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Over the years, fans have been bombarded with many different DC movies. While some have told and retold the origin stories of popular heroes like Batman and Superman, others have introduced viewers to lesser-known but beloved characters from the comic books, such as Blue Beetle and Shazam. Some enjoy the animated versions, but most fans are drawn to the live-action DC movies.
While it is true that there are countless DC movies, not every single title is worth a rewatch. The reason behind this may vary from title to title. Some haven't aged well enough to appeal to modern audiences, while there are a few that feature flimsy storylines that just aren't as impactful as fans needed them to be. However, there are some gems in the mix that continue to be held in high regard.
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In this list, we take a look at some of the best DC movies that fans love to rewatch because they offer the perfect mix of action and drama.
Disclaimer: This list contains the opinions of the writer, and individual opinions may vary.
The Dark Knight, Superman and five other entertaining DC movies that fans never tire of watching
1) Superman (1978)
Fans may argue about which actor embodied The Last Son of Krypton the best on screen, but it cannot be denied that it was Christopher Reeve who first set the bar. This DC movie by Richard Donner explores the origin of Superman. Reeve's Clark works as a reporter for the Daily Planet. He embraces his calling to help others with his abilities, but he keeps his identity hidden to avoid attention.
This DC movie is special because it helped audiences warm up to the idea of superheroes and fantasy storytelling, which was still quite new at the time. As Superman is a well-known character, people had some set expectations on how he should be portrayed. Reeve certainly stepped up not only in terms of appearances, but also captured the character's moral inclination and quick wit.
Where to watch: Superman can be streamed on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
2) Batman Returns (1992)
It is interesting to note that critics were divided when this DC movie was released back in the day. This is mainly because Tim Burton decided to take a darker approach to storytelling, which alienated families with young children. But it is this switch in the tone that has helped keep it relevant among fans, even today.
In this DC movie, Michael Keaton dons the role of the Caped Crusader. He finds himself up against Danny DeVito's Oswald Cobblepot, aka Penguin, and Christopher Walken's Max Shreck. Michelle Pfeiffer portrays the agile and devious Catwoman.
Burton's visual treatment ties in well with the complex character arcs, which allows viewers to become more emotionally invested in everything that is happening on screen.
Where to watch: Batman Returns is available on HBO Max, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
3) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
One of the biggest complaints that fans have with live-action movies is that they aren't quite true to the source material. Because this DC movie isn't limited by live-action restrictions, it is able to bring the comic book version of Gotham to the screen with great ease. The first film of the DC Animated Universe, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, was released in theatres.
Many voice actors from Batman: The Animated Series (1992) reprise their roles in this animated movie, including Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, Robert Costanzo, and more. In Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, the masked superhero has to track down a mysterious vigilante called Phantasm, who is murdering crime bosses in the city and pinning them on Batman.
Where to watch: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is available for streaming on Hulu, Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
4) The Dark Knight (2008)
As a whole, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy reignited people's interest in Gotham's protector, but this DC movie is probably the most memorable of the lot because of the dynamics between Batman and Joker.
Christian Bale's Batman is considerably more haunted than the previous versions of the character, and so, it is only fitting for Heath Ledger's Joker to be on par with him in terms of complexity and influence. The way Joker pushes Batman to push his own moral limits helps elevate the good versus evil angle to new heights.
The fact that Nolan strayed away from the typical notion of what a superhero is supposed to be like helped make this DC movie a game changer, setting an example for others in the genre.
Where to watch: The Dark Knight can be viewed on HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
5) Wonder Woman (2017)
While the jury is still out on whether this DC movie needed a better ending, it cannot be denied that Gal Gadot did a great job of bringing the beloved Amazon princess to life on screen.
Patty Jenkins and the team also played it smart by putting the titular character in a World War I setting. As it is rare for audiences to see superheroes navigate bygone time periods, it helped the narrative set itself apart and explore story angles that contemporary plots simply wouldn't allow.
In the comic books, Diana is innocent, but at the same time, she is strong and courageous enough to stand up for what's right, and Gadot's version comes very close to that, which adds to the viewing experience.
Where to watch: Wonder Woman is available on Hulu, Prime Video and HBO Max.
6) The Batman (2022)
The role of the Caped Crusader comes with a lot of strings and pressure, because fans are always brutally honest about what they think. When Robert Pattinson signed on to play Bruce Wayne in this DC movie, fans weren't exactly ecstatic. They were unsure about what Pattinson could bring to the table, but the end result is proof that he fit Matt Reeves' fresh take on the character.
Most DC movies showcasing Batman establish the character as an experienced superhero who knows everything about everything, but The Batman changes course to offer a different perspective. In this DC movie, the viewers actually get to see Bruce learn the ropes and use his detective skills to uncover the underground networks that fuel the violence and crime engulfing Gotham.
Where to watch: The Batman can be streamed on Apple TV+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Prime Video.
7) Superman (2025)
If every reboot were as enjoyable as this DC movie, then people wouldn't be so scared about their favorite classics getting a possible facelift. People had high expectations from this movie because they were certain that James Gunn would bring his own flair to the storytelling, and he didn't disappoint.
While a majority of the contemporary DC movies tend to have a darker aesthetic, Gunn cleverly swerved in another direction. The world inhabited by David Corenswet's Clark is vivid and exciting. He may struggle to stick to his morals in a flawed world, but he is still optimistic, which gives the audience hope.
The DC movie also benefits from well-developed supporting characters such as Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner and more. The addition of Krypto was also a nice touch.
Where to watch: Superman is available for rent on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
These well-made DC movies with great plots check all the right boxes, which is why fans can watch them multiple times without feeling bored.
