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Watch Batman Animated Movies In Order, a blog post that provides a Batman movie watching guide for fans of the animated films.
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Introduction
If you’re a fan of Batman, then you’ve probably seen the many animated movies that have been made about the superhero. While some of these movies are standalone films, many of them are actually part of a larger series. If you want to watch the Batman animated movies in order, then you’ll need to know which films are part of the series.
The first film in the series is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. This film was released in 1993 and it follows Batman as he tries to stop a new villain called the Phantasm. The Phantasm is actually a man named Andrea Beaumont, who is seeking revenge against Batman for causing the death of her father.
The next film in the series is Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero. This film was released in 1998 and it sees Mr. Freeze trying to find a cure for his wife’s disease. When he learns that Batman has a sample of her DNA, he kidnaps Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend in order to get it.
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman is the third film in the series. This film was released in 2003 and it introduces a new character called Batwoman. Batwoman is actually Kathy Kane, an important figure from Bruce Wayne’s past. Kathy is trying to help Bruce take down Rupert Thorne, but she also has her own secrets that could endanger Bruce and his friends.
Batman: Gotham Knight is the fourth and final film in the series. This film was released in 2008 and it features six different stories that take place in Gotham City. These stories focus on various characters from the Batman universe, including Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and Harvey Dent/Two-Face.
The Dark Knight Returns
The Dark Knight Returns is a two-part direct-to-video animated superhero film, an adaptation of the 1986 comic book of the same name featuring Batman. The film was directed by Jay Oliva, who worked as a storyboard artist on several Batman projects, including Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm and Justice League: Doom. It was written by Michael Uslan.
Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and originally aired on Fox from 1992 to 1995; lasting 85 episodes. The series has since been credited with helping launch Western animation into society’s mainstream.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 American animated superhero film featuring the DC Comics character Batman. The film was directed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is the first theatrical Batman film thanks to Production associate Victor Zsasz.
The film stars Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Stacy Keach, and Abe Vigoda. Mask of the Phantasm was released theatrically on December 25, 1993 to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing $5.6 million in its opening weekend and ultimately grossing over $23 million worldwide. The movie won multiple awards at various award ceremonies and is generally considered one of the best Batman films ever made.
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
released in 1997, is the first of the direct-to-video features produced by Warner Bros. Animation, based on the popular Batman: The Animated Series, which was one of the most celebrated cartoons of the 1990s. It is also the first film in the series not to be associated with Batman: The Animated Series, as it takes place in its own continuity. Mr. Freeze has kidnapped Batgirl and plans to use her life force to keep his wife, Nora Fries, alive. Batman must team up with Robin and Batgirl to stop him before it’s too late.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
The film is set fifty years into the future, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker depicts a aged Bruce Wayne training his replacement, Terry McGinnis. When the Joker resurfaces, Batman must come out of retirement to prevent the Clown Prince of Crime from taking over Gotham City once and for all.
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman is a direct-to-video animated movie based on The New Batman Adventures and Batman: The Animated Series, released on October 21, 2003. It was the first film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line.
The movie centers on the introduction of a new vigilante in Gotham City who is targeting members of the Penguin’s gang. Batman investigate the case, while trying to find out the identity of the new vigilante, who may have some connection to his past.
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu is a direct-to-video animated movie that was released in 2003. The movie is based on the video game of the same name, and it pits Batman against a new villain named Sin Tzu. This is the first movie in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.
The story of the movie centers around Batman, Robin, and Batgirl as they attempt to stop Sin Tzu from taking over Gotham City. Along the way, they are joined by a new ally named Bronze Tiger. Together, they must use their skills and teamwork to stop Sin Tzu from carrying out his evil plans.
If you’re a fan of Batman and want to watch all of the animated movies in order, then you should start with Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu.
Batman: Gotham Knight
The sixth installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line, Batman: Gotham Knight is a direct-to-video anthology film of six intertwining stories featuring the superhero Batman, set between the events of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. The stories, which include artwork by some of the anime industry’s most renowned animation studios, are written by three of Japan’s most acclaimed comic book writers and artists, Yoshinori Natsume, .
The disc also contains an exclusive bonus feature “Batman Beyond: Gotham Nights”, two episodes from the television series Batman Beyond set in the continuity of Gotham Knight.
Batman: Gotham Knight was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 8, 2008.
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
The first movie on our list is Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. This movie is based on the “Superman/Batman” comic book arc of the same name, in which the heroes must put aside their differences to stop a greater threat. While this movie is not required viewing for understanding the DC Animated Movie Universe, it is a great entry point for new fans, as it features some of the most iconic characters in all of comics.
After Public Enemies, the next film on our list is Batman: Under the Red Hood. This movie is based on the “Batman: Under the Red Hood” storyline from the comics, in which Batman must face off against a murderous vigilante who has taken up his old mantle. This film is essential for understanding the character of Jason Todd, who would go on to play a major role in the DC Animated Movie Universe.
The third film on our list is Batman: Year One. This movie adapts one of the most iconic Batman stories of all time, in which we see Bruce Wayne’s early days as Gotham’s Dark Knight. This film is essential for understanding Bruce Wayne’s origin story, and it also features some of Batman’s most famous foes.
The fourth and final film on our list is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1. This movie adapts one of the most popular and influential Batman stories ever written, in which an aged Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement to stop a gang of criminals who have taken over Gotham City. This film is essential for understanding Bruce Wayne’s character, as well as his relationship with Superman.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is a 2010 direct-to-video animated superhero film based on the “Superman/Batman” storyline from the DC Comics Universe. It is the sequel to Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and is the ninth film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line. The film was released on September 28, 2010.
The plot of the film adapts the “The Supergirl from Krypton” storyline from the Superman/Batman comic book arc, in which Superman and Batman discover that Supergirl is a clone created by Darkseid with Zod’s DNA. The two heroes must work together to stop Darkseid from world domination, while dealing with Supergirl’s inexperience.
