Justice League (2017) brings Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash together for the first live-action Justice League movie. Following Superman’s death in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince recruit a team of metahumans to stop Steppenwolf and his Parademon army from using three Mother Boxes to conquer Earth.
Movie Details
| Movie Title | Justice League |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Justice League |
| Release Date | November 17, 2017 |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Runtime | 120 minutes |
| Certificate / Age Rating | PG-13 |
| Status | Released |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Superhero |
| Director | Zack Snyder |
| Writers | Chris Terrio, Joss Whedon; story by Chris Terrio and Zack Snyder |
| Producers | Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns |
| Production Company | Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, Cruel and Unusual Films |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Budget | Approximately $300 million |
| Box Office | Approximately $661.3 million worldwide |
Trailer
Cast
- Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman
- Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman
- Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
- Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash
- Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
- Ray Fisher as Victor Stone / Cyborg
- Amy Adams as Lois Lane
- Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth
- Diane Lane as Martha Kent
- Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta
- J.K. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon
- Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf
- Amber Heard as Mera
- Joe Morton as Silas Stone
- Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor
- Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko
- Billy Crudup as Henry Allen
- Kiersey Clemons as Iris West
- Joe Manganiello as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke
- David Thewlis as Ares
- Robin Wright as Antiope
- Lisa Loven Kongsli as Menalippe
- Michael McElhatton as Bank Robber
- Taylor James as Atlantean Military Messenger
- Ingvar E. Sigurðsson as Mayor
- Julian Lewis Jones as Ancient Atlantean King
- Sergi Constance as Zeus
Story / Plot
After Superman’s death while fighting Doomsday, the world is left without its most powerful protector. Bruce Wayne becomes increasingly concerned about a coming threat and realizes that humanity will need more than Batman to survive what is approaching.
Meanwhile, Diana Prince, known as Wonder Woman, investigates a dangerous situation in London and learns that a much larger threat is emerging. Bruce eventually approaches Diana and explains that he wants to assemble a group of extraordinary individuals capable of defending Earth.
Bruce and Diana begin recruiting several metahumans. Barry Allen is a young man with super-speed who becomes The Flash. Arthur Curry is the powerful Atlantean known as Aquaman. Victor Stone, severely injured in an accident, survives because his father Silas uses the Mother Box to save him, transforming Victor into Cyborg.
The threat comes from Steppenwolf, an ancient conqueror who returns to Earth with an army of Parademons. He is searching for three powerful Mother Boxes hidden in different locations. When united, the Mother Boxes can create an enormous energy reaction capable of transforming an entire world.
Steppenwolf first attacks the Amazons to obtain their Mother Box. He then targets Atlantis and eventually comes after the Mother Box being studied by Cyborg and his father. Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg realize that they cannot defeat Steppenwolf without Superman.
The team retrieves Superman’s body and uses the Kryptonian technology inside the Kryptonian ship to bring him back to life. However, Superman initially does not recognize his allies and attacks the team. Lois Lane arrives and helps calm him down, allowing Superman to leave with her.
Steppenwolf eventually obtains all three Mother Boxes and takes them to an abandoned Russian nuclear facility. The Justice League follows him there for the final battle. Cyborg attempts to separate the Mother Boxes while the rest of the team fights Steppenwolf and his Parademons.
Superman arrives and dramatically changes the balance of the battle. While each member of the League contributes to the fight, Superman overwhelms Steppenwolf. The Mother Boxes are separated, and Steppenwolf is defeated when his own Parademons turn against him after sensing his fear.
Ending Explained
In the final battle, Cyborg uses his technological abilities to separate the three Mother Boxes before they can completely merge. The process is extremely dangerous because the Boxes are already working together to terraform Earth.
The Flash plays an important role in saving the team. After the League is almost overwhelmed, Barry uses his speed to create enough momentum and energy to help change the course of the battle.
Superman ultimately becomes the deciding factor against Steppenwolf. After helping the other heroes defeat the Parademons, he confronts Steppenwolf directly. Superman’s overwhelming strength leaves Steppenwolf vulnerable, and the villain is eventually attacked by his own Parademons.
With Steppenwolf defeated and the Mother Boxes separated, the immediate threat to Earth is stopped. The members of the Justice League have also proven that they can work together despite their very different personalities and abilities.
The movie ends by showing that the League is now an established team. Bruce Wayne begins transforming his large property into a headquarters for the group, while the heroes continue their individual lives.
There are also two important additional scenes. In one, Barry challenges Superman to a friendly race, establishing their playful rivalry. In another, Lex Luthor escapes from prison and meets Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke. Lex tells Deathstroke that Batman will eventually bring the heroes together, hinting at a possible conflict involving a larger group of villains.
Where to Watch
Justice League (2017) is available through different legal streaming, rental and purchase services depending on your country and current licensing agreements. Availability can change over time.
