Top 20 Animated Batman Movies
#20: “Son of Batman” (2014)
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A brutal attack on the League of Assassins is enough to convince Talia Al Ghul that her son Damian should stay with his dad. Unbeknownst to Batman, that warrior-in-training was actually his kid. The father and son duo are then forced to learn how to live and work together in Gotham City. All the while, Deathstroke creates a legion of Man-bats to strike fear in the hearts of all his enemies. Despite juggling a ton of story elements, all of the story beats come together into one fluid plot. Damian’s presence also brings out a side of the dark knight that isn’t always seen in his feature length films. “Son of Batman” ultimately marked the beginning of a beautiful father-son superhero partnership.
#19: “Batman: Assault on Arkham” (2014)
Top 10 Batman Movies
Let’s address the Suicide Squad shaped elephant in the room. This film heavily focuses on a group of supervillains that are forced into completing a mission for the vicious Amanda Waller. Although most of the focus is on the bad guys, the narrative’s excellent, if sparing, use of Batman makes it worthy of your time. The story positions the dark knight as a hero that’s constantly one step behind all the villains. When he does catch up, he gives the antagonists a beatdown they won’t forget. However, Batman ultimately prevails by leaning on his smarts and making the right alliances. This underdog Dark Knight easily reminds everyone that he’s the star of the show.
#18: “Batman: The Long Halloween” (2021)
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After a killer starts executing people on major holidays, it’s up to Gotham’s best detective to figure out who is responsible and why they’re going on this spree. Along the way, Batman develops a deep relationship with Catwoman and fights off several major villains. He also witnesses the descent of Harvey Dent into the dangerous Two-Face persona. Since this two part story covers a lot of ground, it can be a lot to take in one sitting. However, it does deserve praise for its nuanced character development and dedication to unraveling the mystery. Viewers unfamiliar with this Holiday tale can expect great twists and a truly jaw-dropping ending reveal. The dark and thrilling tale is definitely worthy of watching during the Halloween season.
#17: “Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman” (2003)
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While the dark knight doesn’t mind accepting help every once in a while, he didn’t love it when a reckless heroine wearing his symbol came to town. Batman tries to both steer her on the right path and try to unmask Batwoman before her war against the underworld goes too far. The titular mystery of her identity is handled well and keeps us guessing at every turn. Additionally, it’s fun to see fan-favorite Robin Tim Drake get time to shine alongside his mentor Batman. The story has the added bonus of expanding the lore of the acclaimed animated dark knight series. Although this movie is criminally overlooked by the fanbase, this underrated gem gives fans a great take on Batwoman’s relationship with the caped crusader.
#16: “Batman and Harley Quinn” (2017)
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Joker’s former sidekick wanted nothing more than to live an ordinary life after being paroled. But after her old partner-in-crime Poison Ivy starts making dangerous moves, Batman and Nightwing decide to work with Harley to keep everyone safe. It’s hilarious to see this odd trio try to get on the same page. However, the movie also takes time to give a realistic look at Harley’s struggle to reform. While the plot isn’t as deep as Swamp Thing’s…well, swamp, it still provides plenty of laughs and great action scenes. The film might just have you asking for more stories where this mismatched trio protects Gotham.
#15: “Batman vs. Robin” (2015)
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It took three years for the Court of Owls to go from the comics to being the center of a feature-length film. The shadowy and ancient organization proved to be the perfect cinematic match for the dark knight and his new sidekick Damian. While Court of Owls member Talon tried to push the young Robin to embrace vengeance, Batman tried to keep his son fully focused on justice. The villain’s actions spark a battle between the heroes that goes from exchanging harsh words to exchanging blows. “Batman vs. Robin” does an excellent job at unpacking the relationship between this father and son. Their dynamic, the sharp Court of Owls, and slick action scenes made for a movie that delivered much more than its central premise.
