Batman is a fascinating superhero given his dark persona and tragic past. It's the ultimate revenge tale of a man so psychologically scarred by a tragedy, that he becomes a force for justice in a city gone mad. Different iterations of the character have appeared in comic book form, and the darker stories are undoubtedly the most memorable.
The character translates well to animated film territory, as well. Over the years, many movies have been put out featuring Batman in different interpretations and time periods. IMDb has rated them all, and the best of the bunch stand right at the top for a reason. Some are designed for mature audiences, while others are more tongue-in-cheek.
10 Batman vs. Robin (2015) Scored A 7.1 For Its Adaptation Of The Court Of Owls Storyline
This 2015 sequel to Son of Batman tackled the turbulent relationship between Bruce Wayne and his young son Damian, who had taken the mantle of Robin. The story was based partly on Batman: The Court of Owls, a 2012 comic book storyline involving Thomas Wayne's possible involvement with a secretive society that may have been responsible for his murder.
Though the story is a bit clichéd from the perspective of a rebellious son being lured away by a villainous father figure, it was enough to net a 7.1 rating on IMDb, which is fairly respectable. It was later followed up by two sequels: Batman: Bad Blood and Batman: Hush in 2016 and 2019, respectively.
9 Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019) Got A 7.1 Rating For Its Crossover Status
It's ironic that one of the zaniest pairings in a Batman film ended up becoming one of the most well-received. This film saw the Dark Knight go up against the Fab Four (not the Beatles) while dealing with the combined forces of the evil Shredder, and Ra's al Ghul. The mayhem doesn't stop there, however.
The Joker, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, Two-Face, and a host of other villains get transformed into terrifying half-human/animal mutants. It's all great and over-the-top, but it just goes to show how the suspension of reality can lead to some hilariously entertaining crossovers.
8 Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero (1998) Received A 7.2 Rating For Continuing the Animated Series' Character Arc
The classic 1990s animated Batman films continued the legacy of the famed animated series, though not all were alike in terms of quality. Thankfully, this particular story fared better than most and gave Mr. Freeze fans a reason to turn out and see their favorite villain work his icy magic.
It's far from a deep film, and there isn't really much to analyze beyond Freeze's desperation to save his dying wife, but it does end on a wonderfully positive note. If nothing else, it helps wrap up the character's story arc from the animated series, even if it takes the long way around to get there.
7 Batman: Year One (2011) Got A 7.4 Rating For Adapting The Classic Frank Miller Story
This adaptation of the popular Frank Miller comic classic details Batman's origins in Gotham City, while juxtaposing it alongside Commissioner Gordon's parallel stint. The result is a two-faced storyline detailing how both men rise up to face down the city's criminal element, starting off as enemies before becoming allies.
It's one of the better animated Batman films, giving fans a glimpse into how a young Bruce Wayne ascends from an ambitious crimefighter into Gotham's most feared proponent of justice. It also helps introduce several characters that would go on to become Batman icons in their own right.
6 Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) Got A 7.5 For Tying Successfully Into The Arkham Games
This is the first of the Batman animated films to run parallel to the Arkham series of video games, which popularized the character for an entirely new generation. Chronologically, the story takes place right after Batman: Arkham Origins, and puts the Suicide Squad front and center, with Batman acting as a sort of boogeyman for them to deal with.
The switch is a welcome one, with Batman acting more as a background element, while the Suicide Squad is free to take the stage. This is a much more adult take on the Batman mythos than previous installments, and it ties in relatively nicely to the story arc of the video games, without ruining anything in the process.
5 Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (2000) Got A 7.8 For Pitting The Joker Against Terry McGinnis
Batman Beyond was a welcome follow-up to the 1990s animated series, and it introduced audiences not just to a new Dark Knight, but an entirely different cabal of villains ruling over a future Gotham City. To date, it stands as one of the best animated DC series of all time, a fact evidenced by the full-length Return of the Joker spinoff.
Here, Terry McGinnis must don the Bat-Suit to take on the Jokerz gang, led by none other than the Clown Prince of Crime. What ensues is a mystery as to how the Joker was able to survive after so many decades, and how one of Bruce Wayne's oldest friends might be involved.
4 Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993) Got A 7.8 Despite Being Lauded As The Best Animated Batman Film
Widely regarded as the best of the Batman animated films by the fan base, this entry only managed to score a 7.8 on IMDb, putting it below others on this list. Still, the debate rages on, and it's not hard to understand why. Mask of the Phantasm is the quintessential Batman film, be it animated or otherwise.
It takes all of its styling cues from the animated series while building on a self-contained storyline involving Bruce Wayne's connection to an old flame, and a mysterious killer offing Gotham City's criminal elite, one by one. It all builds to a fascinating climax that ends on a characteristically somber note, further adding to the Batman mythos.
3 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012) Got An 8.0 Rating For Its Gritty Take
Aside from the odd casting choice of Peter Weller as Batman, the Dark Knight's duology is one of the best representations of the character in animated form. They both draw on Frank Miller's esteemed and highly influential Batman comic storylines and do a pretty decent job of representing the source material.
The first film details a 55-year-old Batman dealing with the loneliness and bitterness of retirement. He's drawn out of reclusiveness by a massive crime wave in Gotham City.
2 Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010) Got An 8.1 For A Mixture Of Mature Content & Action Scenes
The infamous Red Hood takes center stage in this widely acclaimed animated Batman film. Here, the Hood descends upon Gotham's criminal elite with a brutal brand of vigilante justice that puts him at odds with Batman. As their rivalry grows, so too is more light shed on their past, paving the way for a horrifying realization.
It's as dark, gritty, and violent as it is exciting and action-packed, and the story moves forward at a brisk pace while juggling several major characters at a time. It all builds to that final revelation as to the Hood's identity, and his goal to regulate Gotham's criminal underworld while doing away with its heavy hitters.
1 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013) Got An 8.4 For The Fight Against Superman
The recently reactivated Batman manages to take down a vicious group of criminals known as The Mutants, which in turn sparks the revival of a comatose Joker and the possibility of a nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia. In the process, the U.S. is struck by an EMP attack, leaving the country without power.
Batman and a vigilante anti-crime group manage to restore order to Gotham City, making it one of the safest in the country. That sparks severe backlash from the government, which ends up pitting Superman against Batman in an iconic fight for the ages. It's easy to see why Part 2 managed to score so high on IMDb in comparison to the first chapter.