The Flash has just completed its cinematic run as one of the biggest box office bombs in recent history. It’s hard to pinpoint what went wrong – it could have been star Ezra Miller’s (Justice League) multiple controversies, the film’s many delays, or the less-than-favorable critical reaction.
This isn’t the first time a film based on DC Comics failed to impress… well, anyone. So far, the DC Extended Universe (or DCEU for short) has produced 15 superhero movies, and they’ve been the very definition of hit-and-miss. Here are all the flicks in the franchise, ranked from worst to best by Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Suicide Squad (2016) – 26%
- Director: David Ayer
- Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie
Official synopsis: The U.S. government forms an unlikely alliance of notorious Super Villains, offering them a chance at redemption. Led by intelligence officer Amanda Waller, this team is armed with formidable weapons and tasked with taking down an insurmountable threat.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – 29%
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Official synopsis: Amidst public apprehension about Superman’s presence and Batman’s vigilante activities in Gotham, Batman seeks to confront the alien superhero. Meanwhile, Superman grapples with finding his place on Earth. In the shadows, the cunning Lex Luthor manipulates the situation, leveraging his resources to undermine Superman’s reputation and challenge him.
Black Adam (2022) – 29%
- Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
- Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan
Official synopsis: After a five-millennia slumber, Black Adam emerges as a brutal yet conflicted guardian of the world. As an anti-hero, he squares off against powerful adversaries such as Superman and Wonder Woman. In the modern era, Black Adam’s path crosses with the Justice Society of America, pitting him against their heroic lineup.
Justice League (2017) – 39%
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa
Official synopsis: Bruce Wayne joins forces with Diana Prince to confront a new enemy. They swiftly gather meta-humans Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash to form an unprecedented league. But as catastrophe looms, time may run out to save the planet.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods – 49%
- Director: David F. Sandberg
- Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer
Official synopsis: Billy Batson and his foster siblings navigate the complexities of being both teenagers and adult superheroes. However, their delicate balance is disrupted when vengeful ancient gods descend to Earth, seeking to reclaim their stolen magic. Shazam and his companions are plunged into a high-stakes conflict that jeopardizes their powers, their existence, and the world.
Man of Steel (2013) – 56%
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon
Official synopsis: Uncovering his extraordinary abilities and alien origins, a young boy matures into a man on a quest to unveil his purpose. Faced with the impending threat of global destruction, he must embrace his heroic destiny to safeguard humanity and embody the universal symbol of hope.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – 58%
- Director: Patty Jenkins
- Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig
Official synopsis: In the sequel to 2017’s Wonder Woman Diana Prince lives quietly as an archaeologist after she saved the world. When a powerful gem attracts dangerous attention, she’s drawn into a global plot by Maxwell Lord. As events spiral, old friends return, and Diana faces a tough decision. Can Wonder Woman save the world again?
Aquaman (2018) – 66%
- Director: James Wan
- Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson
Official synopsis: Arthur Curry learns he’s not entirely human but Atlantean, making him the rightful heir to Atlantis’ throne. However, his villainous half-brother rules and plans war against the surface. With the help of Nuidis Vulko and Mera, Arthur must embrace his identity as Aquaman to prevent Orm’s destructive scheme and save both Atlantis and the surface world.
The Flash (2023) – 64%
- Director: Andy Muschietti
- Starring: Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle
Official synopsis: After getting hit by lightning, Barry Allen gains the power of the Speed Force. Attempting to alter the past by saving his mother, he inadvertently erases a world of heroes, allowing General Zod to resurface. To overcome this crisis, Barry teams up with a retired Batman, an alternate version of himself, and a captive Kryptonian.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League – 72%
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Starring: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot
Official synopsis: Motivated by the desire to honor Superman’s sacrifice, Bruce Wayne teams up with Diana Prince to assemble a team of metahumans capable of defending the world against an imminent cataclysmic threat. However, recruiting proves challenging as each member must confront their demons. The united efforts of Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash create an unprecedented league of heroes
Blue Beetle (2023) – 76%
- Director: Angel Manuel Soto
- Starring: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Becky G
Official synopsis: When an extraterrestrial scarab selects college graduate Jaime Reyes as its symbiotic host, it grants him a remarkable suit of armor endowed with unpredictable and extraordinary abilities. This event propels Jaime into the role of the superhero Blue Beetle, changing his destiny forever.
Birds of Prey (2020) – 78%
- Director: Cathy Yan
- Starring: Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Official synopsis: The story unfolds when the malevolent Roman Sionis and his loyal henchman target a young girl named Cass, plunging Gotham into chaos. While the city searches for Cass, Harley Quinn gets into an unlikely alliance with Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya to end Roman’s reign of terror.
The Suicide Squad (2021) – 90%
- Director: James Gunn
- Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena
Official synopsis: A new batch of Belle Reve’s super-powered prisoners teams up with Amanda Waller’s Task Force X. Led by Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, and Ratcatcher 2, they venture to Corto Maltese to stop Project Starfish and its mastermind, the Thinker. Alongside an old squad leader, they battle a menace that could bring about global destruction.
Shazam! (2019) – 90%
- Director: David F. Sandberg
- Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel
Official synopsis: In Philadelphia, abandoned child Billy Batson searches for his lost mother, causing trouble for authorities. Placed in a new foster home, he befriends Freddy and is chosen by the Wizard Shazam as a champion. Transforming into an adult superhero with a magic word, Billy explores his powers with Freddy. Yet, he must confront his enemy, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, who seeks power from the Seven Deadly Sins.
Wonder Woman (2017) – 90%
- Director: Patty Jenkins
- Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright
Official synopsis: Diana, an Amazon princess trained as a fierce warrior, lives on a secluded paradise island. When a pilot crashes and reveals an ongoing world conflict, Diana ventures into the outside world to try and stop the threat. As she fights alongside men in a war of epic proportions, Diana unlocks her latent powers and embraces her destiny as a true hero.
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