WhenBatman: The Animated Seriesdebuted in 1992, it was intended to provide a non-canonanimated counterpart to Tim Burton’sBatmanfranchise. Since then, the show exploded in popularity, becoming both a fan favorite and a critical darling. In fact,Batman: The Animated Seriesis often propped up asone of the best adaptations ofBruce Wayne/Batmanand his surrounding mythos. Between its character-based storytelling and intriguing world-building, it’s no mystery why the show is beloved.
As a result, it spawned 13 official spinoffs, not including the webseriesGotham Girls, and influenced the vast majority of DC content that came after. Though its impact cannot be overstated, getting intoBatman: The Animated Seriesand the DC Animated Universe can be a daunting task.With 32 years worth of animation, the DCAU is one of DC’s most thoroughly realized continuities.Revisiting it is a worthwhile task for any superhero fan, and the age of streaming makes the undertaking a bit easier.
13Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Originally Released In Theaters On Christmas Of 1993
Batman: Mask of the Phantasmwas the first spinoff fromBatman: The Animated Seriesand the only mainstream theatrical release of the franchise. Initially conceived as a direct-to-video spinoff, the film is set between the first and second seasons of its predecessor. Due to the success ofBatman: The Animated Series, it was upgraded to a theatrical release, though unfortunately, the movie was a box office bomb. Even so,Batman: Mask of the Phantasmis a cult classic.The film balances Bruce facing an old flame with Batman being framed by a new threat to Gotham City, the Phantasm.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasmwas directed by Bruce Timm, co-creator and showrunner forBatman: The Animated Series, along with fellow co-creator Eric Radomski.
It’s a gripping tale with both heart and intrigue, making it an essential watch for any Batman fan.Batman: Mask of the Phantasmis no longer available to stream on Max, butit is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTubeTV, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Cast
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the first movie in Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, and Paul Dini’s DC Animated Universe, serving as a prequel to Batman: The Animated Series. It pits the Dark Knight against a mysterious vigilante known as the Phantasm, who forces Bruce Wayne to confront his crime-fighting crusade and his traumatic past. Iconic DC voice actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill return as Batman and Joker, respectively.
12Superman: The Animated Series (1996)
Originally Aired On The WB From September 1996 to February 2000
Superman: The Animated Seriesis often talked about in conjunction with its sister series, but it stands on its own. LikeBatman: The Animated Series, it updates both Superman’s character and the setting of Metropolis for the then-modern era of the 1990s.Superman: The Animated Serieswas conceptualized as a companion show to a live-action Superman film,but the latter never materialized on screen. It was largely praised for its treatment of both Superman and of iconic villains such as Darkseid.
10 DC Villains Superman: The Animated Series Totally Nailed
Superman: The Animated Series provided a thrilling modernization of Superman’s classic adversaries, many of which were adapted flawlessly.
Even so, the cartoon is well-received and is about as important asBatman: The Animated Seriesin the wider DCAU.Superman: The Animated Seriesis available to stream on Max or to buy on YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series is a cartoon centered around the Man of Steel’s many adventures. Aired from 1996 to 2000, it is part of Warner Bros.' DC Animated Universe, set in the same continuity as Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited.
11The New Batman Adventures (1997)
Originally Aired On The WB From September 1997 To January 1999
The New Batman Adventuresfalls into a unique niche within the DCAU. The series served as a bridge between the first show on Fox and the later spinoffs on The WB and Cartoon Network. Though it was a distinct series at the time it aired,it is now considered the third season ofBatman: The Animated Series.Even so, there was a substantial gap between both series, leading to an in-universe time jump, a change in art style, and a new co-lead, Tim Drake/Robin.
10 Ways Batman: The Animated Series Is Even Better Today Than When It First Released
Over 30 years later, Batman: The Animated Series has only become more iconic with age, due to its outstanding impact on the Batman mythos.
The New Batman Adventuresis highly similar to what came before, with the most substantial difference—aside from a change in aesthetic—being a stronger emphasis on the supporting cast. Nowadays, it is simply listed underBatman: The Animated Serieson most platforms.The New Batman Adventuresis available to stream on Max and Amazon Prime Video as well as to buy on Fandango at Home, YouTube TV, Google Play, and Apple TV.
