Upcoming DC Movies Based on Comic Storylines are set to thrill fans of the DC Universe. We’ve seen that DC films so far are generally strong and captivating, even if their execution has left something to be desired. Now the franchise seems poised for a comeback with their 2026 lineup featuring movies based on various comic stories featuring some of its iconic heroes such as Aquaman. Here is what we know so far about these exciting upcoming releases:
With Man of Steel in the bag, DC is poised to open up its cinematic universe. The next big project is Cathy Yan’s Wonder Woman prequel, Paradise Lost.
It’s not in the same timeline as Zack Snyder’s movies, but it will set up key details for future films. Also on deck is a brutal superhero team called The Authority, which will be adapted by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock. Release Dates of Upcoming DC Movies Based on Comic Storylines:
| Release Date | Title | Director | Genre | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2026 | Supergirl | Craig Gillespie | Superhero | Post-production |
| September 11, 2026 | Clayface | James Watkins | Superhero | Filming |
| October 1, 2027 | The Batman: Part II | Matt Reeves | Superhero | Pre-production |
| June 30, 2028 | Dynamic Duo | Unknown | Animated | Announced |
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
The 2016 movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice served as an ideological clash between two iconic superheroes. The film focuses on the rift between Superman and Batman, which is fueled by their different methods of doing good in the world. It also explores the idea that Batman is a corrupt vigilante while Superman represents a god-like figure that can’t be tamed.
The film is the sequel to Man of Steel and features Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman. It is the first time that the pair have appeared together in a live-action film. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, who has previously adapted Alan Moore’s Watchmen and Frank Miller’s 300. It is part of the DC Extended Universe, which also includes Wonder Woman and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman.
In the movie, Lex Luthor manipulates Batman into a preemptive battle against Superman. He plans to use a monster genetically engineered from the corpse of Zod, who has been reanimated by Luthor. Superman and Batman fight the creature but it is killed by kryptonite exposure.
Aquaman
The first non-Batman DC movie to make a billion dollars and spawn multiple sequels, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman stars alongside Gal Gadot in the next Justice League film and has his own standalone outing in November. It’s expected to explore the deeper lore of the King of the Seas, including his family and recurring foes.
Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman is set to appear in the film as Arthur’s mother, Atlanna, an Atlantean princess who fell in love with a human lighthouse keeper and gave birth to her son. Their child would grow up to become Aquaman, the protector of the oceans. But after Poseidon’s death, the Triumvirate of Sea Gods gave his nemesis Black Manta the power to control the life force of the oceans, making him unstoppable.
But writer Bob Haney’s arc, the 2015 Convergence storyline, and Dan Abnett’s New 52 run (as well as Kelly Sue Deconnick’s brief stint closing out the same era) have expanded Aquaman’s mythos. The hero is now married to Queen Mera, has a child named Aquababy, and battles his half-brother Ocean Master, who wants to rule Atlantis. Check the official DC movies page for more updates.
Clayface
After Batman v Superman and Justice League, the DC universe continues to ramp up with a slew of standalone films. Among these is Clayface, an origin story about the shapeshifting villain who takes on the personalities of other actors he’s played, according to Mike Flanagan’s script. It’s reportedly being fast-tracked by James Gunn and Peter Safran with James Watkins (Speak No Evil remake) set to direct and Tom Rhys Harries attached for the lead role.
Flanagan’s work on horror movies such as The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep have garnered him critical acclaim, and it seems like his take on the character is going to lean into that territory. He reportedly pitched the idea early on in his DC journey and it was approved by Gunn and Safran.
Nexus Point News reports that Flanagan was inspired by the two-part Batman: The Animated Series episode Feat of Clay for his reimagining of Basil Karlo, the original incarnation of the villain. This version of the story starts with Hagen, a handsome up-and-coming actor who is brutally attacked and deformed.
The Authority
The Authority is one of the most influential superhero books of the early 2000s and helped to change the discussion on super-heroes. It rose out of the ashes of Wildstorm’s Stormwatch and focused on an aggressive team of heroes with extreme power levels and ruthless methods that threw conventional ideas of superheroes out the window.
The film was announced in January 2023 as part of DC’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, but two years later it remains in development limbo. Recently, DC Studios co-head James Gunn addressed the status of the film in a thread on Twitter.
Gunn reveals that the movie’s delay is related to the fact that certain story elements in Superman and other films being fast-tracked “step a little bit on The Authority.” However, it sounds like the studio may be working to rework the script. If The Authority does get made, it’s likely to feature Sam Worthington as Midnighter, Alexander Skarsgard as Apollo, Kiera Knightley as Jenny Sparks, Gerard Butler as Jack Hawksmoor, and Keke Palmer as the Engineer. They’ll face a team of super-powered bad guys that can end the world as we know it.
Teen Titans
After the infamously-flopped 2011 live-action Green Lantern movie, DC is trying again with a new TV series titled Lanterns, which will star Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan alongside Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. It’s not clear if this new take on the intergalactic cop franchise will connect to the first film in any way, but it does have some comic inspiration in the form of the Green Lantern: Gods and Mortals storyline by George Perez.
Whether you love or hate the Teen Titans, they are probably one of DC’s most beloved superhero teams. Their animated series (including the surprisingly good Teen Titans Go!) and the original movie have made them a household name for fans. Peter Safran confirmed in February 2025 that the Titans would be getting their own live-action movie, and he said Matthew Orton was writing the script. He later revealed that the movie would focus on the current team, with Nightwing and Robin fighting their nemeses Bane and Deathstroke.
The release date for this Teen Titans movie isn’t announced yet, but it’s expected to be part of the “Elseworlds” umbrella that will allow these standalone movies to play into the larger DC universe without connecting to the Snyderverse timeline. It will also presumably tie into Harley Quinn’s world, since the gang is usually involved in her missions.