Top 20 Best DC Animated Movies

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest animated DC movies. Some spoilers may be ahead. What’s YOUR favorite animated DC movie? Share it in the comments!

#20: “Batman vs. Robin” (2015)

Ever wanted to see Batman and Robin go head-to-head? When Batman accuses Robin of killing the Dollmaker, it causes a rift which leads Robin towards the tutelage of the Talon. A fight between father and son wasn’t on our bingo cards, but this movie delivers a compelling conflict between the Dynamic Duo. It also introduces the Court of Owls to the DCAMU in an exciting way and sets them up as intimidating threats. Besides expanding the lore of Gotham, the movie also explores Batman and Robin’s strained relationship through plenty of emotional scenes. Throw in some high-intensity fights and you’ve got yourself a fun watch!

#19: “Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons” (2022)

When Starro brainwashes the World’s Finest, the Super Sons have to save the day! It was only a matter of time before Damian Wayne and Jon Kent got to team up on the big screen. Thankfully, this superhero outing didn’t disappoint! It may follow predictable story beats, but it still manages to do so in entertaining ways. The unlikely friendship between the Super Sons is one of the movie’s biggest strengths. The interactions between them are so fun they feel like they were ripped straight from the comics. While CGI might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the vivid animation style here only complements the film. Batman and Superman may have the top billing, but it’s clear who the real stars are!

#18: “Batman: Assault on Arkham” (2014)

While a film involving Batman stopping a commotion in Arkham might sound like a fairly straightforward story, don’t let this movie’s name or premise fool you! Because this is actually a secret “Suicide Squad” movie. Amanda Waller calls upon Task Force X to infiltrate Arkham Asylum to retrieve vital information that the Riddler had stolen. But as you can expect when dealing with the Squad, things don’t exactly go to plan. The real brilliance of “Assault on Arkham” is in its execution. This might be a movie with Batman, but if anything, he’s kind of the antagonist! It’s not often that Batman movies flip the script like this, and with all of the colorful characters in the Squad, you just can’t be bored!

#17: “Superman vs. the Elite” (2012)

Despite being arguably the most important superhero of all time, Superman’s had his fair share of detractors. Some of his biggest come in the form of the Elite. These antiheroes aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, and that reckless way of operating puts them at odds with the Man of Steel. This movie doesn’t just show us why a Superman with no morals is terrifying, it also shows us why Superman is the best of us. He never stoops to the levels of those who wish to do harm. “Superman vs. the Elite” is a great movie that’s not just about conflicting ideologies, but also about the importance of hope and integrity. Qualities like these are what make this such an uplifting watch!

#16: “Green Lantern: First Flight” (2009)

Soar to the skies with this thrilling origin story. In “First Flight,” rookie Hal Jordan gains his lantern ring and joins the Green Lantern Corps under the mentorship of Thaal Sinestro. This is a thrilling sci-fi adventure that shows us how Hal Jordan’s epic Green Lantern run came to be. But it also masterfully portrays Sinestro’s descent into villainy. This movie is fast-paced, action-packed, and brimming to life with color. If you want to wash the bad taste of the 2011 live-action film out of your mouth, “Green Lantern: First Flight” is the perfect palate cleanser!

#15: “Justice League: Doom” (2012)

This movie can essentially be summed up as “that time Batman nearly murdered the Justice League.” When Vandal Savage and his allies within the Legion of Doom get ahold of Batman’s contingency plans for how to neutralize the Justice League, no one is safe. “Doom” shows us our beloved superheroes at their lowest points. Since everyone’s weaknesses are exploited and preyed upon, this movie isn’t afraid to go into some uncomfortable territories. But it’s also not afraid to ask serious questions like, “What happens if the League goes bad?” This film’s examination of the Justice League and Batman’s place in it makes for a truly compelling plot. With so many moments of nail-biting suspense and explosive action, there’s something for everyone!

