DC Studios is building a new shared universe for its movies and TV shows, and their plans for 2026 mark a big shift. It’s the first time in six years – since 2020 – that DC won’t release any sequels to existing live-action properties. Instead, the focus for 2026 is on launching new stories with two major film debuts and a high-profile TV event, all intended to demonstrate the range of creativity within the DC Universe.
The season will begin with the release of Supergirl on June 26, 2026. Starring Milly Alcock, this science-fiction adventure is based on the popular comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film offers a new take on Kara Zor-El, portraying her as a complex character haunted by a difficult past. The story follows her as she partners with a young warrior named Ruthye to track down the dangerous villain Krem of the Yellow Hills.
In 2026, the DCU will release a movie about Clayface on September 11th. The film, written by Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins, will be a horror story focusing on the sad transformation of actor Matt Hagen (played by Tom Rhys Harries). Also planned for late summer 2026 is the HBO Max series Lanterns, which is a major priority for the DCU. This series, starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, is described as a cosmic detective story with a *True Detectivestyle investigation into a mystery with huge implications for the entire DC Universe. Currently, DC Studios doesn’t have any sequel films scheduled for release in 2026.
For the past five years, DC fans consistently received at least one new movie or show each year, thanks to the previous DC Extended Universe. Now that James Gunn is building a completely new DC Universe, 2026 will be different. This is because the focus is on launching new stories and characters from scratch. However, this break from regular sequels won’t last long. Starting in 2027, we can expect DCU to return to a consistent schedule of sequels, with films like Superman: Man of Tomorrow paving the way for established heroes to return in new adventures.
Live-Action Sequels Released by DC Studios Since 2020
2025: Peacemaker Season 2
Following the launch of the new DC Universe with the film Superman, the second season of Peacemaker premiered on HBO Max on August 21, 2025. This season continued the story of Christopher Smith (John Cena) and cleverly connected the show to the new DCU after the previous DC Universe ended. Peacemaker Season 2 played a vital role in linking storylines and hinted at the character’s future within the broader DC Universe.
2024: Joker: Folie à Deux, The Penguin, and Superman & Lois Season 4
As a huge DC fan, I was so excited for everything planned for 2024! It felt like there were three different paths the universe was taking – the standalone ‘Elseworlds’ films, spin-offs from The Batman world on streaming, and the ongoing shows on regular TV. The big kickoff was Joker: Folie à Deux on October 4th, and as a fan of the first Joker, I couldn’t wait! It continued Arthur Fleck’s story – Joaquin Phoenix is amazing – picking up while he’s awaiting trial. This time, it really focused on his complicated relationship with Harleen Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga. The cool thing about Folie à Deux is that it exists separately from the main DC Universe, as part of the ‘Elseworlds’ series, which I think gives them a lot of creative freedom.
Beginning September 19, 2024, the eight-episode Max series The Penguin continued the story started in The Batman. The show follows Oswald “Oz” Cobb (played by Colin Farrell) as he rises to power in Gotham City’s criminal world after a massive flood, building on the dark and gritty atmosphere created by Matt Reeves.
The fourth and final season of The CW’s Superman & Lois, which aired its last of ten episodes on October 7, 2024, concluded the long-running Arrowverse franchise. The season focused on the Kent family as they dealt with the fallout from a dramatic cliffhanger involving Doomsday and Lex Luthor, ultimately leading them to reveal Clark Kent’s secret identity as Superman to the world.
2023: Shazam! Fury of the Gods & Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
In 2023, the original DC Extended Universe (DCEU) concluded with two final theatrical releases. These films were important for wrapping up the storylines of their main characters before the universe was reset. The year started with Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which premiered on March 17th and continued the story of Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his superhero persona, Shazam (Zachary Levi). The film also followed Billy’s super-powered foster family as they fought the Daughters of Atlas (played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler), who were trying to get their magical powers back.
As a big fan, it felt like an era truly ended when Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hit theaters on December 22, 2023. The movie brought Arthur Curry, played by Jason Momoa, together with his brother Orm – even though Arthur wasn’t thrilled about it! They had to team up to stop Black Manta, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, from unleashing a huge disaster using an ancient, cursed weapon.
2022: Peacemaker Season 1
In 2022, the character Peacemaker’s story expanded from the big screen to television. The Peacemaker series, which premiered on HBO Max on January 13, 2022, continued the story from the Suicide Squad movie. It followed Christopher Smith (played by John Cena) as he recovered from a serious gunshot wound.
The first season of Peacemaker followed the main character as he was unexpectedly drafted into a secret black-ops team called Project Butterfly, whose mission was to eliminate members of an alien species. The show also delved into his complicated relationship with his racist father, Auggie Smith (played by Robert Patrick), and his struggle to define himself as both a hero and an individual.
2021: The Suicide Squad
Released on August 5, 2021, The Suicide Squad is a follow-up to the 2016 film Suicide Squad. Directed by James Gunn, the movie continues the storylines of familiar characters, including Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie, and Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis.
A new Task Force X was deployed to the island country of Corto Maltese with the mission of destroying Jötunheim, a hidden laboratory from the Nazi era, and eliminating the threat of Starro the Conqueror, a dangerous alien being experimented on there.
2020: Wonder Woman 1984
Following the success of the first Wonder Woman film in 2017, Wonder Woman 1984 continued the story. Released on December 25, 2020, the sequel takes Diana Prince, played by Gal Gadot, back in time to the 1980s, where she works as a researcher of cultures.
The movie Wonder Woman 1984 centers on a magical artifact called the Dreamstone, which can make wishes come true. When Diana wishes for her deceased love, Steve Trevor, to return, and her friend Barbara Minerva becomes the villain Cheetah, they must team up to stop the ruthless Maxwell Lord from using the Dreamstone’s power to control the world.
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2026-01-05 08:06