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There have been a wide variety of impactful and interesting films that have been adapted from DC Comics over the years, from long-running franchises to singular stand-alone stories. With the recent release ofThe Flashin mind, DC Comics and their characters have held a powerful legacy across the medium of film for over half a century’s worth of cinematic feats.
While not every DC adaptation has been a critical darling, many of these adaptations have garnered some of the highest respect from critics of their era. Through theRotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, it’s possible to see which adaptations rise above the rest as some of the best DC movies to have ever hit screens.
Updated on June 14, 2025, by Ryan Heffernan:
Throughout the superhero craze of the 21st century, and even long before then to be frank, the stories of DC Comics have offered some of the most intriguing movies the super subgenre has ever put to screen. That trend may be set to continue with the DCEU entering a whole new era underJames Gunn, which kick-starts with the release ofBlue Beetle(August 18).
15’Batman: Mask of the Phantasm' (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Running from 1992-1995,Batman: The Animated Seriesis still widely regarded as the greatest superhero series ever made, animated or otherwise. Off the back of its early success, Warner Bros. Animation embarked on makingBatman: Mask of the Phantasmwith much of the same talent as the series and eventually gave the film a theatrical release.
RELATED:The Best Batman Animated Films, Ranked
Set in the 1940s, the 76-minute feature follows Batman (Kevin Conroy) as he is falsely accused of murdering a number of Gotham criminals, a string of slayings that are actually the work of an assassin. Like the animated series, the film won high critical appraisal due to its deftly balanced tone, its engaging story, and its respectful handling of its source material.
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14’Batman Returns' (1992)
A successful superhero sequel from long before the genre was in vogue,Batman Returnsthrived as it built upon its famous predecessor. It follows Batman (Michael Keaton) as he is targeted by a shady businessman and sewer-dwelling criminal while a scorned assistant seeks her own revenge amid the turmoil.
WithTim Burtonreturning to direct with more creative freedom, the sequel flaunted even more of his dark, brooding atmospheric angst. Further enhanced by a range of outstanding performances, fromMichelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman toDanny Devito’s Penguin, it remains a fun Batman blockbuster even decades after its release.
A gritty crime drama probably isn’t the first thing audiences will consider when contemplating movies adapted from DC Comics, butRoad to Perditionis anunderrated movie in DC’s filmography. It became an awards season hit, winning one Oscar from six nominations and winning the approval of critics, as evidenced by its impressive Rotten Tomatoes score.
With an all-star casting includingTom HanksandPaul Newman, it focuses on a Depression-era mob enforcer who goes on the run with his son when his family becomes a target of gang violence.Sam Mendes’ direction gave the film an old-fashioned edge rich with a bleak atmosphere and gripping thematic emphasis on father-son relationships.
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12’Superman II' (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
While it is dated,Superman IIis still viewed by many genre fans to be the greatest superhero sequel ever released. It follows Superman (Christopher Reeve) as he relinquishes his superhero moniker and lives as Clark Kent, a notion which is tested when three criminals from Krypton attempt to conquer Earth.
Its intriguing philosophical jostling was something largely new to the superhero genre at the time and won over many critics with its eagerness to explore its more grounded themes of identity and responsibility in great depth without sacrificing any of the blockbuster fun. It has since become an enduring classic of superhero cinema and a lasting reminder of the greatness blockbuster action movies can produce when they aspire to have a thematic punch.
11’Batman Begins' (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
The lowest-rated film ofChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight Trilogyaccording to Rotten Tomatoes,Batman Beginsstill boasts a more than healthy score on the Tomatometer. The origin film follows Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as he returns to Gotham City after years abroad with the intent to clean up his crime-riddled home as the vigilante Batman, even after Gotham is attacked by his past mentor.
RELATED:The Best Vigilante Movies, According to IMDb
The film earned widespread praise for steering Batman movies and the superhero genre in a more mature direction. Its 84% rating is even more impressive when consideringBatman Beginswas effectively succeeding 1997’sBatman & Robinas the next live-action Batman film and audiences and critics alike had commented their frustration with yet another reboot of the superhero franchise in the lead-up to its release.
10’The Batman' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Following his second year of fighting crime in Gotham City,The Batmanfollows the titular Batman (Robert Pattinson) as he continues to uncover a web of corruption deep within the heart of the city. As he delves deeper and deeper, he discovers that even his own family is connected while he faces off with a new serial killer on the loose known as the Riddler (Paul Dano).
DirectorMatt Reevesproved the inherent strength and magnitude still present within Gotham City and the character of Batman, still finding unique stories and powerful themes in this modern rendition. Pattinson also makes a terrific addition to thecatalog of actors who have portrayed the Bat, bringing a darker and more isolated take on Bruce Wayne as a whole.
9’A History of Violence' (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Adapted fromJohn Wagner’s graphic novel of the same name,A History of Violencefollows family man and diner owner Tom Stall, played byViggo Mortensen. When a duo of spree killers enters his diner, Tom is able to kill them in self-defense, becoming a local hero and his story even making national news. However, with him and his family now in the spotlight, Tom’s past begins coming back to haunt them.
While directorDavid Cronenbergis much more known for his works in the horror genre, his shift to an action thriller inA History of Violenceshows his excellent range and capabilities as a director. Defying the notion many audiences have of DC Comics being linked solely to superhero stories,A History of Violenceshowed just how much the brand has to offer and received two Academy Award nominations in the process.
8’The Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
The Dark Knight Risesshows 8 years following the events ofThe Dark Knight, and sees Batman continuing to be on the run from police after assuming responsibility for Harvey Dent’s (Aaron Eckhart) crimes. Batman soon is forced to face off with his greatest threat yet, a new terrorist leader known as Bane (Tom Hardy), who has overwhelmed Gotham to its core, forcing Batman out of hiding to protect the city.
RELATED:Every DC Extended Universe Movie Ranked from Worst to Best
Christopher Nolan’s climactic finale to hisDark Knighttrilogy left many critics satisfied, continuing off of the strengths and ambitions in the previous two entries. The film also featured a notable great villain performance from Hardy, who acts as a perfect foil to Nolan’s version of Batman and the world that has been created.
7’The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Following his appearance inThe Lego Movie,The Lego Batman Moviefollows Lego Batman (Will Arnett) as he continues to battle crime in the name of justice in Gotham City. However, the city of Gotham is always changing, and Batman will have to learn to work in a team and drop his isolating demeanor if he looks to stand a chance at stopping The Joker’s (Zach Galifianakis) new scheme.
While definitely a much more comedic and satirical take on a Batman story,The Lego Batman Movieis goodbecause it still has enough understanding and care for the character to weave a heartwarming tale. The film is able to build upon the creativity ofThe Lego Movieand the expansive world of Batman and Gotham City to create a standalone story that is unlike anything else in DC’s catalog.
The Suicide Squadfollows a group of ruthless and chaotic villains as they join the shadowy underground group known as Task Force X. The disposable crew is dropped off on a remote, enemy-filled island known as Corto Maltese, with the goal of either completing their mission or die trying.
While DC had attempted to adaptSuicide Squadpreviously, James Gunn’s more violent and zany direction allowed for a much more exhilarating and enjoyable experience. The film is as hilarious as it is gory, and makes for a glorious and colorful thrill ride from beginning to end that improves upon the originalSuicide Squadin every way.