#14: “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” (2009)

Whenever we get to see Batman and Superman just hanging out and going on epic adventures together, you know it’s going to be an amazing time! After becoming president (yeah, we know!) Lex Luthor begins to seriously abuse his power. He frames the World’s Finest for the death of Metallo and puts a bounty on their heads. Everything from there is a thrilling race against the clock to stop Lex and stay alive. Trust us when we say there is no shortage of badass action here. Whether it be them fighting government-enforced superheroes or cash-seeking supervillains, Batman and Superman simply refuse to stay down. “Public Enemies” is a must-watch for any and all fans of the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight!

#13: “Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo” (2006)

When the Teen Titans head to Tokyo to investigate a mysterious individual named Brushogun, their world gets quickly turned upside down. One of the movie’s strengths is when we see the team working in full tandem. It also shines when it examines the team’s relationships, like the romance between Robin and Starfire. Brushogun’s ability to bring his drawings to life makes him a character with a unique skill set that is sure to get your attention. This feature-length movie takes the franchise to some darker places. But it’s still at its core a “Teen Titans” story, and a great one at that!

#12: “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” (2010)

When Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El arrives on Earth, she gains the attention of not only the World’s Finest, but also Darkseid. Fans are in for a treat with this movie not only because it’s got Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl, but also for its cosmic elements. Characters like Big Barda and the Female Furies and settings like the planet Apokolips all get parts to play. Besides the bombastic plot and great art style, there are also so many showdowns we don’t always see. Seriously, there are not too many other movies where you’ll get to see Batman get one up on Darkseid! That detail alone should be enough to solidify this as a must-watch.

#11: “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” (2010)

The Crime Syndicate of Earth-Three may’ve set its sights on taking over Earth One, but they’ve got to get past the Justice League first. And who wouldn’t want to watch a titanic slugfest between two super teams? By featuring some truly terrifying Crime Syndicate villains, “Crisis on Two Earths” makes us realize how scary it is that such wicked and evil versions of our beloved heroes exist – especially Owlman as voiced by James Woods. Originally, this film was envisioned as a transition tale between the “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited” television shows. While the project eventually evolved into something different, the results were nothing short of epic.

#10: “Batman: Year One” (2011)

The legend of Gotham’s Dark Knight starts here. Returning home after more than a decade away, Bruce Wayne begins his lifelong crusade to end the corruption and crime wave infesting Gotham. Adapted from the celebrated Frank Miller storyline, “Batman: Year One” not only fleshes out the beginnings of Bruce Wayne’s crime-fighting career, but also the rise of other characters in the Batman legend. Jim Gordon, Selina Kyle, and Harvey Dent are only a few of the faces you’ll notice in this skillfully animated adaptation. It’s a gritty beginning for one of DC’s most beloved superheroes and it’s an incredible thrill to enjoy.

#9: “Wonder Woman” (2009)

Following a fateful meeting with pilot Steve Trevor, Diana, Princess of Themyscira, becomes the Amazonian Ambassador to the world of Men. As Ares, God of War, sets his eyes on the conquest of this realm, Diana must transform from peacemaker to warrior princess as the mighty Wonder Woman. This movie features just about everything we could want in a Wonder Woman movie: a fast paced story, some intense action sequences of Amazonian badassery, and brilliant chemistry between Diana and Steve, thanks to voice actors Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion. In short, it’s a wonder to behold.

#8: “The Death of Superman” (2018)

A story as iconic as this is bound to get adapted multiple times over. “The Death of Superman” movie is a deeply emotional one that sees the DCAMU Superman fall to Doomsday. His death creates a vacuum in Metropolis and the rest of the world. As far as the source material goes, this is a pretty faithful interpretation. While it triumphs with the conflicts surrounding Superman, it also does a terrific job showing the struggles that follow Clark Kent. A compelling story, somber atmosphere, and great focus on the characters make this movie one to check out.

