The 10 Most Essential DC Movies, Ranked

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Superhero movies are all the rage nowadays, even though they are slowly losing popularity. But all it takes is another excellent movie for a resurgence. Of the two major players, DC has the most interesting future, with James Gunn planning the DCU starting with Superman in 2025. While there is a lot to get excited about, it is also the perfect time to reflect on the great DC movies that came before.

However, with so many fantastic films, it can be difficult to pick the very best, which is why this list will be ranking the ten must-watch DC Comics films. The list will rank the entries based on their watch value, including enjoyability, cultural influence, genre-defining aspects, fan opinion, and overall quality. These ten films prove to be must-watch films and the ones to watch if fans are only going to watch ten DC films.

10

‘Watchmen’ (2009)

Directed by Zack Snyder

Zack Snyder has a rocky reputation with DC, as many fans love his work (almost too much), and some despise it. Love him or hate him, his best movie is arguably Watchmen, based on the iconic comic of the same name. Set in a dystopian version of 1985, a group of retired superheroes come back into the game after some begin to die mysteriously. Their shared dark past begins to emerge the further the investigation goes.

Watchmen may not be for everyone, but the story is so essential that even though this movie isn’t a perfect adaptation, it is still a must-watch DC film. The movie is perfectly stylized, giving fans the feeling of reading a comic book and the grittiness of Snyder’s filmmaking while also providing incredible acting. Watchmen is Snyder’s most rewatchable film, meaning it is also a must-watch for any superhero fan.

9

‘Batman Returns’ (1992)

Directed by Tim Burton

It’s hard to know what is or isn’t a Christmas movie nowadays, including Batman Returns, which has thrown its hat into the ring as an alternative Christmas film. Penguin (Danny DeVito) is the newest sob story, with the press and media eating out of his hands as he teams up with Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) to silently take over the city. But Batman (Michael Keaton) is here to stop their fiendish scheme.

Choosing between the original Batman and Batman Returns is painful; fans should consider this a paired entry. But the latter makes the headline because it is the better movie. The story may not be too notable, but the acting performances, visual effects, and distinct style are more than enough to make it an influential DC film. Batman Returns is fun, a spectacle to the eye, and unlike any other superhero film.

8

‘Joker’ (2019)

Directed by Todd Phillips

2019 was an outstanding year for cinema, with one of the biggest films of the year being Joker. This film finally gave the Clown Prince of Crime his own movie, serving as an origin to the titular character. The film follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), who is down on his luck after losing his job, but his one glimmer of hope is being a comedian. As his life gets worse, he slowly becomes the iconic villain.

If this were years ago, the Joker would be a lot higher on this list, but the sequel has dragged its legacy through the mud, tarnishing what was once an iconic film. However, this movie is still a must-watch simply because of how massive and culturally important it was. It may be a rip-off of The King of Comedy, but it was still a fresh new film for its time. Pop culture wasn’t the same after the Joker, shocking viewers with its tension, drama, unnerving tone, and phenomenal acting.

7

‘The Batman’ (2022)

Directed by Matt Reeves

It seems like a new Batman actor comes and goes every other year, but the newest lead to don the cape and cowl is Robert Pattinson, who stars in The Batman. A new masked criminal is taking over Gotham, slowly exposing the deep-rooted corruption in the city by murdering prominent figures. Batman must find the Riddler (Paul Dano) before it’s too late.

After the devastating news that The Batman Part 2 won’t come out until 2027, fans will have more than enough time to watch this film. Batman movies are always a must-watch, but this one brings the caped crusader into new territory as a grounded neo-noir mystery. The gritty tone and gothic setting establish itself as a staple Batman film while also being an essential movie of 2022.

6

‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)

Directed by James McTeigue

DC comic movies don’t just include superheroes, as the label also created many other comic books such as A History of Violence and V for Vendetta. Based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd‘s comic of the same name, this movie is a dystopian political drama about freedom and fascism. V (Hugo Weaving) is a freedom fighter set on burning the government to the ground with the help of Evey (Natalie Portman).

