5 Best Animated DC Movies To Soften The Blow After Disappointing Live-Action Films
At least the DC animated movies have been good, so maybe it's time to check them out while waiting for a James Gunn reboot.
With the DCU movies turning out to be flop after flop, disappointing fans and becoming box office disasters, the only hope left is the upcoming total reboot of the cinematic universe under James Gunn.
And while we're waiting, maybe it's time to revisit (or check out for the first time) the animated DC movies, which, unlike the live-action ones, have been much better and more faithful to the original comics. So here are five of the best (in our opinion) animated DC movies.
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Based on the comic book arc of the same name, it follows Batman as he tries to uncover the identity of a mysterious new vigilante who has appeared in Gotham, known simply as the Red Hood.
Unlike the Caped Crusader, he has no problem killing criminals and holds a suspiciously personal grudge against Bruce. Even if you know the main twist, this is still a pretty solid movie with great action and voice acting, and Red Hood is voiced by none other than Jensen Ackles, known for his roles in Supernatural and The Boys.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (2012-2013)
A two-part story about an older Batman forced out of retirement after Gotham becomes overrun with criminals, it is one of the most iconic arcs involving the character.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice took some inspiration from it, like the battle between Batman and Superman, but this animated film (as well as the comic book it was based on) did a much better job of showing that and much more.
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)
This movie did everything right that the recent The Flash did wrong and delivered a much more entertaining, dramatic and compelling story.
In an attempt to save his mother, Barry accidentally rewrites the timeline, creating a world where Atlanteans and Amazons are at war and Bruce was the one who was killed on that faithful night, making his father a ruthless version of Batman instead.
It also has one of the most touching scenes in all of DC, which makes it especially sad that The Flash turned out to be such a mess instead of the masterpiece it could have been.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)
If you liked 2021's Suicide Squad, you'll definitely like this one, maybe even more. Full of action, humor, and surprising deaths, it follows the titular squad of villains in pursuit of the mysterious "Get Out of Hell Free" card, which allows its owner to do exactly what the inscription says.
Although you might want to check out The Flashpoint Paradox first, as these two are surprisingly connected.
Superman: Red Son (2020)
What if America's most famous hero grew up in the Soviet Union instead? This movie answers that question and delivers a compelling story about this alternate version of the hero. With a nice plot, it offers a unique take on the titular character, as well as several others, such as Batman and Lex Luthor.