It’s unfortunate how animated superhero movies don’t enjoy the same attention and prestige as their live action counterparts. Animation offers a world of limitless possibilities when it comes to special effects and storytelling as it isn’t bound by the same rules as the physical world.
Here are 10 of the best animated superhero movies you can watch if you’re into superhero films.
Top 10 Best Animated Superhero Movies of All Time
10Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)
Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) is an animated Batman film on which the live action film Suicide Squad is lightly based on. Batman takes a sideline role as the film focuses on Amanda Waller and her plans to break into Arkham to recover a drive which has critical information she needs by assembling a group of bad guys.
Packed with action and featuring your favorite characters like the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Harley Quinn, Batman: Assault on Arkham is the film Suicide Squad should have been but failed to emulate.
9Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)
Set in an alternate universe, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010) features the Justice League heroes as the bad guys who call their squad the Crime Syndicate. In this topsy-turvy world, Superman nemesis Lex Luthor and Batman nemesis the Joker become the heroes of the story.
The film focuses on how alternative universe Luthor asks the help of original universe Justice League to beat the Crime Syndicate aka the alternative universe Justice League. Confused, yet? Well, you’re better off just seeing this fantastic film for yourself.
8Batman – Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
Prepare to be nostalgic when you watch this modern Batman animated film with the twist of having the classic 60’s tv series vibe to it complete with the blurted out pows and bams during fight sequences. And don’t forget that original Batman theme music. The film is a great watch if you haven’t watched the original Batman cartoon series before.
In this installment, Batman and Robin get their hands full when the Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman join together to take down Gotham City.
7Planet Hulk (2010)
In Planet Hulk (2010), we see the Hulk as he is hauled out of the Earth after being deemed too dangerous to stay on the planet. But as he’s making the travel in space, his craft crashes on the planet Sakaar where he is imprisoned and then forced to fight like a gladiator in matches.
The film’s storyline closely resembles that of the live-action film Thor: Ragnarok (2017). So if you enjoyed that film, we’re sure you’ll find this one entertaining as well.
6The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles (2004) holds the distinction of being one of the few superhero movies to not be based on a comic book.
The film tells the story of a family of superheroes who have to live a normal life after a lawsuit against them prevents them from using their powers. The family comes out of their imposed retirement when the city they live in is threatened by the villain Syndrome and the family patriarch goes missing. The Incredibles is one of the best animated superhero movies of all time.
5Batman: Year One (2011)
As its title implies, Batman– Year One (2011) tells the first year of Lt. James Gordon at the Gotham police force before Bruce Wayne became the masked crusader Batman. The film is an adaptation of a comic book story arc of the same name and presents a dark Gotham rife with problems.
The film chronicles Bruce Wayne’s return to his birth city after a twelve-year absence and his eventual decision to become Batman after seeing the criminality that plagues Gotham City. Batman: Year One is one of the best animated superhero films ever.
4Batman – Under the Red Hood (2010)
Another film based on a comic book arc, Batman- Under the Red Hood (2010) features the death of Jason Todd, who was the second Robin, at the hands of the Joker. It also introduces Red Hood, a mysterious vigilante whose mission is to rid the streets of Gotham from crime. Unfortunately, he also seeks to destroy Batman. Add to this mix is the return of the Joker who taunts Batman with painful memories from his past.
How will the caped crusader prevail over this? You gotta watch the film to find out.
3Justice League – Flashpoint Paradox (2011)
Returning from a time-traveling trip to the past, The Flash returns to the present to find that a mistake created a ripple which resulted in a world where Superman never existed and Aquaman and Wonder Woman is at war against each other. What more, he finds that it’s Thomas Wayne is the one to become Batman when Bruce dies.
The Flash suspects that these events are set in motion by his nemesis Professor Zoom and so he teams up with the new Batman and Cyborg to bring back the world’s original timeline. The film’s plot is also used in the live action tv series, The Flash.
2Batman – Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
One of the best Batman movie adaptations, Batman – Mask of the Phantasm (1993) continues the storyline left by the critically praised Batman cartoon TV series.
Set in the 1940s, the film shows us Batman’s marriage to Andrea Beaumont and his rivalry with another mysterious character that’s also after Gotham’s criminals.
Because of its great storyline and uncharacteristic serious tone, the film has gained a cult following from fans over the years.
1Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1 & 2 (2012, 2013)
In this two-part film, we see an aging and retired Bruce Wayne forced to return to his role as the caped crusader after seeing Gotham in shambles. On the other hand, Superman is recruited by the government to arrest Batman.
As expected, this results in one of the best battle scenes in superhero movie history as Batman and Superman face off with each other.
We hope this list got you more interested in giving animated superhero movies a chance. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends too!
