The 10 Darkest DC Movies of All Time, Ranked

CC has released some truly dark films, but some of them stand above the others due to their overall tone, important deaths, and more. All of the DCEU films have been piled up as being extremely dark, which isn't true. DC has had dark releases in recent yearsbut many of the shared universe projects were more light-hearted in nature, with films like the Shazam! franchise, Blue Beetleand the Aquaman films that fall under that designation.

Still, before and during the DCEU, the comic book giant has actually delivered some pretty dark films and events. Based on the projects announced for the new Chapter One of the DC Universe, such as the next Swamp Thing and The Authority films, More dark movies are on the way from DC. Before they arrive, a look back at DC's darkest films to date can show how DC's upcoming films can make the most of this tone.

10

Suicide Squad brings together an expendable team

DCEU film released in 2016

The first film on the list is notably dark, but it's not one of the best live-action DC films. 2016 Suicide Squad focused on a team of villains being assembled to embark on a secret mission under the orders of Amanda Waller. As the team name implies, multiple deaths occur.

Suicide Squad revels in its dark atmosphere, fit for a team of villains. Amanda Waller's presence elevates things in that regard. Each line spoken by the character or expression carefully crafted by actress Viola Davis serves to increase the tension. Any of the characters can die if they cross paths with Wallerand she makes sure they know it.

james gunn The Suicide Squad would be a better film, but it was notably more comedic than Suicide Squad. According to director David Ayer, his version of the film would have been even darker. Suicide Squad featured backstories and tragic endings for several characters.

9

The Dark Knight Rises and Bane takes control of Gotham

DC film released in 2012

Director Christopher Nolan delivered one of DC's best franchises with The Dark Knight trilogy. After 1997 Batman and Robin failed with a lighter version of Bruce Wayne and his world, with Nolan's course correction. The Dark Knight Rises served as the finale to a darker, more compelling Batman franchise.

The film is one of the darkest Batman films. Bruce Wayne has to lose everything before he gets his happy ending. Bane breaks Batman's back, takes over Gotham City and breaks Bruce's spirit by throwing him into the Pit. Bruce spends months in prison as he watches Gotham burn on a TV outside his cell.

That is the greatest torture the Dark Knight could go through. The Pit's design also makes it similar to the pit Bruce fell into as a child, which adds to the psychological torture for Batman. Fortunately, in the end, the hero gets up and returns to save Gotham.

8

The Flash Shows That Barry Allen Can't Save His Mother After All

DCEU Movie Coming in 2023

The Flash It's one of the last DCEU films. Although it wasn't as good as expected, The Flash provided many emotional moments. Thanks to its central story and multiverse characters, the DCEU film was both dark and incredibly sad.

Ezra Miller's Barry Allen created another timeline when he went to the past to save his mother. Barry's father was arrested for her murder, even though he did not commit the crime. Although The Flash tries to find a way to save his motherhe realizes it's not possible.

Barry giving up on saving his mother to ensure Earth isn't taken over by Zod is one of DC's saddest moments. The Flash it is also full of other tragic events. Batman and Supergirl keep dying no matter how many times the two Barrys try to save them. Young Barry also becomes Dark Flash, later sacrificing himself to kill his evil future self, ending the dark film.

7

Man of Steel sees Superman kill

DCEU film released in 2013

Director Zack Snyder's DC films have become the main reason the DCEU is considered so dark. The director ended up releasing three DCEU entries, and all of them had a darker tone than most superhero stories. Man of Steel did it for the most hopeful hero, Superman.

Snyder revealed that his plan was to Superman will become your classic optimist by the end of his arc. To this end, Man of Steel prepared a tragic story for him, starting him on a path that unfortunately would never be completed. Instead, the film ended with a controversial moment.

General Zod is one of Superman's greatest villains. Zod trying to take over Earth, with the citizens of Metropolis caught in the middle of his fight with Superman, it was already dark. However, having Superman – known to be a symbol of hope – kill Zod by breaking his neck done Man of Steel one of the darkest DC films of all time.

6

Batman makes the Riddler flood Gotham

Elseworlds DC Movie Coming in 2022

Another Batman film makes the list, with Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight at the center. Batman quickly came to be considered one of the best Batman films of all time. As The Dark Knight trilogy, director Matt Reeves opted for an approach based on Batman and Gotham.

It worked extremely well for the film. Gotham City felt like a character in its own rightwith the city's dark alleys being used by Batman to strike fear into criminals. Batman is one of the darkest DC films for good reason, with lots of deaths, a corrupt society that pushes people down, and an angry savior.

