- 2 months ago
We all love superheroes! For this list, we’ll be looking at the best cartoon films about crime fighting characters. Since we’ll be talking about plots, consider this your spoiler warning.
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00:00You're the best of the bestie.
00:02Yes, I know, darling. I know.
00:04Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 20 animated superhero movies of all time.
00:14Alright, let's do this one last time.
00:18Number 20. Justice League Crisis on Two Earths.
00:22Things get a little backwards in this DC DVD release. In an alternate universe, there's no Justice League.
00:29Instead, the world is lorded over by a group of supervillains known as the Crime Syndicate.
00:34That world's noble Lex Luthor eventually travels to a world of traditional Justice League heroes to get help and stop the evil team.
00:42Oh, wait, wait, don't tell me. On your world, you're the leader of the Justice League.
00:47As a matter of fact, I was.
00:49There's a lot of fun to be had in watching these famous characters interacting and, of course, fighting with their evil counterparts.
00:57While it doesn't dwell long on how they got corrupted, it shows that absolute power can corrupt absolutely.
01:03The film also offers plenty of slick action scenes and nice character moments.
01:07We both looked into the abyss, but when it looked back at us, you blinked.
01:16It all builds up to a nail-biting ending that you'll never forget.
01:20Number 19. Megamind.
01:22This DreamWorks comedy seeks to answer an important question.
01:25What would a villain do without their hero?
01:27I often ask myself, who would I be without you?
01:33After seemingly defeating his arch-nemesis, Megamind becomes the world-dominating baddie he always wanted to be.
01:39But when his victory starts to feel hollow, he tries to create a new hero with disastrous results.
01:45The jokes always land in particular thanks to cast members like Will Ferrell and Tina Fey.
01:51The bright visuals pop and the action offers some unique moments of spectacle.
01:55This town isn't big enough for two supervillains.
01:58Oh, you're a villain, alright. Just not a superwoman.
02:03While it may not be your typical superhero fare, its offbeat nature makes it a hidden genre gem.
02:09Number 18. Teen Titans Trouble in Tokyo.
02:13Cartoon Network's original Teen Titans series is beloved to this day.
02:17Despite ending too soon, it at least got to end its run with a pretty great made-for-TV movie.
02:23Trouble in Tokyo's intriguing plot gets going when a supervillain that speaks Japanese attacks the team at home.
02:30Our house! Look what he did to our house.
02:34Dude, I need a vacation.
02:37This event leads the Titans to travel abroad and face a villain that can turn his artwork into real life.
02:42creations.
02:44While the movie has a few dark elements, it still has just as much charm as you'd expect.
02:49This is particularly the case in moments where Robin and Starfire navigate their feelings for one another.
02:55However, it's when the team is together that the movie shines the brightest.
02:59What must we do?
03:02Erase him.
03:05Number 17. Suicide Squad Hell to Pay.
03:11If you like when Suicide Squad stories feature gory mayhem, it doesn't get much better than this.
03:16Find him and I'll slice a year off all your sentences.
03:20Oh great, only 87 more suicide missions to go.
03:24In Hell to Pay, a terminally sick Amanda Waller sends the team out into the world to find an artifact that will save her soul from being sent to Hell.
03:33But she's far from the only one after the card.
03:36Since villains like Professor Zoom and Vandal Savage are also vying for the prize, the main team has to constantly fight their way out of bloody confrontations.
03:45So far, no one's died. Let's see how long we can make that last.
03:49The movie's dark sense of humor strangely pairs well with the absurd levels of violence as characters drop left and right.
03:56It all makes for a great Suicide Squad story where you question who's truly good and evil.
04:02I must have sired a hundred thousand. You'd think one would show me some respect.
04:07Number 16. Batman Year One.
04:10This DC animated film may be one of the most faithful comic adaptations the company's ever released.
04:1712 years and the ache is still fresh. Like a raw, angry nerve.
04:24Year One follows Bruce's return to Gotham after over a decade of training.
04:28Instead of the confident hero we're used to, this early career vigilante struggles to deal with common criminals.
04:35As we learn more about Batman's early days, we also follow Gordon's beginning as a GCPD officer dealing with rampant corruption.
04:43The two men eventually team up to take on the corrupt city. Their dynamic is handled incredibly well.
04:49Additionally, Ben McKenzie's Batman and Bryan Cranston's Gordon are definite high points.
