For Millennials. By Millennials.
While DC may fall short in delivering good quality live-action movies, there is no doubt that they make the best-animated films. In doing so their hero from Gotham City has really helped. Since DC’s most popular animated movies revolve around or are based on Batman. Some of them are completely original stories while others are adaptations of the original comic books. And today we are here with a list of the best Batman animated movies you should definitely watch this summer.
DC and Warner Bros have never failed to deliver good animations to the fans of the superhero as well as the fans of the original comics. If you are looking for some best Batman animated movies to watch, here is a list of some of the best ones for all of you.
Related: Where to Watch All Batman Movies In Order
1. Batman: Under the Red Hood
While the animation itself is quite different from the original comic, Batman: Under the Red Hood gives quite an interesting take on the original. The film is adapted in a way where someone who is not aware of the original comic can also understand it. Hence, it attracted a massive audience as well. The film follows a new villain that enters Batman’s life called the ‘Red Hood’. Who is taking up Gotham City by storm and wreaking havoc all around.
While trying to fight this new nemesis Batman has to fight some personal demons of his own as well. Batman: Under the Red Hood undoubtedly falls among the top three Batman animated movies there are. Providing the audience with some extraordinary action sequences. However, the highlight of the film is the ending where there is a final showdown between Red Hood, Batman, and the Joker. The showdown was so intense that it landed a spot on our list of best Batman animated movies.
Related: Where To Watch DC Animated Movies In Order
2. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
When the Joker who is supposedly dead returns to Gotham City to cause destruction, a retired Bruce Wayne is left having to turn into a new Batman. Bruce turns to Terry McGinnis, a college student he was training to replace him as Batman. Terry sets out as the new hero of Gotham City in order to stop the Joker from destroying the peace of Gotham City. While doing so he faces many challenges from the Joker every step of the way.
Fans were very excited about this film’s release as it reintroduced the most popular Batman villain, the Joker. The angle of a new younger Batman with his own story and the older Bruce Wayne both being in the movie together brought uniqueness to the film. Additionally, it also includes many twists and turns in the story making for a suspenseful watch. And it’s one of the best animated Batman movies out there.
3. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Featuring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and the Joker respectively, Mask of the Phantasm is the very first Batman animated movie. The film follows how Bruce Wayne is blamed for the murder of a crime lord by another criminal. As a result, Batman decides to take matters into his own hands and fight against him. The film dives deeply into the past of every character, be it Bruce’s past or the past of Bruce’s long-lost love, or even the criminal past of the Joker is explored here.
This film is considered legendary by loyal Batman fans. It also gives the best climax there can be to a Batman animated movie. The storyline, the dialogue delivery, and the animation point to the fact that DC really wanted to make a good first impression with this movie. Thus, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is one of the best Batman animated movies out there.
4. Batman: The Dark Night Returns 1&2
According to IMDb, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 1 & 2 are the top 2 Batman animated movies out there. Considered the best Batman story ever written by its die-hard fans, the Dark Knight Returns shows an older Bruce Wayne. When Bruce retires as Batman, Gotham City turns into a war zone. Resulting in their desperate need of the nightly savior. Hence, Batman returns to Gotham City to bring peace and harmony back.
This two-part series is the most accurate and perfectly executed adaptation of the original comic, The Dark Knight Returns. The resemblance between the comic and the movie is remarkable. The attention to detail can be seen in the emotional moments as well as the action sequences that have made their way to the screen almost perfectly. And that’s how this movie has landed a spot on our best-animated movies list.
5. The Batman/Superman Movie: World’s Finest
Batman and Superman, two iconic DC characters come together for The Batman/Superman Movie: World’s Finest. Even though Superman is featured in many other Batman animated movies, this one is rather unforgettable. The story follows how Lex Luthor and the Joker team up to execute certain criminal activities. As well as teaming up and conspiring to kill Superman.
Consequently, Batman and Superman also team up to fight against the two evil entities and save Superman. The movie provides for some great action battles. Surprisingly, it also provides for a love triangle between Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, and Bruce’s girlfriend, Lois Lane. This movie is on our best Batman animated movies list. And it is a must-watch for all Batman lovers if they are a fan of the original animated series. As it takes you on a trip down memory lane.
6. Batman vs. Robin
The storyline of Batman vs. Robin focuses on Bruce’s son, Damian Wayne, and his progress as the new robin. Damian struggles with his father’s ‘no kill’ rule which leads to the father-son arguing many times.
However, in the midst of all this Gotham City faces troubles in the form of a secret society called the Court of Owls. The two of them fight to save Gotham City. This fairly dark animated movie brings some intense fighting scenes between Batman and Robin that are definitely worth watching. And if you are a fan of dark animated movies, then you should definitely give this one a watch. As it is one of the best Batman animated movies so far.
7. Batman: Year One
Providing an origin story to the Dark Knight, Batman: Year One paves the way for newcomers to familiarize themselves with the superhero. The film follows Bruce Wayne who has recently returned to Gotham City and Jim Gordon, a cop. The two of them simultaneously work to rid the city of all wrongdoings by instilling fear in people’s hearts.
The film features a compelling supporting cast with characters like Catwoman. Batman: Year One also inspired Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins as some parts of the storyline are quite similar to this one. This film is a pretty accurate depiction of the comic as not much has been altered for the film itself. So this movie is a great watch and among our best Batman animated movies list if you do not want to read the comic. Or, even if you want to compare the movie and the comic.
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