Batman isn't ready to be a symbol of hope until the end of the film. The film is largely about anger, both Batman's at the death of his parents and the Riddler's at the way Gotham's elite profited while everyone else suffered. In the end, the Riddler partially winsflooding the city and killing several people. However, Batman goes from “Revenge” to a symbol of hope.

5

Joker: Folie À Deux reveals that Arthur was never the Joker

Elseworlds DC Movie Coming in 2024

Joaquin Phoenix's second appearance as Joker is the most recent film on the list. While Joker: Folie à Deux it was a big disappointmentIt is undeniable that the film is one of DC's darkest. The idea of ​​making it a musical took more time focused on Arthur Fleck's psyche.

Most Joker: Folie à Deux takes place in Arkham. Arthur suffers from his choices in ClownThe ending of being beaten by police officers, constantly being the butt of jokes and going through life with almost no emotion. The musical numbers show how he craves more and his reality is simply tragic.

However, what makes the film truly dark is its ending. Just when things seem to be falling into place for Arthur, he is stabbed to death. The character dies when he finally realizes He's Arthur Fleck, not the Jokerfinding who he wants to be. It's a tragic ending for a complex and sad character.

4

The Dark Knight tries to destroy a symbol of hope

DC film released in 2008

The Dark Knight it is likely The best live-action DC movie of all timeand his tone makes the film work. It wouldn't have been as impactful if the Joker's actions couldn't have been as dark and twisted as they were. The grounding feeling matched the film's tense atmosphere very well.

Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is seamless. The villain succeeds in his plans, which focus on destroying Gotham City's symbol of hope. The Dark Knight focused on the chaos spreading across Gotham and Harvey Dent going from hero to villainall designed by Joker.

The Joker's plan led to the death of Rachel Dawes, as well as Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face and dying after being driven mad by revenge. At the end, Batman had to transform into a Gotham “villain” to preserve Dent's image. Batman being hated and hunted after saving the city was a tragic ending.

3

Joker sees a man attacking a cruel society

Elseworlds DC movie released in 2019

2019 Clown follows a series of terrifying events that take a normal man down a dark path. Arthur Fleck is not a villain. He is simply someone who is incredibly lonely and has been pressured by society. A man with his mental condition should have received adequate help.

Arthur obtained his medication from a social service programwhich was closed due to budget cuts. The character is also fired from his job. These events and the years Arthur was kicked come to a boiling point when three drunk men start hurting him on the subway.

While Arthur kills two of them in self-defense, he pursues the third and kills him in cold blood, killing others. Clown It's a story of how someone who needed help didn't get it and was transformed by a violent society. It's a dark look at how the elite ignore the problems of others.

2

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice Pits DC's Greatest Heroes Against Each Other

DCEU film released in 2016

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and the darkest film in the DCEU. This was an odd choice, as the film served as the first live-action meeting between Batman, Superman, and even Wonder Woman. Instead of becoming friends, DC's greatest heroes fought each other, all planned by Lex Luthor.

The film presented a dark story with tragic developments for its heroes. The arrival of the Last Judgment led to Henry Cavill's Superman dying in only his second appearance. Killing DC's most important hero makes Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice one of the darkest entries in the genre.

Lex Luthor ends up winning. Even though he is sent to prison and Batman doesn't kill Superman, the Man of Steel is dead all the same. The film is tragic, sad and violent. It's like Zack Snyder's most controversial DC film.

1

Watchmen destroys morals to keep the peace

DC film released in 2009

Finally, another Zack Snyder film takes the top spot as the darkest DC film of all time. It makes sense that Snyder's version of Watchmen it was so dark. After all, the source material it's based on is equally dark. Watchmen It's not a story that glorifies superheroes.

To bring world peace, Ozymandias abandons his morals and becomes an antagonist. The world needs someone to hate, and he gives it through Doctor Manhattan. However, to do so, he will have to murder another hero, the Comedian, and millions.

Rorschach cannot live with this lie and is murdered by Doctor Manhattan to keep the peace. While Snyder made important changes to Watchmencomic book eventshe perfectly portrayed the dark and controversial nature of the film's moral dilemma. Watchmen and the concept of killing many to save all is complex and lends itself to a dark journey along the way, becoming CCthe darkest film yet.

Upcoming DC film releases

• Superman

  Release date

  July 11, 2025
  

• Release date

  June 26, 2026
  

• Release date

  October 2, 2026