As much as Superman has proven to be a hit, there are more movies set to appear in the DCU that could take this comic book franchise to a whole other level. Superman has kicked off the DCU on the big screen, and thanks to wonderful storytelling and an incredible cast, it appears to be moving in the right direction.

However, with the shadow of the DCEU still looming in the rearview, DC is going to need more than just one well-received release to ensure they have longevity. Fortunately, on this front, it appears as though James Gunn and Peter Safran are thinking ahead, and lining up some strong contenders for future releases.

While Superman will likely remain a central figure in the expanding world, there is plenty more still on the way. Between the previously announced тιтles that are slated to come out as part of DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, and the projects that will certainly be made down the line, the future looks bright for the DC Universe.

5

Supergirl

First on the list, and next due to arrive in theaters, is Kal-El’s Kryptonian cousin, Kara Zor-El, who is flying into theaters in June 2026. While Supergirl is a popular character that has been adapted a handful of times, this next version, played by Milly Alcock, promises to be something very different.

The Supergirl film is set to closely adhere to the comic book storyline by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This version of Kara is seen traveling through the universe, accompanied by her faithful dog, Krypto, before attempting to help a young girl find those responsible for killing her father and get justice by whatever means necessary.

Both Krypto and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl have already debuted thanks to Superman, which provided some unique insights regarding how audiences will engage with these characters. The duo has proven to be incredibly popular thus far, with the anticipation of a Supergirl solo story at an all-time high.

Add to this the fact that Jason Momoa, who previously starred in the DCEU as Aquaman, is returning as Lobo, and this movie promises to be incredibly exciting. Supergirl‘s debut is H๏τly anticipated, and could easily outdo Superman at the box office upon its release.

4

The Brave And The Bold

While Robert Pattinson has proven to perfectly embody the role of Batman in Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, Gunn has been consistent in marking these stories as DCU Elseworlds properties. However, there are firm plans to bring Batman and his allies to the DCU.

Back when James Gunn announced the initial lineup of the DCU, and outlined various projects due to appear in Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, he declared that there would be a Batman story тιтled The Brave and the Bold.

Unlike other Batman stories that have appeared in the last two decades, this would follow a version of the character who is considerably more experienced. And alongside Bruce Wayne, the film would prominently feature Damien Wayne, Bruce’s biological son.

This film is due to be directed by Andy Muschietti, who previously directed The Flash, and it will take the DCU considerably closer to forming its own Justice League, thanks to the introduction of Batman to the universe.

Batman has proven to be one of the most popular and profitable sub-franchises for DC over the years, which means this film will likely take its rightful place as one of the biggest movies of the DCU. However, the film’s release date is still up in the air, as Gunn waits for a fully realized script.

3

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is another key member of the DC Trinity. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman stand tall as leaders in the comics, and are some of the most popular superheroes to ever appear in the pages of the comics.

When these characters are adapted for the big screen, they have nearly always proven to be hugely popular. In the DCEU, Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman proved to be one of the most successful films of the entire franchise, with the movie earning an impressive $823 million (via Box Office Mojo).

As far as the DCU is concerned, Wonder Woman already appears to be a very important character, even before she makes her on-screen debut. This is thanks to the active development of tangential projects like Paradise Lost, which will explore the early years of the hero’s homeland of Themyscira seemingly prior to the upcoming Wonder Woman film being written by Ana Nogueira.

As long as the casting and story is right, Wonder Woman could prove to be one of the most successful branches of the DCU, and it could overtake Superman after the franchise begins to build momentum.

2

Superman 2

The DCU is still in its infancy. Superman serves as the first official theatrical release from this world of stories, while the first official project to debut was Creature Commandos back in December 2024. With just two projects available to watch, the DCU is still clearly finding its footing.

Of course, superhero movies have proven to have a significant fanbase over the last two decades or so. However, concerns about “superhero fatigue” have also arisen in this time, with so many different superhero films having released, and some perceiving these stories as having grown stale.

That said, Superman has shown there is still a place for DC on the big screen, and that the DCU can gain the trust of the audience back. Even still,though, there is likely to be a portion of the audience that holds off on seeing the movie until it comes out on a streaming platform.

If this is the case, by the time Superman gets a sequel, the character and film could have a much more substantial audience awaiting the next big release. For that reason, Superman 2 is likely to overtake the original film by some margin, ᴀssuming the DCU stays on course.

1

The Justice League

Finally, there is one DCU project which has yet to be officially announced, but is almost certain to come out in the next years. With the introduction of the DC Trinity, the evolution of the Justice Gang, and the development of the DCU as a whole, it seems there is bound to be a Justice League movie.

The Justice League consists of a lot more than Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, but with characters like Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl already laying foundations for an official superhero team, the stage is set for the heroes to gather together and be a part of something bigger.

In reality, with a franchise like the DCU, a key goal is to create mᴀssive superhero crossover films, with a universe that supports this kind of storytelling. As the MCU found with The Avengers, these kinds of movies tend to perform exceptionally well over the solo releases focused on other heroes.

Though there is a lot that needs to happen before the Justice League can be formed in the DCU, and there are several more key members that need to be introduced, a Justice League movie is almost certain to overtake Superman and become a major success for the DCU.

All of that being said, Superman has laid the foundation for the DCU, and now it’s time for the other movies in the series to build on its success. Superman continues to set the benchmark by which the DCU will be judged, and hopefully, these future releases will be able to take the DCU higher.