Summary
T/W: This article contains discussions of sexual assault.
Since the first animated Batman movie, Mask of the Phantasm (1993), Warner Bros. Animation has made a habit of adapting iconic Batman comics into the format. Most of these animated Batman movies are straight-to-video, but the best have left fans champing at the bit and wishing they could see these movies on the big screen
Unsurprisingly, the quality of this plethora of Batman animated features varies. Still, their overall batting average is impressive. As Warner Bros. still struggles with building a reliable live-action DCEU, they could do much worse than looking to these animated stories for guidance. Not every Batman animated movie is a winner but even his weakest adaptations could teach DC some valuable lessons.
Updated on August 10, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: For years some of the best on-screen Batman stories have been a mixture of live-action and animation. That said, Warner Bros. has done a pretty good job of creating some truly spectacular animated gems about the Caped Crusader. As such, we've updated this list with some more information about the best Batman animated movies.
27 Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
Runtime: 1h 16m
If Batman: The Killing Joke consisted solely of its last 45 minutes, this movie would rank much higher. These 3/5ths of The Killing Joke are taken relatively directly from the classic Alan Moore comic. While this source material has some problematic elements, it's still a classic for a reason. The story's dark allure remains intact in animated form and Mark Hamill's performance as The Joker is as excellent as always. Sadly, The Killing Joke's animation doesn't match the quality of Brian Bolland's original art. Similarly, Kevin Conroy seems unusually uninterested in his line deliveries here.
These negatives only amplify the movie's dreadful first 30 minutes. The Killing Joke attempts to give Batgirl more focus early on to remedy her reduced presence later. However, this added story is embarrassingly tone-deaf and downright sexist at times. Batgirl's arc only complicates the poor decision to use sexual assault as a plot device without giving her restitution or agency afterward. What's worse, the first act doesn't connect with the movie's second half, making it feel utterly pointless in the context of The Killing Joke.
26 Son Of Batman (2014)
Runtime: 1h 14m
It would be one thing if Son of Batman were merely dull, but a multitude of decisions combined to make the movie one of the weaker animated Batman entries. Damien Wayne, the titular son, is both aggravating and laughably overpowered. Talia al-Ghul also violates Bruce Wayne to conceive the titular progeny, starting things off by leaving a very bad taste in fans' mouths.
A better movie than Son Of Batman could possibly use this plot to explore how even someone as powerful as the Caped Crusader could be victimized and how survivors cope with such horrific experiences. Even in the Grant Morrison comics that inspired the movie, Batman's at least angry about the assault. In this adaptation, he treats his experience like it's no big deal because he "kind of enjoyed it." It's nothing short of problematic.
25 Batman And Harley Quinn (2017)
Runtime: 1h 14m
As a companion to the classic Batman: The Animated Series, Batman & Harley Quinn is an insult to the original work's legacy. On its own terms, the film is so bad it's good. In fairness, some of the movie's jokes hit home, but more often than not, audiences will be laughing at them, not with them.
In Batman & Harley Quinn, there's a two-minute segment dedicated to Harley farting in the Batmobile and another two minutes of her singing an entire Blondie song. While it's animated in the DCAU's family-friendly style, the film indulges in a constant stream of dirty jokes and obtuse fan service. Worse, Batman & Harley Quinn employs a "Deus Ex Swamp Thing" in lieu of any meaningful plot resolution, rendering the story meaningless.
24 Batman: Death In The Family (2020)
Runtime: 1h 36m
Upon its initial release, Batman: Death in the Family was an interactive entertainment experience, à la Netflix's Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. An anthology film, the first short in Death in the Family, adapted the comic of the same name. In this story, audience members got to decide the fate of Robin after the Joker captured him.
Unlike other choose-your-own-adventure movies, each option in Batman: Death in the Family provides distinctive results. These unique permutations make rewatching the movie worthwhile. Still, those watching on HBO Max don't get this interactivity and, without this aspect, Death in the Family is a fairly average retelling of a well-known story. Overall, it's not one of the best Batman animated movies out there.
