17 Best animated Batman movies that you must watch

Since the Dark Knight trilogy, this vigilante has been the center of attraction in the whole superhero universe. Granted, Marvel does it way better than DC when it comes to living action movies. But the dark flavor of the caped crusader is unmatched. With his detective skills, gadgets, and brooding charm Batman has always drawn the attention of comic book lovers. So far, we haven’t seen much of him on the big screen and some were not even close to what we expected. So, if you are a Batman lover and if you want to go deeper inside the dark alleys of Gotham, there is a whole new world for you. Presenting the animated movies. A whole lot of them with beautiful storylines. Here is a list of 17 animated movies where we get to experience our favorite vigilante terrorizing the crime world.

1) Batman: Gotham Knight

This one is an anthology movie of six isolated incidents from six different directors. The stories are all around the caped crusader taking on criminals and the animations are amazing. Voiced by Kevin Conroy, the six segments are Have I Got a Story for You, Crossfire, Field Test, In Darkness Dwells, Working Through Pain, and Deadshot. None, of these stories have any particular direction, but these are just short instances where we get to experience different aspects and timelines. A total treat for Batman nerds.

2) Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham

Released in 2023 and directed by Sam Liu, this comic book adaptation takes us back to the 1920’s. Bruce Wayne and his accomplices investigate the disappearance of Oswald Cobblepot’s crew during an expedition. Besides Batman himself, we also get to see Dick Grayson, Oliver Queen a.k.a Green Arrow, Harvey Dent, and Etrigan in action. The captivating story is bound to break your heart for sure, but that’s not an excuse to stay away from this marvel.

3) Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

Batman’s detective skills are matched against the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper in Victorian-era Gotham City. You need to forget about all the conventional characters of the Batman universe as this one is a total surprise. Sam Liu produced and directed this movie and released in the year 2018. As always, there is a thick layer of mystery till the end of this movie and a shocking revelation of the Ripper’s true identity will simply blow your mind.

4) Batman: Hush

Directed by Justin Copeland and released in the year 2018 this movie is loosely adapted from the comic sharing the same name. The storyline is all about Edward Nygma a.k.a The Riddler, acting under the name Hush to regain his popularity amongst other villains. From the beginning, we get to experience multiple evil plots of Hush, involving a hypnotized Superman ordered to kill Batman and Catwoman. In the end, Selina and Bruce call off their relationship due to their differences.

5) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

This one is the first animated Batman movie to get a theatrical release in 1993. Starring Kevin Conroy as Batman, this movie starts with a heartbroken Bruce Wayne, whose marriage with Andrea has been called off. 10 years later, Gotham’s criminals are terrorized by not only Batman himself but also a masked figure named Phantasm. The story revolves around Bruce trying to find out the true identity of this new killer in town. Oh, and he is in for a surprise.

6) Batman: Under the Red Hood

Bruce Wayne, out of sympathy, took in orphans to train them as Robin and one of them went rogue. As Gotham is terrorized by a vigilante named Red Hood, Batman, and Nightwing are set to figure out who is the man behind the mask. Batman’s mentor and the head of League of Assassins, Ra’s al Ghul tried to reincarnate Jason Todd by putting him in the Lazarus Pit. And the result was a bloodthirsty vindictive assassin who went straight for the maniac who killed him in the first place.

7) Son of Batman

The most vicious Robin is undeniably Damian Wayne. The son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, trained by Ra’s al Ghul from his childhood. In this 2014 movie, we see Talia seeking help from Bruce as Ra is killed in an ambush led by Deathstroke. After Deathstroke captures Talia, it is up to Bruce, Dick, and Damian to save her from absolute death. This movie also reveals how Deathstroke lost one of his eyes.

8) Batman vs. Robin

As Damian is suspected by his father Bruce Wayne, their relationship struggles. The lack of trust from Bruce’s side leads Damian under the wings of Talon, an assassin appointed by the Court of Owls. In this 2015 movie, Bruce refuses to admit that Damian is his son publicly. The story revolves around the Court trying to recruit Bruce Wayne and finally finding out that he is Batman. The movie ends with Damian leaving the Wayne Manor to find calm in the Himalayas.

