DC Studios’ Next 3 DCU Projects Will Be More Expensive to Stream

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HBO Max is now more expensive. Warner Bros. Discovery recently raised prices for all subscription plans in the U.S., with the ad-free standard plan now costing $18.49 a month. New subscribers will see the price increase immediately, while current subscribers will be notified 30 days in advance. The company says the price hikes are necessary due to increasing production costs and the high quality of its shows and movies. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has stated that the service was previously too cheap.

Here’s what this means for DC fans: if you prefer to watch DC Studios’ major new releases at home on HBO/HBO Max instead of in theaters, your monthly subscription cost will likely increase when those movies and shows become available. The price increase for each household will be small, but across millions of viewers, it will significantly boost revenue for the studio – and add a little extra cost for subscribers.

2026 DCU Releases That Will Cost More to Stream

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 

The upcoming film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, is expected to be a major launchpad for the new DC Universe. It’s set to offer a fresh and more mature portrayal of Kara Zor-El, inspired by the highly praised comic book series by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. Starring Milly Alcock as Supergirl, the movie is an ambitious science fiction story, described by James Gunn as a thrilling space adventure.

While Kal-El arrived on Earth as a baby and was raised in a loving home, Kara Zor-El had a much more difficult beginning. She escaped Krypton’s destruction by traveling through space on a fragment of the planet with a small group of other survivors. For the first fourteen years of her life, she endured a constant struggle for survival, witnessing the loss of everyone around her.

James Gunn described Supergirl’s history in the upcoming film as deeply traumatic, resulting in a more complex and troubled character. The movie will also feature Lobo, the popular bounty hunter, who wasn’t originally part of the comic book story. Reportedly, Lobo’s inclusion is meant to help structure the film into a classic three-act narrative.

Lanterns 

The upcoming series Lanterns aims to be DC’s first high-quality, in-depth television event, comparable to acclaimed HBO dramas like True Detective. Surprisingly, instead of a typical space-spanning Green Lantern story, it’s being developed as a grounded, gritty detective mystery set on Earth, and will play a key role in establishing the foundation of the new DC Universe’s storyline.

The show centers around the partnership between two Green Lanterns: Hal Jordan, a well-known and experienced hero played by Kyle Chandler, and John Stewart, a new recruit and former Marine veteran portrayed by Aaron Pierre. The series follows a classic ‘buddy cop’ formula, with a realistic investigation that requires these two very different characters to team up and work together.

As a movie and TV fan, I was really excited to see who was behind this show. With Chris Mundy (who did amazing work on Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen was incredible!), and a DC Comics writer like Tom King all involved as writers and producers, it immediately gave me the impression this isn’t going to be a lighthearted watch. It feels like they’re aiming for something really dramatic, layered, and emotionally powerful – the kind of show that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Clayface

DC Studios is planning a unique take on the Clayface story, set for release on September 11, 2026. It won’t be a typical superhero movie, but instead a scary, suspenseful thriller focusing on body horror. James Gunn, one of the heads of DC Studios, was impressed by the script from horror director Mike Flanagan, known for The Haunting of Hill House. James Watkins will direct, aiming for a chilling and unsettling style similar to the work of David Cronenberg, especially his 1986 film The Fly. The movie will be set during the time period in which the story originally took place.

The movie tells the heartbreaking story of Matt Hagen (played by Tom Rhys Harries), a promising actor whose face is severely damaged in an attack. It combines the origins of two characters from the comics, Basil Karlo and Matt Hagen. The story starts in Gotham City but moves to Hollywood, where the attack destroys Hagen’s career and sense of self.

Initial reports suggest the movie will center around Hagen’s personal journey and battles, both within himself and with the world around him. While the supporting cast includes known actors like Max Minghella playing a Gotham detective and Dr. Bates’ fiancée, most of these characters are new creations for the film. The story is anticipated to be particularly disturbing, focusing on Hagen’s frightening change into the Clayface monster.

Is HBO Max Still Worth the Price?

HBO Max justifies its higher price by offering a uniquely impressive collection of shows and movies. No other streaming service consistently provides such a high volume of critically acclaimed, top-quality, and culturally significant content. Subscribers are paying not just for a lot of options, but for truly outstanding programming, including hit shows like Succession, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, House of the Dragon, and timeless classics such as The Sopranos and The Wire.

HBO Max is the only place you’ll be able to stream the new DC Universe (DCU) shows and movies created by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Key series like Lanterns and films such as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will debut there, making a subscription essential for DC fans who want to follow the complete story.

However, the $18.49 price might be too high for those on a budget, particularly when other streaming services offer cheaper options. Now, the Standard tier costs more than ad-free Standard plans from both Netflix and Disney+, making it a tougher sell for people who already pay for multiple streaming services.

A key complaint is that the $18.49 Standard plan doesn’t offer 4K Ultra HD streaming – you need the more expensive Premium plan at $22.99 a month for that. This is a drawback because many competing services include 4K in their higher-quality or standard ad-free plans, offering better value.

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2025-10-24 23:06