#7: “Justice League Dark: Apokolips War” (2020)

If “Avengers: Endgame” could be considered the culmination of everything that the MCU had been leading up to, “Apokolips War” is pretty much that for the DCAMU. Unfortunately, though, this universe definitely did not get a happy ending! After a botched attack on Apokolips, Darkseid and his forces conquer and enslave humankind. Though this might be a sequel to “Justice League Dark” the pain dished out isn’t exclusive to the JLD. Essentially every member of the superhero community is placed in danger. With tons of brutal kills and wild fights, this might not be suitable for younger audiences. If you can stomach the more extreme moments, you have a movie we can say you’ll never forget.

#6: “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” (2000)

After a 35-year absence, the Clown Prince of Crime suddenly returns to Gotham, directly targeting Bruce Wayne. The new Batman, Terry McGinnis, must learn the horrifying truth behind the final battle between Bruce and his arch-nemesis. In keeping with a Batman story, “Return of the Joker” doesn’t skimp on the darkness, which actually led to two different versions of the film. The Original Uncut edition is filled to the brim with some of the most intense images ever seen in a Batman cartoon, too intense even for broadcast. Each version is worth checking out, as both have the same awesome storytelling, action, and Mark Hamill behind the mic as The Joker.

#5: “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017)

When Joker busts out of the Phantom Zone with multiple franchises worth of bad guys, Batman has to save the day. Did any of us seriously expect that one of the most genuinely refreshing depictions of Batman would come from legos of all things? Well, as “The Lego Batman Movie” proved, their depiction of Batman and everything surrounding him is kind of awesome. This is a Batman movie that doesn’t try to take itself too seriously, which only helps. It’s also a lot less “brooding on gargoyles” and more “trying to have a good time.” When it needs to get serious (like addressing Batman’s inner turmoil) it can still deliver some really impactful scenes. Overall, this flick is fun for the whole family!

#4: “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” (2012-13)

Unable to stand what Gotham has become since he retired, Bruce Wayne returns to the crime-fighting scene as the Batman. Joined by a new Robin, Bruce launches a new reign of terror, one that strikes fear into the heart of Gotham and raises concerns for his once-closest friends. It was the adaptation everyone had been waiting for and it was so epic that it was split into two parts. Frank Miller’s legendary miniseries got the star treatment here: the animation was faithful to his art style, and they even got RoboCop himself, Peter Weller, to voice the Dark Knight. Plus, we got the throwdown between Batman and Superman we all really wanted to see. Welcome back, Mr. Wayne.

#3: “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” (2013)

The world is on the brink of collapse, Atlantis and the Amazons are at war, and Barry Allen has no powers. Talk about a nightmare for the Flash. Based on Geoff John’s limited series, this adaptation takes the source material’s nail-biting intensity and manages to go one step further in some aspects. The origins of Flashpoint Batman and the coldness of Flashpoint Wonder Woman are some of the darkest moments seen in a DCAU film yet. Yeah, time paradoxes don’t get much worse than this. But what’s more, much like the comic, “The Flashpoint Paradox” also serves as a setup for the new shared universe of animated DC Films.

#2: “Batman: Under the Red Hood” (2010)

When the mysterious Red Hood begins running amok in Gotham, Batman is forced to confront one of the darkest moments of his life. Based on the “A Death in the Family” and “Under the Red Hood” story arcs, this flick presents viewers with a study of Batman never seen before. We get to see the guilt and emotional torment he’s been unable to shake after losing partner, Jason Todd, aka the second Robin. It’s a poignant tale, but also an exciting one with some of the best action in the DCAU films to date. You may come out with a whole new appreciation of the Dark Knight after checking this one out.

#1: “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” (1993)

Framed for the deaths of Gotham’s mob bosses, Batman must not only confront a shadowy assassin, but also his own origins, the love of his life, and the Joker. There’s so much this movie gets right that we can’t discuss everything here. In a nutshell: it’s all the amazing animation, writing, and voice acting from the people who brought you “Batman: The Animated Series” taken to the next level. It’s action-packed, but very deep. It’s adult, but can be enjoyed by all ages. Many consider “Mask of the Phantasm” to be the greatest Batman movie of all time, even more than “The Dark Knight.” How can we not award it our number one spot for that accolade alone?