There's no doubt that Batman is DC's most profitable and iconic character. Similarly, it's no coincidence that Detective Comics became the company's name and initials. Batman's popularity transcended the comic book medium, becoming a major part of entertainment for decades and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
Batman has also been the star of several animated shows, many of which have touched the hearts of multiple generations. By taking a look at each of the Batman animated series in order of release, viewers can explore the Caped Crusader's dynamic history in chronological form, allowing them to understand the character's gradual evolution.
Updated on March 13, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: Even well into the 2020s, Batman remains one of the most beloved pillars of the superhero genre, both inside and outside of DC Comics. That blockbuster success in mainstream spaces has spawned various exploits of the Caped Crusader in animation. As such, this list has been updated to offer more streamlined information on the release periods and network runs of these Batman TV shows.
1 The Adventures Of Batman Was Batman's First Animated Series
Original run: |
September 14, 1968 - January 4, 1969 |
---|---|
Original network: |
CBS |
Number of seasons: |
1 |
Episode count: |
17 |
The Batman Universe, Explained
The Batman started its own Elseworlds movie universe which continues to grow with an upcoming Penguin show and Batman sequel.After the 1966 Batman series starring Adam West grew in mainstream popularity, cartoons based on Gotham's Dark Knight were produced to match his success. This show comprised the Batman segments from The Batman/Superman Hour, with Olan Soule taking on Adam West's role, while Casey Kasem (who voiced Shaggy on Scooby-Doo) replaced Burt Ward as Robin.
The Adventures of Batman was later rebranded with the title Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder. From there, the animated show spawned Super Friends as a successor series. It also enjoyed crossovers with The New Scooby-Doo Movies. Given the timeframe in which it aired, the show is understandably dated, but it has some charming elements and marks an important stepping stone in Batman's animated history.
2 Super Friends Paired Batman With Other DC Heroes
Original run: |
September 8, 1973 - October 26, 1985 |
---|---|
Original network: |
ABC |
Number of seasons: |
9 (across all umbrella titles) |
Episode count: |
93 (across all umbrella titles) |
Following the success of the first Batman cartoon, as well as the animated appearances of heroes like Superman and Aquaman elsewhere, the heroes came together along with other members of DC Comics' pantheon in 1973 for Super Friends. While Batman wasn't the sole star of the series, both he and Robin played crucial roles as part of the main cast.
Super Friends was canceled after the first season, but it was later revived under a new title, Challenge of the Super Friends. The show then moved through other titles, like The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, before it was ultimately canceled again in 1985. Much like the Batman series that paved the way for it, Super Friends — and all its iterations — shows its age but was a crucial turning point in the Justice League becoming one of the most iconic superhero teams in pop culture.
3 The New Adventures Of Batman Leaned Into Batman's Goofy Charm Of The Era
Original run: |
February 12 - May 28, 1977 |
---|---|
Original network: |
CBS |
Number of seasons: |
1 |
Episode count: |
16 |
The New Batman Adventures was seen as a spiritual successor to the Batman show that preceded it. However, it boasted markedly improved animation quality and the welcome return of Adam West and Burt Ward in their original roles, years after their own live-action show was canceled. West and Ward continued to excel in the roles, giving the characters that brand of goofy charm that earned them so much affection.
With the animation medium allowing the production team to get more creative, The New Adventures of Batman veered into even zanier directions by introducing Bat-Mite — their otherworldly sidekick from the comics. Much like Scrappy-Doo from Scooby-Doo or Kazoo from The Flintstones, Bat-Mite wasn't the best of ideas long-term, and he was partly the reason The New Adventures of Batman was so short-lived.