04:55Like I can't stop thinking about this Batman. He's a criminal. I'm a cop. It's as simple as that.
05:03But I'm a cop in a city that uses its cops like hired killers.
05:07At just over an hour, it's a bit short, but that just left us wanting more.
05:12Number 15. Incredibles 2.
05:15It seems like we were all begging Pixar for an Incredibles sequel for years.
05:19And after nearly a decade and a half, we finally got one.
05:24Are we going to talk about it?
05:26What?
05:27The elephant in the room.
05:29Set directly after the first, it dealt with the family coming to terms with Jack Jack's new powers,
05:34as well as supers being allowed to work again.
05:37The truly stunning animation led to plenty of jaw-dropping set pieces that blew us away.
05:42However, just like the first, Incredibles 2 was at its best when dealing with the family's relationships.
05:48I didn't think about Dicker erasing his memory or about you having to pay the price for a choice you never made.
05:56It's not fair. I know.
05:58It also gave Elastigirl plenty of time to shine.
06:01Although the villain didn't live up to expectations,
06:03the Parr's family's second outing is still worthy of any superfan's time.
06:08Number 14, Teen Titans Go to the movies.
06:12The goofy Teen Titans Go series has been dividing fans since its inception.
06:17But even the show's biggest detractors can't deny how remarkably good this incarnation's first feature film is.
06:25In a quest to be taken more seriously as a hero, Robin tries to get his team to star in their own story.
06:31It would be so awesome. It would be so cool.
06:35This setup allows the entire runtime to be filled with meta jokes about superhero cinema.
06:40And we can't deny that there are a few surprisingly catchy musical numbers.
06:45Not only does the original voice cast nail their goofy characters, but Will Arnett slays as Slade Wilson.
06:52Robin, don't you know anything about archvillains?
06:56We always have a backup plan, girlfriend.
06:58This excellent animated comedy just might get naysayers to take Teen Titans Go more seriously.
07:05Number 13, Justice League Doom.
07:09Batman is smart enough to have contingency plans for each member of the Justice League should they ever turn evil.
07:15The members of the Justice League are among the most powerful and potentially dangerous people on the planet.
07:20You think one of us would go over to the other side?
07:22Or succumb to mind control?
07:24Yes.
07:25Unfortunately, that decision comes back to haunt him in this adaptation of the Tower of Babel storyline.
07:31Led by Vandal Savage, a newly formed Legion of Doom uses Batman's own plans to target him and his closest allies.
07:40It's riveting to see each hero get pushed to their breaking points with schemes that target their weaknesses.
07:46I got a bomb bolted to my wrist. If I stop?
07:48It'll explode.
07:49Yeah. I'm starting to get tired. One way or another, I'll have to try something soon.
07:53While Bruce gets a little more screen time than the others, all the major players get moments to shine.
07:59And together, the team is able to avoid certain doom.
08:03Number 12, The Death of Superman.
08:06Although Superman's death at the hands of the deadly doomsday had been told in live action and animation beforehand,
08:13no adaptation did as much justice to the story as this one.
08:17After the infamous villain arrives on Earth, we're treated to great action scenes.
08:22The Justice League's battle against the monster and Superman's final stand against it are both great.
08:29I have to get back to work.
08:35But there's more here than just fantastic action.
08:38Throughout the story, we get to learn about Clark's human life and his struggle over whether or not to reveal himself to Lois.
08:45The movie handles his internal conflict extremely well.
08:49Thanks to the emotional stakes, the tragic and beautifully animated conclusion left us stunned.
08:55What a lucky man I was.
09:03Number 11, Justice League Dark Apocalypse War.
09:07Apocalypse War got everyone talking when it was released due to the utterly brutal carnage on display.
09:13Darkseid knew every part of our plan.
09:17Those things that attacked us were half parademon, half doomsday.
09:21During the movie, heroes of all ages are killed after a failed attack on Darkseid.
09:27The majority of the survivors are either captured, brainwashed, or doomed to live a cursed life.
09:33And the movie only gets bleaker from there.
09:36Darkseid's attack on Earth leaves the planet hanging by a thread.
09:39Friends and foes are forced to team up to fight a seemingly impossible uphill battle because the threat of defeat had never felt so real.
09:47As they try to overcome their plight, every character's journey was compelling and each death was upsetting.
09:53This story is so well done that even when they achieve victory, it feels bittersweet.
09:58The damage was done.
