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There are many underrated DC movies, and they deserve more love from audiences. The DCEU has been the herald of a controversial time for DC in live-action. Many of the franchise’s movies failed to connect with audiences at first, as shown by poor box office returns, especially in the final run of the shared universe. However, among all the DCEU movies are some underrated gems that deserve better.
Likewise, DC’s non-DCEU live-action history has yielded many movies that did not always connect with audiences right off the gate. However, there are many films that deserve a second chance. Perhaps DC’s most popular movie character, Batman, has quite a few films that are underrated, and just like him, other DC characters also had movie outings that were better than their box office, the overall public reception, or else led to believe. The DC Universe’s slate of movies could use what worked on DC’s most underrated as inspiration.
10 Batman Forever
Released In 1995
1995’s Batman Forever was wildly different from what the Dark Knight’s franchise had been like in theaters before it. Due to the positive reception to Michael Keaton’s Batman and the darker tone of director Tim Burton’s Batman movies, the new, brighter iteration of the franchise under director Joel Schumacher was met with negative reception. It is true that the movie never reaches the high points of its predecessors.
However, Batman Forever stands as one of DC’s underrated entries for the Dark Knight. Val Kilmer’s version of Batman is often forgotten amid the more popular ones like Christian Bale’s or Ben Affleck’s and the more controversial George Clooney Bruce Wayne. The actor deserves more love for his time in the role, which injected more emotion and personality into the character than perhaps even Keaton did. Batman Forever also brought fun villain performances from Jim Carrey’s Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones’ Two-Face, with Chris O’Donnell’s Robin being a solid and emotional addition.
9 Birds Of Prey
Released In 2020
The first DCEU movie on the list is Birds of Prey. The film tried to go for a different kind of superhero entry. There are not many live-action superhero projects focused on female characters, let alone a team of them like Birds of Prey presented. The movie succeeded in presenting a roster of characters from different backgrounds with great chemistry. Birds of Prey has some of the most inventive action sequences in superhero films.
That (being R-rated) was also what led to the film’s lack of box office success, as it limited the film’s target audience.
It helped that the DCEU film has an R rating, which allows it to include intense fights that feature plenty of bloody action. However, that was also what led to the film’s lack of box office success, as it limited the film’s target audience. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn shines as the star of her own movie, leading the ensemble. Harley’s story of separating herself from the Joker and becoming her own person was perfectly handled. Overall, Birds of Prey had great action, hilarious moments, a roster full of chemistry, and Ewan McGregor’s electric villain performance as Black Mask.
8 Man Of Steel
Released In 2013
Zack Snyder’s DCEU movies have proven themselves very controversial. That started right from his first one, 2013’s Man of Steel. The movie does have moments that warrant a larger discussion, as scenes such as Clark Kent letting his father die in a tornado or later Superman killing Zod in his DCEU debut do not work as well as intended. While the movie is divisive, it is not really bad like some think.
With impactful visuals and action, as well as a heartfelt performance from Cavill,
Man of Steel
is a solid Superman movie.
Man of Steel features Henry Cavill’s Superman at his most hopeful. The hero’s first flight sequence is one of the best and most inspiring in any superhero movie. The film does a great job of establishing Superman as Earth’s ultimate protector and all the tension that comes from a new savior suddenly showing up to the world. With impactful visuals and action, as well as a heartfelt performance from Cavill, Man of Steel is a solid Superman movie.
7 The Dark Knight Rises
Released In 2012
The Dark Knight Rises received mostly positive reviews and ended its global box office run with more than $1 billion worldwide. Still, the movie is one of DC’s most underrated, as it is often given the cold shoulder when compared to the other two entries in director Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. As 2008’s The Dark Knight is one of the best superhero movies of all time, The Dark Knight Rises faced a lot of judgment.
The movie had to follow up on the genre-defining second entry in the franchise, which was a daunting quest. Still, The Dark Knight Rises managed to be the epic finale that Bale’s Batman trilogy deserved. Bane broke Bruce physically and mentally before Catwoman, Alfred, and more helped Batman get back on the saddle. A war for Gotham City’s fate was the perfect ending to the trilogy, and plenty of twists and turns made the conclusion worthy.
