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The Flashfeatures the return ofMichael Shannonas General Zod, calling back to the first-ever DCEU villain. In many ways,The Flashis the ending to the uneven and polarizing DCEU, so bringing back the OG villain makes sense in a poetic and fitting sort of way.
For all its flaws, the DCEU was always good at casting and choosing characters from DC’s extensive pool of heroes and villains. The franchise had some of the best enemies in modern superhero films, from vengeful gods to genocidal aliens and psychopathic criminals. And while most of the DCEU’s villains are great, some are undeniably better than others.
Updated on August 26, 2025, by David Caballero:
The DC live-action universe is at a turning point. The upcomingBlue Beetle(August 18) will introduce one of the company’s most refreshing and original heroes, and a new and dangerous foe comes with it. Indeed, DC has always shined because of its villains; in fact, the bad guys often overshadow the heroes, proving that, in superhero stories, the antagonists are often more compelling and interesting than the protagonist.
13Dark Flash - ‘The Flash’ (2023)
The Flash,Andy Muchietti’s long-gestating film, starsEzra Milleras Barry Allen, who accidentally alters the future after traveling back in time to prevent his mother from dying. The film features a twist villain, a corrupted version of Barry who becomes evil after trying to change the future one-too-many times.
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This “Dark Flash” is an interesting concept, but the film doesn’t spend enough time with him to turn him into a compelling villain. However, his brief on-screen moments are effectively chilling, to the point where it becomes clear he should’ve played a bigger role in the story.
12Lex Luthor - ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Academy Award winnerJesse Eisenbergplays Alexander Luthor, the young and eccentric CEO of the massive company LexCorp, inBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Lex is the mastermind behind the titular conflict, manipulating Batman and Superman against each other and using General Zod’s DNA mixed with his own to create the destructive creature Doomsday.
Lex is one of DC’s all-time best villains, and Eisenberg deserves kudos for attempting to do something different with the role compared to previous incarnations. His Lex is more a continuation of his role inThe Social Networkthan the megalomaniac genius from the comics.Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’s take on Lex will not be to everyone’s taste, but Eisenberg is an effective antagonist to the story nonetheless.
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11Maxwell Lord - ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ (2020)
Wonder Woman 1984features Emmy-nomineePedro Pascalas Maxwell Lord. The film presents Lord as a charismatic but struggling businessman using the legendary Dreamstone to make everyone’s wishes come true. Lord is the film’s primary antagonist, joined by Cheetah during the third act.
Pascal calls back to Gordon Gekko for his portrayal of Maxwell Lord.Wonder Woman 1984is uneven and misguided, but Pascal’s performance is among the few bright spots. The actor is devilishly charming in the disruptive role, bringing a clear sense of chaos into the otherwise overly sentimental plot.
10Roman Sionis - ‘Birds of Prey’ (2020)
Birds of Preyis a great movie with some genuinely bizarre adaptations of popular DC characters. For example,Ewan McGregorplays Roman Sionis, a character who is supposed to be Black Mask while bearing absolutely no similarities with his comic book counterpart.
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However, McGregor remains a commanding and enthralling presence on screen, delivering a suitably flamboyant and menacing performance that fits in perfectly withMargot Robbie’s take on Harley Quinn.Birds of Prey’s Sionis is sinister but intriguing, an underrated villain in the DCEU’s canon, and a worthy foe of Harley and her new friends.
9The Daughters of Atlas - ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ (2023)
For some unexplained reason, and to their own detriment, most comic book movies shy away from female villains. However,Shazam! Fury of the Godswent against this backward tradition and featured two prominent female antagonists, although only one was a proper villain.
Lucy LiuandHelen Mirrenplay two-thirds of the Daughters of Atlas, Greek goddesses who want to revive their dead realm. Liu and Mirren, both consummate pros, bring gravitas and dignity to the film, withLiu delivering a campy performancethat quickly became iconic. The Daughters of Atlas are powerful and pose a true challenge to the Shazam Family, making them two of the best foes in the DCEU canon.
8Ocean Master - ‘Aquaman’ (2018)
The ever-underratedPatrick Wilsonplays King Orm, the Ocean Master, inJames Wan’sAquaman. Like his comic book counterpart, Orm is Arthur Curry’s half-brother who seeks to control the Throne of Atlantis. However, the film turns him into a tragic figure rather than an outright villain, allowing Wilson to find new layers in the character.
Orm is a surprisingly effective villain against a still inexperienced Aquaman. He is threatening, and his story with Arthur carries heavy emotional weight, a crucial detail often missing from superhero movies. Orm will return in the upcoming sequel, although he will likely assume an antihero role, allowing the film to continue exploring his sibling bond with Arthur.
7Ares - ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)
Gal Gadotstars as Wonder Woman inPatty Jenkins’ brilliant superhero filmWonder Woman. Set in World War I, the plot sees Diana traveling to the world of men to find and defeat the god of war, Ares, who she believes is negatively influencing humanity.
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British thespianDavid Thewlisplays Ares, who is masking on Earth as Sir Patrick, a member of the Imperial War Cabinet. Thewlis hams it up as Ares, delivering a fiercely entertaining performance that contributes to makingWonder Womanone of the best DCEU movies. Thewlis' Ares is a perfect foil for Diana’s unabashed hope, embodying the rage and destruction she starkly opposes.
6Steppenwolf - ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)
After the commercial and critical disappointment of 2017’sJustice League, vocal fans demanded the studio release the director’s cut of the film’s original helmer,Zack Snyder. Four years later, after a long and polarizing campaign, they got their wish with the HBO Max release of the four-hour epicZack Snyder’s Justice League.
Snyder’s version improves several aspects of the 2017 film, especially the villain’s characterization.Steppenwolf is a much more fully-developed figureinZack Snyder’s Justice League, with the film also improving on his physical appearance. Steppenwolf is powerful enough for the Justice League to unite, and even though he is a puppet of a much larger being, he remains a menacing figure and a mighty villain.
5White Dragon - ‘Peacemaker’ (2022)
Following his debut with 2021’sThe Suicide Squad,James Gunncontinued his DCEU journey with a show centered aroundJohn Cena’s Peacemaker. The show follows the titular character as he fights against a potential alien invasion while reconciling his guilt over Rick Flagg’s death.
PeacemakerfeaturesRobert Patrickas Auggie Smith, AKA White Dragon, Peacemaker’s white supremacist father who harbors an intense hatred for his son. White Dragon is a reprehensible human being: racist, sexist, homophobic, and utterly reprehensible, a dastardly creation that could’ve only come from Gunn’s mind. White Dragon’s relationship with Peacemaker is among the show’s best arcs, even if the character itself is beyond redemption.
Starro, the Conqueror, is among the most comic book-y villains in the history of comic books, a niche creation that seemed incapable of translating to live-action. However, James Gunn did the impossible and successfully took Starro to the big screen as the main antagonist of his 2021 film,The Suicide Squad.
Portrayed as a tragic figure tortured and exploited by the cruelty of men, Starro is a fascinating character and one of the DCEU’s most formidable enemies.The Suicide Squadis arguablythe best DCEU movie, and Starro is a huge reason for its critical success. Despite not talking and rampaging throughout a city, kaiju style, the giant starfish is narratively compelling and visually dazzling, standing high above most other DC enemies.
