‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Smashes Records as DCU’s Top-Rated Show on Rotten Tomatoes

Peacemaker Season 2 has officially arrived, and it’s already making waves. The second season of the American superhero show is based on the DC Comics character Chris Smith, better known as Peacemaker.

Unlike the first season, which spun off from the DC Extended Universe film The Suicide Squad (2021), this season is part of the newly rebooted DC Universe (DCU). The story picks up after the events of the 2025 DCU film Superman, following Peacemaker as he navigates new missions and personal challenges.

John Cena returns as Peacemaker, joined by Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodríguez, David Denman, Tim Meadows, and Michael Rooker. James Gunn serves as showrunner, writing and directing all eight episodes.

The season was initially planned to start filming in 2023 but was delayed when Gunn became co-CEO of DC Studios and shifted focus to the Superman movie. The spin-off series Waller was also delayed due to Hollywood labor disputes in 2023. In March 2024, Gunn confirmed that Peacemaker Season 2 would come first. Filming finally took place from June to November 2024 at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside production of Superman.

The new season premieres on HBO Max on August 21, 2025. Critics have responded with overwhelming praise. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the show as 100% fresh based on 28 reviews.

According to critics, the show succeeds because viewers care about the characters as much as the story itself. John Cena’s performance has been highlighted as a standout, and the season has been praised for balancing heart, madness, and action.

Reviewers also appreciated its over-the-top humor and adults-only energy, which comes with enough emotional depth to make the story impactful.

The testament of a good show is whether or not you care about the characters more than the bigger picture. With Peacemaker season 2, we’re lucky in the sense that both of those aspects are thrilling this time around.

Rachel Leishman

Anchored by great work from John Cena, Peacemaker’s second season raises its already high bar with a well-judged blend of heart, madness, and an ass-kicking eagle.

Amon Warmann

An irreverent, over-the-top, adults-only good time with enough heart beneath the crudity to give it a real impact.

Reuben Baron

James Gunn proves once again that the DCU is in the right hands. His understanding of this world and the necessary steps to successfully build a cinematic universe are clear.

Joshua Ryan

James Gunn continues his assault on pop culture with blistering meta jokes, lovable misfits, buckets of blood, a scene-stealing Tim Meadows, and a perfect mix of irreverent humor, and heartfelt characters that will have any Gunn masochist begging for more

M.N. Miller

James Gunn’s work on the season has also received attention, with critics noting that his understanding of the DCU world and how to expand it is clear. The show’s mix of character-driven storytelling, creative chaos, and bold humor has made Peacemaker Season 2 one of the highest-rated projects in the DCU so far.

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