4 Batman: The Animated Series Remains The Dark Knight's Gold Standard For Many
Original run: |
September 5, 1992 - September 15, 1995 |
---|---|
Original network: |
Fox Kids |
Number of seasons: |
2 |
Episode count: |
85 |
10 Street-Level Batman Characters The Penguin Can Introduce
Matt Reeves is expanding the world of The Batman with the Max show The Penguin. This series can perfectly introduce a variety of Batman characters.Batman: The Animated Series is arguably the greatest superhero cartoon to date, earning groundbreaking success with its take on the Dark Knight. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini created a fresh continuity bolstered by nuanced writing for its heroes and villains, as well as timeless gothic art direction.
Both in terms of thematic substance and technical achievements, BTAS is one of the most revolutionary animated shows ever developed. Just as importantly, the show was also the start of the shared DC Animated Universe, paving the way for shows like Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League. Kevin Conroy's Batman and Mark Hamill's Joker have become revered. Both actors continued to voice their respective characters until Conroy's unfortunate passing in November 2022.
Batman: The Animated Series
The Dark Knight battles crime in Gotham City with occasional help from Robin and Batgirl.
- Release Date
- September 5, 1992
- Cast
- Kevin Conroy , Loren Lester , Mark Hamill , Efrem Zimbalist Jr. , arleen sorkin
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 3
- Number of Episodes
- 109
5 The New Batman Adventures Was A Direct Continuation Of BTAS
Original run: |
September 13, 1997 - January 16, 1999 |
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Original network: |
Kids' WB |
Number of seasons: |
1 |
Episode count: |
24 |
When Batman: The Animated Series ended, it was revived with a new art style to match what Superman: The Animated Series had been doing at the time. This resulted in two solid extra seasons for that version of Batman, even though fans weren't fond of every redesign, especially the Joker's new look.
The New Batman Adventures provided several engaging new storylines highlighting the hero's supporting cast, including villains like Harley Quinn. It also proved Batman was still marketable despite the most recent and critically panned movie at the time, Batman & Robin. The character's further success in the DCAU led to another sequel series that became a cult classic.
The New Batman Adventures
The further and darker adventures of Batman with a new Robin, a closer association with Batgirl and the previous Robin now as Nightwing.
- Release Date
- September 13, 1997
- Cast
- Kevin Conroy , Tara Strong , Efrem Zimbalist Jr. , Loren Lester
- Main Genre
- Superhero
- Creator
- Bob Kane and Alan Grant
- Streaming Service(s)
- Max
6 Batman Beyond Took The DC Animated Universe In A Bold Cyberpunk Direction
Original run: |
January 10, 1999 - December 18, 2001 |
---|---|
Original network: |
Kids' WB |
Number of seasons: |
3 |
Episode count: |
52 |
A distant sequel to The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and both Justice League cartoons, Batman Beyond was the hit no one knew they wanted. Considering the staggering legacy the brand carried even then, Batman Beyond made a massive gamble by retiring Bruce Wayne, but it gained a cult following that helped it last a few seasons before being canceled.
Combining the teenage elements of Spider-Man and the cyberpunk setting of Blade Runner with the Dark Knight was bold, but it allowed for one of the most inventive renditions of Batman's world. Terry went on to feature in comics and an official 75th anniversary short, as well as getting a final wrap-up in the Justice League Unlimited animated series.
Batman Beyond
Fuelled by remorse and vengeance, a high schooler named Terry McGinnis revives the role of Batman. Under supervision of an elderly Bruce Wayne, he fights crime in a harsh, futuristic Gotham.
- Release Date
- January 10, 1999
- Cast
- Kevin Conroy , Will Friedle , Cree Summer , Stockard Channing , Lauren Tom , Frank Welker
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 3
- Franchise
- Batman
7 Justice League & Justice League Unlimited Made Batman The Team's Strategic Genius
Original run: |
November 17, 2001 - May 29, 2004 (Justice League); July 31, 2004 - May 13, 2006 (Unlimited) |
---|---|
Original network: |
Cartoon Network |
Number of seasons: |
2 (Justice League), 3 (Unlimited) |
Episode count: |
52 (Justice League), 39 (Unlimited) |
45 Darkest Batman Comics On DC Universe Infinite, Ranked
Batman has a dense catalog of epic stories, and there's no shortage of dark, thrilling comics to read on the DC Universe Infinite digital app.DC Animated Universe shows like Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series enjoyed great success and gave the characters staying power in mainstream spaces. Thanks to that acclaim, they laid the groundwork for the first proper TV appearance in DC's hit animated series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.
