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2021 was a good year for all superhero fans, since multiple movies premiered. Marvel introduced new heroes with Shang-Chi and Eternals, and brought back old fan-favorites in Black Widow and Spider-Man. The DCEU hit the bullseye with The Suicide Squad, and the fans got the long-awaited Zack Snyder cut of the Justice League. However, the animated DC movies are just as interesting, if not more, and they shouldn't be underestimated.These movies work with beloved heroes, and aren't afraid to put them in situations and plots that would be impossible to portray in live-action movies. In 2021, four DC animated movies (divided into five parts) premiered. While all of them have solid reviews, there can only be one clear winner when it comes to the movies' rankings.
4 Batman: Soul Of The Dragon
Some animated experiments that bring well-established superheroes into a different place or time get a high rating, but Batman: Soul of the Dragon scored an average one, with 6.1 on Metacritic. The story takes place in the 1970s and doesn't draw inspiration from any existing comic book, making it an original even for comic book readers.
In the movie, Batman searches for his old teacher who taught him martial arts. But he's not the only one who's after the missing man. The movie pays homage to the genre of martial arts movies popularized by Bruce Lee in the 1970s. As a result, the action scenes are visually beautiful and pleasant to watch.
However, some fans might object to the fact that the story is more removed from everything in Batman's world. In the end, the movie could have worked without the caped crusader.
3 Injustice
Unlike the live-action movies, which take fewer experimental risks, animated movies are free to adapt some of the less mainstream comic book stories. It means they can introduce versions of the heroes that defy their usual portrayal, usually because they appear in an alternate universe. That included movies such as Superman: Red Son (2020) and Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018).
Injustice is another alternate story that might not have ranked as high as other 2021 DC animated movies, but is still worth watching. It draws inspiration from the 2013 game, as well as a prequel comic book series. In this movie, the Joker proves once again why he's so dangerous. He manages to manipulate Superman into killing his pregnant wife Lois Lane. As a result, Superman snaps and decides he's going to stop all crime, no matter what he has to do to achieve his goal. It's then up to Batman and other heroes to stop Superman from controlling the planet. The film also includes Green Lantern, Cyborg, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and others, making it an ideal story for fans of team movies.
The movie shows that sometimes it's possible even for the most pure-hearted superheroes to become a dark version of themselves, if the loss they suffer is enough. The Joker has spent years trying to bring Batman to his level, and Injustice is a compelling portrayal of what would happen if the Joker decided to bring down Superman instead...and succeeded.
2 Justice Society: World War II
Justice Society: World War II is another film that creates its own world. As the title suggests, the story focuses on the superhero team Justice Society, led by Wonder Woman. During a difficult mission, the team gets unexpected help when Barry Allen, aka the Flash, travels back in time (or so it seems) and joins them.
Fans of the well-established DC superheroes will get a chance to compare how these versions of themselves differ from the usual ones. The movie also works well as an introduction to the Justice Society for those who aren't familiar with it. Though it's darker than some other animated superhero movies, it still works with occasional humor, especially when it comes to the Flash's comments and the relationship between Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor.
Still, the story takes place during World War II, which means the stakes are high. As a result, viewers are always eager to know what will happen next to the heroes, and whether they will all make it or not. Barry Allen is also a highly sympathetic hero, proving that he should appear in leading roles in DC animated movies more often.
1 Batman: The Long Halloween
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Some of the best DC animated movies focused on Batman and his iconic stories. But not all of them bring forward one essential aspect of Batman's personality that makes the hero who he is: his intelligence and detective skills. Batman isn't only about beating his opponents. More often than not, he uses his brain to outsmart them or figure out their next step, proving why he deserves the nickname of The World's Greatest Detective. In Batman: The Long Halloween which has been separated into two feature films, Batman faces yet another mystery and a deadly opponent.
The movie starts with murder during Halloween. Other murders follow during other major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, et cetera. Batman spends more and more time trying to solve the murders, but this crime spree might prove too much even for him if he's not careful enough.
The movie has an excellent voice cast and brings back many iconic Batman characters, such as Catwoman (voiced by the late Naya Rivera), the Joker (Troy Baker), and Barbara Gordon (Amy Landecker). While the story will be most captivating for those who didn't read the comics, it's still a highly enjoyable movie regardless. Despite being a two-parter, the story keeps a fast pace from start to finish. It combines action, drama, and occasional humor. Unsurprisingly, the animation is beautiful, and watching Gotham change over the course of one year and during various holidays is a pleasing bonus.