These Are the Best DC Movies and TV Shows Featuring Harley Quinn

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If you’re a fan of the wacky and wild side of DC Comics, then you’re probably familiar with Harley Quinn and her phenomenal arcs. Her vibrant costumes, unpredictable nature, and unhinged personality has captured the hearts of comic book enthusiasts and the general audience. Introduced in the 1990s as the Joker’s devoted sidekick and lover, Harley took her time but eventually proved herself as more than just a henchwoman.

Brought to life and voiced by several actresses, Harley Quinn is a clinical psychologist, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, with a complex and perpetually playful alter ego. Her origin story as a Arkham Asylum psychiatrist who falls for her violent patient is legendary. But she’s no weak victim. Even though her love for Joker is twisted and obsessive, she never loses her own identity.

Harley Quinn made her debut in Batman: The Animated Series and went on to become one of DC’s most prominent and beloved characters. She appeared in countless comics, video games, and, of course, live-action and animated adaptations. Whether she’s breaking bad alongside the Joker or trying to forge her own path, Harley Quinn is always absolutely irresistible. This list rounds up DC movies and TV shows featuring Harley Quinn.

Making an entrance in The DC Extended Universe with Suicide Squad, a high-octane action film that got negative reviews from critics but broke records at the box office, Harley Quinn joins a group of dangerous, incarcerated supervillains. Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and Killer Croc are all recruited by a secret government agency and tasked with a mission to fight an ancient and powerful entity.

Visually Stylish and Chaotic Entry

Margot Robbie’s debut as Harley Quinn is a highlight of this vibrant, if uneven and utterly disappointing, DC blockbuster. From her flashy entrance to her emotionally-charged confrontations with the Joker, from her backstory to her transformation into a fearless anti-hero, the arc is commanding and impossible to ignore. Harley’s best moments include her witty one-liners and her New 52 comic-inspired makeover.

9

‘Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2019)

A zany crossover, Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on the comic book miniseries by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II. It centers on Batman, Robin, and Batgirl, who team up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to save Gotham City from Shredder, who has in turn teamed up with Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins and is causing chaos.

A Manic Crossover for the Ages

Watching the Turtles and Batman begrudgingly join forces itself is wild. The addition of Harley Quinn to the mix only adds an extra layer of excitement to the story. Voiced by Tara Strong, she plays a significant part in providing comic relief. She works alongside The Joker as his sidekick while he develops a new form of mutagenic toxin that can turn the villains in Gotham City into animal/human hybrids. Harley Quinn mutates into a spotted hyena hybrid, which is a reference to her history of owning hyenas as pets.

8

‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ (2024 – Present)

Batman: Caped Crusader is a recent addition to Batman-centered programming, and it draws inspiration from the character’s stories from the 1940s and 1950s. With its noir-like twist, the animated series takes viewers to a dark and foreboding Gotham City and follows Bruce Wayne as he embarks on his crime-fighting journey. The show’s emphasis is on action and justice, but the infamously deranged Harley Quinn adds a chaotic charm to it.

Fresh Take on Iconic Characters

Voiced by Jamie Chung, Batman: Caped Crusader’s Harley Quinn is a fresh and unpredictable version of the character. Creator Bruce Timm always wanted the series to adapt a grimmer tone and Quinn’s delightfully unhinged turn would compel but contrast the tone. So instead, her therapist self is more free-spirited than her supervillain self, with the latter interacting with Batman and other characters in interesting and memorable ways.

7

‘Justice League Action’ (2016 – 2018)

Justice League Action is a high-octane animated series that brings together the greatest and mightiest heroes of the DC Universe to defend the planet from various forces of evil. Across 52 episodes and about two dozen shorts, it features humorous and action-packed adventures of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and other iconic heroes while paying homage to classic animated superhero shows.

Harley Steals the Spotlight

This one is a more kid-friendly version, with the episodes often carrying a lighthearted tone. Which is why even the characters adopt a cartoonish personality. DC’s Trinity may be the nominal star of the series, but it’s Harley Quinn who consistently steals the spotlight whenever she appears. She teams up with Poison Ivy instead of the Joker, is dressed in a jester-like costume, uses a wide variety of weapons, and entertains all with her core characteristics. Tara Strong voices Harley Quinn in Justice League Action.

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‘The DC Animated Movie Universe’ (2013 – 2024)

The DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) a wide array of movies adapted from the main comics. They contain a series of interconnected animated movies from 2013 to 2024 that draw inspiration from popular storylines. Harley Quinn, voiced by Hynden Walch, makes several appearances in movies within this universe, including Batman: Hush and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. Tara Strong voiced the character in 2018’s Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay.

