DC animation: Best to Worst
My opinion on the animated movies done with basis in the DC characters and storylines that I have seen. Enjoy the list!
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- DirectorBrandon ViettiStarsBruce GreenwoodJensen AcklesJohn DiMaggioThere's a mystery afoot in Gotham City, and Batman must go toe-to-toe with a mysterious vigilante, who goes by the name of Red Hood. Subsequently, old wounds reopen and old, once buried memories come into the light.Not only is this the best movie that DC animation has produced so far, it is also one of my favorite animated movies ever, providing a strong storyline, interesting insight into the characters and amazingly entertaining action.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsJustin ChambersC. Thomas HowellMichael B. JordanThe Flash finds himself in a war torn alternate timeline and teams up with alternate versions of his fellow heroes to return home and restore the timeline.Now, this film I just anticipated to be yet another decent animation movie but it turned out to be one of the darkest, most mature animation movies I have ever seen, and I simply adore the alternate universe and particularly its rendition of Batman.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsPeter WellerAriel WinterMichael EmersonThe Batman has returned after a 10-year absence. The Gotham authorities want to arrest him. An old foe wants a reunion. The Feds want the Man of Tomorrow to put a stop to him.The first Dark Knight Returns was a faithful and entertaining interpretation of Frank Miller's groundbreaking graphic novel, but this second part was when the *beep* went down. So cool and creepy that I couldn't help love it.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsPeter WellerAriel WinterDavid SelbyBatman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?Faithful and entertaining. There is nothing here to dislike.
- DirectorCurt GedaStarsWill FriedleMark HamillKevin ConroyThe Joker is back with a vengeance, and Gotham's newest Dark Knight needs answers as he stands alone to face Gotham's most infamous Clown Prince of Crime.My favorite of Bruce Timm's animated ventures. Along with Mask of the Phantasm, this film helped establish new levels of darkness that could be accepted into a comic book movie. Especially the flashback is particularly disturbing.
- DirectorKevin AltieriBoyd KirklandFrank PaurStarsKevin ConroyDana DelanyHart BochnerBatman is wrongly implicated in a series of murders of mob bosses actually committed by a new vigilante assassin.A lot of people's favorite and I can definitely see why. It never had the greatest impact on me, however, but repeated viewings have convinced me that this is indeed a great film.
- DirectorEthan SpauldingStarsSean AstinRosario DawsonNathan FillionWhen Atlantian troops assault Metropolis as revenge for the death of their king, the Queen seeks help from the Justice League to find her son who has gone missing during the madness.The follow-up to Justice League: War introduces Aquaman, and it is vastly superior to War. Fluent storytelling and animation and it actually manages to make Aquaman an interesting character. Well done.
- DirectorSam LiuLauren MontgomeryStarsWilliam BaldwinMark HarmonChris NothA good version of Lex Luthor from a parallel Earth comes to the Justice League's dimension for help to fight their evil counterparts.I thoroughly enjoyed James Woods as the alternate Batman character. Honestly, I don't remember much from the film aside from him and a feeling of being well entertained for about an hour.
- DirectorLauren MontgomeryStarsKevin ConroyTim DalySusan EisenbergVandal Savage steals confidential files Batman has compiled on the members of the Justice League, and learns all their weaknesses.Batman comes into conflict with the rest of the Justice League. What's not to like?
- DirectorJake CastorenaSam LiuStarsJerry O'ConnellRebecca RomijnRainn WilsonSuperman battles against an insurmountable foe named Doomsday.A much more focused and engaging telling of the death of Superman than Superman/Doomsday. The sequel, Reign of the Supermen, is nearly as good.