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne as he assumes the role of the masked vigilante Batman to combat crime in Gotham City. This acclaimed 1992 series explores his dual identity and features an array of iconic villains, while Bruce vows to avenge the murder of his parents.
10Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
Originally Released DIrect-To-Video On July 26, 2025
Batman: The Animated Seriesredefined Mr. Freeze, making him the sympathetic villain audiences now know and love. Because of his popularity, Mr. Freeze was included inBatman & Robinas was his backstory regarding his terminally ill wife. As a result,Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzerowas commissioned as yet another movie tie-in.It was originally slated for release in 1997, but got pushed back to 1998 due tothe poor reception ofBatman & Robin.Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzeroalso follows Mr. Freeze trying to cure his wife once and for all—by targeting Batgirl as a donor.
Despite being conceived of as a companion toBatman & Robin, the direct-to-video movie had a much warmer reception.Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzerois available to stream on Tubi for free and to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Apple TV.
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero is an animated film featuring Batman as he battles the cold-hearted villain Mr. Freeze. In this action-packed narrative, Mr. Freeze kidnaps Batgirl to save his terminally ill wife, compelling Batman and Robin to race against time to rescue her. The film explores themes of sacrifice and the lengths one will go for love, set against the backdrop of Gotham City.
9Batman Beyond (1999)
Originally Aired From January 1999 To December 2001
Batman Beyondis quite possibly the biggest risk the DCAU could have taken. The series is set in a futuristic Gotham City where Bruce has become too old to be Batman. He is succeeded in the role by a character created for the show, Terry McGinnis. Though the initial concept of replacing Batman was controversial,Batman Beyondbecame a cult classic. As a result, Terry crossed over into DC Comics.
10 Most Rewatchable Batman Beyond Episodes, Ranked
Batman Beyond has some great episodes that stand out in their own right, great to be rewatched either as part of a binge or as standalone stories.
Batman Beyondis darker than the rest of the DCAU, with a distinct futuristic aesthetic that feels firmly rooted in the Y2K era.The WB series is available to stream on Max and to buy on Fandango at Home, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond is an animated action-adventure television series set twenty years after the events of Batman: The Animated series. Bruce Wayne, now in his twilight years, continues to fight crime with new gadgets, suits, and tech - but his old age has revealed that even the Caped Crusader has limits. Enter Terry McGinnis, a teenager with athletic prowess and a strong sense of justice. When pursued by a gang one night, Terry is helped by the elderly Bruce Wayne - an event that leads to Terry’s training as the new generation Batman.
8Static Shock (2000)
Originally Aired On The WB From September 2000 To May 2004
Static Shockis another DCAU series that took a big swing. The series follows teen superhero Virgil Hawkins/Static and his tech-savvy friend Richie as he copes with his new reality after gaining powers from an accident.Static Shockis tonally distinct from the other series in the DCAUlargely because of its mix of humor, coming-of-age stories, and heavy topics. Of note, it is the first show in the franchise to have an African American protagonist.
Static Shockremains a beloved entry in the DC canon, especially among audiences who grew up with it. As a result, Static has received elevated importance in other DC content over the years.The show is available to stream on Max and to buy on Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Google Play, and Apple TV.
Static Shock
Created by Dwayne McDuffie and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Static Shock is a 2D-animated superhero show centered around Virgil Hawkins, a 14-year old hero who uses his electromagnetic powers to fight crime. The four-season series is based on the Milestone superhero Static, and it takes place in the DC Animated Universe alongside other popular series like Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited.
7Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Originally Released In December 2000 Then Re-Released In April 2002
Batman Beyond: Return of the Jokerserves as an epilogue of sorts toBatman Beyond, and it ties up loose ends ofThe New Batman Adventures. The film follows Terry as he investigates who seems to be the Joker back from the dead. This adventure leads him to cross paths with former Batman ally, Tim Drake, and to discover what drove the Batfamily apart.Batman Beyond: Return of the Jokerhas an unusual history because it is the first DCAU project to be rated PG-13.The original airing heavily censored pivotal scenes due to violence, and the uncensored version was not released until 2002.
