"Aquaman" and "Joker" both generated over $1 billion at the global box office, becoming the first DC productions to reach those lofty figures since Christopher Nolan wrapped up his Batman trilogy with 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises." The studio also scored with last spring's "Shazam!," a cheeky spin on the spandex genre, and has high hopes for upcoming releases such as "Wonder Woman 1984" and "Birds of Prey."

"They're on the upswing," said Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. "They had a rocky period, but they're starting to find their footing."

DC Films may have achieved more consistency when it comes to reviews and box office performance, but there are still hurdles to overcome. Namely, the company and its parent studio, Warner Bros., have yet to figure out what to do with iconic characters Superman and Batman. The studio is farther along when it comes to Bruce Wayne's alter ego, having re-cast the role most recently played by Ben Affleck with the younger and edgier Robert Pattinson.