When Batman: The Animated Series Debuting in 1992, it was intended to be a non-canonical animated counterpart to the Tim Burton film. Batman franchise. Since then, the show’s popularity has skyrocketed, becoming a fan favorite and a critical darling. Actually, Batman: The Animated Series often cited as one of the best adaptations Bruce Wayne/Batman and the myths surrounding him. With character-driven storytelling and intriguing world-building, it’s no secret why the series is so beloved.
As a result, 13 official spin-offs were created, not counting the web series. Gotham Girlsand influenced the vast majority of subsequent DC content. Although its influence cannot be overstated, getting into Batman: The Animated Series The DC Animated Universe can be a challenging endeavor. Drawing on 32 years of animation, DCAU is one of the most carefully executed DCAU projects. Rewatching it is a worthwhile task for any superhero fan, and the age of streaming makes that task a little easier.
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Batman: Mask of the Phantom (1993)
Originally released in theaters on Christmas Day 1993.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was the first spin-off Batman: The Animated Series and the only theatrical release of the franchise. Originally intended as a live-action spinoff, the film takes place between the first and second seasons of its predecessor. Thanks to success Batman: The Animated Seriesit was transferred to theatrical release, although, unfortunately, the film turned out to be a box office bomb. Despite this, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm it’s a cult classic. In the film, Bruce faces off against an old flame and Batman is portrayed as a new threat to Gotham City, the Phantasm.
It’s a compelling story filled with heart and intrigue, making it a must-have accessory for any Batman fan. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm no longer available to stream on Max, but it can be purchased or rented on Amazon Prime Video, YouTubeTV, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home and Apple TV.
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Superman: The Animated Series (1996)
Originally aired on The WB from September 1996 to February 2000.
Superman: The Animated Series it is often talked about in conjunction with its sister series, but stands on its own. Like Batman: The Animated Seriesit updates both the character of Superman and the Metropolis setting for the then-contemporary 1990s era. Superman: The Animated Series was intended as a companion show to the live-action Superman film. but the latter never materialized on screen. He was widely praised for his handling of both Superman and iconic villains like Darkseid.
Despite this, the cartoon is well received and almost as important as Batman: The Animated Series in the wider DCAU. Superman: The Animated Series available to stream on Max or purchase on YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home and Apple TV.
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The New Batman Adventures (1997)
Originally aired on The WB from September 1997 to January 1999.
New Batman Adventures occupies a unique niche in the DCAU. The series served as a bridge between the first show on Fox and later spin-offs on The WB and Cartoon Network. Although it was a stand-alone series when it aired, this is now considered season three Batman: The Animated Series. Despite this, there was a significant gap between both series, resulting in a time jump in the universe, a change in art style, and the introduction of a new main character, Tim Drake/Robin.
New Batman Adventures is very similar to what came before, with the most significant difference – besides the change in aesthetics – being a stronger emphasis on the supporting cast. Currently it is simply listed under Batman: The Animated Series on most platforms. New Batman Adventures is available to stream on Max and Amazon Prime Video, and for purchase on Fandango at Home, YouTube TV, Google Play and Apple TV.
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Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
Originally released for live broadcast on March 17, 1998.
Batman: The Animated Series redefined Mr. Freeze, making him the sympathetic villain that audiences now know and love. Due to his popularity, Mr. Freeze was included in Batman and Robin as is his backstory regarding his terminally ill wife. As a result, Batman and Mr. Freeze: Below Zero was commissioned as another film. It was originally scheduled for release in 1997, but was pushed back to 1998 due to poor reception. Batman and Robin. Batman and Mr. Freeze: Below Zero also talks about how Mr. Freeze tries to cure his wife once and for all by choosing Batgirl as a donor.
Despite the fact that it was intended as a companion for Batman and Robinthe direct-to-video film was much more warmly received. Batman and Mr. Freeze: Below Zero is available to stream for free on Tubi and to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV and Apple TV.
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Batman Beyond (1999)
Originally aired from January 1999 to December 2001.
Batman Beyond This is quite possibly the biggest risk the DCAU could take. The series is set in a futuristic Gotham City where Bruce has become too old to be Batman. He was replaced in this role by a character created for the series, Terry McGinnis. Although the original concept for Batman’s replacement was controversial, Batman Beyond has become a cult classic. As a result, Terry moved to DC Comics.
Batman Beyond darker than the rest of the DCAU, with a distinctly futuristic aesthetic that is firmly rooted in the Y2K era. The WB series is available to stream on Max and purchase on Fandango at Home, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
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Static Shock (2000)
Originally aired on The WB from September 2000 to May 2004.
Static shock is another DCAU series that has received great success. The series follows teenage superhero Virgil Hawkins/Static and his tech-savvy friend Richie as they cope with their new reality after gaining powers in an accident. Static shock tonally different from other DCAU series largely due to its combination of humor, coming-of-age stories, and heavy themes. It should be noted that this is the first series in the franchise to feature an African-American protagonist.