6 The Suicide Squad
Released In 2021
Before he was named the co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn directed The Suicide Squad and created its spinoff series, Peacemaker. While the John Cena-starring show was a hit, Gunn’s DC film, which is one of the best DCEU movies, failed to have good numbers at the worldwide box office. The Suicide Squad‘s poor box office and the state of the DCEU push an otherwise fantastic film down.
The Suicide Squad’s box office was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and a simultaneous release in theaters and on Max.
The movie deserves to be seen as one of the best live-action offerings DC has had. The Suicide Squad works just like Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies at Marvel, with a focus on mostly obscure characters, exciting action, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, impressive CGI and practical effects, a story that is both heartwarming and tragic at the same time, and more. Its $168.7 million box office is way too low.
5 Blue Beetle
Released In 2023
Blue Beetle is one of the final movies of the DCEU that ended up failing at the box office after it had been announced that the franchise would be rebooted with Gunn’s new DCU. The fact that the DCEU was divisive and that the franchise was ending joined Blue Beetle’s unknown status to most non-comic book readers as factors that led to the movie not being watched by many.
However, those who did watch the film were treated to a fun adventure that packed a surprising emotional punch. Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes and his family are the true stars of the film, with the representation of the Latino community and the natural bond between the characters making Blue Beetle a fresh entry in a packed genre. The movie does a great job of setting up the character for his adventures in the new DCU, again played by Maridueña.
4 The LEGO Batman Movie
Released In 2017
It might be a shocking notion to some, but The LEGO Batman Movie is one of the best entries for DC’s Dark Knight. The animated feature stars Will Arnett as Batman. While the project is one of the most comedic entries for the character who is known for being dark and brooding, Arnett’s work makes Bruce Wayne one of the most nuanced he has been beyond the film’s initial layer of silliness.
The LEGO Batman Movie does a great job of exploring some crucial relationships the Dark Knight has with characters like Dick Grayson, the Justice League heroes, Alfred, and his nemesis, the Joker. Bruce’s interactions with those characters lead to impactful and emotional moments that make the Dark Knight a layered hero. Beyond what one might expect from a LEGO movie lies one of the best Batman films.
3 The Flash
Released In 2023
The Flash is one of the DCEU’s most controversial entries, with the film initially poised to be a major success before its release, only to become the franchise’s biggest box office fiasco. There are undoubtedly problems with The Flash, ranging from its bad CGI to its cameo choices and how to handle them to its controversial lead star. Still, the film presents a strong emotional core that few live-action DC films have gotten close to.
Every scene with Barry and his mom is filled with love and sadness that makes the audience connect to Barry.
Barry Allen mainly time travels due to his mom’s death, which is one of DC Comics’ biggest events. While the film changes many of the epic aspects of the comics’ Flashpoint story, that strong emotional core continues intact. Every scene with Barry and his mom is filled with love and sadness that makes the audience connect to Barry. Besides that tragic aspect, The Flash also has plenty of funny moments and great character interactions that make it better than it is thought to be by most.
2 Shazam! Fury Of The Gods
Released In 2023
Shazam! Fury of the Gods was another ill-fated 2023 DCEU release. The movie was a fun family film that allowed more screen time for Billy Batson’s adoptive family to shine. Now with powers from the start of the movie, the Shazam Family had to meet a major enemy in order to struggle. The film found quite a few such foes in the form of the Daughters of Atlas.
The trio of villains — not all of them evil as the movie moved along — were aided by mythological creatures and monsters in their mission. The result was a fantastical adventure movie that presented a nice balance between moments of more levity and gripping emotional stakes. Asher Angel once again delivered a touching performance as Billy Batson, and the film’s exciting story deserved better than tanking at the box office.
1 Constantine
Released In 2005
Finally, Keanu Reeves’ Constantine closes the list of DC’s most underrated movies. The project is often talked down for not bringing a comic book-accurate version of DC’s Hellblazer to life. Reeves’ John Constantine is not blonde, British, or part of the magical world. Instead, the American exorcist is involved with a story that examines angels and demons with more interest than going full-on with the comics’ magical and supernatural aspects.
While not what a comic book fan might have hoped to see from a Constantine movie, the 2005 film ultimately brings a tragic take on the character that Reeves imbues with the spirit of the classic John Constantine, even if there are different aspects to how he is presented. The actor’s passion for the role shines through, and the dark affair poses some interesting questions about life, mortality, and more. With Constantine 2 on the way, Reeves can improve on what worked in the original and show the DC franchise’s huge potential.
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