ANIMATION/SUPERHEROES – DC Animated Superhero Movies You Should Watch or Avoid

Not all the DC superhero animated movies are worth watching.  I’ve put the best of them on my Top Ten Animated Superhero Animated Movies list.

If you want the best of the best, read that post.  I won’t be writing about any of those movies in this list. Instead I’ll be writing about all the other movies that didn’t make that list.

I think I’ve watched every DC animated movie.  Except perhaps the Target Exclusive JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time movie.

Here I’ll write some very short thoughts about each movie and whether or not they’re worth watching.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

The first of the DC animated movies.  This one still holds up. It’s a great story, although it’s a tad predictable and Bruce Wayne seem a little out of character.

The character designs look a bit dated compared to the much more sleek designs in later movies.

Is it worth watching?

I say yes.

Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero

The second of the DC animated Movies.  This is yet another movie that hold up.  Although I think it’s a bit weaker than Phantasm.

Well drawn and well animated.

Is it worth watching?

Yes, I think it is. But you’re not missing anything mind blowing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7yHdSyCqxE

 

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

The uncut version of this is pretty darn awesome.  By far one of the best of the animated superhero movies.  Sleek designs,  a cool story with an incredible dramatic twist.

The portrayal of the Joker in this movie is one of the darkest. It’s a very intense movie and the hand drawn special effect are worth studying.

Is it worth watching?

Absolutely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_2FSnybRRI

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

This is almost a remake of Mask of the Phatasm.  It feels the same only not as good.

The story is a bit dull, the designs are not as good and the quality of animation isn’t as good as it could be.

There’s a twist in this movie that’s…okay and unexpected but it doesn’t really save this movie from being kinda lame.

Is it worth watching?

You can pass on this one.

Superman: Doomsday

Alright, so this movie is really bad.  It just isn’t very good.  It’s the story of how Doomsday kills Superman.

The problem is that this story was done so much better in the Superman Animated Series. It had so much more resonance and pathos than this movie had and it was produced by the same people.

All that said, it’s a guilty pleasure because it’s got some of the best superhero fighting in an animated superhero movie.

People who think that the destruction of Metropolis in the live action Man of Steel was excessive, obviously haven’t seen this movie.

The movie looks great, and there’s some really good acting moments in it. Especially in the character of Lois Lane.

Is it worth watching?

Only if  you watch it to see some great fights.  Otherwise, pass.

Justice League: The New Frontier

Based on the comic by Darwin Cooke that, I’m ashamed to say, I haven’t read yet.  It made me curious about how much better the comic might be.

I thought this movie was okay but it wasn’t as good I heard the comic was.  Thing is, I think the movie spoiled the comic for me and I didn’t much like the story here.

Batman’s voice was weird and the story was a bit upsetting somehow.

I loved the designs and the era this movie took place in.  It’s visually a fantastic movie.

Is it worth watching?

Sort of.  It’s not the best thing out there but it’s neat.

Batman: Gotham Knight

Batman goes anime in this anthology.  This is basically a Japanese retelling of the Batman Animated Series episode Legends of the Dark Knight.

It’s also following in the footsteps of the Animatrix animated anthology.  It allows Japanese animation directors to tell their version of a Batman story.

I like anime but I wasn’t very impressed with this movie.  I don’t even own a copy.  I though it was interesting but I’d rather watch the animated series version.  It was much more fun.

Is it worth watching?

I think so, if your a Batman fan and want to see interesting takes on the character.

Wonder Woman

I REALLY wanted to like this.   I think the movie is beautiful. And Nathan Fillion perfectly voices Wonder Woman’s love interest Steve Trevor.

There’s  a lot fun moments in this, but overall I just didn’t like it much.  I didn’t like Wonder Woman in this.  I don’t know why.

I loved her design, I liked the action, and the animation but the story was, meh.

Also, I don’t think it makes Wonder Woman a good role model either.  She’s a killer in this movie.

Is it worth watching?

If you like Wonder Woman, this movie is worth a shot. It’s the only game in town when it comes to stand alone Wonder Woman movies.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

I love Ed McGinnis’ artwork, however, I don’t think it translates very well into animation.  At least, not in the way it was translated in this movie.

I find a lot of the characters designs in this movie not to my taste.  Especially Powergirl.

All that said, this is one of the more entertaining superhero animated movies DC has put out.  It’s adapted from a Superman/Batman comic written by Jeph Loeb that’s just as fun to read.

Is it worth watching?

Yes, this one is fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKN2AToJ84g

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Yet another adaptation of a story from the Superman/Batman comics written by Jeph Loeb.

This time the art style was an adaptation of the late Micheal Turner’s.  Unfortunately, I’m not a big fan of his style.

For some reason, the first time I watched it, it really left a bad impression.  I had a difficult time liking it.

However, I’ve changed my mind about it now. I really enjoy it.  Especially because is has some of the best Wonder Woman fighting scenes in any animated DC product out there.

Is it worth watching?

