Top 20 Most Shocking Moments In DC Animated Movies
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Most Shocking Moments in DC Animated Movies. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most surprising, jaw-dropping and earth-shattering scenes in the major comic book company’s animated films. Since our list contains some plot twists, consider this your spoiler warning! What shocking moment do you still think about the most? Let us know in the comments below.
#20: Batman Prepared to Take Down His Superfriends
Top 20 Animated Batman Movies
“Justice League: Doom” (2012)
Shortly after the Justice League completed another successful mission, the majority of its members were caught up in deadly scenarios. Each of those heroes found themselves in situations that specifically used their strengths or weaknesses against them. After Batman escaped certain death, he revealed that he caused the issue. It turned out that the dark knight documented ways to stop any Justice League member who broke bad. Although his plans weren’t deadly, the Legion of Doom took Batman’s ideas and made them fatal. While the reveal split the League in half, fans loved this twist. The dark knight’s tendency to be prepared for everything is usually a strength. But in this movie, his readiness nearly cost him his friends.
#19: Darkseid’s Surprising Death
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“Justice League: Gods and Monsters” (2015)
In most DC stories, Darkseid is the final boss that appears near the end of a big tale. But he was just a shocking footnote in “Gods and Monsters”. During a flashback sequence, we learn that Darkseid was celebrating a marriage/political alliance with New Genesis. Without warning, his new friends turned around and assassinated the big bad and his people. This gigantic reversal was essentially the red wedding for DC fans. Since Darkseid is usually a brilliant tactician that orchestrates tons of death, we weren’t prepared for him to be caught unaware. His death further cemented that anything could happen in this alternate universe movie.
#18: The Riddler Was Behind Everything
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“Batman: Hush” (2019)
The dark knight’s normal routine of apprehending c list criminals like the Riddler was turned upside down after a bandaged enemy named Hush came to town to make the hero's life hell. During the villain’s reign of terror, he orchestrates the murder of Bruce’s childhood friend Tommy. Months after this bleak crime, Hush finally reveals that he was the Riddler in disguise the whole time. This story turn worked so well because it surprised new and hardcore fans alike. In the comics, Hush is traditionally revealed to be a Tommy Elliot who faked his death. And Riddler is seen as a throwaway villain within the film. No matter how much or little you knew about the storyline, the Hush reveal was guaranteed to shock you.
#17: Robin Goes Too Far
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“Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo” (2006)
Like his mentor Batman, the teenage Robin didn’t believe in slaying enemies. But the young hero seemed to break that one rule in a shocking scene. After Saico-Tek attacks his hometown, Robin confronts the villain in Tokyo. The two get into an intense battle where neither fighter gives an inch. In the end, Robin gets the edge and lands harsh final blows. When he stood victorious, he was covered in pink paint and Saico-Tek wasn't moving. We were stunned to see one of the brightest heroes we knew at the center of a dark murder. Although it’s later revealed that Robin didn’t actually kill anyone, the scene where he appeared guilty still haunts us.
#16: Batman’s Final Choice
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“Superman: Red Son” (2020)
It was shocking to see a Kryptonian raised in Russia assassinate Stalin without warning. However, the more shocking moment came when this alternate Superman butted heads with a twisted Batman. This sinister caped crusader tried to trap the Kryptonian in a red sun trap by using Wonder Woman as bait. When the heroine springs Superman, the alien speaks about his plans to permanently control Batman’s mind. But the dark knight refuses to go quietly and detonates an explosive that has fatal results. Superman was as stunned as we were to see Batman make his dark choice. And after hearing what the Kryptonian intended to do to Batman, Diana couldn’t look at the alien the same way either.
#15: Darkseid’s Not Done
Darkseid vs Thanos
“Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” (2010)
When Supergirl was abducted by Apokolips warriors, a small team went to rescue her from the planet. They narrowly managed to survive the hostile alien homeworld and its brutal leader Darkseid thanks to a clever scheme from Batman. The big bad also promises not to go after Supergirl again. As the heroes walked away victorious, it felt like the end of the film. However, fans started to notice there was still a small chunk of time left in the movie. Their suspicions were confirmed when Darkseid burst through the door of Superman’s family home. The battle that ensued felt like an extra reward for fans who wanted to see the villain fight Kryptonians. Honestly, we’re glad Darkseid broke his promise for this twist.
#14: Robin Kills Nightwing
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“Injustice” (2021)
Former allies became enemies after a brutal version of Superman forced heroes to choose sides.
