All The DC Animated Movies In Order

Do you consider yourself a DCEU expert, having seen every film from Man of Steel to Suicide Squad? The DC Animated Universe (DCAU) features many more superhero stories than live-action films.  DC Comics has a long history of producing animated films and television series; however, the publisher’s New 52 relaunch in 2013 spurred a revamp of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) to unify all of DC’s animated media.

Beginning with Barry Allen’s story in The Flashpoint Paradox, the films reintroduce Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and the Justice League’s enemies, Darkseid and Doomsday. Later on, James Gunn’s much-anticipated DC Extended Universe relaunch might feature the Teen Titans, Suicide Squad, and the supernaturally-inclined Justice League Dark.

Animated Movies Order

Here’s the proper order in which to view the DC Animated Movie Universe:

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox follows Barry Allen, aka The Flash, when he wakes up in a new universe after returning to save his mother. Despite being the first DC Animated Movie Universe film, The Flashpoint Paradox stars well-established heroes. Barry rushing back to save his previous self from breaking time creates the New 52-like world. If you’re interested in how this continuity came to be, this movie is worth viewing. There are no spoilers, but Barry’s invention, the Flashpoint reality, plays a role in the ending of the series. 

Justice League: War

Justice League: War, the first chronological movie in the New 52 World, is essential. Justice League: War features Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Shazam uniting for the first time to stop Darkseid’s invasion of Earth. They win, but Darkseid will return.

Son of Batman

Batman, the most popular superhero in the DC Animated Movie Universe, garnered the most attention. Son of Batman, the first Batman film in this timeline, introduces Bruce Wayne to his son Talia, whose mother is Talia al Ghul, daughter of League of Assassins leader Ra’s al Ghul. After Deathstroke’s coup kills Ra, Talia asks Bruce to care for Damian, who is more reckless than Bruce expected. If you’re interested in Batman’s “solo” adventures in this timeline, Son of Batman also establishes Damian Wayne as a crucial figure.

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

In Justice League: War, Aquaman, a founding member of the New 52 Justice League, was absent. In Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, he joined the Justice League after his half-brother Orm, a.k.a. Ocean Master, declared war on the surface world, blaming humanity for his father’s death during Darkseid’s invasion. The movie is worth seeing if you appreciate Aquaman and the original Throne of Atlantis plot.

Batman vs. Robin

Batman vs. Robin features Bruce and Damian Wayne as they battle Gotham City’s secret organization, the Court of Owls, and was largely inspired by Batman: The Court of Owls by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, another early tale from DC’s New 52 comics universe. A Court assassin named Talon approaches Damian, who has had it with his father’s morals and is trying to enlist him. For fans of the DC Animated Movie Universe’s Batman, Batman vs. Robin is an absolute must-watch.

Batman: Bad Blood

In Batman’s corner of the DC Animated Movie Universe, Batman has battled Robin and Nightwing. In “Batman: Bad Blood,” the Batfamily grows exponentially. Batwoman Kate Kane and Batwing Luke Fox team up with Robin and Nightwing to take down a group of villains led by Talia al Ghul after Bruce Wayne disappears while fighting them. This is the biggest appearance of the Batman family in DCAMU history, and a major family member will make an appearance in the end.

Justice League vs. Teen Titans

Due to their long history, the Teen Titans were a natural fit for the DC Animated Movie Universe. Damian Wayne joins the Teen Titans, currently Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Blue Beetle, after his reckless actions during a Justice League-Legion of Doom battle cause Weather Wizard to briefly be possessed by Trigon’s demonic corrupter. In Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Trigon’s demons enslave the younger heroes to capture Raven, his daughter, and destroy Earth. Before seeing Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, watch Justice League vs. Teen Titans, which resolved the DCAMU.

Justice League Dark

The Teen Titans are a perfect fit for the DC Animated Movie Universe because of their extensive backstory. Damian Wayne joins the Teen Titans, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Blue Beetle, after his reckless actions during a Justice League-Legion of Doom clash temporarily possess Weather Wizard with Trigon’s demonic corrupter. In Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Trigon has his demons enslave the Teen Titans so that they may abduct Raven, his daughter, and destroy Earth. Justice League vs. Teen Titans, which resolved the DCAMU, was followed by Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

Before the DC Animated Movie Universe, The Judas Contract was planned to air after Superman: Doomsday and Justice League: The New Frontier. However, Terra, a Deathstroke agent tasked with controlling Earth, has joined the team in this installment. The addition of Brother Blood and Kevin Smith is among the many changes made to this version. There’s no pressing need for DCAMU students to see Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.

Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay

Task Force X personnel, including Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost, and Bronze Tiger, are dispatched by Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay to recover the legendary “Get Out of Hell Free” card. The major antagonist is Eobard Thawne, also known as Reverse-Flash, who was killed in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. Thawne brings to mind the genesis of this continuity.

The Death of Superman

Although The Death of Superman and its sequel were intended to be more faithful to the original plot, in the vein of The Dark Knight Returns, DC’s Original Animated Movie series kicked off in 2007 with Superman: Doomsday. As in the comics, Superman is killed as he and his friends face Doomsday. After Superman dies, the narrative goes on. 

Reign of the Supermen

When Superman dies, four other heroes fill his shoes: Superboy, Steel, Cyborg Superman, and The Eradicator. It finds out that Eradicator is a Kryptonian hologram designed to shield Superman as he slowly reawakens while Superboy and Steel fight to defend the innocent. A preview for Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is shown at the end of Reign of the Supermen. Two of the most important DCAMU films are The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen.

Batman: Hush

The final Batman movie from the DC Animated Movie Universe has arrived. Hush is the antagonist of Batman: Hush, and he blackmails some of Batman’s biggest enemies into joining his conspiracy since he knows all of Batman’s secrets. Even Superman gets tricked into battling a member of the Justice League. A major twist in Batman: Hush may disappoint fans of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s original story. If you’ve seen every DCAMU movie about Batman, you may as well stick around for the final bit of Dark Knight-centric action as this animated story comes to a close.