10:00How bad?
10:01We lost 31% of the Earth's molten core.
10:05Number 10, Batman Beyond Return of the Joker.
10:09The Batman Beyond series followed a grizzled Bruce Wayne mentoring a new Batman named Terry as the younger hero dealt with new threats.
10:17How did it go with the Jokers?
10:19I broke up the robbery but it was weird.
10:22But this movie saw a ghost from Bruce's past return.
10:26Despite his apparent death long ago, the Joker begins wreaking havoc on Gotham once again.
10:31And since Terry didn't know much about the clown, he goes on a journey to learn why this villain's no laughing matter.
10:37Return of the Joker is delectably dark, bordering on disturbing.
10:41A scene of a young Robin's brutal torment and brainwashing at the hands of Joker and Harley Quinn was particularly upsetting.
10:49I'll begin with how I peeled back the layers of the boy's mind.
10:54This futuristic Batman movie ultimately ends up being a great showcase for Mark Hamill's Clown Prince of Crime, too.
11:02Number 9, Big Hero 6.
11:05Inspired by the comic of the same name, the movie follows a young boy named Hero who has huge ideas and a talent for technology.
11:14After losing his older brother, he risks his promising future to go after the villain responsible.
11:20And Hero's not alone.
11:21Along for the ride are some high-tech equipped allies and a lovable healthcare bot named Baymax.
11:27On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain? Physical or emotional?
11:33Each one of them brings memorable personalities to the table.
11:37From the streets of San Fransokyo to the inventive specialties of each teammate, the film radiates energy.
11:43Additionally, it's got all the elements of Disney's expertise in pulling at our heartstrings.
11:49It's one of the most heartwarming superhero stories out there.
11:54I'm satisfied with my care.
11:57Number 8, The Lego Batman Movie.
12:00The Lego Batman Movie is one of those standout DC films that keeps most of the movie light while having tons of heart.
12:06Let me tell you something, Jay Bird.
12:09Batman doesn't do ships.
12:12What?
12:13As in relationships.
12:15After making a fantastic debut as Batman in the 2014 original, Will Arnett starred in his own film.
12:22This meant we got more clever visual stop-motion gags throughout.
12:25At the same time, we got a pleasantly silly take on Batman's entire mythos and his famous gallery of rogues.
12:33But it's more than just humorous.
12:35There are genuinely emotional moments where Batman has to come to terms with his loneliness and grief.
12:40But before dwelling too long on darkness, the animators incorporate brilliant Lego movement.
12:46With just enough warmth and loads of adventure, the movie's built to please just about everyone.
12:51So what do you say, Kamish?
12:53Will you work with me?
12:56I need your help.
12:58I thought you'd never ask.
13:01Number 7 Justice League The Flashpoint Paradox
13:06After traveling back in time to stop the death of his mother, Barry Allen awakes in a world where that change brought disastrous consequences.
13:14Aquaman and Wonder Woman are locked in a brutal world war.
13:18On one fateful night, Bruce Wayne died instead of his parents, prompting Thomas Wayne to become Batman instead.
13:25Bruce!
13:26Bruce!
13:27Bruce!
13:28Bruce is dead.
13:29I watched him die.
13:30This nightmare reality that Barry accidentally concocted is undeniably an engrossing one.
13:36There's a real sense of dread and urgency as it all descends further into chaos.
13:41Additionally, Barry's arch-nemesis Ubar Thawne adds more tension to the story.
13:47With all-around strong performances from the voice cast and stellar fights, this film races to the forefront of must-see Flash tales.
13:55The only way to save the world is to keep this world from ever happening.
14:00Number 6 Batman The Dark Knight Returns
14:04Adapting Frank Miller's rich dystopian take on Gotham City was going to be no easy feat.
14:10Thankfully, DC took the time to do it justice across two parts.
14:23With crime at an all-time high courtesy of a gang called the Mutants, a once-retired and aged Batman returns to the streets.
14:31Unfortunately, he isn't as spry as he used to be.
14:34The reappearance of Batman also brings the Joker out of retirement.
14:38With the hero far past his prime, each physical encounter feels more tense and dangerous.
14:44There's also brilliant commentary about everything from vigilantes to the Cold War.
14:50Peter Weller is phenomenal as the seasoned hero, while Michael Emerson's performance as the revitalized Joker is absolutely chilling.
14:59Don't miss this return of a legend.
