While the most recent iteration of a cinematic universe forDC Comics, theDC Extended Universe, wasn’t much of a hit,DC Comics still had a lot going for them on the film side of things in the era of the2010s.In fact, some ofDC’s best movies were released during said decade. They put out both animated and live-actionbangers from 2010 to 2019.
Whether it be the first giant hit for a DC Comicsvillainsolo movie or one of the bestBatmanfilms ever made,DC has a lot of movies to be proud of in the 2010s that are most certainly worth watchingbefore fans venture into a new universe in theDCUwithJames Gunn’sSuperman. But what are the best of the best from DC’s 2010s? It’s hard to rank things likeanimationand live-action against each other, but certain movies really stand out among the rest.
10’The Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy is revered as one of thebest comic book movie trilogies of all time. While the trilogy capper,The Dark Knight Rises,wasn’t the best in said trilogy, it still finds itself to be a pretty good film.People often criticizeTom Hardy’s portrayal of Bane and the somewhat cluttered story, but at the end of the day, this is a very enjoyable film.
So, no, this isn’t a perfect movie, especially not in comparison with the two films prior, butThe Dark Knight Risesis still one of the best DC movies from the 2010s.Christian Balestill brings the power as Batman and the rest of the returning cast are just as good here as they were in previous entries. Regardless of the reputation it may have to some, this movie is awesome as ever.
The Dark Knight Rises
Eight years after the Joker’s reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.
9’Justice League: Doom' (2012)
Directed by Lauren Montgomery
If anything is true about DC that was incredibly prevalent in the 2010s,it’s that some of DC’s best came in the form of its animated films. Some of their highest-reviewed movies of all time are animated and for very good reason.Flicks likeJustice League: Doomare the proof in the pudding.
Justice League: Doomasks the question of what would happen ifBatman’s (Kevin Conroy) “Babel Protocol”—an array of plans describing how to take out each member of the Justice League should they go rogue—were put in the hands of a supervillain.
Justice League: Doom
8’Man of Steel' (2013)
Directed by Zack Snyder
WhileZack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe may not have been the biggest hit among DC’s large catalog of movies, the debut of the cinematic universe,Man of Steel, is a really dang good movie. Not only did it bring the incredible casting ofHenry Cavillto screen as Superman,it defined the unique style of the Snyderverse movies.
The action is spectacular, Cavill’s performance is captivating, and the score by the one and onlyHans Zimmeris one of the best superhero movie scoresof all time. It’s really hard to dog onMan of Steel, despite being part of the DCEU, because it truly is just an excellent movie. It’s not many’s ideal version of Superman, but it had so many people super excited about what was to come.
Man of Steel
An alien child is evacuated from his dying world and sent to Earth to live among humans. His peace is threatened when other survivors of his home planet invade Earth.
7’Wonder Woman' (2017)
Directed by Patty Jenkins
As much as it shouldn’t have been the case (becauseMarvel Studiosshould have been on top of it far before, due to being around longer), DC and Warner Brothers beat their competitor to the punch when it came to bringingone of the first massive female-led superhero movies to theaters. This made ita pretty important superhero movie. After debuting to a lot of love inBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) quickly got her own film soon after.
Wonder Womanhit screens in 2017 to pretty positive reviews. It wasn’t just a massive moment for female cinema and superhero cinema as a whole, it was a genuinely great film.Wonder Womanwas a period piece that found itself more relatable to the modern daythan its prior film,Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The message was great, and the filmmaking was very well done.
Wonder Woman
6’Joker' (2019)
Directed by Todd Phillips
Solo films for famous franchise villains likeVenomandCruellahave never done well both in quality and box office (for the most part), so when DC revealed that they were craftingJoker, people didn’t know how to feel.There really hadn’t been a good “villain film” yet for any major studio.However, upon release in 2019,Jokertotally changed that.
Todd Phillipsmanaged to direct a phenomenal movie.Jokerreally wasn’t much of a “superhero film”, as much of a thriller/drama with simply a supervillain as the lead role.Jokertoldan emotionally compelling story that was an excellent commentary on societyand had (and still has) some of the best filmmaking prowess in the superhero cinema space.
