The DC movie universe hasn’t always found success, but its animated films have consistently been high quality. Since 2007, DC has released a steady stream of animated movies, often grouped into interconnected universes. These include standalone films, the DC Animated Movie Universe which began with The Flashpoint Paradox, and films connected to the classic 90s Batman: The Animated Series. Following that was the Tomorrowverse, starting with Superman: Man of Tomorrow. Now, with James Gunn’s new DC Universe, animated movies have been promised, though so far only streaming series have been released.
Over the past twenty years, DC has released a lot of animated movies. Here are seven that any DC fan won’t want to miss.
7) The Dark Knight Returns (2012-2013)
DC has produced many animated Batman movies, including standouts like Son of Batman (2014) and unique stories within the Elseworlds line, such as Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018). Recent highlights include the two-part Batman: The Long Halloween (2021). However, if you’re only going to watch one two-part Batman film, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (released in 2012 and 2013) is the one to choose.
As a huge comic book and movie fan, I’m really excited about these films! They basically revisit the iconic Frank Miller and Klaus Janson story of an older Batman coming out of retirement to rescue Gotham. The problem is, his absence let mutant gangs take over, and things get really complicated when the government decides Batman’s gone too far and sends Superman to stop him! And the best part? The first movie was a critical darling, scoring a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – that’s amazing!
6) Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)
As a DC animation fan, I have to say Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay feels like a fresh start for the team. It’s the second animated outing for Task Force X, but it’s important to note this one isn’t connected to the Batman: Arkham universe like the first film was. Instead, it kicks off a new continuity within the larger DC Animated Movie Universe, and it’s heavily inspired by the classic “Secret Six: Unhinged” storyline by John Ostrander – a great source material for a gritty, morally ambiguous team-up.
In the film, Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, and Copperhead team up to find an artifact that could save Amanda Waller’s life after she’s diagnosed with cancer. The movie was very well-received, earning an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers highlighting its sharp humor and willingness to kill off characters. It’s considered one of the more mature and successful films in the DC animated universe.
5) Justice League Dark
The DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) featured several Justice League films. While movies like Justice League: War and Justice League: Gods and Monsters closely followed the New 52 comics, Justice League Dark stood out by offering a fresh, original story and a more compelling team dynamic. Notably, Justice League Dark focused on DC’s supernatural creatures and villains.
The main criticism is that the studio seemed to think Batman was necessary for the movie to succeed. However, the film nicely balanced its focus on science and logic with its magical elements. Constantine was fantastic, as expected, but Zatanna, Deadman, Etrigan, and Swamp Thing all had strong roles too. If you’re a fan of DC’s supernatural characters, you’ll likely really enjoy Justice League Dark.
4) Batman: Hush
Many of Batman’s most popular comic book storylines have been turned into excellent DC animated movies, such as Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Under the Red Hood. But fans often consider Batman: Hush to be the very best. This film is based on the 2002 comic book series by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee.
This animated movie takes some liberties with the source material, most notably by changing who Hush is. It features a large cast of characters, including Superman, Nightwing, Catwoman, Lex Luthor, and Bane, but manages to avoid feeling crowded. Ultimately, it’s a compelling mystery that showcases Batman as a brilliant detective.
3) Teen Titans: The Judas Contract
For years, the Justice League seemed like the main focus of DC’s animated movies, but the Teen Titans actually delivered the best team-based films of the 2010s. Their success began with Justice League vs. Teen Titans, which showed the Teen Titans were often more compelling than the Justice League. However, their standout movie was Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, released in 2017.
The animated movie, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, retells the classic story by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, where the Teen Titans fight against villains like Brother Blood and Deathstroke, only to discover a shocking betrayal within their ranks. While the movie made some updates – like an older Dick Grayson mentoring Damian Wayne as Robin – these changes actually strengthened the narrative. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is a thrilling and emotionally resonant film that solidified the Teen Titans’ place as a dominant force in the DC Animated Movie Universe.
2) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
The world of DC animated movies officially began in 2007, but its roots go back further. The very first DC animated movie was Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, released in 1993 as part of the DC Animated Universe. Notably, it was the only DC animated film to ever play in theaters, and remains a fan favorite.
This Batman movie was created between seasons one and two of Batman: The Animated Series. It features Batman reconnecting with an old love, Andrea Beaumont, while simultaneously investigating a new masked crime fighter named Phantasm, who is targeting Gotham’s criminal leaders. Phantasm is a unique villain created for the film, though the story shares similarities with the Batman: Year Two comic book. It’s a must-see for any fan of DC animated shows, as it paved the way for much of what followed.
1) Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
For a long time, DC animated movies were mostly self-contained stories with little connection to each other. That changed in 2013 with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. Based on the Flashpoint comic series, the movie follows Barry Allen’s attempt to save his mother, which unintentionally creates a dangerous alternate timeline. When Barry restores things to normal, it launched the New 52 continuity – and that’s what the subsequent movies began to follow.
The movie revolved around Flash changing the past, resulting in a timeline where Bruce Wayne was gone and his father, Thomas Wayne, became a brutal Batman. This also sparked an impending war between Wonder Woman and Aquaman. It was a compelling story that launched the DC Animated Movie Universe, beginning with Justice League: War and ultimately leading to a collection of 25 animated films. This film was the foundation for everything that followed.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Read More
- When Perturbation Fails: Taming Light in Complex Cavities
- Jujutsu Kaisen Execution Delivers High-Stakes Action and the Most Shocking Twist of the Series (Review)
- Fluid Dynamics and the Promise of Quantum Computation
- Where Winds Meet: Best Weapon Combinations
- FC 26 reveals free preview mode and 10 classic squads
- 3 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for December 2025 Leaked Early
- Hazbin Hotel season 3 release date speculation and latest news
- 7 Most Overpowered Characters in Fighting Games, Ranked
- TikToker Madeleine White Marries Andrew Fedyk: See Her Wedding Dress
- Why Carrie Fisher’s Daughter Billie Lourd Will Always Talk About Grief
2025-12-12 16:13