15 Best Batman Animated Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Batman Animated Movies

In honor of Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we’ve compiled a list of the best Batman cartoons ever made!

Marvel and DC continue to be fiercely competitive, and it’s clear that when it comes to animation, DC is the clear winner. With their animated universe, they appear to have a higher degree of cohesion than their live-action counterparts.

DC and Warner Bros. have taken over the animated superhero genre with the upcoming adaptation of the popular graphic novel, Batman: Hush. Here are our top 10 Batman animated films in anticipation of the film’s release!

Scoot Allan made the following update on April 21st, 2020:

Now that we’ve seen a few more animated films featuring the Dark Knight, we thought it would be fun to compile a list of the most recent releases as well as some other noteworthy Batman animated films.

1. Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

Batman Gotham Knight (2008)

Between Christopher Nolan’s live-action movies Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Gotham Knight was an anthology film released in 2008. There were a few different stories about Batman that were recounted by a group of children in the film.

Anime-influenced Batman stories from different creators were featured in each story, which explored different aspects of Gotham’s protector from the early days of DC’s Original Animated Universe.

2. Son Of Batman (2014)

Despite borrowing heavily from Grant Morrison and Adam Kubert’sBatman & Son, the plot of DC’s Son of Batman is reworked in order to make the story more concise.

Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul’s son Damian arrives in Gotham to learn alongside his father following the attack on his former home by the Deathstroke mercenary. This short sparked a new series of Damian-centric films, which we’ll be examining in greater detail later today.

3. Batman Vs. Robin (2015)

Batman Vs. Robin (2015)

Batman vs. Robin: The Dark Knight Rises will take place in 2015.

Film adaptation of one of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s New 52 storylines again centered on Damian Wayne’s development as a Robin, though the film also adapted one of the New 52 storylines.

It introduces the Court of Owls, an ancient secret group whose Talon troops have been manipulating Gotham for decades. Keep an eye out for the dynamic duo’s battle scenes, but stick around for the Court of Owls.

4. Batman: Bad Blood (2016)

Several separate comic tales came together in Batman: Bad Blood to help Gotham City in a time of need by introducing new characters like Kate Kane/Batwoman and Luke Fox/Batwing to the animated realm.

Nightwing/Dig Grayson/Batman stepped into the role of Batman after his mentor was assumed dead in Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Batman and Robin comic. The interplay between Dick and Damian as the dynamic team is brilliantly captured in this film, which succeeds in introducing the new characters.

5.  Batman Vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

Batman Vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a must-see in DC’s Original Animated Universe, based on the comic crossover series by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams III.

Together with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their separate armies, Shredder, Ra’s al Ghul, the Foot Clan and League of Assasin, they are going to kick some serious butt in this picture.

6. Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is a must-see for any fan of Adam West’s tenure in the cape and cowl. Adam West and Burt Ward lend their voices to this animated film, which wonderfully captures the corny fun of the original television series. the Joker, Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman all conspire to bring down Batman and Robin. As a result of Batman’s unexpected personality shift, things begin to go awry

Corny lines, ludicrous narrative twists, and PSAs are all typical to the original TV series in this film. Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, despite its lack of seriousness, is a pleasant journey down memory lane for any lover of the show.

7. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

For many, the original Batman Beyond television series is a favorite. Terry McGuiness was a risk the studio made, but it paid out handsomely in the end. As a link back to the original animated series, the show had a darker tone and portrayed an older Bruce Wayne (still voiced by Kevin Conroy). Because of this, fans were overjoyed when the trailer for Batman Begins advertised the return of Batman’s most dreadful foe, the Joker.

Furthermore, the film was a success. Watching Mark Hamill’s Joker destroy Neo-Gotham, Bruce Wayne, and the new Batman was an exhilarating and refreshing experience. There are a remarkable number of twists and turns in the film’s detective-driven plot for a children’s film. As Terry faces up against the Joker, he is able to demonstrate his mettle as Batman on his own terms.

8. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)

Superman-Batman Apocalypse (2010)

Following the comic book tale, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse depicts the return of Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin, to the DC universe. As a result of Kara’s death in Crisis on Infinite Earths, she would not reappear as Supergirl for many years. This film mostly follows the book’s premise, but it misses the actual genius of Michael Turner’s art style.

In both conceptions, Batman shines even if he closely follows Superman. The film really shows how clever Batman is in evading adversary plans. The fight with Darkseid also demonstrates how dangerous he can be. While Superman/Batman: Public Enemies was better, this film nonetheless captures the essence of what fans adore about Batman.

9. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)

Batman/Superman: Public Enemies debuted a year before Apocalypse. This animated film is based on the graphic novel of the same name and adheres to the source material quite closely. Unlike Apocalypse, Public Enemies emphasizes the similarities between Batman and Superman’s personalities. In this way, Batman’s humanity may be explored while still delivering an exciting, action-packed plot.

Hardcore DC fans will like Public Enemies even more because of the larger cast. While the art is faithful to the novel’s aesthetic, some may object to its traditional cartoony feel. Fans of the two characters, on the other hand, should not miss this fantastic animated film.

10. The Batman Superman Movie: World’s Finest (1997)

The Batman Superman Movie: World’s Finest is no exception to this trend, since many of the best Batman films also feature Superman. It’s a must-see for everyone who grew up with the original animated series and features the voices of Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Tim Daly. The Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel must join forces to stop the Joker and Lex Luthor’s wicked scheme and save Superman.

As with Return of the Caped Crusaders, World’s Finest will bring back fond memories for anyone who sees it now. ” With all the heart and fun of the original series, but with some more mature themes, it’s an excellent sequel. This is a must-see for any 90s cartoon enthusiast.

11. Batman: Year One (2011)

Batman- Year One (2011)

For decades, Batman: Year One has been regarded as the definitive origin narrative for the superhero. In Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, many of the story’s specifics were adapted from this version of Bruce Wayne’s early days as Batman (2005). Newcomers can get a feel for Batman’s early days by seeing the animated version of the story, which is very close to the original source material.

Year One maintains the tone of the comic while introducing a few new ideas. Batman: Year One is a must-read for longtime readers, comic book newbies, and anybody else searching for an entertaining adventure.

12. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)

A lot of creative license is taken in the adaptation of this story by Gotham by Gaslight, though. An enormous amount of material was added to this animated film because the original is so short. Much of what is new and exciting in the film works well in this aspect. Many of the alterations contribute to the world’s growth without interfering with the story’s central premise. Gotham by Gaslight depicts Batman’s search for the notorious Jack the Ripper in the Victorian era. Several incarnations of Batman’s sidekicks, like as the Robins and Catwoman, are introduced to the audience along the way.

This is the most significant distinction between the animated film and the original comic book. While some fans were upset by the revelation, it isn’t significant enough to cause a stir, given that the novel is a “What if?” type of experiment. Overall, Gotham by Gaslight is a strong Batman novel that would appeal to anyone who enjoy a spin on a classic character.

13. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Batman Under the Red Hood (2010)

The animated version of Batman: Under the Red Hood takes several changes from the comic book, but it is still one of the best. In order to make the film more accessible to individuals who have never read the comics, small changes have been made. This season, the Red Hood is joined by Supernatural star Jensen Ackles, who portrays Gotham’s newest vigilante. Secrets from Batman’s history continue to surface as he strives to uncover the identity and objectives of this new adversary.

Again, a large range of supporting characters are included in “Under the Red Hood.” But what makes it stand out is how brilliantly the book’s themes are adapted. Batman’s actions and rationale are questioned in the comic book version. This aspect of the Dark Knight is also brilliantly depicted in the film. Batman: Under the Red Hood is a must-have for any Batman fan, thanks to its gorgeous visuals and superb voice acting.

14. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Parts I & II (2012;2013)

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is the most authentic adaptation of a comic book that has ever been made. The Dark Knight Returns is another Frank Miller Batman story, following in the footsteps of Year One. The Dark Knight Returns is widely regarded as one of the greatest Batman stories ever written. Batman has stepped down as a hero, and the tale this time revolves around an aging Bruce Wayne who no longer bears the mantle. Bruce must once again assume the mantle of the Caped Crusader as Gotham descends into anarchy as a result of the absence of the Bat.

As a result of their devotion to the source material, the film’s creative team went to great lengths to faithfully reproduce every aspect of it. The final product is clearly the result of this level of effort. In addition to the film being broken into two parts, there are striking similarities. The emotional moments and action sequences are perfectly conveyed, while the tone and voice acting are excellent. One of the greatest examples of Batman and animation may be found in The Dark Knight Returns.

15. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Batman Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is full of heartfelt moments, new adversaries, and classic Batman enemies. For fans of Bruce Timm’s art style, it’s a fantastic companion piece to World’s Finest. While the movie’s big reveal may now be a foregone conclusion, its effectiveness in launching a new generation of Batman fans has kept it in high esteem. You can relive your childhood memories by watching this movie again.