Yes, I think it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynp3VvhEAog

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

This is a Green Lantern animated anthology.  It’s actually quite fun.

Nathan Fillion voices Hall Jordan and fits the part perfectly.

The character designs are fantastic, the animation is great, and the short stories are fun.  However, if you’re not much of a fan of Green Lantern and the Green Lantern Corp, you might not like this.

Is it worth watching?

I think so.  It’s fun.

Justice League: Doom

This one is an adaptation of Mark Waid’s Tower of Babel, Justice League story line.  It’s one of my all time favorite Justice League stories.

When I heard they were going to do an animated version, I was thrilled.  The movie even has the same character designs as my favorite animated superhero TV show, Young Justice.

However, when I actually watched the movie, it simply wasn’t the same as the comic.  They changed it just enough to make the story too different from it’s comic book counterpart, for me.

Is it worth watching?

Only if you’re a completest like me. Otherwise, pass.

 

Superman: Unbound

I borrowed this from friend who basically decided he didn’t want it back. It’s that good.

I don’t much like the character designs in this movie. Especially on Superman. He just looks wrong.  The action and animation is very cool though.

This is a story adapted from a Geoff Johns comic book story line. I haven’t read the comic this was adapted from but I sure didn’t like this story.

Is it worth watching?

I say pass.

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

This movie has cured me from ever wanting to draw gigantically buff superheroes ever again.  The dudes in this movie are HUGE.

It’s an interesting story.  It’s a lot of fun to watch.  I read the comics this movie was adapted from and they did a great job of capturing the essence of the comics.

It has, hands down, one of the most badass versions of Aquaman in any animated anything.  He’s awesome and super scary.

After watching this movie, you’ll never see Aquaman the same way again. Respect the Aquaman.

This movie is a Flash movie however. And he’s a great character to watch.

Is it worth watching?

Yeah. It basically ushers in the New 52 era of animated superhero movies.

Justice League: War

The very different designs continues with this adaptation of the New 52 Justice League comic, written by Geoff Johns.

I was disappointed with this movie.

This is also one of the worst depictions of Wonder Woman in any of the animated movies or series.  She comes across a bit dopey and her costume looks awful.

This is also the movie that introduced the Batman chin piece, that just looks weird.

There where a few laughs but…this movie just didn’t do it for me.

Is it worth watching?

Pass on this one.

EDIT 01/01/2015:

I’ve recently re-watched this movie.  I also had the chance to read the comic is was based on.  My thoughts have changed.

I still don’t like the designs as much, and Wonder Woman still comes across dopey. Turns out that bit is actually straight out of the comics. Yet, the second time around, I ended up enjoying this movie.

For starters, compared to the comic version, this movie is fantastic.

But, the reason I ended up changing my mind after I watched it the second time, it’s a fun beat ’em up.  That’s all it really is, the Justice League fighting each other and fighting bad guys.  It’s mindless and fun.  If you go into it wanting more, you’ll be disappointed like I was initially.

Is it worth watching?

Now a days, I would say, sure, give it a try.

Son of Batman

Chin piece Batman is at it again.  This time with his son Damian.

Ra’s Al Ghul and his daughter Talia show up in this movie.  This is the same designer who designed the beautiful looking Young Justice characters.

He’s obviously experimenting, and is going through a Peter Chung phase.

This movie is actually a decent movie.

No where near as good as Batman: Under the Red Hood, but it’s cool.

Is it worth watching?

Yes.

Batman: Assault on Arkham

This movie should really be called “Suicide Squad” the animated movie, but no one would have bought that, so they use Batman’s name on the title.

This is basically a Oceans 11 with DC super villains.

The Suicide Squad is a group of super villains assembled by the government to do suicide mission in exchange for pardons.  Bombs are implanted in their heads so they stay in line and follow orders during the mission.

The team has made an appearance in the Smallville TV show and on the Arrow TV show.  Warners is also planning a live action movie.

This particular movie takes place in the “Batman: Arkham” video game universe.

I have to say, I didn’t expect much when I put it in to watch the movie but I ended up loving it.  It’s a great story.  A lot of fun.  Very violent, so it’s not for kids.

I like the designs on most of the characters.  The take on each character is great.

The protagonist of the movie is not Batman but Deadshot.  He’s the lead and he’s very cool. Batman is secondary character. This is a good thing. It makes him even more mysterious.

This is definitely one of the best animated  superhero movies Warners has produced in a while.

Is it worth watching?

Absolutely

Thought?

What do you think? Which movies do you like most?

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts on some of these movies.

If You Liked This, You Will Also Like

Top Ten Animated Superhero Animated Movies

 Top Ten Animated Superhero TV Shows

6 Reasons Why Watching Justice League Animated is a Great Way to Learn About the DC Universe.

8 Reasons Why AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES Animated Cartoon is the Funnest, Easiest Way to Learn About the Marvel Universe.

My Thoughts on Young Justice Animated.

Thoughts on the Legion of Superheroes Animated Cartoon.