinds of movies fun to explore after the fact. The film was found hard to watch as a garish amalgamation of two directors’ styles with thin characters.

Yet, many of Zack Snyder’s Easter eggs, references, and parallels still made it to the final product with various nods to the comic origins of its iconic heroes, as should be expected from the Justice League’s first outing on the big screen.

10 Suicide Squad (2016)

A few neat Easter eggs survived the radical alterations to David Ayer’s supervillain team-up Suicide Squad, primarily in the form of cameos from the cast of Zack Snyder’s films, especially Batman and Flash, or references to recent events. These were a joyful celebration of the connected universe being built up at the time.

Visual references to the comics included a beautifully reverent recreation of Alex Ross’ iconic cover art for Batman: Harley Quinn during Harley’s introduction sequence. However, the film was poorly received, especially over what audiences considered an unfitting soundtrack and a “cringe” depiction of the Joker. Should the “Ayer Cut” of Suicide Squad release, this may change.

9 Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Patty Jenkins’ gold-tinted ’80s-themed sequel alluded to the comics with details like Wonder Woman’s invisible jet and golden eagle armor, cameos from obscure faces like Simon Stagg and Asteria, or a profound dedication to honoring the style and tone of classics like Superman (1978). Jenkins went the distance to create an authentic setting, with the only exception being the soundtrack.

However, audiences felt discomfort at the unusual relationship between Diana Prince and the resurrected Steve Trevor, whose soul inhabited the body of an unwilling participant in the story, and the action was often found awkward.

8 Birds of Prey (2020)

Cathy Yan’s film includes some of Harley Quinn’s best moments, raising DC’s anti-hero icon to new heights by making her the star of her own movie, following Harley making her own way. It references her origins in Batman: The Animated Series with details like her pet hyenas and brings villains like Black Mask to life with a uniquely comic-accurate backstory.

The film was occasionally criticized for seemingly propping up Harley Quinn at the expense of the other characters. As a Birds of Prey film, many fans of the titular heroes felt disappointed in the renditions of Cassandra Cain and Black Canary, whose comic book counterparts were used mostly as subtle nods and references. Despite its quirky humor, the film performed poorly at the box office.

7 Wonder Woman (2017)

Patty Jenkins’ origin story for Wonder Woman was met warmly by DC fans who found the story and titular hero a refreshing addition to the genre. Though the movie is surprisingly thin on the Easter eggs, comic nods, and connective references the other films on this list have.

Although, the film does take some fascinating liberties with Wonder Woman’s mythic origin, including a unique merging of elements from the Post-Crisis and New 52 eras of the character’s history. Audiences are told that Diana was molded from clay and given life by Zeus, yet is later revealed to have been the daughter of Zeus himself.

6 Man of Steel (2013)

It should be no surprise the first DCEU film is dripping with references to the comics. Characters, buildings, dialogue, and events themselves pay homage to material that few but ardent Superman fans would pick up, and even then would find something new on every revisit. Despite a mixed reception, it is often revisited for its spectacular action sequences and to see where it all began.

Zack Snyder and director/storyboard artist Jay Oliva used anime as an inspiration for the fast-paced, destructive battles. Though the DCEU has changed a lot since Man of Steel, this film’s elevation of superpowered combat has proven influential. Superman punching Zod across Metropolis has even been referenced in his “Super Move” in Injustice 2, for example.

5 The Suicide Squad (2021)

James Gunn brought his comedic style to The Suicide Squad, delivering riotous humor on a flowing stream, and the film’s commitment to its silliness guarantees that no expense is spared on keeping the audience immersed. Because of this, there is always a joke that gets missed, a new punchline to be found on every viewing, and viewers loved every second.

The film is packed with Easter eggs and tongue-in-cheek nods to the comics around every major character. No one is separated from their ties to the source material, whether in tiny references or apparent moments, such as a controversial reference in dialogue to Bloodsport shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet in the comics.

4 Aquaman (2018)

Perhaps the most visually rich superhero film, Aquaman’s Hamlet-esque solo film is constructed with incredible visual care by James Wan’s team, with its crazy color palette and stylistic splendor. Repeat viewings reveal no shortage of references to classic literature from the likes of Jules Verne with Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and Journey to the Center of the Earth to complete the adventurous tone.

Though the film’s critical reception was lukewarm, audiences were so enthralled by the brilliance of this world that the film’s stunning commercial performance easily earned Wan an upcoming sequel with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2022).

3 Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

The director’s HBO Max director’s cut is the ultimate DC epic, a veritable treasure trove of DC goodness and world-building details. In four hours of superhero movie, there are always teases to miss on top of most of the Easter eggs that could be found in the 2017 version, to say nothing of the call-backs and connections to other DCEU films.

In addition, the massive improvement on the development of its characters, whose arcs become increasingly complex on each new viewing, would certainly explain Zack Snyder’s Justice League being the fourth highest-rated film over three hours on IMDB, dominating DVD/Blu-Ray best-seller lists for months after release, despite the demanding four-hour runtime.

2 Shazam! (2018)

With an aura of classic Christmas movies with a strong and wholesome focus on family that gives superhero enthusiasts something special to watch every cold December with loved ones, Shazam is a monument to director David F Sandberg’s commitment to this mythos and the vast DC history. Sandberg’s sequel, Fury of the Gods, promises to be every bit as enjoyable.

In addition to call-backs to prior DC films (and Sandberg’s own), references to Shazam’s comic book lore ooze from every frame with countless subtle nods, especially in the form of inanimate background objects that can be noticed on repeated viewings, some of which imply a larger world and future stories on the horizon.

1 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

In 2018, Zack Snyder hosted a challenge for fans to uncover the references to comics, literature, and mythology in his superhero-versus-superhero epic. The winning entries were a vast list of metaphors and allegories that enriched the themes and characters. Its complex character arcs get clearer and more defined on each viewing.

The film was poorly received on release, but has been revisited over the years through the “Ultimate Edition” director’s cut which adds an essential thirty minutes to the runtime, praised as a marked improvement on the movie. The film has gradually earned itself a dedicated fanbase who have arguably elevated it to cult classic status.

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