6 Animated Superhero Masterpieces You Forgot Existed

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe completely redefined how adaptations are made, creating a linked series of live-action films based on popular Marvel Comics characters. For the past eighteen years, the MCU has been the dominant force in superhero movies, and while it’s delivered many great films, it’s also meant some other comic book movies haven’t gotten the attention they deserve.

Animation is a fantastic fit for superhero stories, allowing for incredibly grand and imaginative worlds and characters. While some animated superhero films have reached the same iconic status as live-action movies, many others have sadly been overlooked.

Batman: Gotham Knight Is a Unique Anthology Connected to The Dark Knight Trilogy

Released between Batman Begins and the highly acclaimed The Dark Knight, the animated film Batman: Gotham Knight was initially planned as a series of short stories set in the same world as Christopher Nolan’s movies. While Gotham Knight doesn’t perfectly align with the storyline or timeline of the Dark Knight Trilogy after those films were released, it’s still a very enjoyable watch.

With a fresh take on Batman for today’s viewers, Batman: Gotham Knight uses different animation styles and character interpretations to show how people across Gotham see the masked hero. It feels similar in spirit to the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode, “Legends of the Dark Knight.” This film doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, and fans of Batman should definitely give it another watch.

Ultimate Avengers: The Movie Is One of Marvel’s Earliest Animated Adaptations of The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

Before the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Avengers weren’t as well-known as teams like the X-Men. However, Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, and specifically the comic series The Ultimates, helped boost their popularity. The Ultimates offered a fresh take on classic characters, presenting a modern, unique, and thrilling version of the team.

This explains why the series was adapted into the animated movie, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie. Released in 2006, the film skillfully combined the established Marvel Comics stories with the reimagined ‘Ultimate Universe’ version. It tells the origin stories of some of Marvel’s most popular heroes and shows how the Avengers first formed, years before their live-action debut.

While it doesn’t look as polished now, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie is still worth checking out if you’re interested in seeing what superhero team-up movies were like before the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Is a Multiversal Delight Released Years Before Spider-Verse

Don’t mistake this for the recent, poorly-received animated series Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths. The 2010 film Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths introduces the Crime Syndicate, a villainous group who are an evil counterpart to the Justice League. They rule their world harshly, and when the Justice League gets involved to try and defeat them, things quickly become chaotic.

Justice League stories are consistently entertaining in animated form. While the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited TV shows remain the best adaptations of the team, other animated versions successfully capture what makes the Justice League so appealing. The epic fights – like Superman versus Ultraman, Wonder Woman versus Superwoman, and Batman versus Owlman – are just a taste of what you’ll find in Crisis on Two Earths, a film that any fan should definitely check out.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Is a Short and Sweet Action Bonanza

Based on the popular comic book by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, the 2009 animated film Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a surprisingly fun and often overlooked gem from DC. The movie is packed with appearances from many of DC’s most famous heroes and villains, and features Superman and Batman being pursued by former friends and colleagues.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a thrilling, action-filled sci-fi adventure that beautifully portrays the bond between Superman and Batman. The film throws them into a battle against a huge roster of villains, including Metallo and Lex Luthor, handling the complex story with both flair and simplicity. Released during a golden age of DC animated movies, Public Enemies remains one of the most memorable and enjoyable, offering a fantastic experience for comic book enthusiasts and a prime example of

Justice League: The New Frontier Is a Love Letter to the Source Material and Its Heroes

Darwyn Cooke’s Justice League: The New Frontier is a beautifully designed and thoughtful animated film, widely considered a masterpiece. Many fans believe the two-part release is the best direct-to-video animated movie ever made.

Set during a long stretch of the mid-20th century, The New Frontier explores a world in transition, shifting ideas about heroism, and the emergence of new heroes. These heroes, forged by hardship and uncertainty, team up with Wonder Woman to confront a frightening alien invasion.

With stunning animation, incredible voice performances, and wonderfully developed heroes, Justice League: The New Frontier is a true gem. It’s a real pity more people don’t remember it.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Should Have Gotten So Much More Love

2023’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was one of the best animated films of the year, and it’s surprising how quickly it’s been overlooked. The movie is fantastic, with vibrant animation, a lot of laughs, exciting action, and characters you genuinely care about.

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo feel more alive and relatable than ever before, and Mutant Mayhem had the potential to launch a fantastic series of movies. The animation is almost as impressive as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which is saying a lot!

With its funny characters, distinctive animation style, and strong personality, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a fantastic movie that deserves more attention.

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2026-02-02 04:13