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DC Studios' Chapter 1 Gods & Monsters: What are the upcoming movies and TV shows, and when are the release dates?

Inside the over-arching phase-style line-up of DC Studios films and TV series

Still image of James Gunn on a burgundy background
Image credit: DC
Chris Arrant avatar
Guide by Chris Arrant Editor-in-Chief
Published on

DC Studios has revealed a massive 10-project slate for the next five years, headed up by co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. Building off the current DCEU, this reinvigorated DC will begin in full force with 2025's big screen Superman: Legacy... but will be set-up by two TV shows that are framed as the apertif of the new DCU.

So what's going on? What are the new DC movies? And what about the previously announced DC movies? Those are all good questions, and we have answers for you.

What is DC Studios' Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters?

DC Studios
Image credit: DC
Much like Marvel Studios does 'phases,' DC is now doing chapters - and the first chapter of this post-DCEU story is titled 'Gods and Monsters.' “What we’re starting with today is the first part of the first chapter of our universe,” DC Studios' co-CEO Peter Safran says. “That first chapter’s called ‘Gods and Monsters.’ Many of the following projects are already being worked on, but we’re remaining flexible and we’re going to adjust because we’re never going to put a project into production before the script is right. This is a general timeline, but there will be flexibility within it.” Although only Superman: Legacy has a firm release date, DC Studios intends for all of these projects to be released by 2027. That being said, Gunn said this slate isn't the entirety of DC Studios' Chapter 1 - more will be announced.

When will DC Studios' Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters movies and TV shows come out?

Creature Commandos
Image credit: Warner Bros. Animation

Although DC Studios have only revealed a release date for one of these 10 projects, they've given rough windows in terms of the order of the projects. Here you go:

  • Creature Commandos animated TV series in 2024
  • Waller live-action tv series in 2024
  • Superman: Legacy live-action movie on July 11, 2025
  • Lanterns live-action TV series
  • The Authority live-action movie
  • Paradise Lost live-action TV series
  • The Brave and the Bold live action movie
  • Booster Gold live-action TV series
  • Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow live-action movie
  • Swamp Thing live-action movie

Where do the upcoming Shazam, Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman movies fit in?

Still promotional image from second Shazam film
Image credit: Warner Brothers Discovery

In Gunn's own words, these four films created before he took over as DC Studios' co-CEO will remain on schedule - and still be considered part of the new DC he is building. He particularly referred to the Flash as setting the stage for the new DC film/tv/gaming universe to come.

Here are the release dates for those projects:

  • March 17, 2023: Shazam! Fury of the Gods
  • June 16, 2023: The Flash
  • August 18, 2023: Blue Beetle
  • December 25, 2023: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

What about other projects like the Batman and Joker sequels?

Gunn also re-confirmed that the upcoming The Batman and Joker sequels remain ontrack, but will be firmly outside continuity of the main DC storylines he and Safran are developing. Further to that, Gunn dusted off an old DC Comics term - Elseworlds - to refer to these projects. From the way he phrased it, Elseworlds is the name of this sub-brand of DC films featuring its characters but which are unconnected from the primary continuity that's being built.

What order do I watch the DC movies and TV shows in?

The true chronology of these upcoming projects remains to be seen, but in the interim we have a guide to how to watch DC movies - both in release date order, chronological order, or by family.

Hungry for more? Check out our guides on upcoming superhero movie and superhero TV show release dates.

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