At a time when the Marvel vs DC battle is very tense, it's clear that DC is winning in animation. Nearly every comic book adaptation that has been released is viewed - at worst - as "good" as their animated universe seems to be better coordinated than their cinematic universe.
With the adaptation of the popular graphic novel Batman: Quiet!, DC and Warner Bros. truly seized control of the animated superhero genre. Especially for you, we have collected 15 Best Animated Batman Movies! (and 2 bonuses at the end of the article).
15. Batman: Knight of Gotham (2008)
"Batman: Gotham Knight" is an anthology film released in 2008 between the release of Christopher Nolan's feature filmsBatman Begins and"The Dark Knight". The film was loosely connected to the live-action series and featured several different Batman stories told by a group of children.
Each story is an anime-inspired take on Batman from a different creator that explores different aspects of Gotham's defender from the early days of DC's Original Animated Universe film line.
14. Son of Batman (2014)
Like much of the original DC animated universe, "Son of Batman" based on a real comic storyline ("Batman and son" Grant Morrison and Adam Kubert), although some details are changed in it, which often help to simplify the plot.
Son of Batman represents Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, when he comes to Gotham to study with his father after the mercenary known as Deathstroke attacked his former home. This film marked the beginning of a new series of films based on Damian, which we will talk about in more detail today.
13. Batman vs. Robin (2015)
«Batman vs Robin"2015 again focused on Damian Wayne's transformation into Robin as he often butts heads with his father about his no-kill rules, though the film also adapted one of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's New 52 storylines.
The film features the Court of Owls, an ancient secret society that has manipulated Gotham for years with an army of Talon soldiers. Follow the battle scenes between the dynamic duo, but stay on the court of the Owls.
12. Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
Batman: Bad Blood combined several different comic storylines as it focused on introducing new characters such as Kate Kane/Batwoman and Luke Fox/Batwing into the animated universe to help Gotham City through its time of need.
The film also adapted Morrison and Frank Quitely's series aboutBatman and Robin, in which Dick Grayson/Nightwing stepped into the role of Batman after his mentor went missing and presumed dead. This film successfully introduces new characters while perfectly capturing the fun dynamic between Dick and Damian as a dynamic duo.
11. Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
«Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" based on the popular crossover comic book series from James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams III, is a unique entry in the original DC animated universe and not to be missed.
The film tells about Batman, Robin and Batgirl, who, along with four brothers fromTMNT hunt down the combined forces of Shredder and Ra's al Ghul and their respective armies, the Foot Clan and the League of Assassins, to strike hard together.
10 Batman: The Masked Knights Return (2016)
If you're a fan of Adam West's time in cape and hood, then Batman: The Masked Knights Returns» just a must see. Voiced by most of the original cast (including Adam West and Burt Ward), this animated movie perfectly captures the cheesy charm of the original series. The plot follows Batman and Robin as they try to thwart a plot by the Joker, the Riddler, the Penguin, and Catwoman. However, things start to take a strange turn when Batman suddenly has a personality change.
The entire film is full of trite lines, ridiculous plot, commercials, and ridiculous antics that were commonplace for the original series. While this isn't a serious take on the character at all, Batman: The Masked Knights Returns» is a very fun nostalgic ride that any fan of the series will love to see.
9 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
The original seriesBatman Beyond remains a favorite of many fans. The studio took the risk of introducing the young Batman to Terry McGuinness; Fortunately, it turned out to be a great success. The show also featured a darker tone and a much older Bruce Wayne (still voiced by Kevin Conroy) who served as a bridge to the original animated series. So, when the movie came out touting the return of Batman's most dangerous villain, the Joker, fans were pretty excited.
In addition, the film did not disappoint. Watching the Joker (again, voiced by Mark Hamill) terrorize Neo-Gotham, Bruce Wayne and a new Batman built for a very crazy ride and a very original story. The film also tells a more detective story with a surprising amount of twists and turns for a children's film. The Joker challenges Terry in almost every way, and he can prove himself worthy of being called Batman on his own.
8. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
Based on a comic storyline,Superman/Batman: Supergirl, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse also follows the reintroduction of Superman's cousin, Kara, into the DC world. After her death in "Crisis on Infinite Earths", Kara would not reappear many years later when other people would replace her as Supergirl. This film version mostly follows the storyline of the book, but doesn't quite capture the true brilliance of Michael Turner's art style.
Even though Batman has a very close eye on Superman, he still has his moments to shine in both interpretations. The movie really shows how smart Batman is when he maneuvers around enemy strategies. It also shows how dangerous he can be in his confrontation with Darkseid. Although this movie is not as good as its predecessor,Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, this movie is still a fun ride that captures what everyone loves about Batman.
7 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)
A year before the releaseApocalypse" debutedSuperman/Batman: Enemies society. This animated film follows the graphic novel of the same name and is very close to the source material. While "Apocalypse" showcases the smarter side of Batman more,Public Enemies much more focuses on drawing parallels between Batman and Superman. This allows for a deeper exploration of Batman's humanity while maintaining a great, action-packed storyline.
