The Ultimate Ranking of Batman Animated Series That Will Blow Your Mind!

Summary

Batman has been the star of numerous animated series, with some of the best Batman stories told in animation form.

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Every Batman show is a reflection of its era. For instance, The Adventures of Batman embodies DC Comics' Silver Age, while BTAS owes its existence to the success of Batman (1989).

Regarded as the finest Batman animated series, Batman: The Animated Series spearheaded a groundbreaking era of superhero adaptations with its darker and intricately woven narrative.

Ranking from worst to best, here are all the Batman animated series that have been produced. These animated shows have explored various aspects of the character, showcasing some of the finest Batman stories ever told. Starting from 1968 to 2014, there have been a total of eight solo animated series dedicated solely to Batman. It's important to note that Batman has also made appearances in other DC animated shows like Justice League and Young Justice, which are not included in this count. Despite the lack of recent solo animated shows, Batman's presence in animated productions continues to hold significant importance, solidifying his status as DC Comics' flagship character. It's worth mentioning that Batman has also appeared in numerous DC Animated Universe movies, further highlighting his enduring legacy.

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8 The Adventures Of Batman (1968-1969)

The DC Filmation cartoons are a valuable part of the history of DC's animation, although they did not have as much of an impact as the Fleischer Superman cartoons. Filmation's DC cartoons include The Adventures of Batman, which portrays the Caped Crusader as he was seen in the comics and on television during the 1960s. Although featuring a different cast from the live-action show, The Adventures of Batman can be seen as an extension of the 1966 Batman serial. The series consisted of 12-minute-long episodes that showcased Batman, Robin, and Batgirl as they confronted iconic villains. A product of its time, The Adventures of Batman provides an enjoyable glimpse into the Silver Age of Batman.

7 The New Adventures Of Batman (1977)

6 Beware The Batman (2013-2014)

The New Adventures of Batman, developed by Filmation, took a different approach to the popular DC heroes after their appearance in Hanna-Barbera's Super Friends cartoons. Despite Batman and Robin being featured in Super Friends, both characters were concurrently being handled by two separate companies. However, The New Adventures of Batman kept the familiar essence of the previous series and Super Friends, with one significant change – the original cast. Adam West and Burt Ward, famous for their roles as Batman and Robin in the 1966 live-action series, returned to voice the iconic dynamic duo in this animated show. This unique feature of having the classic actors in an animated series makes The New Adventures of Batman truly special.

Beware the Batman was a ground-breaking series in DC's history, introducing several unprecedented elements. It stands as the sole 3D-animated Batman show to date. What sets it apart even further is its decision to have a continuous storyline rather than individual adventures. Unlike the traditional "case-of-the-week" structure of Batman: TAS, Beware the Batman weaves its narrative throughout each episode. This seamless flow, aided by the presence of connective figures like the League of Assassins, ensures a captivating viewing experience. Departing from the usual roster of iconic Batman villains, the show spotlights lesser-known but equally fascinating characters such as Anarchy and Mister Toad. As a result, Beware the Batman claims its rightful place as one of the most distinctive iterations of the Dark Knight.

5 Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)

4 Batman Beyond (1999-2001)

Batman: The Brave and the Bold pays homage to the Golden and Silver Age of DC Comics, embodying the essence of the team-up stories that captivated audiences. Each episode is a thrilling collaboration between Batman and different heroes, initially appearing lighthearted compared to Batman: TAS. However, this intentional approach draws from earlier Batman exploits and incorporates hidden nods that only avid DC Comics readers will discern. With its profound exploration of Batman and DC lore, The Brave and the Bold stands as an astounding show.

Following the immense success of Batman: TAS, the prospect of delving into the future of Gotham City was incredibly thrilling. While BTAS predominantly focused on well-known Batman characters, Batman Beyond dared to embark on a distinct path. Terry McGinnis, an entirely original character crafted for the series, took on the mantle of Batman in a Blade Runner-inspired Gotham that differed greatly from anything portrayed in the comics. The Batman Beyond villains were primarily new creations, and even beloved adversaries like Bane or Mr. Freeze were reimagined. The unique qualities of Terry set him apart from Bruce, injecting freshness into the show. The narrative of Terry continued in the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker movie and was further explored in Justice League Unlimited's “Epilogue” episode.

3 The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)

Following the conclusion of Batman: The Animated Series in 1995, Warner Bros. Animation decided to revive the show in response to the success of Superman: The Animated Series and the launch of WB Kids. The result was The New Batman Adventures, which can be seen as a continuation of the original series, although there are notable differences that distinguish them as separate shows. Many of the original cast and crew returned for this slightly more lighthearted series, which focused on exploring Batman and Gotham City's well-known villains, while also introducing members of the Bat Family: Dick Grayson as Nightwing, Tim Drake as Robin, and Batgirl as a regular character.

Compared to Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures may not have had as many impactful moments. The show leaned more towards action rather than the character-driven approach that made the original series so beloved. This shift was aimed at aligning with the style of Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever, released prior to Batman & Robin. Nonetheless, The New Batman Adventures played a crucial role in establishing the DC Animated Universe. It showcased Batman in a world where other superheroes coexisted, delved into the development of the Bat Family, and set the stage for future crossovers like Justice League.

2 The Batman (2004-2008)

Creating a new Batman animated series while the DC Animated Universe timeline’s Batman was still appearing in Justice League Unlimited proved to be an arduous undertaking. The execution of this task was further complicated by the infamous "Bat Embargo," which prevented certain characters from appearing if they were already being used elsewhere. Astonishingly, The Batman defied these challenges and emerged as one of the most exceptional Batman animated shows ever. Initially, some may find the character designs of The Batman peculiar, but the series successfully showcases captivating renditions of iconic characters like Batgirl and Robin. By venturing into uncharted territory, The Batman takes the Dark Knight to new horizons while remaining true to the essence of Bruce Wayne and Batman.

1 Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

DC’s animation legacy and Batman’s influence on pop culture cannot be discussed without mentioning the groundbreaking Batman: The Animated Series. While DC had a rich animation history before BTAS, this show stood out for its unique tone and refusal to be bound by the conventions of the theatrical movies. Visionary creators like Bruce Timm and Paul Dini struck the perfect balance between delivering a successful cartoon and an exceptional Batman adaptation. With its darker and more intricate storytelling, Batman: The Animated Series marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of animation.

BTAS demonstrated that superheroes could succeed in animation just as they did in comics, such as Year One, moving beyond the notion of campy action heroes seen in Super Friends. Batman: The Animated Series shattered nearly every cliché of Saturday morning cartoons, offering a noir tone that revitalized Batman for an entire generation. Kevin Conroy's portrayal of Batman, along with the exceptional performances from the rest of the cast, have become synonymous with the Batman characters. Even after almost three decades since its debut, Batman: The Animated Series still stands as the pinnacle of animated Batman shows.