15:01You never should have come back, Bruce. You don't know how much the world has changed.
15:06Number 5 Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse
15:10With such a strong first outing, Marvel fans couldn't wait to get another taste of the Spider-Verse.
15:15His name is Miles Morales. He was bitten by a radioactive spider. And he's not the only one.
15:26And the 2023 sequel did not disappoint. Set a year and a half later, it picks back up on Miles struggling to balance home and superhero life.
15:35Unfortunately, he accidentally creates a destructive new villain, Spot.
15:40Doing so puts him at odds with heroes like Spider-Man 2099.
15:44Audiences are also treated to incredible plots about major heroes like Gwen Stacy.
15:49Plus, in every universe, in every moment, we get to witness stunning and groundbreaking animation.
15:56They are the canon. Chapters that are a part of every Spider-Story, every time.
16:03The story admittedly feels like part one of an incomplete story. However, it still has plenty of strengths to stand on its own.
16:11Number 4 Batman Under the Red Hood
16:15Comic readers may have voted to kill off Jason Todd's Robin, but there's no denying how strong a character he is as Red Hood.
16:22Tell me what happened to you. Let me help. It's too late.
16:28This 2010 film adapted his return and managed to surpass the source material with a more focused plot, incredible performances, and thrilling action scenes.
16:38It follows Batman contending with the mysterious new villain who seems to know him too well.
16:43As the plot unfolds, Red Hood leads the detective down a trail towards the truth of his revival.
16:49Under the Red Hood expertly explores Bruce's guilt over Jason's death at the hands of the Joker.
16:55And the former Robin's bitter anger is palpable in Jensen Ackles' delivery.
17:00You know, I thought, I thought I'd be the last person you'd ever let him hurt.
17:05Number 3 The Incredibles
17:07It should come as no shock that one of Pixar's finest is also one of the best animated superhero movies of all time.
17:15You're the best of the bestie.
17:17Yes, I know, darling. I know.
17:19Fifteen years after supers were outlawed, the retired Mr. Incredible yearns for the old days.
17:25But he bites off more than he can chew with his new hero job.
17:28It's a joy to see how the unique powers of each family member reflect their personalities.
17:33And just like the best Pixar films, this superhero story takes you through emotional highs and lows.
17:40Don't eat those guys that tried to kill us. That was the best vacation ever!
17:45I love our family.
17:47The Incredibles arrived on the scene with a glorious style and a familial bond that could make anyone cheer.
17:53It's impressive that this spectacular movie became an Oscar-winning classic even without any capes.
17:59No capes.
18:00Number 2 Batman Mask of the Phantasm
18:04Over the years, some critics have declared the Mask of the Phantasm to be the greatest Batman movie ever.
18:10Buzz Vronsky, your angel of death awaits.
18:15And honestly, we find that hard to argue against.
18:18Made during the run of the acclaimed animated series, the film expands on what was already wonderful.
18:24The plot, focusing on a new villain hunting mob bosses in Gotham, is both suspenseful and dreary.
18:31Additionally, the story takes a deep dive into what it meant for Bruce to be Batman and give up on everything else.
18:37I know I made a promise, but I didn't see this coming. I didn't count on being happy.
18:44It also showcased the prowess of the filmmakers, as well as their immense love of the character and the mythos of the world they were building.
18:51When combined with excellent voice work and a gripping climax, this Batman movie stands tall.
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19:14Number 1 Spider- Into the Spider-Verse
19:18In every single aspect, from every single angle, Into the Spider-Verse is a wonder to behold.
19:24Miles Morales' journey as an accidental Spider-Man thrust into an impossible situation is as captivating as it is filled with joy.
19:33Feel the rhythm?
19:34Woohoohoo!
19:35I admire us!
19:36I gotta say, you're amazing man!
19:39We're little teens!
19:40Me as the teacher who can still do it.
19:43You as the student who can do it just not as good.
19:45Every character instantly grabs you with their unique charm and quirks.
19:50The blend of hand-drawn and CGI animation makes the visuals pop as if they transcend the screen.
19:56Never before had the title comic book movie been taken so literally and displayed with such love and care.
20:03Spider-Verse was a breath of fresh air and originality that we're supremely grateful wasn't a one-off.
20:09Not only did Miles return, but the Oscar-winning film and character inspired other studios to take their own creative leaps of faith.
20:18What's your favorite animated superhero movie?
20:28Let us know in the comments!
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