9) The Batman vs. Dracula

Now this one is interesting from the title itself. The Knight of Gotham faces the legend of Dracula. One bat against another. In this 2005 release, we see Batman trying to find the cure for vampirism after finding out what is wrong with the attackers. Initially ignorant about the attacks, Bruce Wayne meets Dr. Alucard at a corporate party hosted by himself at the Wayne Manor. Soon he figures out the true identity of the cultural anthropologist and the duel begins.

10) Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Released in 2019 and directed by Jake Castorena, this movie in one word is awesome. As Ra’s al Ghul and Shredder strike a bargain it is up to the Ninja Turtles and Batman to save Gotham from being destroyed. Initially, Batman and the Ninja Turtles engage in a fight, one thinking the other is the enemy. But after the mutants visit the Batcave they agree to work together to stop the evil plot of destroying Gotham.

11) Batman: The Killing Joke

This 2016 released movie is probably one of the darkest you will find out there. This one is the origin story of the Joker. Driven by emotion Barbara Gordon, who fights crime alongside Batman as Batgirl, is shot in the stomach by the Joker and she is paralyzed from the waist down. Joker then kidnaps James Gordon and keeps him hostage in an old circus. We actually see a civil conversation between Batman and the Joker in this movie.

12) Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

Not exactly a Batman movie, but this 2013 release is worth a mention as we see a whole new Batman in action. Barry Allen also known as The Flash, breaks the timeline to keep his mother for death and he accidentally changes the timeline. This time, Bruce Wayne is not Batman. Thomas and Martha Wayne lost their son in that dark alley. As Thomas went on being an enraged and violent Batman, Martha lost her mind and chose to become someone interesting. Well, watch the movie for a huge surprise.

13) Batman: Soul of the Dragon

This movie takes a detour from typical Batman stories. O-Sensei sacrificed himself when Rip Jagger tried to open a secret door after killing Jade with the Soul Breaker sword. After years, Bruce’s fellow student Richard Dragon asks for his help as he finds out that the gate has a crime lord named Jeffrey Burr. The former apprentices of O-Sensei, Bruce, Richard, Shiva, and Ben visit the secret monastery where they find their master possessed by the serpent god Naga.

14) Batman: Assault on Arkham

The Suicide Squad in action and up against the Batman. Amanda Waller, the director of A.R.G.U.S, captures wanted criminals and forms the Suicide Squad to break into Arkham and retrieve a thumb drive from the Riddler, containing sensitive information. It is now up to Batman to stop the invasion led by Deadshot. We get to experience a very jealous Joker as Deadshot comes in between him and Harley Quinn. Also, there is a surprising twist at the end that you just can’t miss.

15) Batman: The Long Halloween (Part 1 and 2)

This movie was released in two parts in the year 2021. This is one of the movies where we get to experience the detective in Batman. As the name suggests, murder begins on Halloween, and the murderer is named Holiday. We get a very close look at the Falcone crime family along with a lot of secrets. At one point Bruce Wayne gets hypnotized by Poison Ivy as well. The plot doesn’t reveal the identity of the killer till the very end and the suspense is to die for.

16) Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Part 1 and 2)

If you ever wondered where the famous Batman vs. Superman fight sequence was adopted from? You should watch these movies. The first part was released in 2012 and the second part in 2013, this is so far the best plot. It will be gravely unfair to give away the details if you haven’t experienced them yet. The plot starts with a retired and old Bruce Wayne returning as Batman for one last time as his old friend and accomplice Jim Gordon is about to retire and under threat from the mutant gang that rules the underworld of Gotham.

17) Batman: Year one

Do you know about the TV series Gotham? Well, Ben McKenzie, who played Jim Gordon in Gotham, voiced Bruce Wayne in this 2011 release. This movie is about the early stage of Batman when he is just learning through his mistakes. On the other side, Jim Gordon has just joined the G.C.P.D and already hates the city as it is tearing itself apart. It is up to Bruce and Jim to help each other as the crime ring circles around them. Also, Bruce can’t reveal his true identity and acts as an ignorant billionaire playboy.