- DirectorJake CastorenaSam LiuStarsJerry O'ConnellRebecca RomijnRainn WilsonAfter the death of Superman, several new people present themselves as possible successors.The follow-up to Death of Superman and while that story has already been told before in Superman: Doomsday, the dividing it into two parts made for a much more coherent and entertaining narrative.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsRosario DawsonChristopher GorhamShemar MooreRobin is sent to work with the Teen Titans after his volatile behavior botches a Justice League mission. The Titans must then face Trigon after he possesses the League and threatens to conquer the world.of the new 52 animated movies, this i among the better entries.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsSean AstinZach CallisonChristopher GorhamThe world's finest heroes found the Justice League in order to stop an alien invasion of Earth.The first movie in the new retconned DC universe and the action is fairly engaging but it is very lacking in the story department.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsElyes GabelDiane GuerreroKevin ConroyThe Justice League battles the Fatal Five, (Tharok, Emerald Empress, Validus, Mano and the Persuader). Based on the characters created by Jim Shooter.I really liked it! I think that the Bruce Timm universe still has a lot of interesting stories to tell and I just absolutely love that animation.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsChristian SlaterVanessa WilliamsBilly BrownTask Force X targets a powerful mystical object that they will risk their lives to steal.One of the better ones. There is no doubt that if the DCEU had just half the quality of these animated movies then the state of the movie universe would be much better.
- DirectorLauren MontgomeryBruce TimmBrandon ViettiStarsAdam BaldwinAnne HecheJames MarstersWhen LexCorps accidentally unleash a murderous creature, Doomsday, Superman meets his greatest challenge as a champion. Based on the "The Death of Superman" storyline that appeared in DC Comics' publications in the 1990s.Superb action setpieces and one of the better told Superman storylines in his stand-alone movies makes this an engaging film.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsBruce GreenwoodJennifer CarpenterChris CoxIn an alternative Victorian Age Gotham City, Batman begins his war on crime while he investigates a new series of murders by Jack the Ripper.They tried something new and the movie does keep you guessing but the third act is a little weaker.
- DirectorSam LiuLauren MontgomeryStarsBryan CranstonBen McKenzieEliza DushkuA wealthy playboy and a Chicago cop both return to Gotham City where their lives will intersect in unexpected ways.Retelling Batman: Year One in flying colours.
- DirectorLauren MontgomeryStarsAndre BraugherKevin ConroyTim DalyBatman discovers a mysterious teen-aged girl with super-human powers and a connection to Superman. When the girl comes to the attention of Darkseid, the evil overlord of Apokolips, events take a decidedly dangerous turn.Cool action scenes makes this a slight improvement on the first Superman/Batman flick.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsJason O'MaraYvonne StrahovskiStuart AllanBruce Wayne is missing. Alfred covers for him while Nightwing and Robin patrol Gotham City in his stead. And a new player, Batwoman, investigates Batman's disappearance.It actually had some of the most interesting conflicts in the current Batman animated timeline and some of the action set pieces were pure wish fulfillment. What kept it from being higher on the list was some shoddy pacing.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsStuart AllanTroy BakerKevin ConroyWhile Damian Wayne struggles to cope with Batman's no-killing rule, he soon starts to believe that his destiny lies within a secret society known as, The Court of Owls.A definite improvement on the original but still a far cry from what I know the DC animated universe can be capable of.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsBenjamin BrattMichael C. HallTamara TaylorIn an alternate universe, very different versions of DC's Trinity (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman), who operate outside of the law, are framed for murders of prominent scientist and the government decides to take them out.Interesting premise, but the film was more interesting than it really was good.
- DirectorYasuhiro AokiFutoshi HigashideToshiyuki KubookaStarsKevin ConroyJason MarsdenScott MenvilleA collection of key events mark Bruce Wayne's life as he journeys from beginner to Dark Knight.Several short stories done in an experimental animation style. Hit-n-miss but mostly hit.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsClancy BrownKevin ConroyTim DalyWhen Lex Luthor gets elected US President, he uses the threat of an oncoming kryptonite meteor striking Earth as a rationale to frame Superman.Not terrible, but a far cry from excellent as well.
- DirectorLauren MontgomeryStarsKeri RussellNathan FillionAlfred MolinaA modern man's trespass of the island of the Amazons enables an imprisoned war god to escape and Princess Diana wins the responsibility to recapture him.Some interesting action set-pieces but mostly it feels like a missed opportunity.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsStuart AllanJake T. AustinTaissa FarmigaA group of teen super heroes grow up together, fighting evil in their city.Pretty good. Not unforgettable but decently entertaining.
