How to watch

The road to the Justice League runs through several DC Extended Universe films that introduce Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and their allies before uniting them against the alien conqueror Steppenwolf. Famously, the 2017 theatrical release was heavily reworked after director Zack Snyder departed, leading to the 2021 release of his original four-hour vision, Zack Snyder's Justice League.

🕐 Release Order

Release order walks you through the build-up films that establish each hero before the team finally comes together on screen.

1. Man of Steel (2013)
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
3. Wonder Woman (2017)
4. Justice League (2017)
5. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Story chronology mostly matches release order, with the exception that Wonder Woman's origin is a period piece set decades before the modern-day team-up.

📖 Story Chronology

For a timeline viewing, Wonder Woman's World War I origin comes first, then the modern films leading to the League's formation and its definitive Snyder Cut telling.

1. Wonder Woman (2017) — set largely during World War I
2. Man of Steel (2013)
3. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
4. Justice League (2017) — theatrical cut
5. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) — the director's definitive version

Which Order Should You Choose?

Watch the setup films in release order, then choose one version of Justice League rather than both back-to-back. Newcomers who want the intended emotional payoff should pick Zack Snyder's Justice League, which restores subplots and character arcs that the theatrical cut trimmed. If you're short on time, the 2017 theatrical cut delivers the core story in half the runtime. Either way, seeing Man of Steel and Batman v Superman first gives the team-up its full weight.

🔗 Related Guides

• Superman Watch OrderGuide
• Wonder Woman Watch OrderGuide
• Aquaman Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!