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It’s now common knowledge that Warner Bros. had a really hard time establishing the now deceased DCEU, its live-action movie universe—a ship that ultimately sunk due to Warner Bros.’ lack of vision and coherency. James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new and budding DC cinematic universe aside, there’s really nothing bad to be said about the DC Animated Movies Universe, which is quite an impressive library of animated movies associated with DC superheroes, like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and even Constantine.

Most of these animated films usually fly under the radar since most haven’t received a theatrical release, which is sad because they’re often not only better than anything live-action DC has ever made but also superior to most of the MCU — yes, we said it! To absolve the fans who have missed these releases or simply turned a blind eye due to their animated nature, we introduce you to the five best DC animated movies:

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is arguably the greatest DC animated film, which really raised the bar of expectations quite high. The animated movie is set in the legendary Batman: The Animated Series continuity and it actually had a theatrical release, which was a disaster. After it bombed the box office, it did find massive success in the home video market.

Narrative-wise, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm offers a fresh perspective on Batman’s formative years, exploring whether Bruce Wayne could have avoided becoming the Caped Crusader had he found happiness and moved on with his life before embracing the iconic mantle. It’s a brilliantly crafted film that introduces original elements while remaining faithful to the spirit of the source material.

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

Released in 2013, this adaptation masterfully brought its comic book arc to life, with many fans arguing it surpasses the original material. The story centers on the Flashpoint event, a temporal disruption that creates a fractured reality where Wonder Woman’s Amazons and Aquaman’s Atlanteans are locked in a devastating war.

Not only that, but the Justice League was never actually formed in this reality, so The Flash unites with Batman (who else) and Cyborg to restore the universe. It’s a really great adaptation that gave rise to the new DC Animated Movie Universe, and it’s currently one of the highest-rated animated superhero movies on review aggregation websites, as well as IMDb.

Batman: Under the Red Hood

This is easily one of DC’s top three animated movies, primarily because it balances intense action and heart-wrenching moments, complemented by impeccable voice acting and Jensen Ackles as the Red Hood. Narratively, the movie examines the morally questionable relationship Batman has with his Robins and introduces a completely new anti-hero, Red Hood.

Red Hood relies on much more effective crime-solving methods than Batman and seeks to overtake Gotham and bring it under control. What makes the movie so great is the revelation of Red Hood’s identity and his, Batman’s, and Joker’s three-way dynamic. We strongly recommend this one, and the Red Hood was also used in Batman: Arkham Knight—arguably the best Batman game ever.

Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the masterminds behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, were famously open to crossovers; rarely, if ever, turning one down. It was only a matter of time before someone envisioned blending the playful, lighthearted Turtles with the dark, brooding atmosphere of Gotham, leading to their unforgettable encounter with the Bat. This movie made it on the list because it perfectly captures the personalities of different characters and their interactions.

All the fight choreography in this animated piece is top-notch, especially those between Shredder and Batman, as they’re both hand-to-hand combat experts and utilize their armors, as well as their arsenals, to their advantage. Interactions between Batman and Mikey are also incredibly entertaining due to their different personalities. And, as it turns out, Bruce Wayne also likes pizza.

The Death of Superman

The 2018 release Death of Superman delivers a faithful adaptation of the iconic comic arc, capturing all the major story beats and skillfully condensing them into an 81-minute masterpiece. Unlike the 2007 animated Superman: Doomsday, which is decent but pales in comparison, this version truly stands out as a definitive take on the tale.

Fans of the comics or Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will recognize this as the story where Superman meets his tragic end, falling in battle alongside Doomsday as they deliver fatal blows to each other. This film is a standout, boasting exceptional voice acting and staying true to its source material with remarkable respect.

Honorable Mentions

Superman Red Son and Justice League Dark should also be on this list. The former is a brilliant reimagining of Superman’s mythology that asks how things would have turned out if Superman crash-landed in the Soviet Union instead of Kansas, while the latter brings Constantine, Zatanna, and Deadman into the spotlight and focuses on magic, horror, and the darker corners of the DC Universe.

Final Thoughts

The DC Animated Movies Universe has consistently delivered some of the most engaging and action-packed superhero stories ever created, and their quality matches and even exceeds those of the MCU. These movies prove that the animated medium isn’t a limitation but a strength, and there’s a reason for that. We’ll let you find that out for yourself, and you can start with the films we just recommended.

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