It was tricky deciding between A History of Violence and V for Vendetta, but the latter proved more culturally significant. Its social commentary and political themes are executed perfectly, making it a must-watch film because of its cultural impact. However, the movie isn’t just important, but also a good time as one of the most thrilling DC movies, making it an essential comic movie fans didn’t know is a comic book film.

5

‘Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox’ (2013)

Directed by Jay Oliva

Animation is an essential part of DC, with them boasting an impressive universe of animated films. Unfortunately, they rarely get the credit they deserve, even if they are outstanding. Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is the end of one universe and the beginning of another, as Flash changes the future by messing with the past. He must now work with different versions of heroes to stop the end of the world.

DC has so many must-watch animated films that it’s challenging to pick only a few, but The Flashpoint Paradox stands out among the best. Its expansive story is a classic multiverse plot, butit did it before many other films, setting the standard for how they should be done. The film handles the ensemble cast well, building fascinating lore while also developing characters. The Flashpoint Paradox is an essential animated film with plenty of action, drama, and plot.

4

‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

Directed by Patty Jenkins

The DCEU doesn’t have many must-watch movies and was overall a failed experiment due to poor planning. However, it did create a few highlights, including Wonder Woman. The titular character runs from her home island after discovering the world of man is in danger, trekking through the First World War in order to defeat Ares, end the war, and save humanity.

Wonder Woman was one of the few bright spots in the DCEU and Gal Gadot’s best film. While the character would be reduced to cameos in future movies, Wonder Woman is an important piece of DC film history because of this movie. It was a critical and financial success, hitting all the right notes and failing at nothing. It delivered an entertaining superhero movie with great storytelling, making it one of the few DCEU movies fans must watch.

3

‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ (1993)

Directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm

Batman: The Animated Series is one of the greatest TV shows of all time and a major influence on modern-day cartoons. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a sequel movie that follows Bruce (Kevin Conroy) grappling with his identity. When a new masked vigilante begins killing random criminals, Batman gets involved to get to the bottom of this case, only to realize it may be more personal than he thought.

There are many great Batman films, making it an arduous task for one to stand out among the rest, but Mask of the Phantasm accomplished the tough feat. This is one of the darkest Batman movies, but it excels because of its heart and tragic nature, delivering a complex and emotional story. From its striking animation and art style to its distinct aesthetic, Mask of the Phantasm is a visual and storytelling masterpiece that fans shouldn’t ignore just because of its animation.

2

‘Superman’ (1978)

Directed by Richard Donner

It’s a tragedy that only one Superman movie made this list, and it’s unfortunate that fans haven’t gotten one that has topped the first. The 1978 Superman movie is a quintessential superhero film. From the destruction of Krypton to Clark’s (Christopher Reeve) life in Smallville to Superman’s debut, this movie is the ultimate origin for the Man of Steel as he must stop Lex Luthor’s (Gene Hackman) plan to separate California from America.

Fans could make a good case for Superman to be at the number one spot, but all that matters is that it is high on this list. While it may feel a little outdated, this is the perfect comic book movie, still having the vibe of a comic book while also making it a good film. It influenced and set the groundwork for every other superhero film, making it an essential piece of work that is still the greatest Superman movie and an important movie everyone should see at least once.

1

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

While the entire trilogy could feature on this list, The Dark Knight stands above the rest, establishing itself as an essential DC film. Batman (Christian Bale) faces his most formidable challenge yet, with the Joker (Heath Ledger) running rampant around Gotham. As Joker continues his experiment, he wears Batman down mentally and physically, trying to force him to reveal his identity and prove his philosophy.

It should not come as a surprise to see The Dark Knight at the top of this list, considering fans and critics agree it to be one of the greatest movies ever. It redefined what superhero movies could be, proving they are more than just entertainment but genuinely profound stories. Outside of its cultural relevance and impact, The Dark Knight is also a great time with perfect acting and an outstanding story, easily making it a must-watch film for every movie-goer.

“}]] Wonder Woman, The Dark Knight, and The Batman are among the all-time best, most essential must-watch DC Comics movies.  Read More