each Batman Animated series explores a different side of the character, and some of the best Batman stories have been told in animation form. Over the years, Batman has been front and center in ten solo animated series from 1968 to 2014. This does not include other DC animated shows Batman has been a part of, such as Justice League Or Young justice. With the release of a new Batman series in 2024, animated productions still represent a huge part of the Dark Knight’s legacy.
Batman has been DC Comics’ flagship character for a while, which is why the Caped Crusader has starred in more animated series than any other DC hero. That’s not to mention the several DC Animated Universe movies that have featured Batman in some capacity. Here it is Every Batman animated show, ranked from worst to best.
10
The Adventures of Batman (1968 – 1969)
17 episodes
The Filmation cartoons are an important part of DC’s animation history, although they weren’t as game-changing as the Fleischer Superman ones. Filmation’s DC cartoons include The Adventures of BatmanWhich reflects how the Caped Crusader was portrayed in the comics and television during the 1960s.
The Adventures of Batman Can be considered an extension of the 1966 Batman serial, although it featured a different cast from the live-action show. The series was a collection of 12 minute-long adventures featuring Batman, Robin and Batgirl as they faced classic villains. A product of its time, The Adventures of Batman is a fun look at Silver Age Batman.
9
The New Adventures of Batman (1977)
16 episodes
After Hannah-Barbara’s Super friends Bringing together several DC heroes for a series of cartoons, Filmation began to develop another show focused on Batman and Robin. Interestingly, Batman and Robin were in Super friendsMeaning that two different companies were handling the letters at the same time.
The New Adventures of Batman Is not that much different from what the previous series either Super friends Did, except for the cast. Batman’s 66 Stars Adam West and Burt Ward reprized their roles as Batman and Robinrespectively, for the animated show. Hear the classic dynamic duo in an animated series makes The New Adventures of Batman Quite special.
8
Batman Unlimited (2015-2016)
33 episodes
Batman Unlimited is one of the more unusual Dark Knight shows in many senses, as the series consists of a selection of short online episodes that can be found on YouTube, complete with a chain of tie-in movies of the same iteration From the famous DC hero. how so Batman Unlimited It doesn’t have quite the same amount of time as other Batman shows to focus on character or story depth, and is more centered around showing the Caped Crusader facing down various enemies with less in the way of an overarching narrative.
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However, the show’s distinctive take on Batman and his allies and enemies is undeniably eye-catching, and manages to still be entertaining as a result. so too, Batman Unlimited Manages to create a surprisingly ranged cast despite its limited running timeAll of which get their own unique reimaging for this era of DC. That said, this could still be a bit lacking if not for this fact Batman Unlimited Also has three tie-in movies.
7
Beware the Batman (2013 – 2014)
26 episodes
The short-lived Beware the Batman was a show of many “firsts” in DC’s history. Beware the Batman is the first and so far only 3D animated Batman series. so too, Beware the Batman remains the only Batman animated show to have an overarching storyline throughout rather than more episodic adventures.
Instead of the “case-of-the-week” approach of Batman: TAS, Beware the Batman Tells a serialized story. Each episode led right into the next one, with villains like the League of Assassins serving as the connective tissue. Beware the Batman Avoided classic Batman villains and focused on lesser-known ones, such as Anarchy and Mr. Toad. This makes it one of the most unique Batman shows.
6
Batman: Caped Crusader (2024 – )
10 episodes
Batman: Caped Crusader is the latest animated adaptation of the character, produced by The Batman Director Matt Reeves, and developed by Bruce Timm, who also developed Batman: The Animated Series. The series is set in a 1930s Gotham, with a detective noir feel throughout. Various important characters in the Batman mythos undergo significant changes in the series, including Harley Quinn, Cat Woman and The Penguin.
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While it does not live up to Batman: The Animated SeriesThe series takes the characters in interesting directions and also reimagines them to fit into its world. There is an edge to this version of Batman that makes the series more intriguing. Batman: Caped Crusader’s The first season was only 10 episodes long, but a few more seasons should help promote the show even more, because there’s a lot to love about it.