23 Batman: Assault On Arkham (2014)
Runtime: 1h 16m
Batman: Assault on Arkham stretches the definition of a Batman movie the most. Despite the title, Batman's only in it for about a third of the film, as the story focuses primarily on the Suicide Squad. Still, the movie does engage with Gotham's world and connects to the Arkham Asylum video games, so it qualifies as a Batman movie, even if only tangentially.
Batman's inclusion aside, Assault on Arkham is a fun action romp with strong characterization and a sense of humor. Assault on Arkham pushes the limits of its PG-13 rating with as much gory violence and sexual content as it can manage. For those who enjoy a little immaturity, Assault on Arkham is a more than serviceable superhero adventure.
22 Batman: Mystery Of The Batwoman (2003)
Runtime: 1h 15m
Mystery of the Batwoman is the type of movie fans will enjoy while watching but forget a week or even a few days later. As a last hurrah for the Batman: The Animated Series/New Batman Adventures style, it's undoubtedly a better animated Batman adventure than Batman & Harley Quinn. However, viewers of Mystery of the Batwoman, hoping for an epic akin to Mask of the Phantasm or Return of the Joker are in for a letdown.
Even an average entry in Bruce Timm's DC Animated Universe is still a cut above most other animated fare. As a mystery, Mystery of the Batwoman is gratifying, highlighting the oft-forgotten "World's Greatest Detective" aspect of Batman's character. Similarly, the animation, music, and voice acting are all high quality, even if they could be more memorable.
21 The Batman Vs. Dracula (2005)
Runtime: 1h 23m
The Batman (2004-2008) animated series wasn't the greatest animated superhero TV show, but it wasn't terrible either. Its attempts at making Batman hipper were often awkward, and its art style could be offputting, especially for Batman: The Animated Series fans. Nonetheless, its movie offshoot, The Batman vs. Dracula, is likely the series' finest hour and 20 minutes. Even for those skeptical about this series, there's much to enjoy in this horror-themed Dark Knight tale.
Free from TV broadcast standards, Batman vs. Dracula is darker and bloodier than the TV show without sacrificing its tween appeal. It's not gory enough to traumatize kids but will scare them appropriately for an animated Dracula story. Some scenes, primarily those with a vampirized Joker, will even give adults a jolt. Similarly, the final titular battle is impressive for Batman fans of any age.
20 Batman: Soul Of The Dragon (2021)
Runtime: 1h 23m
Batman: Soul of the Dragon takes place in the 1970s, in an alternate universe where Bruce Wayne went to a remote monastery in the Himalayan mountains to train in martial arts. Years after leaving this compound, Bruce reunites with his fellow pupils to prevent a gang of ninjas from using a cursed relic to open a mystical portal that would doom the world. Soul of the Dragon's plot isn't its principal appeal.
The movie uses its setting to create a groovy, Bruce Lee-inspired experience. Between the setpieces, soundtrack, and an excellent cast, Soul of the Dragon creates an experience both old and new fans of Batman can enjoy. It's worth noting that Batman isn't exactly the focal point of this movie, as it spends as much time developing the backstories of his fellow martial artists as it does Bruce Wayne's.
19 Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
Runtime: 1h 12m
Like Soul of the Dragon, Batman: Bad Blood is less of a Batman movie and more about the overall Batman universe. For those who can look past the lack of Bruce Wayne, Bad Blood has a ton to offer. Also to its credit, the movie starts with a literal bang, as Wayne "dies" in an explosion in the first ten minutes.
In Bad Blood, Dick Grayson assumes the mantle of the Caped Crusader and poses as Batman in an older suit. The entire Bat Family, including Kate Kane and Damien Wayne, assemble to help Grayson keep Gotham in order and search for clues about Bruce Wayne's fate. Bad Blood works best towards the end, where the whole Bat Family fights alongside each other in some thrilling action sequences.