- DirectorLauren MontgomeryStarsChristopher MeloniVictor GarberTricia HelferTest pilot Hal Jordan finds himself recruited as the newest member of the intergalactic police force, The Green Lantern Corps.Now we're reaching the animated movies that are not terribly good. First Flight is servicable but overall its a fairly weak entry into the DC animated pantheon of movies.
- DirectorJay OlivaEthan SpauldingStarsKevin ConroyNeal McDonoughHynden WalchBatman works desperately to find a bomb planted by the Joker while Amanda Waller hires her newly formed Suicide Squad to break into Arkham Asylum to recover vital information stolen by the Riddler.To be fair, this might be better than I give it credit for. However, when you make a film in the same universe as the the Arkham games, it comes with a certain set of expectations. Expectations this movie simply didn't meet.
- DirectorMichael ChangStarsGeorge NewbernPauley PerretteRobin Atkin DownesThe Man of Steel finds himself outshone by a new team of ruthless superheroes who hold his idealism in contempt.Interesting action scenes but if I am to be honest, Superman just doesn't work very well on his own.
- DirectorCurt GedaJennifer GravesTim MaltbyStarsKevin ConroyKimberly BrooksKelly RipaThe Dark Knight must contend with a mysterious female vigilante who emulates him, but to a more ruthless degree.I liked it. Conroy was good as always but compared to the show, it just didn't match up.
- DirectorBoyd KirklandStarsKevin ConroyMichael AnsaraLoren LesterWhen Mr. Freeze, desperate to save his dying wife, kidnaps Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) as an involuntary organ donor, Batman and Robin must find her before the operation can begin.See the entry above.
- DirectorJay OlivaStarsMatt RyanCamilla LuddingtonJason O'MaraBeings with supernatural powers join together to fight against supernatural villains. This team of supernatural beings include John Constantine, Zatanna and Jason Blood also known as the demon Etrigan.Interesting premise but fairly dull execution.
- DirectorChristopher BerkeleyLauren MontgomeryJay OlivaStarsNathan FillionJason IsaacsElisabeth MossAs the home planet of the Green Lantern Corps faces a battle with an ancient enemy, Hal Jordan prepares new recruit Arisia for the coming conflict by relating stories of the first Green Lantern and several of Hal's comrades.I fell asleep during this one. Not a good entry.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsKevin ConroyMark HamillTara StrongAs Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into madness.With such strong material behind it, it is amazing that a better movie could not be produced.
- DirectorEthan SpauldingStarsJason O'MaraStuart AllanThomas GibsonBatman learns he has a violent, unruly pre-teen son, secretly raised by the terrorist group the League of Assassins.The main character is just unlikeable, the pacing is off, and even the action is mediocre.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsKevin ConroyMelissa RauchPaget BrewsterBatman and Nightwing are forced to team with the Joker's sometimes-girlfriend Harley Quinn to stop a global threat brought about by Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue, the Floronic Man.Despite a fairly strong opening and some nostalgic power derived from the animation style, there are some pretty jarring tonal shifts and a weak ending makes this the worst entry in the Bruce Timm animated universe.
- DirectorSam LiuStarsJames DentonChristina HendricksAnthony LaPagliaAfter being poisoned by sun radiation, a dying Superman decides to fulfill his lifelong dreams while Lex Luthor has his own agenda.I'm sorry Superman fans, but this is just plain boring.
- DirectorJames TuckerStarsMatt BomerStana KaticJohn NobleSuperman and Supergirl take on the cybernetic Brainiac, who boasts that he possesses "the knowledge and strength of 10,000 worlds."The absolute worst movie in the DC animated universe. Uninteresting villain and poor pacing makes this movie a chore to sit through.
- DirectorJunpei MizusakiStarsKôichi YamaderaWataru TakagiAi KakumaBatman, along with a number of his allies and adversaries, finds himself transplanted from modern Gotham City to feudal Japan.Wow! What a dumb movie! As in nothing made sense, the voice acting was stilted, the animation felt kinetic but lacked personality. People looked differently from scene to scene with no explanation and people all of a sudden had powers that were never established. Dumb and boring.