Every DC Animated Movie In Order (And Where You Can Watch Them)
Most viewers are familiar with the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and James Gunn’s DCU. However, if one wants to dive even deeper into the world of DC Comics, the enormous collection of DC animated movies (DCAU) is a great place to start. Animated film adaptations of DC Comics have been produced since 1993.
With multiple cinematic universes and continuities being developed over the years, venturing into the vast collection might feel a little daunting to newcomers. Luckily, this guide is here to help, by breaking down where you can watch every DC animated movie in order, by universe, on platforms like HBO Max, Prime Video, and more.
Origins
The Origins universe is an excellent place to start the DCAU because, as the title suggests, it’s a group of movies that focus on DC heroes’ origin stories. However, the movies aren’t necessarily interconnected. Origins comprises 14 movies, including Batman: Year One and Wonder Woman. Stories like All-Star Superman and Batman: Death in the Family experiment with darker and more emotional stories, exploring how tragedy, death, and impending demise impact a hero’s journey and morals.
However, there are also options for viewers who prefer more visually dazzling and lighthearted superhero action with films like Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Green Lantern: First Flight. Origins is an excellent continuity for viewers who enjoy character-centered and inspirational stories of a hero’s rise. The easily digestible and inspirational movies are perfect for DC fans looking to track their favorite hero’s journey and get lost in their character arcs.
Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Wonder Woman (2009)
Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)
DC Showcase: Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010)
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
All-Star Superman (2011)
Batman: Year One (2011)
Justice League: Doom (2012)
Superman: Unbound (2013)
Batman: Death in the Family (2020)
The DCAMU
The DCAMU is one of the largest continuities, consisting of 17 movies, beginning with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. All 17 movies in the DCAMU are loosely based on the New 52 storylines from the comics, which explore the rebooted DC timeline following Flashpoint. It heavily focuses on the Justice League, Batman, and Batman’s son, Damian.
Fans of Kevin Conroy’s Batman and Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern won’t want to miss The Flashpoint Paradox, which brings back these iconic voice actors alongside exciting new additions like Michael B. Jordan as Cyborg. In addition to voice acting treats, the DCAMU offers more serious DC fans particularly sophisticated storytelling and animation while delving into more obscure DC comics storylines.
The stories tend to be a bit darker. Movies like Batman vs. Robin and Batman: Bad Blood explore Batman’s (Jason O’Mara) struggle to pass on his legacy to his son, while films like The Death of Superman and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War delve into the most dystopian superhero scenarios. DC fans interested in mature, dark, and complex storytelling will be especially intrigued by the DCAMU.
Justice League: War (2014)
Son of Batman (2014)
Batman vs. Robin (2015)
Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
Justice League Dark (2017)
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)
The Death of Superman (2018)
Constantine: City of Demons (2018)
Reign of the Supermen (2019)
Batman: Hush (2019)
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)
DCAU
The oldest shared universe is the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), which kicked off in 1992 with the TV show Batman: The Animated Series. The DCAU continuity consists of eight films, including the critically acclaimed Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and fan-favorite Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. The DCAU also excels with its voice acting performances, featuring Conroy’s Batman and Mark Hamill’s iconic Joker.
Batman fans will find the DCAU the most appealing because it offers some of the best iterations of the Caped Crusader and The Joker. Viewers are also treated to appearances from several other iconic Batman characters like the super unpredictable Harley Quinn (Melissa Rauch) and even Mr. Freeze (Michael Ansara).
Works like Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker sidestep superhero camp to offer dark tones, sophisticated themes, perilous atmospheres, and cartoon violence. These works genuinely pay homage to the Dark Knight and are a must-see if you’re a Batman fan and eager for more takes on the character’s mythos than live-action can offer.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)
Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
The Tomorrowverse
The Tomorrowverse is the DCAMU’s successor and one of the most cohesive continuities. After introducing its heroes with a few origin-esque movies, the story culminates in an epic crossover event with the three-part Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths. The Tomorrowverse also modernizes the DCAMU with updated voice casts and even more visually dazzling animation.
In Superman: Man of Tomorrow, viewers meet Alexandra Daddario’s Lois Lane and Zachary Quinto’s Lex Luthor, while Batman: The Long Halloween Part One and Two features Jensen Ackles as Batman and Josh Duhamel as Harvey Dent. The Tomorrowverse plays it safe, telling strong, fun, and sometimes familiar stories of Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern. The movies in this continuity are perfect for viewers looking for visually dazzling and smart, safe, and linear storytelling.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)
Legion of Super-Heroes (2023)
Justice League: Warworld (2023)
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three (2024)
The Arkhamverse
So far, the Arkhamverse consists of just one movie, Batman: Assault on Arkham, which shares continuity with the critically acclaimed and well-loved Batman: Arkham video game series. The film is an exciting crossover between Batman and the Suicide Squad, making it a real treat for fans of the video games.
Like the games, it employs a darker tone and features some mature content, best suited for adult audiences. Batman: Assault on Arkham is funny, outlandish, and mature. Those who haven’t played the game will also find a compelling superhero story set among a grim Gotham City.
Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)
Animated Elseworlds
There are many standalone DC animated films that don’t belong to any specific universe but are based on the comics. These movies can be pretty unique, such as Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Batman vs. Dracula, since they’re not confined to any one continuity. Much like Origins, these films are grouped into their own universe - Animated Elseworlds.
Animated Elseworlds features some wildly creative and fun movies like Batman Ninja, which sets the Caped Crusader in feudal Japan, or Teen Titans Go! To the Movies in which the Teen Titans take on Hollywood. There are also some serious entries that give much needed attention to lesser-known heroes like Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons - The Movie and Catwoman: Hunted. If you’re not a stickler for continuity and love adaptations of any and every comic, Animated Elseworlds is for you.
The Batman vs. Dracula (2005)
Superman: Doomsday (2007)
Superman vs. The Elite (2012)
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
Batman vs Two-Face (2017)
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)
Batman Ninja (2018)
Superman: Red Son (2020)
Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)
Injustice (2021)
Catwoman: Hunted (2022)
Watchmen: Chapter I (2024)
Watchmen Chapter II (2024)