While Damian Wayne sided with the Kryptonian, Nightwing stood with Batman against the alien’s dark new regime. When the two teams met in Arkham Asylum, a fight broke out over what should happen to its prisoners. The chaotic battle took a jaw dropping turn when Damian fatally wounded Nightwing. Seeing Dick Grayson lying motionless on the ground made for a bleak scene we weren’t remotely prepared for. While Nightwing always risked his life when he put on the costume, we never anticipated that his death would come at the hands of a Robin.
#13: Batman Tricks a Villain Into Sacrificing Their Life
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“Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” (2010)
The only way the dark knight could stop Owlman from destroying reality was if a speedster vibrated fast enough to open a doorway. Although Flash volunteers to try, Batman shoots him down. Fortunately, the speedy villain Johnny Quick was nearby and willing to lend a hand. The fast man puts his body on the line until Batman completes the mission. Upon the Dark Knight’s return, Johnny Quick has aged decades. But the real twist comes when it's revealed that Batman knew that the speedster was sacrificing years of his life. Although the dark knight didn’t directly kill Johnny Quick, hiding the truth still had fatal consequences. This stunning scene showed that even Batman would cross dark lines in the face of universal destruction.
#12: Civilians Commit Heinous Crimes
“Justice League Dark” (2017)
At the beginning of this grim tale, average people go to violent extremes to slay the demons around them. These civilians use everything from cars to shotguns to stop the supernatural threats they see. But as it turns out, none of the demons are real. It’s revealed that civilians were seeing humans as demonic due to a then unseen villain. This shocking sequence hit hard because of its grisly tone and amount of violent content. A story beat built around a new mother particularly stood out because of the disturbing way it comes to an end. As a whole, the faux demonic sequence made for one of the most unsettling things ever seen in a DC animated film.
#11: Joker’s End
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“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two” (2013)
Once the caped crusader comes out of retirement, the Joker decides to continue his deadly crime spree right where he left off. He takes out dozens of innocents in a variety of ways before Batman finally confronts him. The two ironically end their fight in a Tunnel of Love. While inside the ride, Batman snaps and gives the Joker a life threatening neck injury. When the dark knight refuses to go any further, the clown takes his own life to frame the hero for murder. This stunning and bleak scene marked a point of no return for Batman in the eyes of many. In the wake of Joker’s death, some people couldn't see the dark knight as a hero anymore.
#10: The Identity of Jack the Ripper
Top 10 Most Shocking Moments in DC Animated Movies
“Batman: Gotham by Gaslight” (2018)
Ever wondered what Gotham City would be like if Jack the Ripper was hunting civilians? Well you don’t have to wonder anymore! This Elseworlds story reimagines classic members of the Batman mythos for the Victorian age. While we still don’t know who Jack the Ripper was, this movie had its own answer. While Batman is looking for Selina Kyle at Commissioner Gordon’s house, he stumbles upon a shattering truth. The lawman is actually Jack the Ripper! After witnessing horrors during the Civil War, Gordon became the Ripper to enact his twisted view of justice. This major departure from the traditional Batman ally we all know and love took us all by surprise.
#9: A Hero Executes the Elite
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“Superman vs. the Elite” (2012)
Don’t mess with Superman. Why? Just ask the Elite. Led by the defiant Manchester Black, this group isn’t afraid to kill. They also actively criticize Superman for not crossing that line. Eventually, the Kryptoninan agrees to fight the team in an attempt to stop them. During the battle, Superman gets pushed so far that he seemingly stops pulling his punches. Our jaws dropped as The Man of Steel mercilessly eliminated each member one-by-one. It wasn’t until the end of the battle that we got another twist: none of the Elite actually met their demise. It was all an elaborate trick! For a moment, we were really convinced that the blue boy scout had stopped playing nice.
#8: Heads Up
“Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” (2013)
In “The Flashpoint Paradox”, the Flash goes back in time to save his mother from dying. Unfortunately, altering that event causes the entire timeline to become more turbulent and much darker. Within the new Flashpoint timeline, the Atlantean Mera sees her husband Aquaman getting a little too comfortable with Wonder Woman. Blinded by rage, the undersea royal tried to kill Diana. But Wonder Woman quickly retaliates and removes Mera’s head. This surprising demise sparks an all-out war between the Amazons and the Atlanteans that engulfs the world. The same conflict also leads to the shocking moment where Wonder Woman ensures the young Billy Batson never says Shazam again.
