DC Animated

8 incredible DC animated movies you need to watch ASAP

“Question: What happens when the irresistible force meets the immovable object?”

by Robin Bea
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

The DC Extended Universe has had its ups and downs, but DC has been putting out excellent animated movies for years. (Even better, most of these are on HBO Max!)

Here are the 8 best animated DC movies you need to watch right now.

8. Justice League: Doom (2012)

It’s hard to make anyone in the Justice League feel vulnerable, but Justice League: Doom manages that rare feat when a dossier of their weaknesses collected by one of their own falls into the wrong hands.

7. Wonder Woman (2009)

Written by Gail Simone (of the Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, and Batgirl comics), this movie adapts one of the best Wonder Woman storylines as she teams up with Steve Trevor to take down Ares.

6. Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)

Despite the order of the title, this is very much a Teen Titans movie, as the young heroes are forced to square off against their mentors. It may not have the best story, but the action alone is worth it.

5. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (2012–2013)

Even if you’re not a fan of Frank Miller’s ultra-dark storyline, this two-parter is gorgeous, full of great performances, and packs in an incredible showdown with Superman.

4. Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

The Flashpoint Paradox sees the Flash rewriting the DC Universe via time travel. The good news: We get to see lots of wild alternate versions of popular heroes. The bad news: It might be the end of the world.

3. All-Star Superman (2011)

A common complaint about Superman is that there are no real stakes for someone so strong. All-Star Superman solves that by putting him at death’s door, for a movie that’s light on action but heavy on character.

2. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Under the Red Hood excels in every area, from writing to animation to voice acting, as it tells the complex emotional story of Batman, the Joker, and former Robin Jason Todd.

1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

From the same creative team behind Batman: The Animated Series, this 76-minute story bombed at the box office, but went on to become a cult classic.