10 Worst DCEU Movies Ranked – According to Fans

The DCEU began with ambitious plans to match the success of the MCU, with Warner Bros. aiming to bring iconic DC characters to the big screen over a decade. Despite financial success, Snyder’s darker vision for the characters didn’t resonate with audiences, leading to the eventual reboot with James Gunn’s DCU. While some DCEU films were well-received, others were considered significant flops.

Fans have compiled their picks for the 10 worst DCEU movies. Let’s dive into their selections.

10. ‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

After the mixed reception of David Ayer’s Suicide Squad (2016), expectations were high for James Gunn’s take on the franchise. However, some fans were disappointed as the film didn’t meet their expectations or align with their preferences. Gunn’s signature irreverent humor and over-the-top style, which were successful in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy, didn’t resonate with everyone, contributing to its place in the “top 10 worst” rankings.

9. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)

Many fans found the plot of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to be convoluted and overloaded. The film tried to juggle multiple storylines, including the conflict between Batman and Superman, the introduction of Wonder Woman, and foreshadowing the Justice League. This resulted in disjointed storytelling and uneven pacing. The portrayals of Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) were criticized for deviating from their comic book counterparts. In particular, Batman’s character was viewed as excessively grim and violent, echoing the issues seen with Cavill’s Superman in Man of Steel.

8. ‘The Flash’ (2023)

I personally disagree with this ranking, as The Flash didn’t have the same issues as the previous two films. I found it to be a solid movie overall, but it was undermined by two major factors. Firstly, the film starred Ezra Miller, who was dealing with legal issues and grooming allegations (which were later dropped) at the time of its release. Additionally, it came out when the DCEU was in disarray and its future was uncertain, making the film feel somewhat inconsequential. The Flash might have fared better if it had been released earlier and with a different lead.

7. ‘Black Adam’ (2022)

Black Adam was an unexpected flop. Many fans believed that casting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Black Adam was a surefire success, given his commanding presence and charisma. Despite a big cast and a substantial budget, the film received poor reviews from critics. They found it boring, formulaic, and overly reliant on flashy CGI action, with little substance in the story. Additionally, it was rumored that Johnson used Black Adam in an attempt to take control of the DCEU, but this ambition ultimately fell short.

6. ‘Blue Beetle’ (2023)

Blue Beetle faced challenges similar to those of The Flash, primarily due to the DCEU’s decline and the widespread knowledge of its impending end. This context overshadowed what was otherwise a solid and heartwarming origin story. Personally, I enjoyed the film, and given that it focused on a lesser-known character, it was a success in its own right. It seems that James Gunn shares this sentiment, as Blue Beetle is set to receive an animated sequel in the form of a show that will officially be part of the DCU.

5. ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ (2023)

What made the first Shazam a hit did not translate well to its sequel. The second installment was criticized for its lack of character development. Fans felt that Shazam (Asher Angel/Zachary Levi) and his foster family showed little growth compared to the previous film. This failure to evolve made the characters feel static and less engaging, which felt particularly ironic given the plot and ending of the movie. While I personally enjoyed the film, the fact that I was one of only a handful of people in the theater underscored its overall lack of interest and inevitable struggle.

4. ‘Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’ (2020)

Honestly, there was little demand for this movie, and I’m struggling to understand why WB decided to move forward with it. While Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn was generally well-received, other characters like Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) were seen as underdeveloped.

The film’s tone and humor were polarizing. Its comedic and irreverent style, meant to be fun and edgy, didn’t resonate with many fans. Some felt the humor was forced and inconsistent with the darker aspects of the story, leading to a disjointed experience.

3. ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

The other Suicide Squad… Almost everything went wrong with Ayer’s Suicide Squad, and it’s widely regarded as a disaster even by DCEU standards. In my view, it deserves to be ranked higher on the list.

2. ‘Justice League’ (2017)

The production of Justice League was tumultuous. The film faced extensive reshoots and revisions after Zack Snyder stepped down due to a personal tragedy, with Joss Whedon taking over to finish it. Whedon’s changes caused a significant shift in tone and style, leading to a final product that many found disjointed and inconsistent. Fortunately, the release of the Snyder Cut revealed the film’s original vision.

1. ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ (2020)

Given the unexpected success of the first Wonder Woman, expectations for the sequel were high, but unfortunately, it fell short. Nearly every aspect of the movie faced criticism, from the plot and pacing to the characters, action sequences, CGI, and bright aesthetics. The film struggled from the start. While I don’t necessarily think it’s worse than Suicide Squad, it’s definitely not great.

You can check out the full list on Ranker.

What’s your take? Share your thoughts in the comments below!