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Timeline

Justice League (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 120 min · English
Echo score 30
JustWatch #2,611 64
Directed by
Zack Snyder
Starring
Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher
Budget
$300M

Following Superman's death, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince recognize the need for a greater force to protect humanity. They begin recruiting a team of extraordinary individuals, including Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash, to face a looming global threat. United as the Justice League, this diverse group of heroes must overcome their differences and harness their powers to confront an enemy capable of devastating the planet.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Justice League
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Justice League (2017)

Where can you watch Justice League? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Justice League Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Justice League (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Superman's Interview

    The film begins with a camera phone capturing Superman, played by Henry Cavill, being interviewed by two children. He shares his thoughts about Earth, but just as he smiles, the footage abruptly cuts out, leaving a sense of mystery about his favorite aspect of humanity.

    When
    Present Day
  2. Gotham City Robbery

    In Gotham City, a man successfully executes a robbery before encountering Bruce Wayne, who assumes the role of Batman. After a brief scuffle, Batman uses the robber's fear to reveal a menacing winged creature, which ultimately leads to a shocking explosion, uncovering three mysterious boxes.

    Where
    Gotham City
  3. Martha and Lois's Grief

    Months after Superman's death, Martha Kent moves away from Smallville, while Lois Lane struggles deeply with her loneliness. The loss of Superman has created a vacuum felt worldwide, impacting the lives of those he left behind.

  4. Wonder Woman's Intervention

    In London, robbers attempt a bank heist but are thwarted by Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman. In a spectacular display of her skills, she neutralizes a bomb and protects hostages with her iconic gauntlets, showcasing her heroic nature.

    Where
    London
  5. Batman's Recruitment Mission

    Batman embarks on a quest to gather a team of superheroes, starting with Arthur Curry, known as Aquaman, in a local tavern. Despite the offer of assistance, Arthur refuses, but he expresses admiration for Batman, leaving Bruce to seek out other potential allies.

    Where
    Tavern
  6. Barry's Visit to His Father

    Barry Allen visits his father, Henry, who is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Their heartfelt conversation emphasizes Barry's determination to use his powers for good, as he promises to find a way to help his father attain justice.

    Where
    Prison
  7. Amazons Defend the Mother Box

    On Themyscira, the Amazons defend a powerful artifact, the Mother Box. However, Steppenwolf arrives with his army of Parademons, leading to an intense battle that results in the villain seizing the box, showing the stakes of the conflict escalating.

    Where
    Themyscira
  8. Batman and Wonder Woman's Conclave

    Returning to Gotham, Batman meets with Wonder Woman to discuss Steppenwolf's history and the significance of the Mother Boxes. They recognize the potential doom that bringing all three boxes together could unleash upon the world, making their alliance essential.

    Where
    Gotham City
  9. Assembling the Team

    Batman successfully tracks down Barry Allen, leading him to reluctantly join the cause. They later rendezvous with Wonder Woman, while Cyborg, who has been observing, makes his presence known, hinting at his conflicted feelings about joining their mission.

    Where
    Batcave
  10. Aquaman's Clash with Steppenwolf

    Amidst chaos in Russia, Aquaman intervenes to save a local family from Parademons. Meanwhile, Steppenwolf wreaks havoc in Atlantis, showing the devastating influence of his quest for power as he clashes with Mera, who fights to defend her realm.

    Where
    Atlantis
  11. The Justice League's Formation

    The four heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Cyborg—come together to confront Steppenwolf. They face numerous obstacles, including attacking Parademons, while strategizing to retrieve the Mother Boxes before their enemy can bring about destruction.

  12. Resurrection of Superman

    The heroes devise a perilous plan to resurrect Superman, hoping his return will shift the balance in their favor. After locating his grave and successfully reanimating him, Superman emerges, confused and disoriented, leading to a tense moment with his former allies.

  13. Final Showdown with Steppenwolf

    As Steppenwolf prepares to unleash havoc with the Mother Boxes, the League organizes for a final confrontation. Superman's return instills hope within the group, culminating in an epic battle against Steppenwolf and his forces, ultimately resulting in the villain's defeat.

  14. Restoration and New Beginnings

    With peace restored, the heroes begin to part ways and pursue their individual paths. Barry starts a new job in forensics, Bruce ensures Clark's legacy lives on, and Aquaman accepts his responsibilities in Atlantis, while Lois finds renewed hope in her work.

  15. Post-Credits Scenes

    In the mid-credits, Superman and The Flash challenge each other to a friendly race, betting on a brunch loser. The post-credits scene reveals Lex Luthor plotting with Deathstroke, hinting at future confrontations and alliances that could threaten the heroes.

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:40

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Timeline questions answered

Justice League Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Justice League (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Batman want to form the Justice League?

Batman forms the Justice League because following Superman's death, Bruce Wayne recognizes that Earth needs a greater force to protect humanity. He understands that threats beyond ordinary heroes require extraordinary individuals with unique abilities, so he begins recruiting Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash to face the global threat posed by Steppenwolf.

  • batman
  • justice league formation
  • superman death
  • steppenwolf threat
  • recruit heroes
Q2

Why does Aquaman initially refuse to join the Justice League?

Aquaman refuses Bruce Wayne's recruitment offer in the tavern because he prefers to stay out of surface world affairs and live as a loner. Despite expressing admiration for Batman, Arthur Currydeclines the mission, choosing to focus on his own path rather than joining the team.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Aquaman's independent nature and reluctance to engage with land-dwellers.