Auxiliary composition is also significantly larger inPublic Enemies, which makes it much more interesting for hardcore DC fans. Although the art follows strictly the style of the novel, this classic cartoon feel may be overwhelmed by some viewers. However, if you're a fan of the two characters, you especially won't want to miss out on this great animation feature.
6. Batman and Superman (1997)
For some reason, many of the best Batman movies also feature Superman, andfilm 1997Batman Superman: The bestin the world not is an exception.In the popular style of Bruce Timm and featuring the voices of Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Tim Daly, this animated film is a must watch for any fan of the original animated series. After the Joker and Lex Luthor team up, the Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel must also do so in order to thwart their evil plan and save Superman.
Much likeReturn of the Cape of the Crusaders, vthe world's finest another great nostalgia trip for those who revisit it today. It conveys all the soul and humor that both original series had, while retaining some of the more mature themes. For any fan of 90s cartoons, this is an indispensable watch.
5. Batman: Year One (2011)
To this day, people look to Frank Miller's graphic novelBatman Year One as the ultimate Batman origin story. This interpretation of Bruce Wayne's early days as the Dark Knight is so popular that many of the details of the story are reflected inmovie Christopher Nolan"Batman Begins (2005). Luckily for fans, the animated version of the story is very faithful to the source material, making this version a great place for newbies to get on board and get a glimpse of Batman's early days.
Year One also conveys the same tone as the comic and takes minimal liberties of its own. For comic book fans, newbies, or those looking for a great story in general,Batman: Year One can't be missed.
4. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)
Gotham by Gaslight takes on maximum freedom in adapting the plot. Because the original is so short, a lot of material was added for the animated film. In this regard, the film is really successful, as a lot of new things are also interesting to see. Many changes help to develop the world further without digressing from the main story.Gotham by Gaslight follows Batman in the Victorian era as he hunts down the infamous Jack the Ripper. Along the way, viewers are introduced to various interpretations of Batman supporting actors such as Robins and Catwoman.
The biggest difference between the animated film and the original comic is Jack the Ripper's personality. While some fans have had issues with the turn, it's not a big enough change to really cause that much buzz, especially given the fact that it's "What if?" story type. Generally,Gotham by Gaslight is a strong Batman story that in itself will greatly appeal to those who love a twist on a classic character.
3. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
ThoughBatman: Under the Red Hood definitely taking some liberties with its comic book counterpart, it's still one of the strongest animated adaptations to date. The differences are minor and mostly done to make the movie more understandable for those not familiar with the comics. Jensen Ackles from "Supernatural even joined the mix as Gotham's newest vigilante, Red Hood. As Batman tries to uncover the motives and identity of this new rival, secrets from the past begin to surface.
"Under the red cap" again covers a wide range of supporting characters. But what sets it apart from others is how well it adapts the themes of the book. In the comic version, many of Batman's motives and reasoning are questioned. The film does an equally fantastic job of portraying that side of the Dark Knight.Batman: Under the red hood mixed with stellar voice acting and stunning animation, it's hard to miss.
2 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Parts 1 & 2 (2012; 2013)
A more faithful comic book adaptation than "Batman: The Dark Knight Returnsprobably doesn't exist. As in the case of "Firstyear", "The Dark Knight Returns" is another Batman tale by Frank Miller. In the comic community"The Return of the Dark Knight" considered by many to be the best Batman story ever written. This time, the story focuses on an elderly Bruce Wayne who has taken off his Batman mantle. As things go from bad to worse in Gotham due to the lack of a bat, Bruce must put on his cape and hood again to fight crime as Batman.
The film's creative team showed such passion for the source material that they tried to replicate every detail as best they could. This dedication definitely shows in the final product. Aside from the fact that the movie is split in two, the similarities are incredible. All the emotional moments and action sequences are conveyed so well, and the tone and voice acting are incredible. Those who have not seen"The Dark Knight Returns", really overlook one of the best that Batman and animation has to offer.
1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
There's love, loss, action, new and old villains, and generally great Batman moments. LikeWorld's Finest, the film is made in the art style of Bruce Timm, making it perfect for any fan of the 90s series. While a big reveal can now be very predictable, the film still holds so much respect as it successfully opened up a new era for Batman fans. Anyone who watched this film in theaters as a child can watch it again to relive those fond memories.
Bonus: Batman: Quiet! (2019)
In the film, Bruce Wayne struggles with his lifestyle choices and meets up with old friend Tommy Elliott at a party. He reflects on how lonely he is before having to bust Bane's kidnapping. He does, but Catwoman steals the ransom and delivers it to Poison Ivy, who controls several people, including eventually Superman. When Selina is freed from Ivy's control, she gets angry and sells her to Batman and they head to Metropolis to track down her.
