It's no secret that the DCEU wasn't the massive success that DC wanted it to be. Although it certainly had a large fanbase as well as decent profits, they were a far cry from its MCU counterparts. That being said, DC's animated department continues to impress.
Ever since Batman: The Animated Series hit television screens, DC has proven how great they are at bringing their comic books to life through animation. From massive crossover events to personal character stories, DC's animated movies are stellar adaptations.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010) - 7.2
One of the earliest DC animated movies of the 2010s, and it was a strong start to the decade. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths was a multiversal movie well before multiverses had become the norm thanks to movies like No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness.
The story focuses on an alternate earth where all the roles have been reversed. All of the villains from the main DC universe were the heroes, and the Justice League were the villains. Out of desperation, the alternate Lex Luthor seeks the aid of the good Justice League to beat back the threat.
Justice League: War (2014) - 7.2
The first major animated DC movie to be set within the New 52 continuity, Justice League: War starts strong by bringing all of the heroes together to fight against the biggest of bad guys in the entire DC pantheon, Darkseid and his army of Apokolips savages. The movie does a solid job of introducing every character.
The New 52 is characterized as more brutal and darker than the mainline DC universe, much like how The Ultimates was for the Marvel universe. That being said, it's far from being more "grounded", and characters are a lot snarkier than their mainline counterparts due to being younger.
The Death of Superman (2018) - 7.3
Not mincing any words, The Death of Superman is exactly what it says on the tin. It's the New 52's take on the classic Doomsday story, with a few changes here and there to account for the new continuity. A different League, and a Superman who is only recently dating Lois Lane after a breakup with Wonder Woman, but still the same story at its core.
The movie manages to pull off the weight of Superman's sacrifice despite most fans knowing the guaranteed resurrection. It also fleshes out New 52's Superman character a bit more, giving his eventual death some impact. Overall, it's a solid adaptation of a classic comic.
Batman: Year One (2011) - 7.3
Batman: Year One is among the many experimental one-shots that the DC animated block would try out through the early 2010s. While later movies would focus purely on the New 52 continuity, earlier movies were often more personal characters' stories, such as this one.
Batman: Year One focuses on both Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon's first year in Gotham, and neither of them was remotely prepared. Audiences get to see these paragons of virtue battered by forces they would later beat with ease, and even doing things that would be morally reprehensible now.
Justice League: Doom (2012) - 7.4
For fans of "Prep God Batman", this is their movie dream come true. Sort of. Justice League: Doom is a loose adaptation of the Tower of Babel storyline. The plot revolves around Vandall Savage starting the Legion of Doom, a villain team composed of the Justice League's most sinister foes.
After stealing Batman's non-lethal plans to defeat the Justice League, Vandall Savage tinkers with the plans to make them fatal. With horror, Batman realizes too late that the Justice League was now under attack, with his plans. Despite showcasing Batman's insane planning, the movie cleverly subverts his preparation by turning it against him.
Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) - 7.4
Well before the theatrical adaptation of Task Force X, Batman: Assault on Arkham was already using the expendable assassins for their black-ops operations. Amanda Waller hires the criminals to capture none other than the Riddler, who has information that she doesn't want out there.
The movie is non-stop action from start to finish, and shockingly brutal too. It's also set in the mainline Arkham game universe, so a few familiar faces show up throughout the story for fans of the game. While there would be other animated Suicide Squad movies after this, they don't quite live up to the bar set here.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012) - 7.9
The long-awaited adaptation of the story that saved Batman comics, The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is an amazing adaptation of the Frank Miller classic. Gotham City is faced with a crisis, as the Mutant gang ravages the streets. However, with Batman long retired and Gordon soon following suit, it seems like all hope is lost.
However, Bruce Wayne is once again pushed into his true calling. Although much older and slower, Batman makes good use of his years of experience to even the odds. Plus, he's even got a new Robin, Carrie Kelley, who seems inspired by the likes of Tim Drake. It's an awesome movie, and the best part is it's just the beginning.
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) - 8.0
Batman: Under the Red Hood is a loose adaptation of A Death in the Family as well as Under The Red Hood. The plot kicks off with a mysterious criminal, known as the Red Hood, attacking all the gangs of Gotham and forcing them to work under his bootheel. Despite this, the crime rate is down, something Batman doesn't fail to notice.
Throughout the story, however, it's made abundantly clear that the man behind the mask is none other than Jason Todd, the Robin who died by Joker's hand. Throughout the story, Batman's moral code is attacked for all of its flaws, and the movie does a great job of ensuring that nobody is 100% correct in their sense of justice.
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013) - 8.1
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is an adaptation of the comic book story of the same name, which focuses on Barry Allen going back in time to save his mother. Somehow, this act tears apart the timeline and the Flash returns to a world that is completely foreign to him.
This movie is a solid adaptation of the work, but its biggest narrative purpose is kickstarting what would eventually become the New 52. It should be noted that movies after this one would increasingly start to focus on New 52 characters, for better or for worse. Still, the movie itself was a great deep dive into the Flash's personality and backstory.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013) - 8.3
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is the conclusion of the Frank Miller adaptation, and it gets real dark. Yes, the first part does have its dark moments, but it was ultimately a way for the old Bat to shake off the rust and fight crime once more. Here, Batman faces up against arguably the two most important men in his life outside of his family.
Joker is the man who killed his adopted son and caused him so much grief with all the murders he spread. Superman, the man he called friend, and yet became just another tool of the government that they once agreed was not enough to defend the innocent. These two themes are what make the movie such a wild ride, and a thrilling conclusion to Batman's long arc.