5
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008 – 2011)
65 episodes
Batman: The brave and the bold is a love letter to the golden and silver ages of DC Comics. Inspired by the Brave and the bold Team-up stories from the comics, the show paired Batman with other heroes in each episode. Despite the name, don’t expect it to be the basis for the new Batman reboot of the DCU.
At first, it may seem like Batman: The brave and the bold Is also campy and much less serious than Batman: TAS. However, the show is intentionally based on earlier Batman adventures, and it features some Easter eggs that only long-time DC Comics readers will catch. A deep dive into Batman and DC lore, The brave and the bold is an incredible show.
4
Batman Next (1999-2001)
52 episodes
come off the success of Batman: TASThe idea of ​​exploring the future of the show’s timeless Gotham City was exciting. BTAS Worked mostly with famous Batman characters, however Batman next Went for something very different. Terry McGinnis, an original character created for the show, is now Batman’s successor in a Blade Runner-style Gotham that is unlike anything from the comics.
The Batman next Villains are mostly original creations, and even returning enemies such as Bone or Mr. Freeze are reinvented. Terry was very different from Bruce, which was good for the show. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Movie, and Justice League Unlimiteds “Epilogue” episode, continued Terry’s story.
3
The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)
24 episodes
Batman: The animated series Ended its original run in 1995. However, after the launch of VB Kids and the success of Superman: The animated seriesWarner Bros. Animation decided to bring Batman back. The New Batman Adventures Can be considered the same show as Batman: TASBut there are enough differences for them to be considered different series. Most of the cast and crew of BTAS Returned for a slightly campier series that continued to explore Batman and Gotham City’s most famous villains. This time, the focus was on the bat family. Now, Dick Grayson was Nightwing, Tim Drake was Robin, and Batgirl was a series regular.
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The New Batman Adventures Didn’t have as many memorable moments as BTAS. The character-driven approach that made the best Batman: The animated series Episode is missing from The New Batman AdventuresWhich was a more action-packed show compared to the previous one.
The idea was to match what Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever has done ahead of the release of Batman and Robin. even after The New Batman Adventures was essential to the creation of the DC Animated Universe. The show places Batman in a world where other superheroes exist, develops members of the Bat family, and sets the stage for crossovers like Justice League.
2
The Batman (2004-2008)
65 episodes
Create a new Batman animated series while the DC Animated Universe Batman timeline is still out in Justice League Unlimited was a very difficult task. The famous “Bat Embargo”, in which certain characters could not appear if they were already used somewhere else, made things even more complicated.
novelty, The Batman It was one of the best Batman animated shows of all time. The Batmans character designs may seem strange at first, but the series delivers some of the most interesting versions of characters, such as Batgirl and Robin. The Batman Takes the Dark Knight in new directions While you never lose track of who Bruce Wayne and Batman are.
1
Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
85 episodes
DC’s animation history predates it Batman: The animated series. But, it is Impossible to discuss DC’s animation legacy, and Batman’s pop culture impact in particular, without mentioning it Batman: The animated series. BTAS Would not exist without Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), but the show had its own tone and never limited itself to what the theatrical movies were doing.
Creators such as Bruce Timm and Paul Dini found the perfect balance between what could be a successful cartoon and a great Batman adaptation at the same time. Batman: The animated series was darker and more complex than any other contemporary show, making it a turning point for animation.
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Batman: The Animated Series Proved that superheroes can work in animation as well as in comics like Year oneNot just like campy action heroes like the ones from Super friends. Almost every Saturday morning cartoon trope was broken through Batman: The animated serieswhose noir tone helped reinvent Batman for an entire generation. Kevin Conroy’s Batman led a fantastic cast whose performances are still associated with the Batman characters to this day. Almost 30 years after its premiere, Batman: The animated series remains the best Batman Animated show.
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