For the latest availability in your region, you can also check JustWatch.
Franchise / Connections
| Franchise | DC Extended Universe (DCEU) |
|---|---|
| Prequel | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) |
| Sequel | No direct theatrical sequel was released. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) is an alternate director’s cut of the same story rather than a sequel. |
FAQs
What is Justice League (2017) about?
Justice League follows Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash as they unite to stop Steppenwolf and his Parademon army from using three Mother Boxes to conquer Earth.
Who directed Justice League?
Justice League was directed by Zack Snyder, who retained the directing credit on the theatrical film.
Who are the main characters in Justice League?
The main heroes are Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash. The main villain is Steppenwolf.
Who plays Batman in Justice League?
Ben Affleck plays Bruce Wayne / Batman.
Who plays Superman in Justice League?
Henry Cavill plays Clark Kent / Superman.
Who plays Wonder Woman in Justice League?
Gal Gadot plays Diana Prince / Wonder Woman.
Who plays Aquaman in Justice League?
Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry / Aquaman.
Who plays Cyborg in Justice League?
Ray Fisher plays Victor Stone / Cyborg.
Who plays The Flash in Justice League?
Ezra Miller plays Barry Allen / The Flash.
Who is the villain in Justice League?
Steppenwolf is the primary villain. He commands an army of Parademons and searches for three Mother Boxes.
What are the Mother Boxes in Justice League?
The Mother Boxes are extremely powerful pieces of advanced technology capable of manipulating energy and matter. Steppenwolf wants to unite three of them to transform Earth.
Why does Steppenwolf want the Mother Boxes?
Steppenwolf wants to reunite the Mother Boxes so he can conquer and terraform Earth while proving himself to Darkseid.
Is Superman dead at the beginning of Justice League?
Yes. Superman died at the end of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice while fighting Doomsday. His death motivates Bruce Wayne and contributes to the formation of the Justice League.
How does Superman come back to life?
The heroes use the Kryptonian ship and the Mother Box technology to resurrect Superman. Cyborg activates the technology while the team attempts to bring Superman back.
Why does Superman fight the Justice League?
After being resurrected, Superman is confused and disoriented. He does not immediately recognize the heroes and reacts to them as threats until Lois Lane arrives and calms him.
Who defeats Steppenwolf?
The Justice League defeats Steppenwolf as a team, with Superman playing a major role in overpowering him. Steppenwolf is ultimately attacked by his own Parademons.
Does Steppenwolf die at the end of Justice League?
Yes. Steppenwolf is defeated during the final battle and dragged away by his own Parademons.
What happens to the Mother Boxes at the end?
Cyborg manages to separate the three Mother Boxes before they can complete their destructive transformation of Earth.
Is Lex Luthor in Justice League?
Yes. Jesse Eisenberg returns as Lex Luthor. He appears in the additional scene after the main story and escapes from prison before meeting Deathstroke.
Who is Deathstroke in Justice League?
Joe Manganiello plays Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke. He appears in the additional scene with Lex Luthor at the end of the movie.
Is there a post-credit scene in Justice League?
Justice League has additional scenes after the main story, including a friendly race between Superman and The Flash and a scene involving Lex Luthor and Deathstroke.
Is Justice League connected to Batman v Superman?
Yes. Justice League directly follows the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, particularly Superman’s death and Bruce Wayne’s decision to assemble a team of heroes.
Is Justice League part of the DCEU?
Yes. Justice League is part of the DC Extended Universe and brings together several characters introduced in earlier DCEU movies.
Is Zack Snyder’s Justice League the same movie as Justice League?
No. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) is a substantially different director’s cut of the 2017 film. It expands and changes many story elements, scenes and character arcs.
Is Zack Snyder’s Justice League a sequel?
No. Zack Snyder’s Justice League is not a sequel to the 2017 Justice League. It is an alternate version of the same underlying story.
How long is Justice League?
The theatrical version of Justice League has a runtime of approximately 120 minutes.
What is the rating of Justice League?
Justice League is rated PG-13 for sequences of science-fiction violence and action.
Where can I watch Justice League legally?
Legal availability varies by country. Depending on the territory and current licensing, Justice League may be available through services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar and Apple TV, including subscription, rental or purchase options.
When was Justice League released?
Justice League was released in the United States on November 17, 2017.
What is the budget of Justice League?
The reported production budget for Justice League was approximately $300 million.
How much did Justice League make at the box office?
Justice League earned approximately $661.3 million worldwide during its theatrical run.
Does Justice League have an ending explained?
Yes. The ending centers on the Justice League defeating Steppenwolf, separating the Mother Boxes, establishing the team and setting up potential future conflicts involving Lex Luthor and Deathstroke.
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