‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Soars to Highest-Rated DCU Project on Rotten Tomatoes
Peacemaker’s second season has arrived, and it’s already making waves as the highest-rated project in the DC Universe on Rotten Tomatoes. The show, based on the DC Comics character Chris Smith, also known as Peacemaker, continues his story after the events of the 2025 DCU film Superman.
This season is part of the DC Universe (DCU), a soft reboot of the previous DCEU, and is produced by DC Studios with James Gunn serving as showrunner.
John Cena returns in the lead role, joined by Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodríguez, David Denman, Tim Meadows, and Michael Rooker.
The season was officially ordered in February 2022, with Gunn writing and directing all eight episodes. Production faced delays due to Gunn’s promotion to co-CEO of DC Studios and his work on Superman, as well as the spin-off series Waller being prioritized. Filming eventually began in spring 2024 at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with principal photography running from June to November.
The second season of Peacemaker is set to premiere on HBO Max on August 21, 2025. Critics have responded enthusiastically, giving the show a perfect 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews.
The acclaim highlights the show’s balance of character depth and action-packed storytelling. Critics appreciated that viewers care about the characters as much as the larger plot, and they praised the series for its mix of heart, humor, and over-the-top action.
John Cena’s performance has been a standout, anchoring the season with charisma and energy. The series also keeps the irreverent and adults-only style that fans loved in the first season, while adding emotional weight and genuine stakes.
Critics also recognized James Gunn’s ability to manage the DCU world, noting that the series shows he understands how to build a successful cinematic universe.
The testament of a good show is whether or not you care about the characters more than the bigger picture. With Peacemaker season 2, we’re lucky in the sense that both of those aspects are thrilling this time around.
Rachel Leishman
Anchored by great work from John Cena, Peacemaker’s second season raises its already high bar with a well-judged blend of heart, madness, and an ass-kicking eagle.
Amon Warmann
An irreverent, over-the-top, adults-only good time with enough heart beneath the crudity to give it a real impact.
Reuben Baron
James Gunn proves once again that the DCU is in the right hands. His understanding of this world and the necessary steps to successfully build a cinematic universe are clear.
Joshua Ryan
James Gunn continues his assault on pop culture with blistering meta jokes, lovable misfits, buckets of blood, a scene-stealing Tim Meadows, and a perfect mix of irreverent humor, and heartfelt characters that will have any Gunn masochist begging for more
M.N. Miller
With strong performances, wild action, and a surprising amount of heart, Peacemaker season 2 proves that the show continues to push the boundaries of what a superhero series can do, making it a must-watch for fans of the DCU and beyond.
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