Here Are the 10 Best DC Comics Animated Movies, as Ranked by Fans

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As someone who grew up watching these iconic animated films and series, I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with some of these choices. The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm are undoubtedly masterpieces within the DC Animated Universe. They beautifully capture the essence of their respective stories and characters, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

Ranker serves as an online platform where individuals can rank items according to their preferences at any given time, with the system primarily catering to fans rather than those directly involved in the projects. A recent survey on Ranker aimed to identify the top-rated DC Comics animated movies. The list encompasses over 50 films, but for your convenience, we’ve narrowed it down to the top ten selections from the site, accompanied by our personal comments and opinions to enhance the report’s appeal.

Absolutely, given that this list is filled with some fantastic films, we thought it would be interesting to share the highlights with you. To make it more engaging, we’re planning to present the top 10 movies from this list, ranked in descending order, starting from the tenth position and leading up to our number one pick which is the undisputed best. We hope you’ll find it enjoyable!

10. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Kicking off our list, the movie titled “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” had a darker tone compared to its previous installments and carried a heavier narrative. The protagonists squared off against Darkseid, an ever-present menace, and while rankings can be debated, it’s hard to argue that fans might not be right about this one. That said, there were other contenders as well.

9. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Instead of battling each other in this film, Superman and Batman were falsely accused as adversaries to the government, forcing them to join forces to vanquish their true enemies in an intriguing political drama. Frankly, this isn’t one of our top-ten favorites; it’s passable, but there are numerous superior and more innovative options that make this one feel somewhat ordinary. Additionally, the cinematic approach is a bit peculiar.

8. Justice League: War

This title certainly resonates with us, as we were big fans of the New 52 era in DC Comics. “Justice League: War” is an excellent movie that effectively captures the spirit of that time when the stories were more daring and imaginative than they are today, showcasing fresh and inventive approaches. We wholeheartedly endorse its inclusion on this list; in fact, we might even rank it higher than its current position.

7. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Is “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” truly worthy of being called a fantastic multiverse title? While the plot certainly keeps you engaged, when placed alongside other tales, it lacked depth; it offered an intriguing concept and something fresh, but it may struggle to secure a top ten position, as the movie itself doesn’t quite live up to expectations.

6. Justice League: Doom

In more casual terms, it’s surprising to see Justice League: Doom ranked so high compared to other contenders that didn’t make the list. While it’s got potential and could even be top ten material, sixth place seems a bit generous given the movie’s quality. But, of course, the fans have their preferences…

5. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

We wholeheartedly endorse this “Batman Beyond” was an exceptionally creative series, and the film preserved that high level of quality. The animation was simply superb, the narrative kept us on the edge of our seats, and it was a delight to hear Mark Hamill’s voice again in this movie. Indeed, we can concur with this recommendation, and we even agree with its ranking.

4. The Dark Knight Returns

Undeniably, Miller’s iconic graphic novel lived up to its reputation in this adaptation. Although it could have been more ominous and visually grim, it still presented a captivating two-part tale that successfully depicted the grim Gotham City envisioned by Frank Miller. There’s no question about it; this film is worthy of recognition and stands as one of the best DC animated movies ever made.

3. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Among the two standout episodes from “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Mask of the Phantasm” is not just an exceptional extension of the series but feels like a masterfully crafted story in its own right, a fact that carries significant weight. This film, with its compelling plot and stunning visuals, continues to be highly respected even today, more than two decades after its release, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.

2. Batman: Under the Red Hood

What brought this movie to this place? Surprisingly, this isn’t even close to being the second-best DC animated film; it doesn’t even make the top 20. In every way, this film fell short of expectations and poorly translated a significant comic book into live action. It appears that the fans share our strongest disagreement with this choice, as they seem to favor the story over the adaptation.

1. Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s challenging to single out one movie similar to this, but let me assure you, we have no qualms with it being “The Flashpoint Paradox.” This film was a deep and intricate tale, an unprecedented twist in its genre, and the impact it had on future movies was profound, demonstrating the sheer dedication DC invested in its animated universe. Therefore, we confidently endorse this selection.

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2024-09-08 17:44