DC Animated Universe · SERIES
Batman: The Animated Series1992 · 85 episodes · ~31h 10m · ★ 8.6
Vowing to avenge the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne devotes his life to wiping out crime in Gotham City as the masked vigilante "Batman".
DC Animated Universe
13 titles · 6 films · 7 TV series · 137h 46m
13Total titles
137h 46mRuntime
1Essential
6Films
7TV series
The DC Animated Universe grows from Batman’s Gotham into a wider network of heroes, cities, and relationships. Its appeal lies in that gradual expansion: individual adventures establish personalities that become more rewarding when they meet. Batman, Superman, Static, and the Justice League retain distinct dramatic spaces while contributing to a connected world that also extends into Batman Beyond’s future.
Begin with Batman: The Animated Series for the fullest sense of discovery, or enter through Justice League if ensemble adventures are your priority. Keeping series together is practical, but it cannot represent every overlapping appearance precisely. Treat Batman Beyond as a future-era branch, and leave the Justice League Unlimited episode Epilogue until after exploring Terry McGinnis’ story.
STORY SEQUENCE
Suggested viewing order
DC Animated Universe · ANIMATED FILM
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm1993 · 1h 16m · ★ 7.5 ★ ESSENTIAL PICK
Andrea Beaumont leaves her father to return to Gotham, rekindling an old romance with Bruce Wayne. At the same time, a mysterious figure begins to hunt down Gotham's criminals, wrongly implicating Batman in the murders. Now on the run from the law, Batman must find and stop the culprit, while also navigating his relationship with Andrea.
DC Animated Universe · ANIMATED FILM
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero1998 · 1h 7m · ★ 6.9
When Mr. Freeze kidnaps Barbara Gordon, as an involuntary organ donor to save his dying wife, Batman and Robin must find her before the operation can begin.
DC Animated Universe · SERIES
Superman: The Animated Series1996 · 54 episodes · ~18h 54m · ★ 7.7
Superman, an incredibly powerful alien from the planet Krypton, defends Metropolis from supercriminals. Superman hides his identity behind the glasses of Clark Kent; a mild-mannered reporter for the newspaper the Daily Planet. At the Daily Planet Superman works with fellow reporter Lois Lane and photographer Jimmy Olsen.
DC Animated Universe · SERIES
The New Batman Adventures1997 · 24 episodes · ~8h 24m · ★ 8.1
After a long hiatus -- The Caped Crusader is back and cooler then ever, in the animated action-packed series -- The New Batman Adventures. Picking up years after Batman: The Animated Series, the series highlights Batman and his crimefighting cadre of Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl, as they join forces to battle Gotham City's classic super-villains.
DC Animated Universe · ANIMATED FILM
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman2003 · 1h 14m · ★ 6.7
As if the Penguin wasn't enough to contend with, a new vigilante has surfaced in Gotham City, and her strong-arm tactics give Batman cause for concern. Being the World's Greatest Detective and The Dark Knight, he sets out to uncover her identity while stopping a dangerous criminal plot.
DC Animated Universe · SERIES
Static Shock2000 · 52 episodes · ~18h 12m · ★ 8.0
An ordinary inner-city kid gains extraordinary powers and becomes an urban legend as the first teenage African-American superhero.
DC Animated Universe · SERIES
Justice League2001 · 50 episodes · ~20h 48m · ★ 8.2
The long-awaited rebirth of the greatest superhero team of all time: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter.
DC Animated Universe · SERIES
Justice League Unlimited2004 · 39 episodes · ~14h 57m · ★ 8.3
The galaxy's most powerful superheroes return to battle the allied villains and criminal plots that endanger the universe.
DC Animated Universe · ANIMATED FILM
Batman and Harley Quinn2017 · 1h 14m · ★ 6.2
Batman and Nightwing are forced to team with the Joker's sometimes-girlfriend Harley Quinn to stop a global threat brought about by Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue, the Floronic Man.
DC Animated Universe · ANIMATED FILM
Justice League vs. the Fatal Five2019 · 1h 17m · ★ 6.7
The Justice League faces a powerful new threat — the Fatal Five! Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman seek answers as the time-traveling trio of Mano, Persuader and Tharok terrorize Metropolis in search of budding Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz. With her unwilling help, they aim to free remaining Fatal Five members Emerald Empress and Validus to carry out their sinister plan. But the Justice League has also discovered an ally from another time in the peculiar Star Boy — brimming with volatile power, could he be the key to thwarting the Fatal Five? An epic battle against ultimate evil awaits!
DC Animated Universe · SERIES
Batman Beyond1999 · 52 episodes · ~17h 56m · ★ 8.2
As new villains overrun Gotham City of the future, the aging Bruce Wayne hangs up the cape of the once invincible Batman. But when troubled teenager Terry McGinnis stumbles upon the Dark Knight's secret, a new alliance is forged. And a triumphant new Batman is born.
DC Animated Universe · ANIMATED FILM
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker2000 · 1h 17m · ★ 7.3
The Joker is back with a vengeance, and Neo-Gotham's Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, needs answers as he stands alone to face the old Gotham's most infamous Clown Prince of Crime.
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently asked questions
Is the DCAU the same universe as every animated DC movie?
No. The DCAU is a specific connected setting associated with Batman: The Animated Series and its related productions. The DC Animated Movie Universe, Tomorrowverse, and independently produced animated adaptations have separate continuity arrangements.
What is the best starting point for the DCAU?
Batman: The Animated Series offers the original entry, followed by its related films and the expanding Superman and team stories. For a shorter ensemble route, watch Justice League before Justice League Unlimited, returning to earlier series when interested.
Must I finish every series and film before Justice League Unlimited?
No. Justice League is the most useful direct preparation, while the earlier solo series enrich returning characters. Many adventures remain accessible individually, so you can choose a focused route without completing every corner of the setting.
Why is Batman Beyond later in the catalogue despite premiering before Justice League?
Batman Beyond takes place in the setting’s future, so story-based arrangements place it later than its release date suggests. Watch its series before Return of the Joker, and save Justice League Unlimited’s Epilogue for afterward to protect major revelations.
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