#7: Batman Is a Vampire
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“Justice League: Gods and Monsters” (2015)
If you’ve ever called Batman a creature of the night, you wouldn’t have been that far off. But what if this time it wasn’t an exaggeration? In a unique change to the status quo, the Batman of “Justice League: Gods and Monsters” is actually the scientist Kirk Langstrom. But the much more shocking fact about this character is that he’s a living and breathing vampire. After experimenting on himself to cure his cancer, he accidentally became dependent on blood. Seeing this Batman relieve an enemy of their blood was startling. Especially since Langstrom also has no qualms about killing. So bottom line, villains: do not get a paper cut around this guy!
#6: Thomas Wayne Is The Dark Knight
“Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” (2013)
Wonder Woman and Aquaman going to war wasn’t the only shocking thing about Flashpoint. When Barry entered Wayne Manor to talk to Batman about their apocalyptic world, he was in for a rude awakening. In this reality, Bruce Wayne died in Crime Alley. The grim incident drove his father to pursue justice as Batman. But that was far from the only detail about the dark knight that made us gasp. Unlike his son, Thomas Wayne is more than willing to use guns and has absolutely no issue with killing villains. If you thought Bruce was brutal, then wait until you see his dad at work! We also couldn’t mention Batman’s parents without highlighting the twist that Martha Wayne became the Joker in this dark world.
#5: Tim Drake Kills the Joker
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“Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” (2000)
During this futuristic Batman film, an elderly Bruce Wayne comes face-to-face with a Joker who’s supposed to be long dead. When the new dark knight Terry tries to figure out how the resurrection was possible, he learns the disturbing truth behind the clown’s death. A flashback reveals that Harley Quinn and the Joker captured Tim Drake. After the clowns subjected the sidekick to physical and psychological torment, Robin became molded into Joker Junior. Tim is eventually ordered to shoot at a wounded Batman. However, Robin defies the clown and fires at the Joker instead. It was heartbreaking to watch the young Robin break down after permanently stopping the clown. The Joker’s unexpected end was a moment that shaped the rest of the film’s dark story.
#4: Unmasking the Red Hood
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“Batman: Under the Red Hood” (2010)
Batman normally wouldn’t mind seeing a vigilante get justice in Gotham. But when the mysterious Red Hood starts killing villains, the dark knight gets involved. During each of their clashes, the violent vigilante keeps hinting that he has a personal connection to Batman.
Additionally, the Red Hood is able to get the upper hand against the Dark Knight by using the hero’s tactics against him. Batman begins to suspect that the villain is his supposedly dead protege Jason Todd. After the dark knight gets a sample of the Red Hood’s blood, that shocking truth is confirmed. This earth-shattering twist makes Batman desperate to save the once mysterious vigilante at any cost.
#3: Superman Slays His Wife
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“Injustice” (2021)
While “Superman vs the Elite” entertains the idea of Superman breaking bad, “Injustice” makes that a horrifying reality. During the film, the Joker hits the Kryptonian with fear gas before revealing that Doomsday is on Earth. Superman immediately abandons the clown and flies the spiky alien into space. Unfortunately, the man of steel didn’t really take Doomsday into the atmosphere. The fear gas prevented Superman from realizing that he flew his pregnant wife Lois into space. And since her heartbeat was linked to a nuclear detonator, her death results in the destruction of Metropolis. Both twists left our jaws on the floor. And unfortunately for this animated world, those shocking turns broke the man of steel and sent him down a dark path.
#2: We’ve Seen This Reverse Flash Before
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“Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay” (2018)
When Amanda Waller tells her Suicide Squad to retrieve a “get out of Hell free” card, the team is attacked by rival villains. One of the squad’s biggest rivals is Reverse Flash. Since DC fans saw the character die in “Flashpoint Paradox”, it seemed like this was a new version of the villain. But in a truly mind-bending twist, it’s revealed that “Hell to Pay’s” Reverse Flash is the same guy that got fatally wounded in “Flashpoint Paradox”. It turns out that he used his speed to temporarily halt his death in the past. Since he couldn’t stop himself from dying, Reverse Flash decided to nab the get out of hell free card. This revelation was a great way to reward longtime DC movie fans.
#1: Apokolips Ambush
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“Justice League Dark: Apokolips War” (2020)
The Justice League was pretty confident that they could get the jump on the villainous Darkseid They even sent their heaviest hitters to the planet Apokolips to dispose of the villain. Unfortunately, the superheroes walked right into a trap. The movie initially doesn’t show us what happened to the Justice League members on Apokolips. But when we finally saw what went down, we couldn’t believe our eyes. Most of the heroes were seemingly torn apart by the vicious creatures named Paradooms. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Superman gets permanently depowered, Batman gets brainwashed and Zatanna gets devoured. Watching the most powerful heroes get tormented or eliminated was jarring. This shocking sequence definitely made it clear that the stakes were higher than they’d ever been.