18 Batman Vs. Two-Face (2017)
Runtime: 1h 12m
Batman vs. Two-Face is notable as Adam West's final turn as the Dark Knight and as a bit of an outlier in his caped career. The movie is still campy and funny, as fans expect from the West-led Batman's forays, but it also tells a more dramatic story. The presence of Two-Face, even when played as funny by William Shatner, is an inherently tragic figure and amplifies the story's drama.
This mix of drama and comedy places Batman vs. Two-Face's tone halfway between the '60s show and Batman: The Animated Series. Although some younger Batman fans may bristle at this blend of styles, the jokes are great and Shatner's casting is inspired. Combined with West's typically delightful performance, the team elevate the film surprisingly well.
17 Batman Vs. Robin (2015)
Runtime: 1h 20m
Batman vs. Robin, the middle entry in the animated Damien Wayne trilogy, is the best of the bunch. This quality comes despite comics fans lobbing criticism at the film for how it combines Grant Morrison's Damien story with Scott Snyder's Court of Owls arc. While focusing on either story would likely make for a richer narrative, the movie makes it work thanks to some terrific fights and voice acting.
Damien is still quite annoying in Batman vs. Robin, but the movie uses his frustrating tendencies to its advantage. Audiences are supposed to dislike him in this film, and Batman vs. Robin excels at using the movie's various villains to challenge Batman over the fate of his son's soul. Plus, the Court of Owls storyline is compelling, even when it's diluted.
16 Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusaders (2016)
Runtime: 1h 18m
In 2016, the world needed Adam West in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders more than ever, after the grim and poorly-received Batman vs. Superman and The Killing Joke. At this moment, a Dark Knight film that cared about having fun was more than just a breath of fresh air. As an animated reunion for West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar, Return of the Caped Crusaders is a blast and one of the funniest Batman movies.
The movie is filled with all the convoluted alliteration, absurd gadgets, and groovy dancing fans expect from West's portrayal. Additionally, Return of the Caped Crusaders' third act is devilishly satirical, positioning West's strait-laced boy scout of a Batman as an antidote to the more authoritarian interpretations of the Dark Knight that proceeded it. While this iteration will only work for some fans, it's far smarter than it needs to be to cash in on its nostalgia.
15 Batman: Year One (2011)
Runtime: 1h 4m
Frank Miller's Batman: Year One is one of the best Batman comics ever, and this animated movie version is a highly faithful adaptation. Unfortunately, it also suffers from being too faithful. Year One is more or less a word-for-word, panel-for-panel retelling, but the animation lacks the grace of David Mazzucchelli's original illustrations. The story is still great, but some internal monologues that worked on-page come off as cheesy on-screen.
Batman: Year One also sticks out for having both some of the best and worst casting in any DC animated film. Bryan Cranston is a perfect Commissioner Gordon; his readings make the pulpy dialogue convincing and help elevate the movie. At the same time, Ben McKenzie's Batman does live up to Kevin Conroy's high standards.
14 Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Runtime: 1h 15m
Gotham Knight aims to do for the Christopher Nolan trilogy what The Animatrix did for The Matrix movies. A top-notch selection of American writers and Japanese directors teamed up for six short films set between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Although it doesn't live up to the high standard set by The Animatrix, Batman: Gotham Knight delivers some compelling moments.
Each short has a different animation style, which may rub some fans the wrong way, but helps distinguish them from one another. Similarly, each story in Gotham Knight is wildly distinct, so if fans don't enjoy one short, they merely have to wait 15 minutes until the next one.
13 Batman: Gotham By Gaslight (2018)
Runtime: 1h 18m
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight proves comic book movies can sometimes benefit from a looser adaptation. Its source material provides an irresistible hook; Batman in an alternative Victorian-era Gotham investigating the Jack the Ripper murders. However, this original work is a mystery with only one suspect. The movie adaptation keeps this exciting setting but expands on it, creating a richer world.
