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Multiverse guide DC

Elseworlds · Arrowverse · DCEU · DCU — the complete multiverse guide, major event kept spoiler-free.The Arrowverse alone — its shows interwoven episode by episode, major event spoiler-free.The DCEU alone — from Man of Steel to The Flash, spoiler-free.The DCU alone — the new DC universe in order, spoiler-free. Check off what you've completed — your progress is saved.

Updated · October 2026

25Feature films
17Series
147Stops
932 hJourney left
First departure
The whole multiverse, or a single line?

If you're here, it's because you want to discover the DC Multiverse, or watch one of its branches, in its most optimized order, a mix of chronological order and release order. You'll find extra details by clicking on each media, and this entire site is guaranteed free of major spoilers.

This guide works for first-time watches as well as rewatches.

Fair warning: this section is a huge mess. Even though a lot of media has been cut, watching everything that's left still takes a lot — a LOT — of time. If you're only here for the Arrowverse, the DCEU or the DCU, you can pick your line when you arrive on the page, or higher up, under the network map.

Fair question: how is this whole mess connected?

This order favors a progressive discovery of the DC Multiverse. Several shows and movies take place in different realities but end up sharing connections. Watching everything in this order helps you understand the characters, references and events that tie these universes together, while preserving the major surprises.

How to read this
The main chronologies

The universe's two main chronologies take place on Earth-1 and Earth-TUD13.

Soft-canon

The term soft-canon refers to media whose events partly happened the same way in another universe — more info in the descriptions.

Flashbacks

Some events work better as a FLASHBACK for understanding, and are marked as such.

Duplicate faces

The DC Multiverse works in a peculiar way: two different characters can have the exact same face (examples: Flash's father (2014) and Flash (1990), Supergirl (1984) and Superman's mother (Smallville) but also Supergirl's adoptive mother (2015)).

What's left out, and why4 entries

Some media is intentionally left out because it's not at all important for understanding the Multiverse's chronology and its key events.

Everything released before 1989
Every media released before 1989.
The shows
Flash (1990), Lois & Clark, Lucifer, Pennyworth, Swamp-Thing, Doom Patrol, Powerless, Birds of Prey (2002).
The movies
Constantine (2005), the Watchmen movie and show, both Joker movies, the Green Lantern movie, the Catwoman movie.
The rest
Plenty of other lesser-known movies and shows, almost every animated movie and show, every comic, every video game.
Filters, search, legend and sources147 / 147 shown
Level
Media types
MarkersFLASHBACK SOFT-CANON EARTH-XXXX

Superman origins

Smallville

2001–2011

The show takes place between 2001 and 2011 in a parallel universe.

The best media to introduce Superman's entourage and iconic villains.

Krypton

???

The show takes place 200 years before Superman's birth on the planet Krypton.

Originally planned as a Man of Steel prequel, Krypton ultimately takes place in its own universe. Canceled after 2 seasons, but a nice way to expand Superman's lore.

Superman Returns

2006

The movie takes place in 2006, after the soft-canon events of Superman and Superman II, which happened the same way but in different eras.

Soft-canon sequel to Superman and Superman II — the events happened the same way but in different eras.

Batman origins

Batman

1989

The movie takes place in 1989 in a parallel universe.

One of the most iconic and genre-defining superhero movies.

Batman Returns

1992

Direct sequel to Batman (1989) in the same universe.

The 2 sequels Batman Forever and Batman & Robin were officially decanonized and take place in an alternate reality close to Burton's 2 movies.

Gotham

???

The show takes place in an alternate past with no precise date, before Batman's appearance.

Like Smallville, a nice way to explore the origins of Batman's entourage and iconic villains.

Arrowverse

DCEU

Man of Steel

2013

The movie takes place in 2013 and marks the start of the DCEU on Earth-TUD13.

It's the starting point of the DCEU, DC's cinematic universe. Watch it before Batman v Superman.

The Flash

2023

Final DCEU movie — reboots the universe into the DCU

The movie takes place in 2023 and closes out the DCEU.

This movie is the bridge between the DCEU and the DCU. It resets the universe and introduces James Gunn's new DC era. Watch it before Creature Commandos.

Arrowverse — After the event

Post-event Elseworlds

Stargirl

2020

Season 1 takes place in 2020 on the new Earth-2.

Superman & Lois

2021–2024

The show takes place between 2021 and 2024.

Originally conceived as a continuation of Supergirl's Superman, the show ultimately takes place in a very close but distinct reality.

DCU — New Universe

Suicide Squad

2016

The movie takes place in 2016.

Some events happen just like in the DCEU minus the cameos, some characters faces that might change and the end is different.

The Suicide Squad

2022

The movie takes place in 2022.

Most of the events happen just like in the DCEU. We don't know yet whether every character will have the same face in the DCU.

Peacemaker

2023

The show takes place in 2023, after The Suicide Squad.

Most of the events happen just like in the DCEU, with the notable exception of the scene with the other heroes.

Superman

2025

The movie takes place in 2025 in the brand-new DCU.

The first big movie of James Gunn's DCU. A complete fresh start for Superman and the DC universe on the big screen.