Kevin Conroy again voiced Batman as he joined heroes like Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl for the first 2 seasons. As deservedly acclaimed as the original team-up series was, Justice League Unlimited's sequel series built on that success with its even more diverse roster of heroes and an impressive balance of episodic storytelling and continuity-heavy arcs.
Justice League
Seven of the most formidable heroes form arguably the most powerful team ever.
- Release Date
- November 17, 2001
- Cast
- Kevin Conroy , George Newbern , Phil LaMarr , Susan Eisenberg , Michael Rosenbaum , Carl Lumbly
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 2
- Number of Episodes
- 52
8 The Batman Followed Bruce Wayne Early In His Crime-Fighting Career
Original run: |
September 11, 2004 - March 8, 2008 |
---|---|
Original network: |
Kids' WB, Cartoon Network |
Number of seasons: |
5 |
Episode count: |
65 |
Not to be confused with the recent live-action reboot, The Batman focuses on slick animation quality in its combat sequences more so than dramatic character profiles. This time, Batman was voiced by Rino Romano and sported a flashy and high-tech arsenal of weapons, including a Batcave that would make a James Bond villain jealous.
It's one of the more underrated series in the hero's catalog, but The Batman still garnered a solid reception and has won over more fans in retrospect. The show earned several seasons, balancing similar tones to the original Animated Series while embracing its own style for every villain and hero. This Batman cartoon introduced new versions of Robin, Batgirl, and even the likes of Martian Manhunter.
9 Batman: The Brave And The Bold Featured Entertainingly Campy Team-Ups With DC Heroes
Original run: |
November 14, 2008 - November 18, 2011 |
---|---|
Original network: |
Cartoon Network |
Number of seasons: |
3 |
Episode count: |
65 |
While the heavily campy days of Adam West's "Bright Knight" have long passed, Batman: The Brave and the Bold proves this colorful version of the character still has a place in the modern era. Each episode focuses on Batman (voiced by Diedrich Bader) as he teams up with a famous or obscure hero in a Silver Age-esque adventure.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold was a vibrant Batman cartoon that lasted a few seasons on Cartoon Network, paying homage to the storytelling structure of the comic book series it was based on. It included unique animation, well-written humor, and entertaining action sequences. This Batman cartoon even shined a spotlight on lesser-known, but no less engaging, characters like Blue Beetle to bring them closer to the mainstream space.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
An updated animated series centering on the Caped Crusader himself as he partners and deals with his fellow superheroes in the DC Comics universe.
- Release Date
- November 14, 2008
- Cast
- Diedrich Bader , John DiMaggio , james arnold taylor
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 3
- Creator
- Bob Kane, Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- Production Company
- Warner Bros. Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 65
- Producer
- Michael Jelenic, James Tucker
10 Beware The Batman Was Batman's First CGI Animated Series
Original run: |
July 13, 2013 - September 28, 2014 |
---|---|
Original network: |
Cartoon Network/Adult Swim |
Number of seasons: |
1 |
Episode count: |
26 |
10 Best Batman Crossovers, Ranked
Batman has appeared in many crossovers over the years, with the best of them going down among the best crossovers ever.Swapping from a colorful and action-filled atmosphere to a darker, detective thriller angle, Beware The Batman starred Anthony Ruivivar as the titular hero. This series should be commended for differentiating itself from every other Batman cartoon. It never copied the previous shows' story arcs and even brought more obscure villains like Magpie and Professor Pyg.
