Options are open to animated features that perhaps wouldn't be available to live action ones. More 'niche' storylines can be explored without studios worrying as much about sales. Special effects budgets won't balloon, as everything is animated in the first place. The perfect talent to voice a specific character can also be cast, from a totally different pool of skilled performers.
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DC Comics, as a whole, has this formula down. Several of its animated movies are very well regarded by fans. As with all facets of entertainment, though, some are always better than others. There are currently 42 movies DC has released since 2007, including everything from connected universe stories to stand-alone features and alternate reality spin-offs. In honor of the release of movie number 43, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part 1, fan discourse has turned to the best animated movies DC has released so far.
10 Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010): When Villains Are Heroes And Heroes Are Villains
Zack Snyder's Justice League has been a huge discussion point for the DC faithful lately (as has the concept of dream villains the group could tangle with). However, many years before the Director's Cut hit HBO Max, the Justice League were fighting a very different battle. In Crisis on Two Earths, a heroic parallel dimension version of Superman arch-nemesis Lex Luthor seeks out the Justice League's help in dealing with his dimension's evil versions of themselves.
Outlandish as the premise is, it's still an excellent showing for fans who long to see fights between Superman and Ultraman, Batman and Owlman and many more. This film brings something new to something familiar and fans love its originality. It currently sits with a 7.3 Rating on IMDb.
9 The Death of Superman (2018): The Fall Of An Icon
The Death of Superman features a brawl to the death, with the Man of Steel (not to be confused with the movie of the same name) facing off against hulking monster Doomsday. Unsurprisingly, the battle of the two titans ends with not only the defeat of Doomsday, but also the death of Superman himself.
Post-credits scenes prepare the way for follow-up feature Reign of the Supermen, where four new and different heroes emerge all claiming the title of New Superman. The Death of Superman's voice cast even includes sci-fi fan-favorite Nathan Fillion. A lot of viewers enjoy the film's climatic fight scenes and finale, all resulting in a slightly better score of 7.4 on IMDb.
8 Batman: Year One (2011): The Symbol This Town Needs
Likely to share some similar beats to Matt Reeves' upcoming The Batman movie (which could redefine everything fans know about some familar characters), Batman: Year One follows the Caped Crusader's first year attempting to clean up Gotham. On the other side of the fence, Jim Gordon arrives in Gotham trying to unmask the vigilante his colleagues both hate and fear. The pair eventually find common ground, both committing to making Gotham better.
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Fans enjoy this darker and gritty take on Batman's origins, acknowledging it as a worthy entry. Not unlike The Death of Superman, this entry has a rating of 7.4 on IMDb.
7 Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014): Good And Evil Converge In A Battle Of Wills
Fans of the Suicide Squad rejoice: Assault on Arkham features the cavalcade of villains, newly recruited by Amanda Waller. Here, they are attempting to recover sensitive information that was stolen by The Riddler. Unsurprisingly, this does not go to plan. Batman, meanwhile, searches through Gotham City in an attempt to find a bomb The Joker has hidden. The Dark Knight inevitably finds his way to Arkham, and all the parties involved try to escape the mess with their lives.
This movie also features legendary Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, who voiced the hero in Batman: The Animated Series (many surprising voice-actors have also played the part), while showcasing to fans new and old why the Suicide Squad is so beloved (especially Harley Quinn, who has appeared in several great video games in her time). With fans making their voices heard, Assault on Arkham boasts a 7.5 rating on IMDb.
6 Justice League: Doom (2012): A Team Taken Down By One Of Their Own
The Justice League is a mighty, seemingly unbeatable force. Villains everywhere vie to discover their secrets and weaknesses, with the team themselves sure they can tackle any obstacle in their path. What would happen, then, if they were assaulted by one of their own? Batman's secret files on the Justice League are stolen by immortal villain Vandal Savage. The League, then, must try to survive the personalized onslaughts thrown their way.
Kevin Conroy returns again to voice-acting duties, along with Nathan Fillion. Fans who were eager to see how the Justice League would escape traps devised by Batman himself watched the title in droves. It also sits with a 7.5 rating on IMDb.
5 Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020): Heroes Making Magic Together
The sequel to 2017's Justice League: Dark sees a poorly executed attempt at attacking Apokolips, resulting in the deaths of many heroes. Darkseid uses this to his advantage and successfully conquers Earth. The rag-tag remainder of Earth's heroes now have to unite in order to overthrow the intergalactic menace and take back Earth from his clutches. It's a dark storyline, something that DC has become known for, but it's pulled off very well.
This sequel tale of sorts gives fans a chance to see some less-popular heroes get the chance to shine, saving the world while they are at it. It garnered a 7.8 rating on IMDb.
4 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012): A Weary Hero Fights Again
The first entry of a two-part adventure, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 sees Batman return after a 10 year absence amidst a new surge of dangerous criminals. Now 55-years-old, is Batman still able to fight crime as he once did? Public opinion on Batman is very divided. Gotham's citizens generally welcome his return, while those in the government denounce his tactics.
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The Dark Knight Returns adapts a popular graphic novel of the same name by acclaimed comic scribe Frank Miller. Fans love this adaptation for remaining true to the beloved source content. This, along with stellar voice work, gave Part 1 a hefty 8.0 rating on IMDb.
3 Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013): Heroes Are Running Out Of Time
Barry Allen, The Flash, is the fastest man alive. When adapting the "Speed Force," he can run at such an incredible speed that he can travel through time. Professor Zoom, a time-traveling villain with similar powers, goes back to a specific event and changes it. This has serious ramifications for the DC universe at large. Bruce Wayne isn't Batman, Barry finds he has no powers, and there is a brutal war between the Atlantians and the Amazons.
Fans delight in the time-bending antics of this movie, which showcase DC's commitment to the zanier antics of the wider multiverse. This helped it secure an 8.1 rating on IMDb.
2 Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010): Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold
There's a new vigilante on the streets in Gotham, one who doesn't share Batman's ethical code. It's up to The Dark Knight to find out all he can about this mysterious figure called The Red Hood. With The Joker out causing mayhem, the two opposed crime fighters are on a direct path of confrontation.
The voice cast includes Jensen Ackles as the Red Hood, who brings impressive life to the polarizing character. A classic Batman tale of woe and hardship, this movie boasts an impressive 8.1 rating on IMDb.
1 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two (2013): When Knight Meets Steel
This follow-up sees The Joker make his return to fight Batman. Meanwhile, the U.S. Government orders Superman to stop Batman at any cost. The Dark Knight collides with The Man of Steel, as he would again later (in controversial fashion) in live-action.
This movie was the climatic showdown fans were waiting for. This is perhaps the adaptation that fans love the most of all the DC animated features, and it's easy to see why. The love and support for this faithful adaptation of Batman and Superman's greatest fight garnered a well-deserved 8.4 rating on IMDb.