Why Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker 2 Never Happened
Return of the Joker was an epic Batman Beyond movie, and there were plans for a sequel with Catwoman as the villain, but it ultimately never happened.
Debatably,Batman Beyond: Return of the Jokerhas the darkest storyto ever come out of an animated Batman project, but it was well-received by fans and critics.Batman Beyond: Return of the Jokeris available to stream for free on Tubi and to rent on Fandango at Home, Google Play, YouTube TV, and Apple TV.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is an animated superhero film set in the futuristic Gotham City. The movie follows the new Batman, Terry McGinnis, mentored by an aging Bruce Wayne, as they encounter a menacing return of Batman’s deadliest foe, the Joker. The film delves into the mystery behind the Joker’s reappearance and its connection to the original Batman’s past, featuring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprising their iconic roles.
6The Zeta Project (2001)
Originally Aired On The WB From January 2001 To August 2002
The Zeta Projectis a spinoff ofBatman Beyondand is thus set in that series' distinctive future. It follows Zeta, a humanoid robot who was created by the NSA, and his teenage female companion, Ro. Zeta has an existential crisis about being created as a killing machine and goes rogue, determined to find his creator for answers.The Zeta Projecthad a troubled run, as The WB and creator Bob Goodman clashed over the darker, anti-authority elements of the series.
Unfortunately, the series only produced 26 episodes, which is a shame given its creative approach to the superhero genre. Goodman’s vision for the story was never realized, though he has indicated an interest in reviving the show if given the opportunity.The Zeta Projectis only available for purchase on Fandango at Home, YouTube TV, and Apple TV.
The Zeta Project
The Zeta Project is an animated TV series set in the DC animated universe that follows Zeta, a renegade government android who develops self-awareness and decides to stop killing and starts seeking his own purpose. Paired with a teenage girl named Ro, Zeta navigates a futuristic world while evading government agents who want to capture or destroy him.
5Justice League (2001)
Originally Aired On Cartoon Network From November 2001 to May 2004
Aside fromBatman: The Animated Series, the most well-known product of the DCAU isJustice League. BeforeThe Avengersdid it in 2012,Justice Leaguepulled off a crossover that bridged 10 years of superhero content. The series featured Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl, among others. Additionally, it often featured villains both from the previous series and from the comics, with mainstays like Lex Luthor and the Joker featuring.Justice League, like its predecessors, was praised for the care it put into its characters and world.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching The Justice League Animated Series 20 Years After It Aired
The DCAU’s Justice League series is highly regarded, however, that doesn’t mean it is completely perfect when rewatching it 20 years later.
It still holds up to this day as an iconic and interesting take on the DC mythos.Justice Leagueis available to stream on Netflix and Max as well as to buy on Apple TV, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home, and Google Play.
Justice League
Justice League is an animated TV series where DC superheroes, including Batman and Superman, form a team to protect Earth from a variety of threats. Featuring voice talents like Kevin Conroy as Batman and George Newbern as Superman, the series explores themes of teamwork and heroism across its action-packed episodes. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network starting in 2001.
4Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
Originally Released In October 2003
The most overlooked movie in the entirety of the DCAU is 2003’sBatman: Mystery of the Batwoman.For over a decade, it was the final film in the series. The film sees Batman and Robin dealing with the emergence of a new superheroine in Gotham, Batwoman, while also attempting to thwart the Penguin.Batman: Mystery of the Batwomanwasn’t particularly well-received upon its release, and it has faded into relative obscurity since then. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t add a lot to DCAU canon, as Batwoman does not return to the franchise.
It’s a shame thatBatman: Mystery of the Batwomandidn’t leave more of an impact, but it had the unfortunate timing of coming out after all three previous Batman series had ended.Batman: Mystery of the Batwomanis available to stream for free on Tubi and to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube TV, and Fandango at Home.
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman is an animated film directed by Curt Geda. Kevin Conroy voices Batman as he investigates a mysterious new crimefighter in Gotham, Batwoman, whose identity remains unknown. Alongside his allies, Batman navigates through complexities while facing old enemies like the Penguin and Bane. The film combines elements of action and detective noir, maintaining the tone established by the Batman: The Animated Series.