  • aquaman
  • arthur curry
  • justice league recruitment
  • refuses team
Q3

What are Mother Boxes and why are they important?

Mother Boxes are powerful Amazon artifacts that, when brought together, can grant unimaginable power capable of reshaping or destroying worlds. Steppenwolf seeks all three boxes to unleash devastation on Earth, making them the central McGuffin driving the conflict.

  • mother boxes
  • steppenwolf
  • amazon artifacts
  • power threat
Q4

Why does the Justice League decide to resurrect Superman?

The Justice League decides to resurrect Superman because they believe his return could turn the tide against Steppenwolf. With the villain uniting all Mother Boxes and threatening global destruction, the team hopes that Superman's powers will provide the strength needed to defeat him.

  • superman resurrection
  • justice league plan
  • superman return
  • steppenwolf battle
Q5

Why does Superman attack the Justice League after being resurrected?

Superman attacks the Justice League after resurrection because he emerges confused and disoriented from the Lazarus Pit-like reanimation process. His mind is scrambled and he doesn't recognize his former allies as friends, causing him to perceive them as threats.

Foreshadowing: The team's initial uncertainty about whether the resurrection would work foreshadows Superman's unstable state.

  • superman confused
  • superman attacks
  • resurrection side effects
  • confused superman
Q6

Why does Lois Lane calm Superman down?

Lois Lane calms Superman down because she is the person closest to him and represents his strongest human connection. When brought to him during his confused state, her presence provides the comfort and familiarity needed to restore his sanity and remind him of who he truly is.

  • lois lane
  • superman
  • calm down
  • memory restore
  • emotional connection
Q7

How does Steppenwolf manage to get all three Mother Boxes?

Steppenwolf obtains the Mother Boxes through separate conquests: he steals one from Themyscira after battling the Amazons, another is taken from Atlantis during his clash with Mera, and the third is likely recovered from human possession. His Parademon army enables rapid global attacks to seize each box.

  • steppenwolf
  • mother boxes
  • themyscira
  • atlantis
  • parademons
  • 收集
Q8

Why does Wonder Woman stop the bomb in London?

Wonder Woman intervenes in the London bank robbery because she detects a bomb intended to destroy the city's technology infrastructure. She uses her legendary gauntlets to shield hostages from gunfire while defusing the bomb, demonstrating her commitment to protecting innocents.

  • wonder woman
  • london
  • bomb
  • bank robbery
  • diana prince
Q9

How does the Justice League defeat Steppenwolf?

The Justice League defeats Steppenwolf through combined effort: Batman leads a charge against Parademons while other members confront Steppenwolf directly. Superman's return during the crucial moment provides the decisive advantage, allowing the team to overpower the villain and destroy the Mother Boxes' unification.

  • steppenwolf defeat
  • final battle
  • justice league victory
  • superman returns
Q10

What do the post-credits scenes set up in Justice League?

The mid-credits scene shows Superman and The Flash racing each other as a friendly wager for brunch. The post-credits scene reveals Lex Luthor on his yacht with Deathstroke, plotting against the heroes and hinting at future League antagonists.

  • post credits
  • lex luthor
  • deathstroke
  • superman flash race
  • setup sequel

Movie threads

More Movies Like Justice League, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Justice League tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with high-stakes superhero team-ups like Justice League

A disparate group of heroes must unite against a world-ending threat. If you enjoyed watching the Justice League assemble, you'll love these other movies about superheroes uniting. This section features similar stories of powerful heroes forming a team under immense pressure to save the world from an overwhelming threat, perfect for fans of epic ensemble action.

  • heroic
  • urgent
  • unifying
  • triumphant
  • large-scale
  • teamwork
  • Tone: heroic, urgent, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast-paced, action-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a looming global catastrophe that necessitates bringing together a group of powerful but often isolated individuals. The story follows the challenges of recruitment, the initial clashes of ego and method, and the eventual forging of unity, culminating in a spectacular final battle where their combined strength prevails.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core pattern of team assembly against an apocalyptic threat, blending high-intensity action with themes of unity and cooperation. They deliver a specific, satisfying experience of watching formidable individuals become an even greater force, often with a hopeful and triumphant conclusion.

Hopeful action spectacle movies similar to Justice League

Large-scale battles and grave dangers met with an optimistic spirit. For viewers who liked the uplifting vibe of Justice League amidst its chaos, this section gathers movies that balance massive action with a hopeful tone. Discover similar films where high-stakes battles and global peril are countered by themes of heroism and optimism, perfect for when you want epic scale without bleakness.

  • hopeful
  • triumphant
  • urgent
  • heroic
  • spectacle
  • uplifting
  • Tone: hopeful, triumphant, urgent
  • Pacing: fast, propulsive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often involve a clear, formidable threat that drives a fast-paced plot. While serious challenges and emotional undertones like loss may be present, they are woven into a journey that emphasizes coming together, overcoming adversity, and achieving a decisive, positive victory. The emotional weight supports the action rather than overwhelming it.

Why they belong together: This grouping is defined by a specific tonal mix: the intensity and spectacle of large-scale action blended with a consistently hopeful and ultimately happy resolution. The movies share a feel-good energy even in their most dire moments, making them distinct from darker, more somber action epics.

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Movies Like Justice League

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Every angle

Justice League (2017) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Justice League in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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