7 Movies And TV Shows You Should Watch Before 'Peacemaker' Season 2

James Gunn's 2021 film The Suicide Squad serves as Peacemaker's origin story, introducing Christopher Smith as a paradoxical "hero" who treasures peace so much he's willing to kill anyone to achieve it. The movie showcases his lethal skills and warped moral code, culminating in his shocking murder of Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) to conceal government secrets about Project Starfish.

This pivotal moment defines Peacemaker's character arc going into the series, establishing his guilt and setting up potential conflict with Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) in Season 2. Gunn himself noted, "Almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League," confirming the continued relevance of these foundational events.

Though existing in a separate continuity from the DCU, Matt Reeves' The Batman offers thematic parallels to Peacemaker's journey as a self-appointed enforcer of justice. Both characters operate outside the law, believing their methods are necessary despite the moral compromises required.

The Batman's exploration of vigilantism, trauma, and the gray areas of heroism mirrors Peacemaker's own struggles with his violent upbringing and questionable methods. The film's examination of what truly constitutes justice provides valuable context for appreciating Peacemaker's ongoing moral evolution in Season 2, particularly as he continues to grapple with his father's influence and his own violent past.

Though Birds of Prey doesn't directly feature Peacemaker, it expands the world established in Suicide Squad (2016) and carries forward the tone that would eventually influence Peacemaker's first season. The film's irreverent approach to violence, colorful aesthetics, and morally complex characters helped define the corner of the DC universe where Peacemaker thrives.

The treatment of Amanda Waller's influence over antiheroes and the establishment of a post-Suicide Squad world provide essential context for understanding the environment Peacemaker operated in during Season 1 - background that remains relevant even as the character transitions into the new DCU.

Before appearing in live-action in Peacemaker Season 2, Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. makes his DCU debut in the animated Creature Commandos series. This introduction proves crucial as Rick Flag Sr. is likely to be a significant antagonist for Peacemaker given that John Cena's character killed his son.

The animated series establishes Flag Sr.'s character, motivations, and potentially his knowledge of Peacemaker's actions. Watching Creature Commandos provides direct setup for what could be Season 2's central conflict. As Gunn has emphasized the importance of connective storytelling in the DCU, this character transition from animation to live-action represents an important bridge in the narrative.

As the final theatrical release of the DCEU era, Blue Beetle represents the closing chapter of the universe that birthed Peacemaker's first season. While not directly connected to Peacemaker's storyline, the film offers insight into the state of the DC universe immediately before its transformation into the DCU.

Blue Beetle helps viewers understand which elements of the previous universe might be preserved or reimagined in Peacemaker's second season. The film's approach to superhero origins and its position as a transitional piece between DCEU and DCU makes it valuable viewing as Peacemaker undergoes a similar transition.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods continues the DCEU's tendency to reference the Justice League, which James Gunn has specifically identified as needing to be addressed in Peacemaker Season 2. "The truth is almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League… which we will kind of deal with in the next season," Gunn explained.

Season 1's finale famously featured cameos from Justice League members arriving "too late" to help fight the butterflies. With Gunn publicly stating this scene will be directly addressed in Season 2, understanding how other DCEU films handled Justice League references provides context for how Peacemaker might approach this retconning challenge.