For decades, DC Animated movies have captivated audiences with their stunning animation, compelling storylines, and iconic characters. Navigating the vast library of films can be daunting, however. This guide provides a chronological order of DC animated movies, categorized for clarity and enhanced viewing enjoyment. We'll also address some frequently asked questions to ensure you have the ultimate DC animated movie marathon experience.
Chronological Order of DC Universe Animated Original Movies (DCUAM)
This list focuses primarily on the DC Universe Animated Original Movies (DCUAM) released since 2007, often considered the "main" continuity:
- Superman: Doomsday (2007): A faithful adaptation of the iconic "Death of Superman" storyline.
- Justice League: The New Frontier (2008): A stylish take on the classic DC comic book series.
- Wonder Woman (2009): An origin story focusing on the Amazonian princess and her early adventures.
- Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009): Superman and Batman face Lex Luthor's deadly plot.
- Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010): A darker, more mature Batman story featuring the return of Jason Todd.
- Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010): The dynamic duo confronts Darkseid and his daughter, Supergirl.
- Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010): A multiverse-spanning adventure with a surprising twist.
- Batman: Year One (2011): A faithful adaptation of Frank Miller's seminal graphic novel.
- Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011): An anthology film showcasing different Green Lanterns throughout the cosmos.
- Justice League: Doom (2012): The Justice League faces a devastating threat exploiting their deepest vulnerabilities.
- Superman vs. The Elite (2012): Superman's moral code is challenged by a ruthless group of vigilantes.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012): Adaptation of Frank Miller’s classic graphic novel, Part 1.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013): Conclusion of the adaptation of Frank Miller's classic graphic novel.
- Justice League: War (2014): The formation of the Justice League is depicted in a brutal and action-packed manner.
- Son of Batman (2014): Batman confronts his son, Damian Wayne, and the League of Assassins.
- Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015): Aquaman's origins and his struggle against his half-brother, Ocean Master.
- Batman vs. Robin (2015): A clash between Batman and Robin, fueled by the Court of Owls.
- Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015): A reimagining of the Justice League with alternate versions of iconic characters. Note: This is an Elseworlds story and not part of the main continuity.
- Justice League: Gods and Monsters - The Complete Series (2016): This is not a film but a 3-part series based on the same premise as the movie.
- Batman: Bad Blood (2016): The Batfamily confronts a new threat in the absence of Batman.
- Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016): The Justice League and Teen Titans clash over differing ideologies.
- Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018): A dark and gritty tale featuring DC's infamous anti-heroes.
- Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017): The Teen Titans confront the deadly threat of Deathstroke.
- Justice League Dark (2017): A supernatural thriller featuring DC's magical heroes.
- The Death of Superman (2018): A more in-depth take on the "Death of Superman" storyline.
- Reign of the Supermen (2019): The aftermath of Superman's death.
- Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (2019): The Justice League confronts a powerful alien team.
- Batman: Hush (2019): An adaptation of the popular Batman comic book storyline.
- Superman: Red Son (2020): An adaptation of the alternate reality Superman story.
- Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020): A dark and violent culmination of several storylines. Considered the end of the DCAM shared universe.
- Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020): An origin story for Superman.
- Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2020): Bruce Wayne and his martial arts masters face off against Lady Shiva and others.
- Justice Society: World War II (2021): A WWII-set film featuring the Justice Society of America.
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One (2021): Adaptation of Jeph Loeb's graphic novel.
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two (2021): Conclusion of the adaptation of Jeph Loeb's graphic novel.
- Injustice (2021): Based on the popular video game, exploring a dystopian future.
- Catwoman: Hunted (2022): Catwoman is hunted by various groups after pulling a heist.
- Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022): Features the sons of Batman and Superman working together.
- Legion of Super-Heroes (2023): Brainiac threatens the galaxy and the Legion of Super-Heroes must stop him.
Other Notable DC Animated Films
This list includes films that don't necessarily fit within the main DCUAM continuity:
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993): A critically acclaimed, stand-alone film.
- Superman: The Animated Series (1996): While technically a series, it has been compiled into various film compilations.
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000): A sequel to the Batman Beyond series.
- Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013): An Elseworlds story based on the Flashpoint storyline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What order should I watch the DC Animated Movies?
The chronological order of the main DCUAM films, as listed above, offers the most cohesive viewing experience, though some viewers enjoy watching them by character (all Batman movies first, etc). The "Elseworlds" films can be enjoyed at any point, as they exist outside the main continuity.
Are all the DC Animated movies connected?
Most of the DCUAM films listed above are part of a shared universe, with characters and storylines often crossing over. However, some films, like Justice League: Gods and Monsters and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, are standalone stories in "Elseworlds" and are not connected to the main continuity.
Where can I watch these movies?
Many DC animated movies are available for purchase or rental on various streaming platforms, such as HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and iTunes. Availability can vary by region.
This comprehensive guide should equip you to enjoy the vast and exciting world of DC animated movies. Remember to check availability on your preferred streaming platforms before starting your marathon!