Static shock remains a beloved entry in the DC canon, especially among viewers who grew up watching it. As a result, Static has gained increased prominence in other DC content over the years. The show is available to stream on Max and to purchase on Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Google Play and Apple TV.
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Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Originally released December 2000, then re-released April 2002.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker serves as a kind of epilogue Batman Beyondand it ties up loose ends New Batman Adventures. The film follows Terry as he investigates who appears to be the Joker, back from the dead. This adventure forces him to cross paths with Batman’s former ally Tim Drake and discover what divided the Batman Family. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker has the unusual history of being the first DCAU project to receive a PG-13 rating. In the original, key scenes involving violence were heavily censored, and an uncensored version was not released until 2002.
It’s debatable Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker It has the darkest story ever in an animated Batman project, but it was well received by fans and critics. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is available to stream for free on Tubi and rent on Fandango at Home, Google Play, YouTube TV and Apple TV.
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Project Zeta (2001)
Originally aired on The WB from January 2001 to August 2002.
Project Zeta is a by-product Batman Beyond and thus takes place in a specific future of the series. It follows Zeta, a humanoid robot created by the NSA, and his teenage companion Ro. Zeta experiences an existential crisis due to being created as a killing machine and goes rogue, determined to find his creator and get answers. Project Zeta it had problems as The WB and creator Bob Goodman clashed over the darker, anti-authority elements of the series.
Unfortunately, the series only ran for 26 episodes, which is a shame considering the creative approach to the superhero genre. Goodman’s vision for the story never came to fruition, although he expressed interest in reviving the show if the opportunity arose. Project Zeta available for purchase only on Fandango at Home, YouTube TV and Apple TV.
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Justice League (2001)
Originally aired on Cartoon Network from November 2001 to May 2004.
Besides Batman: The Animated SeriesDCAU’s best known product is Justice League. To Avengers did it in 2012, Justice League filmed a crossover that combined 10 years of superhero content. The series featured Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, among others. Additionally, it frequently featured villains from both previous series and comic books, including characters such as Lex Luthor and the Joker. Justice LeagueLike its predecessors, it was praised for its attention to its characters and world.
It remains an iconic and interesting take on the DC mythos. Justice League is available to stream on Netflix and Max, and for purchase on Apple TV, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home and Google Play.
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Batman: The Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
Originally released October 2003
The most overlooked film in the entire DCAU is the 2003 film. Batman: The Mystery of Batwoman. For over ten years it was the last film in the series. In the film, Batman and Robin face the emergence of a new superheroine, Batwoman, in Gotham, and also try to stop the Penguin. Batman: The Mystery of Batwoman was not particularly well received upon its release and has since faded into relative obscurity. Unfortunately, the film adds little to the DCAU canon, as Batwoman does not return to the franchise.
It’s a pity that Batman: The Mystery of Batwoman didn’t have much of an impact, but came out at a bad time after all three previous Batman series had ended. Batman: The Mystery of Batwoman is available to stream for free on Tubi and to purchase or rent on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube TV and Fandango at Home.
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Justice League Unlimited (2004)
Originally aired on Cartoon Network from July 2004 to May 2006.
Justice League Unlimited picks up two years later Justice Leagueand it features an expanded cast of heroes. The series is largely the same as its predecessor, with the only major difference being that the episodes focus on more than just the six main cast members. In fact, some of the stories revolve around characters and storylines introduced in previous DCAU shows, such as an entire episode dedicated to Batman Beyond. Justice League Unlimited It’s a fun watch, but the series is best enjoyed after watching what came before.
While it didn’t actually end the franchise, the DCAU’s legacy was largely cemented with a solid finish. Justice League Unlimited delivered. It can be streamed on Max and Netflix, and purchased on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Google Play and Fandango at Home.
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Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
Originally released August 2017.
After a long time, DCAU is back with Batman and Harley Quinn in 2017. The PG-13 rated film does exactly what the title promises; it shows Harley Quinn teaming up with Batman. Nightwing is also along for the ride, making it one of his biggest appearances in the DCAU since the 1990s. The film premiered at the Apple Omic Con in San Diego and then had a limited release for one night only on August 14, 2017. Batman and Harley Quinn wasn’t particularly well receivedlargely because it has more bawdy humor than Batman: The Animated Series.
Despite this, most of the original cast returned for the film, making it a potentially nostalgic viewing experience for longtime fans. Batman and Harley Quinn is available to stream for free on Tubi and rent or purchase on Apple TV, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home and Google Play.
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Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019)
Originally released March 2019
Justice League vs. Fatal Five This is an interesting case because it wasn’t originally written for the DCAU. The film was completely re-recorded after it was decided that the studio did not want audiences to confuse it with the ongoing line of animated films based on The New 52. Justice LeagueThe series’ voice acting was returned. However, some characters were replaced: Flash, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl were replaced.
The film has received mostly positive reviews despite being only questionably DCAU canon, and is a worthwhile film for audiences hungry for more of their favorite characters. Justice League vs. Fatal Five available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango at Home.
Upcoming DC Movie Releases
Source: TV Guide