By Wonderwall.com Editors
7:40am PST, Dec 25, 2020
Wonder Woman might be the DCEU's fiercest superhero. The immortal Amazon warrior goddess has Olympian strength and insane combat skills. She also possess the Lasso of Truth and a pair of indestructible bracelets, proving that she's just as skillful — if not more so — than the boys. Ahead of "Wonder Woman 1984," Gal Gadot starred as Wonder Woman in 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and 2017's "Wonder Woman" and "Justice League."
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Arthur Curry aka Aquaman is one of our all time faves thanks to his supersonic swim speeds, superhuman strength and Atlantis royal connections. Aquaman, played by Jason Momoa, first appeared in 2017's "Justice League," which earned more than $657 million. In 2018's standalone film — which banked nearly $1.2 billion at the worldwide box office — Aquaman struggles to accept his kingdom while also fighting his half-brother Orm, aka Ocean Master.
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Superman is as close to perfect as you can get when it comes to superheroes. The caped wonder, also known as Clark Kent or Kal-El, can basically do it all: super strength, super speed, flying, x-ray vision, super hearing, heat vision and he's bulletproof! He first appeared in the DCEU in 2013's "Man of Steel" followed by 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and 2017's "Justice League." Henry Cavill played Superman in all three films.
The Joker might be a sadistic psychopath, but that doesn't mean he isn't one of our fave DC characters! The creepy villain — who utilizes razor-tipped playing cards and deadly joy buzzers — has appeared in several adaptations but it was Heath Ledger's take in 2008's "The Dark Knight" that really made an impact. Heath won a posthumous Oscar for the role and his portrayal is still held as the standard today. The Joker has since been played by Jared Leto in 2016's "Suicide Squad." In 2020, Joaquin Phoenix earned an Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal in "Joker."
What makes Harvey Dent's alter ego, Two-Face, such a noteworthy character in the DC Universe is that he was a good guy who was pushed to his limits. Prior to becoming a sadistic, disfigured murderer, Harvey — who was played by Aaron Eckhart in "The Dark Knight" — was Gotham's trusted and well-intentioned district attorney. Whether you're following the movie or the continuity of the comics, his downfall and spiral into criminality remains one of DC's most tragic.
Cyborg is half-human, half-robot but 100% awesome. The robotic superhero, also known as Victor Stone, received genius-level intelligence and cybernetic enhancements after his father transformed him into a cyborg following a car accident. His enhancements include the abilities of flight, variable weaponry and technopathy. Cyborg, played by Ray Fisher, first appeared briefly in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" followed by a main role in 2017's "Justice League." Ray is set to star in a standalone Cyborg film, if it ever gets off the ground.
Her expert burglary skills, hand-to-hand combat moves and bada** bullwhip make Catwoman, aka Selina Kyle, one of our favorite DC characters. The feline antihero has been played by several actresses including Eartha Kitt in the 1960s and Michelle Pfeiffer in the 1990s. Anne Hathaway most recently appeared as Catwoman in the 2012 DCU film "The Dark Knight Rises." Zoe Kravitz will bring her to life in 2022's "The Batman."
Steve Trevor is one of DC's most charming sidekick love interests. The World War I pilot-spy introduces Wonder Woman to the "modern" world and helps her defeat evil — all while looking handsome, being completely supportive and sweeping her off her feet. Chris Pine took on the role of Steve in 2017's "Wonder Woman" and reprises the role in 2020's "Wonder Woman 1984."
2011's "Green Lantern" certainly wasn't among the best superhero films we've ever seen, but we do commend Ryan Reynolds for putting forth his best effort! Despite the movie's failings, the Green Lantern still has one of the greatest powers ever: the ability to create anything he imagines. Innovative, unique and sarcastic, he's a delightfully captivating superhero.
Harley Quinn takes loyalty to a whole new level and for that we will always love her. The Gotham psychologist-turned-villain is head over heels for the Joker and frequently uses her fierce combat skills and weaponized props to help him succeed. Margot Robbie absolutely crushed the role in 2016's "Suicide Squad," receiving rave reviews for her performance. She went on to star in the standalone Harley Quinn film, "Birds of Prey," which debuted in 2020, and will reprise the role once again in 2021's "The Suicide Squad."
Brooding billionaire Batman most definitely makes our list thanks to his many accomplishments. He has no actual superpowers but uses his insane wealth and peak physical fitness to moonlight as a superhero, possessing impressive gadgets like the Batmobile. Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, has been played by a host of actors including Adam West, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Val Kilmer and Christian Bale. Ben Affleck (pictured) took on the role in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Justice League." The next iteration, "The Batman" starring Robert Pattinson as the tortured Cape Crusader, hits theaters in 2022.