#14: “The Batman vs. Dracula” (2005)
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Have you ever wondered what would happen if the lord of vampires fought a bat-inspired hero? Well, even if you haven’t, “The Batman vs. Dracula” has got you covered. This supernatural movie sees the famous vampire wake up from a long slumber and try to conquer the world. To help him on his quest, Dracula makes an army of vampiric soldiers that includes The Joker. Despite being based on a child-friendly cartoon, the movie features dark and disturbing scenes that wouldn’t be out of place in a more mature film. The edgy material helps elevate the crossover as more than just a spooky tale for kids. Audiences of all ages will want to take a bite out of this spine-tingling meeting of icons.
#13: “Batman: Gotham by Gaslight” (2018)
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When we first heard there would be a film that would put the Dark Knight in a Victorian setting, we were instantly sold. The hero fit perfectly within a steampunk-inspired version of Gotham. But what really makes this movie so exciting is the fact that Batman had to match wits with the infamous Jack the Ripper. As the tense movie continues, we’re given great reimaginings of everyone from Catwoman to Jim Gordon. The new spins on the characters make it impossible to predict where this story will go next. While the setting might not be for everyone, fans with open minds will love this tale of a Victorian Gotham.
#12: “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” (2009)
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During this team-up film, Lex Luthor becomes president, heroes agree to work for a villain, and a Kryptonite meteor was spotted hurtling towards Earth. Since these massive problems are too big for one person to handle, Batman and Superman work together to save the planet. It’s fun to see the blue boy scout and dark knight combine their strengths to keep the world from falling apart. To make matters better, the movie brings in a wide variety of supervillains for the duo to punch out. All the twists and battles build up to a nail biting fight against Lex Luthor and time itself. Although Superman does a lot of heavy lifting, Batman’s heroic actions prove why he deserves to stand beside the man of steel.
#11:“Batman: Gotham Knight” (2008)
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Split into six shorts, "Batman: Gotham Knight" bridges the gap between Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." With different writers and directors handling each segment, the compilation movie provides a wide variety of experiences for fans of the hero. Although not every story hits the mark, the strongest shorts measure up to the greatest feature length films out there. Highlights include Brian Azzarello's character-driven "Working Through Pain" and the two segments animated by the anime studio Madhouse, one of which features a terrifying take on Killer Croc. Both stories are supported by unique designs and emotional beats that hit harder than one of the Dark Knight’s punches.
#10: “Batman: Bad Blood” (2016)
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What should’ve been a routine night of crime fighting for the caped crusader ended in a literal bang that appeared to kill the hero. In the wake of his absence, Nightwing, Robin and the new members of the bat-family have to step up to defend Gotham and find the dark knight. This setup allows characters like Kate Kane and Batwing to get more screen time. And we’ll never get tired of seeing Nightwing imitate Batman. Admittedly, the plot can be a little complicated for newcomers to the wider universe. But if you’re willing to do a little homework, you’ll be rewarded with a movie where literally everyone in the bat-family gets a moment to shine.
#9: “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” (2016)
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The Dark Knight has come a long way since the campy adventures of the 1966 "Batman" TV series. The Adam West-led show was a product of its time, but there is a certain charm to its innocence. "Return of the Caped Crusaders" marks a surprisingly effective return to this era of Batman, albeit one that uses the original series as a launching pad to tell a hilarious story that borders on parody. It’s particularly funny to see an edgier dark knight running around in a lighter and softer era. "Return of the Caped Crusaders" is not only a love letter to the '60s show, but to Batman in general.
#8: “Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2019)
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Two very different worlds collided for an excellent crossover between heroes in a half shell and the bat-family. When Shredder and Ra’s al Ghul enact an evil plan in Gotham, the dark knight initially thinks the turtles are his enemies. But all the heroes soon realize they need to team up to stop two supervillains from creating mutated henchmen. This setup allows for us to see some of Gothams’ biggest icons in new animal forms. And while the stakes are high, there’s plenty of great jokes and self-aware humor. The turtles and Batman make for such a great team that it’s a wonder they only have one crossover movie. We’d be happy to watch 4 or more crossovers between these outrageous heroes.