During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.
5’Shazam!' (2019)
Directed by David F. Sandberg
Being most well-known for horror flicks likeLights OutandAnnabelle: Creation,David F. SandbergcontinuedSam Raimi’s legacy of proving thathorror directors can be incredible choices for a superhero movie. Stepping into the DC universe for the likes ofShazam!, Sandberg delivered what is easily one of the most fun and heartwarming DCEU movies.
The story of Billy Batson (Asher Angel)trying to find his biological family, only to find a true one in his new foster home, is filled with so much heart and soul, especially compared to the rest of the DCEU.Shazam!is a lovable coming-of-age moviethat can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone.
Billy Batson, a 14-year-old foster kid, gains the ability to transform into an adult superhero with a single magic word. With the help of his foster brother Freddy, Billy explores his new powers and learns what it means to be a hero. As he faces off against the villainous Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, Billy must master his abilities to save his family and the city from impending doom.
4’Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox' (2013)
Directed by Jay Olivia
When people think of great DC animatedmovies,Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradoxtypically comes to mind. Adapting one of DC Comics' biggest crossover event stories, the movie focuses on The Flash (Justin Chambers) ashe enters a world unlike his own after saving his mother from her murder in the past.
Barry soon learns that saving his mom brought the world into chaos. Superman (Sam Daly) is a skinny man locked up, Thomas Wayne (Kevin McKidd) has become Batman, and even Aquaman (Cary Elwes) and Wonder Woman (Vanessa Marshall) are at war with each other. It’s a lesson in learning to move on from grief, and it makes for a wonderful movie.
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
The Flash finds himself in a war torn alternate timeline and teams up with alternate versions of his fellow heroes to return home and restore the timeline.
3’Batman: The Dark Knight Returns' (2012)
The Dark Knight Returnscomic book series is often hailed as one of the best there is.Written byFrank Miller, this short comic run found itself extremely popular with comic fans of all kinds. So, of course, it made total sense that, in an era filled with DC animated projects,Warner Bros. Animationwas going to hop on an adaptation of a story likeThe Dark Knight Returns.
Being released in two parts,Batman: The Dark Knight Returns(as one whole—two parts put together) is one of the longest DC animated movies and this works very well in its favor. It allowed directorJay Olivato really focus on what made the original book so good and make sure those things were adapted well.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
2’The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
Directed by Chris McKay
Who would believe that an animated, borderline parody film would end up being not only one of DC’s best 2010-era movies, but one of their best movies in general?The Lego BatmanMovieis a great example of howa movie doesn’t need to be dark, gritty, or serious to be a phenomenal watch.
The Lego Batman Moviedoesn’t prioritize those things at all. In fact,it laughs in the face of them andgoes full goofball with how it executespretty much everything in the movie. Because grittiness, seriousness, and darkness aren’t what make a Batman movie good—not what makes a superhero movie good—but having a heart and soul that keeps people compelled does.
The Lego Batman Movie
A cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick.
1’Batman: Under the Red Hood' (2010)
Directed by Brandon Vietti
DC kicked off the 2010s with a Batman film that adapted one of the most iconic and influential Batman stories of all time.Batman: Under the Red Hoodchecks all the boxes of what makes a great DC movie anddepicts exactly why Batman is as important of a character as he is.
Bringing Batman’s (Bruce Greenwood) greatest failure back to life in the form of the Red Hood (Jensen Ackles),Batman: Under the Red Hoodquestions not just his “no kill” rule, but is a dissection of the character as a whole. Featuring a phenomenal voice cast, great animation, and a story that is captivating and thrilling the entire way through, this film is an easy 10/10.
Batman: Under the Red Hood
There’s a mystery afoot in Gotham City, and Batman must go toe-to-toe with a mysterious vigilante, who goes by the name of Red Hood. Subsequently, old wounds reopen and old, once buried memories come into the light.