Wonder Woman wouldn't be the superhero she is today without the influence of Hippolyta. The Amazon Queen of Themyscira is Wonder Woman's mother and a warrior with superhuman strength, speed, durability and longevity. She first appeared in the DCEU universe in 2017's "Wonder Woman." Actress Connie Nielsen reprises the role in "Wonder Woman 1984."
Where would Batman be without Robin? Richard Grayson, better known as Robin, is a former childhood acrobat with skills including weapons mastery and combat moves who becomes Batman's vigilante accomplice. Robin has been noticeably absent from the DC cinematic universe for quite some time. He was last played by Chris O'Donnell in 1997's "Batman & Robin." Here's hoping he'll rejoin the DCEU soon!
Barry Allen, better known as The Flash, has all the abilities that ensure a place on our faves list: super-speed, time travel, electricity manipulation and hilarious one-liners. The comic book hero currently has his own show on The CW, where he's brought to life by Grant Gustin. Ezra Miller (pictured) plays him in the DCEU. He's appeared in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad" and "Justice League."
Lois Lane is more than just Superman's love interest. She's also an incredibly smart and independent journalist at the Daily Planet who often saves herself. Several actresses have taken on the role of Lois on the big screen including Margot Kidder and Kate Bosworth, but Amy Adams is the most recent addition. She played the character in 2013's "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Justice League."
Floyd Lawton, aka Deadshot, is a supervillain-turned-antihero who knows how to take down his enemies. The expert marksman is considered to be one of the deadliest assassins in the DC Universe. However, he also knows how to show off his soft side as the father of a little girl. He is portrayed by A-lister Will Smith in 2016's "Suicide Squad."
Poison Ivy is confident, smart, sexy, highly skilled and she loves the environment! The antihero, also known as Pamela Lillian Isley, is a botanist with an immunity to pathogens who can also secrete floral toxins and manipulate plants. Ivy hasn't appeared on film in a while (she was most recently played by Uma Thurman in 1997's "Batman & Robin"), but she did pop up on the hit FOX show "Gotham."
Doctor Manhattan has a wide array of abilities from telekinetic control to total clairvoyance, but it's his tragic backstory that will make you love him. Originally known as Dr. Jonathan Osterman, Doctor Manhattan is a nuclear physicist who acquired superpowers after surviving being disintegrated in an Intrinsic Field Subtractor and reconstructing himself. He's then forced to work for years for the U.S. government, leading to a subsequent loss of connection to his wife. Billy Crudup took on the role of Manhattan in 2009's "Watchmen."
What we love about Felicity Smoak — who's not a masked vigilante like those around her — is her incomparable intelligence. Felicity, who was played by Emily Bett Rickards on The CW's "Arrow," is reliable, trustworthy and an integral part of the team. The brains of the operation, Felicity is a strong heroine in her own right and is definitely in her element behind a computer.
Alfred Pennyworth is much more than a sidekick. He's an iconic DC character who helped make "Batman" the franchise it is today. Alfred might be employed as Bruce Wayne's butler but he's also a classically trained British actor and an ex-special forces operative who's a father figure to Bruce. He's been played by a number of noteworthy actors including Michael Gough, Michael Caine, Jeremy Irons and Sean Pertwee. Jeremy most recently played him in 2017's "Justice League."
Amanda Waller might not have superpowers, but she knows how to hold her own against her enemies. She's a government official who uses cunning intelligence, political connections and intimidation to achieve her goals, often in the name of national security. As the director of the Suicide Squad, she's not one to be messed with. Viola Davis took on the role in 2016's "Suicide Squad" and will reprise the character in 2021's "The Suicide Squad."
As the police commissioner of Gotham City, Jim Gordon is crafty, highly trained and intuitive. He is essential to Batman's vigilante efforts, often sharing information or working with him on cases. Gary Oldman (pictured) starred as the accomplished policeman in the "Dark Knight" trilogy while J.K. Simmons took on the role in "Justice League." Ben McKenzie portrayed a younger version of the character on the FOX series "Gotham."
Silk Spectre is not one but two women who are both committed to fighting crime. The superhero name was originally associated with Sally Jupiter, who passed on the identity to her daughter, Laurie Juspeczyk, after she retired. Both ladies are expert gymnasts and experts at hand-to-hand combat. Malin Akerman starred as Laurie in 2009's "Watchmen."
