The 10 Greatest DC Animated Movies of All Time, Ranked by Letterboxd

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman: Under the Red Hood, and Watchmen: Chapter II are among the best DC animated films, according to Letterboxd.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:15pm

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DC Comics has a strong track record in the animated film realm, with many of their non-live-action ventures receiving high praise from fans. Collider takes a look at the 10 best DC animated movies as ranked by the social media platform Letterboxd, which provides a fan-centric perspective on these films.

Why it matters

DC's animated films have long been considered some of the best superhero movies, often surpassing their live-action counterparts in quality and fan reception. Analyzing how these films are ranked by the Letterboxd community, which is made up of general movie viewers rather than critics, provides valuable insight into which DC animated projects truly resonate with the broader audience.

The details

The list covers a range of DC animated films, from classic Batman stories like "Mask of the Phantasm" and "Under the Red Hood" to more recent adaptations like "Batman: The Long Halloween" and "Watchmen: Chapter II." The rankings take into account factors such as storytelling, character development, animation quality, and overall fan reception.

  • The most recent film on the list, "Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two," was released in 2021.
  • "Watchmen: Chapter II" was released in 2024, continuing the animated adaptation of the iconic graphic novel.
  • "Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo" was the 2006 finale to the beloved "Teen Titans" animated series.
  • "Justice League Dark: Apokolips War" served as the conclusion to the DC Animated Film Universe in 2020.
  • "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" was released in 2012, with the second part following in 2013.

The players

Letterboxd

A social media platform that allows users to review, rate, and discuss films, providing a fan-centric perspective on movie rankings.

Jensen Ackles

The actor who voiced Batman in "Batman: The Long Halloween" and previously played Red Hood in the DC animated universe.

Frank Miller

The legendary comic book writer whose seminal work "The Dark Knight Returns" was adapted into an acclaimed two-part animated film.

Terry McGinnis

The protagonist of the "Batman Beyond" animated series, who takes on the mantle of the Caped Crusader in a futuristic Gotham City.

Barry Allen

The Flash, whose pivotal role in the "Flashpoint Paradox" storyline was adapted into a highly regarded DC animated film.

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What they’re saying

“Slightly better than part one in my opinion but both films were excellent.”

— alor, Letterboxd user

“No adaptation of one of the greatest literary works of all time would do justice to the source material, of course. That said, these two chapters do a pretty decent job.”

— André, Letterboxd user

“Trouble in Tokyo" is vibrantly animated in the show's classic style and beautifully extends the spirit of the 'Titans' stories that so many of us loved and continue to hold in fond regard.”

— Fred, Letterboxd user

“Raven saying 'oh for f**** sake' was funnier than it should've been. I feel like a lot of the dark imagery was just for shock value (ie Starfire literally bisected on the ground) and didn't really have an emotional impact beyond that.”

— nattheratking, Letterboxd user

“His return is framed as a cry for help from Gotham itself, born from Bruce's need to don the mask once more, unable to overcome the trauma of his parents' death.”

— Marcos, Letterboxd user

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

DC's animated films have consistently delivered high-quality, fan-favorite adaptations of iconic comic book stories, often surpassing their live-action counterparts in critical acclaim. The rankings on Letterboxd showcase the breadth and depth of DC's animated universe, highlighting classics like "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" and "Batman: Under the Red Hood" alongside more recent entries that have resonated with modern audiences.