10 Best Batman Animated Series, Ranked

10. The New Adventures of Batman (1977)

Holy voiceover comeback! Adam West and Burt Ward returned to voice their legendary characters in this campy continuation of the 1960s series. It’s a zany blend of colorful action, outrageous dialogue, and gloriously low-stakes villainy. What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in sheer nostalgic joy—and the inclusion of Batgirl added just enough new spark to make this Saturday morning staple a sentimental favorite.

9. The Adventures of Batman (1968)

Before Batman became the brooding icon of modern myth, he was the bright, caped champion of justice. This 17-episode Filmation series introduced millions of kids to the world of Gotham, with Batman, Robin, and Batgirl in toe-to-toe tussles with the likes of Joker and Penguin. Though the animation is rudimentary and stories lean toward the simplistic, The Adventures of Batman remains a landmark—planting the animated seeds for everything that would follow.

8. Batman Unlimited (2015)

Think of ‘Batman Unlimited’ as a futuristic toy commercial with heart. Created to align with action figure lines, it was an episodic series and set of digital shorts that reimagined Batman’s rogues and allies with sci-fi style. It wasn’t built for deep narrative arcs — and that hurt its longevity — but its daring visual choices and offbeat approach to Batman lore offered something fun and refreshing for younger viewers.

7. Beware the Batman (2013)

Stylized, 3D, and unapologetically different, ‘Beware the Batman’ dared to defy expectations. Eschewing the familiar rogues for more obscure foes like Professor Pyg and Anarky, the series offered a slower burn with mystery-driven storytelling. Unfortunately, its sudden cancellation stifled its full potential. Still, its ambition and sleek, noir aesthetic earn it a respected spot among the Bat-canon.

6. Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008)

Ka-pow meets cosmic in this wonderfully weird series. ‘Brave and the Bold' was a kaleidoscopic celebration of Batman’s team-ups across the DC Universe — pairing him with everyone from Aquaman to the Phantom Stranger. Under the mask of camp and humor was a clever and loving tribute to the wackier eras of comic history. It’s bold, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt — with a finale that hits harder than you’d expect.

5. Batman Beyond (1999)

What happens when Batman grows old? Enter ‘Batman Beyond,’ a daring reinvention set in a futuristic Gotham. Teenager Terry McGinnis dons the high-tech Batsuit under the gruff mentorship of an aging Bruce Wayne. With its cyberpunk style, moral complexity, and the unforgettable ‘Return of the Joker' film, ‘Batman Beyond' took the mythos in a bold new direction — and succeeded spectacularly.

4. The New Batman Adventures (1997)

Sleeker animation. Bigger Bat-Family. Darker tone. A direct follow-up to ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ this series continued building Gotham’s legacy with a focus on Nightwing, Batgirl, and the second Robin, Tim Drake. While it doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of its predecessor, it’s essential viewing for fans who want to see how Bruce Wayne’s world expanded and evolved within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU).

3. The Batman (2004)

Often overlooked, ‘The Batman’ was a fresh take for a new generation. With stylized visuals and inventive redesigns of classic villains, it dared to carve its own identity amid the towering legacy of ‘BTAS.’ The storytelling matured as the series progressed, and by the end, it embraced deeper themes and stronger character arcs. It’s a sleeper hit that deserves far more appreciation than it gets.

2. Batman: Caped Crusader (2024–)

Dark. Cerebral. Reimagined. ‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ is the newest entry on this list, but it’s already proving to be a worthy spiritual successor to BTAS. Co-created by Bruce Timm, this version leans hard into noir grit and psychological depth. A cold, solitary Bruce Wayne stalks Gotham in the early days of his crusade, and the series isn’t afraid to challenge expectations — including a female Penguin and a reimagined Harley Quinn. If this momentum continues, it could eventually rival even the best.

1. Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

The gold standard. The blueprint. The legend. ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ redefined what animated television — and superhero storytelling — could be. Its gothic art deco visuals, mature themes, and iconic voice performances from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill made it unforgettable. Each episode felt cinematic, blending detective noir with emotional weight. It’s not just the best Batman cartoon — it's the best superhero series ever made. Decades later, nothing has matched its shadow.