Originally published December 28, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
With the release of Wonder Woman and Justice League in 2017, we here at Flickering Myth decided to start ranking the DC Extended Universe the same way we do for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It’s been a bumpy ride for the DCEU since its inception in 2013. Now five movies in, it still feels like it can’t quite find its feet. The promise of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice didn’t inspire hope, and while Wonder Woman wowed the audiences, Zack Snyder’s Justice League found itself heaped in controversy. Announcements of more movies continue to come and go, but faith in the property appears to be dwindling (Justice League was only saved at the box office by a great Chinese opening and a sequel has yet to be announced).
With all that said, let’s rank the DCEU.
5. Suicide Squad (26 points)
After Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, many comic book fans looked to David Ayer’s Suicide Squad to clean their palate. Sadly an over-bearing studio and a mismanaged production left the bad guys in a bit of a mess. The film put out great trailers with bright visuals and poppy soundtracks, but the finished product couldn’t match up to them. A muddy story mixed with a boring villain, Suicide Squad was consistently bottom of our writer’s rankings, and is the only movie in the DCEU to not top any lists.
4. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (38 points)
Ahead in the rankings by 12 points, Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was the movie that a lot of comic book fans had been waiting for. Worlds Finest finally collide on the big screen! But, it wasn’t quite the movie everyone wanted it to be. It has its fans, but it certainly has more detractors with a box office performance that Warner Bros. would not have been happy with given its giant budget and marketing costs. While it seems harsh to say, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice felt like the beginning of the end for the DCEU.
3. Justice League (41 points)
Taking third spot by just three points, Zack Snyder/Joss Whedon’s Justice League finds itself middle of the DCEU pack. Justice League was sadly another movie marred by a troublesome production, with director Snyder stepping down and Whedon filling in – resulting in Henry Cavill’s creepy upper lip and unwanted humour. Like Suicide Squad, the constant meddling with the movie resulted in a very bland affair; a movie that is more plodding than a movie with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman should ever be. Justice League found itself low down on writer’s lists, and is incredibly fifteen points off second place.