Fascinating Character Arcs for Quinn

Nowhere is Harley’s evolution more apparent than in her dynamic with Joker, which is an emotional throughline in the DC Animated Movie Universe films. The animated version of the character still retains the manic energy and multifaceted nature that Quinn is known for as she grapples with her fixations and acts as a member and eventual leader of Task Force X. Even her multiversal selves are introduced in 2018’s Batman Ninja.

5

‘The Batman’ (2004 – 2008)

The first series to put a fresh spin on the iconic superhero’s story, The Batman is an animated TV show that focuses on Bruce Wayne’s early years as the Caped Crusader. It explores his growth from a freewheeling bachelor to a trusted vigilante to a hero trusted with a team. Robin and Batgirl join Batman, while Black Mask, Clayface, Penguin, Riddler, Killer Moth, and the Everywhere Man join the Joker.

The Definitive Animated Harley Quinn

The Batman offers one of the most fully realized and compelling depictions of Harley Quinn by giving her character arc a complete revamp. She is introduced in Season 4, but instead of being a psychiatrist joining the Joker, she is a TV personality who gets defamed in front of the entire world and loses her job. She meets the Joker and they hatch an elaborate revenge scheme. The Batman’s handling of the character set the tone for countless future adaptations.

4

‘Batman: Assault on Arkham’ (2014)

The 21st film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, Batman: Assault On Arkham is a direct-to-video animated movie that follows the Suicide Squad, a motley crew of supervillains led by Amanda Walker and including the incorrigible Harley Quinn, tasked with a mission to break into Arkham Asylum and retrieve a vital asset stolen by the Riddler. Inside the institution, the team faces several obstacles, including Batman himself.

Dark and Grittier Take on Harley Quinn

Batman: Assault on Arkham is a hard-hitting R-Rated animated movie that’s packed with action. Set in the Arkham video game universe, it features a dynamic portrayal of Harley Quinn alongside villains like Deadshot and Captain Boomerang and focuses on her relationship with the former. Hynden Walch voices the character, capturing her delirious delight and her unpredictable nature, which is both an asset and a liability for the team.

3

‘Birds of Prey’ (2020)

Mia Sara portrayed Dr. Harleen Quinzel in the short-lived 2002 series of the same name, but she never really costumed up. Fast-forward to over a decade later and Gotham City was its most chaotic and entertaining in this big-screen adventure. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) follows Harley Quinn after she parts ways with the Joker and is targeted by the ruthless crime lord Black Mask.

Harley Quinn and her Newfound Family

Margot Robbie returns to her role in Birds of Prey. Her performance as Harley Quinn takes center stage in the movie, which is wild, stylish, and unapologetically bonkers. She leaves her toxic relationship with the Joker behind and instead teams up with a group of fierce women: Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya. The arc is a revelation, equal parts crazy and empowered. Her journey of liberation is hilarious and heartfelt because she goes from being a side-kick to a leading anti-hero.

2

‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992 – 1995)

Debuting in 1992, Batman: The Animated Series is a groundbreaking TV show that redefined the superhero genre with its film-noir-inspired aesthetic and gritty storytelling. It followed the Dark Knight as he faced off against a rogue gallery of villains. Among them, one stood out as a true scene-stealer: Harley Quinn. Introduced as the Joker’s loyal sidekick and lover, her character quickly became a fan-favorite.

The Birth of a Fascinating Icon

Batman: The Animated Series’ Harley Quinn is iconic because she carved out her own niche and paved the way for several versions of the character within and outside the Timmverse. Voiced to perfection by Arleen Sorkin, this version perfectly portrays Harley’s playful yet troubled personality. Whether she’s engaged in over-the-top supervillainy or experiences moments of genuine vulnerability, Harley is always compelling to watch. Following Batman: TAS, Harley Quinn returned to Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, and Static Shock.

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‘Harley Quinn’ (2019 – Present)

This self-titled animated series is undoubtedly the most faithful adaptation of the character out of all of the DC movies and TV shows. In a bold stroke of genius, this adult-oriented series puts Harley Quinn front and center and follows her story after she breaks up with the Joker and sets out to make a name for herself as Gotham City’s top villain. With her sights set on joining the Legion of Doom, she assembles a group of misfits, including Poison Ivy, Clayface, and King Shark.

Harley Quinn’s Quest for Independence

Harley Quinn delves into the titular character’s quest for independence, her journey to achieve her villainous dreams, her friendship with Ivy, and her struggle to establish her own identity in a world dominated by male supervillains. She’s voiced by Kaley Cuoco, who is gloriously unhinged and endlessly charming in delivering Quinn’s brand. The storyline stays true to the comics and also adds depth to the character. Overall, the series, also acclaimed by critics, earns a place as a top DC show featuring Harley Quinn.

“}]] Whether she’s breaking bad alongside the Joker or trying to forge her own path, Harley Quinn is always absolutely irresistible.  Read More