With The Batman’s success on streaming on HBO Max and in the box office, it seems Batman will almost certainly be back for more movies. But when people talk about Batman movies, they usually discuss the heavy hitters in live-action. Indeed, they’re usually talking about The Dark Knight trilogy starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger or, very recently, Robert Pattinson and Paul Dano’s The Batman. But there is an entire world of animated Batman films out there produced by DC’s often underappreciated animated universe. You may have heard of the classic animated show, but there’s also a whole load of feature-length films starring the Caped Crusader.
Not bound by a single universe, these movies often have room to explore different ideas and plot lines the live-action movies haven’t been able to. Batman: The Animated Series proved there’s lots of room for innovation while being true to the character. This has led to a broad range of different tones and takes on The Dark Knight. From parody and crossover to futuristic sci-fi, the animated movies cover a lot of ground while remaining true to the core essence of the character. Whether you’re a veteran fan of the World’s Greatest Detective or The Batman was your gateway to the character, if you want something to sate your appetite for vengeance and the night, then these movies are perfect for you.
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5 Batman: Under the Red Hood
Via Warner Bros
If you want a Batman dealing with a villain who is a direct mirror to him, then this movie is perfect. Batman: Under the Red Hood tells the story of Batman fighting a vigilante who is hell-bent on killing criminals, a line that Batman refuses to cross, with his eyes especially set on the Joker. If you know who the Red Hood is from the comics, then you’ll know that Batman is in for a devastating reveal. If not, then this is the perfect animated introduction to the character. If you, in particular, want a tense and emotional battle with a villain that knows Batman and his weaknesses, then this movie is for you.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
4 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
If you want a different Batman, then there are few ways to get a Batman as unique as the one in Batman Begins. In the future, Terry McGinnis starts to apprentice under an aged Bruce Wayne to become the next Batman. In Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, he goes up against a Joker who has used advanced technology to encode his mind onto the young Robin, Tim Drake, so that when he died he would be able to live again. This movie is as dark as Batman: The Animated Show and Batman Beyond get and shows a window on the often-asked question of what happens when Bruce Wayne puts down the cape and cowl. Terry McGinnis is a unique and capable Batman in his own right, being a more snarky counterpart to Bruce. If you want to see Batman merged with futuristic sci-fi elements, then this Batman Beyond movie would be for you.
3 Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Warner Bros. Animation
Despite the crossover, Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is remarkably a rather safe movie. It’s a crossover between the two franchises that plays out exactly as you may expect. Despite the title, this is a story of Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles teaming up to fight Shredder and a plethora of Batman villains. The film won’t blow your mind, but it will be a good time. This movie has a lot of fun with its crossover premise, mixing elements from both franchises to great effect. If you ever wondered what would happen if Batman’s villains were treated with the same ooze that mutated the turtles, then this movie delivers. Despite not doing anything too crazy or unexpected with the concept, it is unique from any live-action Batman film by virtue of its premise. No live-action film could get away with a pairing this goofy, but Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles does so with a near flawless execution. If you want a simple and fun Batman movie, or if you are already intrigued by the premise of Batman teaming up with the Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, then this is what you’re going to want to watch.
2 The Lego Batman Movie
If you want something very different after watching The Batman, then this animated movie may be the next film of choice for you. Lego Batman is best understood as a comedic parody of the character, but obviously one with love and care to the character himself. The Lego Batman Movie portrays Bruce Wayne in an over the top manner, taking a lot of his flaws and exaggerating them for comedic effect, yet also retaining a lot of heart. The movie has a fun if manic energy that contrasts it from the darker and slower Batman movies. Despite this, don’t let yourself be fooled. This movie has some surprisingly intelligent commentary on Batman as a character. If you’ve watched The Batman and want something that deconstructs Batman while also serving as a fun send-off of all the tropes that come with him, then Lego Batman is what you want to be watching. After a grittier take on the character, it might also be nice to take a break from darkness and enjoy a more light-hearted film.
1 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
If you’ve ever been interested in Batman The Animated Series and wanted an entry point, Mask of the Phantasm is an excellent place to start. Mask of the Phantasm is the story of the Batman as he deals with a strange new villain, unique to this movie. One scene that sets the movie apart is one in a flashback to Bruce’s past, shortly before he fully becomes Batman, where he’s found love and happiness, and the pain of his parents’ death is much duller. He feels he can’t have happiness and also be true to his commitment to become a vigilante, so he begs his dead parents to let him out of the vow he made. It’s a heartrending scene that shows that Batman is a wounded, tormented character in much the same way as The Batman does. If you want a movie that doesn’t pull emotional punches, Mask of the Phantasm is definitely one you will want to watch.