Beware The Batman also introduced Katana as Batman's partner and chauffeur, and the two shared a dynamic similar to The Green Hornet. It became one of Batman's more divisive animated shows, namely because of the CG animation similar to Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This was a stark contrast to the other cartoons starring the Dark Knight, but its focus on underrated villains instead of the classic — occasionally even oversaturated — rogues remains a highlight.
11 Batman Unlimited Experimented With A New Digital Approach
Original run: |
May 4, 2015 - August 15, 2016 |
---|---|
Original network: |
YouTube (webseries), Kabillion, Tubi (streaming) |
Number of seasons: |
2 |
Episode count: |
33 |
Batman Unlimited is a rather overlooked animated series, as it was a series of online shorts meant for the DC Kids' YouTube channel. Batman Unlimited and a few animated movies were based on the brand of the same name and were essentially an extended marketing effort for these toys.
Roger Craig Smith returned to the voice of Batman after providing it for WB Games Montréal's gritty video game Batman: Arkham Origins. Overall, this animated little more than a brief collection of toy commercials, evidenced by both the confused writing and animation. The show aimed for an increasingly colorful tone, but so much so that it had trouble giving itself a lasting identity and appeal.
12 Justice League Action Aimed For A Younger Audience But Didn't Sacrifice Its Characterizations
Original run: |
November 26, 2016 (UK)/December 16, 2016 (US) - June 3, 2018 |
---|---|
Original network: |
Cartoon Network |
Number of seasons: |
1 |
Episode count: |
52 |
2016 saw the beloved superhero team return in the form of Justice League Action on Cartoon Network. The series featured the return of Kevin Conroy as Batman, joined by the two other members of the DC Trinity — Superman and Wonder Woman — to help usher in a new generation of Justice League heroes.
Justice League Action featured short episodes that focused on a member of the Trinity as they worked alongside up-and-coming DC heroes like Blue Beetle, Firestorm, and Stargirl. Justice League Action was certainly targeting an even younger audience than the preceding DCAU shows. Even so, Action retained the sincere characterization and atmosphere of the original Justice League TV shows, which includes a more lighthearted take on the Dark Knight.
Justice League Action
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman will lead the DC Super Heroes against their most infamous foes in Justice League Action.
- Release Date
- December 16, 2016
- Cast
- Kevin Conroy , Jason Lewis , Jonathan Adams , Lacey Chabert
- Seasons
- 1
- Number of Episodes
- 52
- Main Characters
- Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and members of the Justice League
- Story By
- Gardner Fox
- Network
- Cartoon Network
13 Batman: Caped Crusader Is Poised To Be The Animated Series' Successor
Premiere date: |
TBA |
---|---|
Original network: |
Amazon Prime Video (streaming) |
Number of seasons |
2 seasons were ordered at the time of writing |
Episode count: |
10 (season 1) |
10 Early-Career Comics That Could Inspire Batman: Caped Crusader
The upcoming Batman: Caped Crusader animated series will explore the titular DC hero's early days, and these comics could all be used for inspiration.Fans of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's iconic take on the Dark Knight from The Animated Series were treated with the news that he'll be teaming with producers J. J. Abrams and Matt Reeves for a new animated series called Batman: Caped Crusader. The first image also revealed a new take on the character that paid homage to his earliest Batman costume from his debut in Detective Comics #27 (by Bill Finger and Bob Kane).
This seems to suggest that Batman: Caped Crusader will examine the hero's origins through the lens of the pulpy neo-noir magazine serials that inspired Bill Finger and Bob Kane to create the character. Originally slated as a Max original, it has since been picked up by Amazon Prime Video for a straight two-season order.
Batman: Caped Crusader
Reimagining of the Batman mythology.
- Release Date
- 2024-00-00
- Cast
- Kevin Conroy
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 2 Seasons
- Creator
- Bob Kane
- Production Company
- 6th & Idaho Productions, Bad Robot, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 11 Episodes