Where to start withSuicide Squad
4 versions · originally a film, 2016
Themes: Redemption, Government conspiracy, Black ops, Forced cooperation, Sacrifice.
Start with The Suicide Squad (James Gunn, 2021) — the film. Suicide Squad exists in 4 versions across media, beginning as a film in 2016; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Suicide Squad franchise explores the chaotic morality of incarcerated supervillains forced into high-stakes, deniable black ops missions for government survival.
✦ Most fans start here
The Suicide Squad (2021)
The original movie
Suicide Squad
David Ayer · Film · 2016
Suicide Squad (2016) introduces the core concept of Task Force X, establishing the gritty, antihero-led dynamic and government-sanctioned black ops premise that anchors the entire cinematic franchise.
2018 film
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay
Sam Liu · Film · 2018
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018) presents a specialized animated mission focused on a mystical objective, ideal for viewers seeking a compact, high-stakes narrative featuring a distinct roster of villains.
2021 film
✦ Start hereThe Suicide Squad
James Gunn · Film · 2021
The Suicide Squad (2021) delivers a bold, hyper-violent reinvention of the team, perfect for those wanting a fast-paced, ensemble-driven spectacle set on the dangerous, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
2022 series
Peacemaker
James Gunn · Series · 2022
Peacemaker (2022) provides a deep, character-driven expansion of the franchise, focusing on the complex, lethal philosophy of its titular antihero following his recovery from the events of the 2021 film.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Suicide Squad movies in?
You should start with the 2016 Suicide Squad movie. Following that, you can watch the animated film Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, released in 2018. Finally, you should watch The Suicide Squad, which was released in 2021.
Is the 2021 movie The Suicide Squad a direct sequel to the 2016 Suicide Squad?
The 2021 film The Suicide Squad serves as a standalone follow-up to the 2016 Suicide Squad. While it features some returning characters, it functions as a new take on the team rather than a direct narrative continuation of the previous film.
How can I continue watching stories featuring characters from The Suicide Squad?
If you enjoyed the characters in the 2021 film The Suicide Squad, you can watch the Peacemaker television series, which premiered in 2022. This show follows the character of Peacemaker and expands on the world established in the 2021 movie.
Is Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay related to the live-action Suicide Squad films?
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is an animated film released in 2018. While it shares the title and team concept with the 2016 Suicide Squad, it exists as a separate animated production and does not share the same continuity as the live-action movies.