By the end of 2026, James Gunn's DC Universe will feature a host of new villains. Having begun work on the first installment, "Gods and Monsters," in December 2024, DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are continuing to expand the franchise, exploring new corners of the DC Universe. While heroes are undoubtedly at the center of the story, a host of new villains will add their own dynamic.
In 2026, DC Studios will introduce 11 villains from the DC Extended Universe. While the first installment encompasses the core DC Studios storyline, numerous other universes and antagonists will also have the opportunity to shine across six different projects, which will be released in theaters and on HBO Max.
All the major DC Studios villains coming in 2026.
Cream - Supergirl
DC Studios will kick off the year in theaters with Supergirl, premiering on June 26. The main villain will be Cream of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts. This will be Cream's first appearance in a DC live-action film.
Known as the main villain of the DC Comics "Woman of Tomorrow" storyline (on which the film is based), Cream is a ruthless killer and criminal who murders Ruthie Marie Knoll's father and sets her plot for revenge. He also gravely wounds Krypto, the Super-Dog, making an enemy of Kara Zor-El.
Lobo - Supergirl
Alongside Cream of the Yellow Hills, Jason Momoa will return to the DC Universe as Lobo, after seven years as Aquaman in the former DC Extended Universe.
Lobo is expected to appear in approximately 15% of Supergirl's screen time, where the Czarnian bounty hunter will first encounter Kara Zor-El. While his role in the story is still unknown, Momoa will bring his passion and enthusiasm to the role, as he has called it his dream role in a DC series.
Cyborg Superman - My Adventures with Superman, Season 3
In the third season of My Adventures with Superman, Jack Quaid's Clark Kent will face a horde of new villains, including a cybernetic version of the titular hero.
After Hank Henshaw's plane was shot down in Season 2, he returns, enhanced with technology, becoming Cyborg Superman. This season, he is expected to become Superman's primary foe, posing a serious threat as a mechanical double.
«"The Fighter" - My Adventures with Superman, Season 3.
This season will adapt the "Reign of the Supermen" storyline, which will introduce another version of Superman: the Eradicator.
In season two, the Eradicator is a dangerous Kryptonian mind-control program created by Kem-L, one of Superman's ancestors. In season three, this program may be manifested into a sentient form, or it may take control of another Kryptonian, such as General Zod.
Bizarro - My Adventures with Superman, Season 3
At the beginning of Season 3 of My Adventures with Superman, a bizarro version of Superman was introduced - a Kryptonian clone created for Project CALIBAN.
Created by George Otto Binder, he remained in CALIBAN's lab alongside his "Dog" until it was attacked by a LexCorp drone. Bizarro possesses many abilities similar to Superman, but he may not become a villain throughout the season.
Bane - Batman: Knightfall
«Batman: Knightfall, the first of three animated films that make up this story, will be DC's next major Batman film, following Batman Part II and The Brave and the Bold. As in the comics, the film's main villain will be one of Batman's most famous foes, Bane.
In this story, Bane systematically wears down Batman, even breaking his spine, before seizing control of Gotham's criminal underworld, forcing Bruce Wayne to fight a horde of escaped Arkham inmates. This storyline was announced for the new film (according to IGN) in the official synopsis, which described how Bane «"unleashes Batman's entire rogues gallery.".
The Mad Hatter — Batman: The Caped Crusader, Season 2
On July 31st, Batman: The Caped Crusader will be released on Prime Video, featuring a gender-swapped version of one of Batman's classic villains, the Mad Hatter.
In her new guise, the villain, named Hattie, will host an in-game talk show called "Hattie's Tea Party," using the platform to carry out her mind-control plans. In the comics, the character is obsessed with Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and uses mind-control technology via a hat to manipulate her victims and bring their twisted fantasies to life.
The Riddler — Batman: The Caped Crusader Season 2
After last being seen in the 2022 film The Batman, where he was played by Paul Dano, the Riddler will return to the spotlight in the second season of Batman: The Caped Crusader.
Most often portrayed as Edward Nygma, this criminal mastermind is known for his genius intellect, narcissism, and compulsion to leave clues and riddles for Batman. His arc in this series is currently unknown.
Sinestro - Lanterns
In the 2026 series "Lanterns," Ulrich Thomsen will take on the challenging task of playing the villain Sinestro.
This character will be introduced as the alien who trained Hal Jordan to join the Green Lantern Corps, creating an intriguing mentorship relationship between Sinestro, Hal, and John Stewart. Sinestro is rumored to appear in every episode of Star Lanterns, and while he may not be the main villain of the first season, he is expected to eventually make a sinister turn.
Antaan - Lanterns
Along with Sinestro, Star Lanterns will also feature the debut of another major villain named Antaan, who will also be entering the DCEU.
Antaan, played by Paul Ben-Victor, is an alien seeking justice against those responsible for the deaths of his people (similar to another Green Lantern character, Atrocitus). He could potentially be a member of the Red Lantern Corps, marking the group's first on-screen appearance.
Clayface - Clayface
Unlike everything else coming out from DC Studios this year, Clayface, which premieres on October 23rd, will feature a villain as its central character. Starring Tom Rhys Harris as Matt Hagen, it will be the first DCEU film to focus on a single villain since 2024's Monster Commando, which centered on a team of antagonists.
This film tells the story of Matt Hagen's rise as an aspiring actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster, leading him to participate in an experiment that changes his life forever. After the experiment, his body gains clay-like properties, which he can use to mold himself into almost anything in this body horror-inspired film.