Gotham by Gaslight imagines steampunk versions of various Batman villains and twists its mystery in creative ways that neither newbies nor hardcore Dark Knight fans would expect. While Gotham by Gaslight is R-rated, it's much more restrained than many of its PG-13 counterparts. The rating seemingly isn't for the action but rather its subject matter since it centers on Jack the Ripper. Gaslight's most significant weakness is its occasionally stilted animation, which may stem from a smaller budget due to its R-rating.
12 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
Runtime: 1h 10m
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero is one of the best animated Batman films, yet the movie's modest story prevents it from reaching the heights of some of its other cousins. SubZero is short and straightforward, which aren't necessarily negative qualities, but contains none of the twists and turns Batman fans might expect. However, SubZero's simplicity allows for genuine poetry.
The beauty of this film comes from how sympathetic Mr. Freeze is as a villain. Despite his crimes, he works from a place of selflessness and sacrifice, all in the name of love. It was also a fitting finale for Freeze's character arc in Batman: The Animated Series. While the CG effects may be dated, the cell animation still looks fantastic and is leagues better than the live-action Mr. Freeze (with all due respect to Arnold Schwarzenegger).
11 Batman And Superman: Battle Of The Super Sons (2022)
Runtime: 1h 19m
Another movie where the focus shifts away from Batman, Battle of the Super Sons revolves around the titular protagonists — Jonathan Kent and Damian Wayne. These two comic book characters were first introduced together in 1965, but they were originally known as Batman Jr. and Superman Jr. In this direct-to-video movie, Jonathan and Damian meet each other when Superman travels to Gotham City with his newly empowered son.
Unfortunately for the young heroes, both their fathers are infected by alien spores that take control of them. Watching Damian and Jonathan work together was a delightful experience for fans of Batman as well as Superman, as it helped bring these two DC icons closer than ever. Although Battle of the Super Sons had a basically straightforward storyline, audiences found Damian and Jon's budding friendship both endearing and inspirational.
10 Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
Runtime: 1h 27m
One of the best Batman animated movies out there, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the crossover event fans didn't know they needed. When Batgirl informs Bruce Wayne about some bizarre green monsters, they seek to uncover these creatures' identities and discover what they want in Gotham. With a fairly straightforward plot, Batman vs. TMNT is appropriately action-packed.
Those who prefer the Dark Knight in detective mode will be disappointed, but there are enough outstanding fight sequences and quality jokes to keep audiences engaged. In one of the movie's best bits, the four turtles serve as audience avatars, with a running commentary on the absurdity of Gotham and its seemingly endless string of zany villains.
9 Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham (2023)
Runtime: 1h 26m
DC Comics' Elseworlds published a short comic series about a version of Batman set during the 1920s, called Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham. The Caped Crusader faces a series of Eldritch nightmares that plague Gotham City — and it's all his fault because he inadvertently rouses a deeply malevolent entity.
Fans who enjoy H.P. Lovecraft's work and macabre aesthetic are certain to enjoy Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, a title that directly references Lovecraft's The Doom That Came to Sarnath. Unlike many popular versions of Batman, this one leaves America for two decades after his parents' death. When he returns to Gotham, he brings the Lurker on the Threshold back with him. The movie is absolutely phenomenal, even if Batman doesn't get to have a happy ending.
8 Batman: Ninja (2018)
Runtime: 1h 25m
Batman: Ninja starts in Arkham Asylum, but thanks to some time travel hijinks, it quickly sends the Caped Crusader, his allies, and a swath of his rogues' gallery back to feudal Japan. However, when Batman lands in Japan, he does so two years after the Joker, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy, all of whom are now daimyos vying for dominance.
Batman: Ninja's unique aesthetics help it stand out from the rest of the Dark Knight's catalog, making it one of the best animated Batman movies. This engaging style works well in 3D CGI and uses occasional flourishes of traditional animation to add to these stunning visuals. The designer of Afro Samurai, the writer of Gurren Lagann, and the director of JoJo's Bizarre Adventures' openings teamed up to make what is undoubtedly every weeaboo's favorite Batman.