#7: “Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero” (1998)
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Building upon the excellent character work established in "Batman: The Animated Series," "SubZero" brings Mr. Freeze's story to its logical conclusion… until it continued in “The New Batman Adventures.” Similar to the show's much-celebrated "Heart of Ice" episode, "SubZero" presents an antagonist who is only a villain out of necessity, as Freeze proves to be willing to do anything to save his wife. Even with polar bears serving as henchmen, "SubZero" manages to tell a mature tale that can appeal to anyone regardless of their age. The animation is unsurprisingly gorgeous, while the voice acting maintains the high quality of the original series.
#6: “Batman: Year One” (2011)
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As an adaptation of Frank Miller's iconic graphic novel, "Batman: Year One" sticks very close to the source material, and it’s all the better for it. "Year One" splits its time between Bruce Wayne and Gordon, both of whom arrive in Gotham with aspirations to reform the city. While the film handles Bruce's transformation into Batman competently, Gordon's storyline steals the show, as the Lieutenant dives into the city's corrupted underbelly without the security of anonymity. "Year One" moves at a blistering pace, almost to a fault, but it does an admirable job of showcasing the resilience and humanity of Gotham's brand-new protectors.
#5: “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” (2000)
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Be it "Batman: The Animated Series" or "Batman Beyond," the DCAU did right by the Dark Knight. "Return of The Joker" brings an element of closure to Batman and Joker's legendary rivalry, as the Clown Prince of Crime reappears decades after his supposed death. The haunting context behind Joker's demise and reemergence highlight one of Bruce Wayne's worst failures, but the film never loses sight of the fact this is Terry McGinnis' story. As the film culminates in an engrossing duel pitting the past versus the present and future, "Return of The Joker" demonstrates Terry's individuality and worthiness as a successor to the original Batman.
#4:“The Lego Batman Movie” (2017)
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After the success of "The Lego Movie," the world was screaming out for a spin-off, a call that Batman quickly answered to make sure that Superman couldn't. The ultimate loner who has been on the job for far too long, this Batman is childish, arrogant, petty, and a highly talented beatboxer. A genuine cinematic experience, "The Lego Batman Movie" is gorgeously animated and tells a story that blends many laugh-out-loud scenes with a handful of sincere moments. It also surprisingly manages to pay homage to virtually every era of the dark knight. "The Lego Batman Movie" goes to places conventional DC projects simply can't, expanding the Dark Knight's Rogues' Gallery to include the likes of Sauron and Voldemort.
#3:“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Parts 1 & 2” (2012-13)
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Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" is a contender for Batman's greatest graphic novel, so any adaptation will come with lofty expectations. Wisely split into two parts, "The Dark Knight Returns" films do justice to the source material's ambitious and thematically dense narrative. The story brilliantly captures the tension of the Cold War Era. Additionally, the dissection of the Batman mythos and his influence on society remains impactful, as does the political commentary involving Superman. These movies push Batman to his natural conclusion, an endpoint defined by violence, anarchy, and a hint of hope.
#2: “Batman: Under the Red Hood” (2010)
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Few moments in Batman's storied history were as controversial as "Death in the Family," the storyline that saw the Joker kill Jason Todd. Like the similarly titled comic, "Under the Red Hood" brings the former Robin back into the fold, and his resurrection shines a critical eye on Batman's morals. Despite balancing plenty of characters and plot threads, "Under the Red Hood" never feels stretched thin, as Batman goes up against a new antagonist who practices an extreme version of the hero's vigilantism. "Under the Red Hood" tells a mature story with no easy answers.
#1: “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” (1993)
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While most DC animated films are direct-to-video, "Mask of the Phantasm" was released in theaters, and the film looks the part. Bringing a cinematic flair to the best elements of "Batman: The Animated Series," "Mask of the Phantasm" supplements a haunting gothic aesthetic with a sublime soundtrack, an unbeatable voice cast, and a personal storyline. When a strange figure begins to target mob bosses in Gotham, Bruce Wayne's past crashes into Batman's present. "Mask of the Phantasm" is not just the best animated Batman film, but one of the greatest superhero movies of all time.