Top 10 Best Recent DC Animated Shows

#10: “Aquaman: King of Atlantis” (2021)

If you haven’t heard of this undersea animated mini-series, we wouldn’t blame you. Created by James Wan, it’s technically a sequel to the first live action Aquaman movie, but as you can plainly see, sets itself apart from the DCEU. Colorful, tongue in cheek and baring an art style unafraid of diving head-first into the uncanny valley, King of Atlantis was a short-lived screwball show that showcased how a day in the life of Aquaman is not an easy one. Dare we say all three of its episodes provided more joy than the entirety of the Lost Kingdom?

#9: “Suicide Squad Isekai” (2024)

If you’re a longterm anime fan, or at the very least are familiar with the isekai subgenre, then you won’t find any surprises when it comes to this show’s laundry list of tropes. Transported to a fantasy land, magical transformations, princesses to save, monsters to fight, you name it, it’s here. The only difference this time is that it features Harley Quinn and the rest of her squad, who all bring their own brand of quirks and chaos to the forefront. For Harley fans, this is a must. Oh, and it also features King Shark challenging his inner Sailor Moon, which is something we didn’t know we needed in our lives.

#8: “DC Super Hero Girls” (2019-21)

Channelling the same manner of infectious energy as the Powerpuff Girls, what was once a series of shorts has become the “the” DC cartoon for a younger female audience. Going from a web series all the way to an episodic powerhouse, the show primarily focused on the likes of Wonder Woman, Zatanna, Supergirl, Batgirl, Jessica Cruz’s Green Lantern and Bumblebee as they navigated life as superheroes…as well as high school students. Bright and bubbly yet always staying true to the core of the characters, it’s the kind of coming of age show you could heartily recommend to any young audience.

#7: “Justice League Action” (2016-18)

While it doesn’t quite reach the greatness of either Justice League or Justice League Unlimited, mainly given how short each episode’s run time is, there’s still plenty of fun to be had here. If anything, given the abundance of characters, the speed of the plot and the lighter aesthetic, it comes across as more akin to Batman: The Brave and the Bold – which is never a bad thing. Plus, it’s always great to hear the cast of the original JL cast slip back into their iconic roles. While it’s a shame it doesn’t have more meat on its bones, there’s worse ways to spend your time than binging this animated kaleidoscope.

#6: “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!” (2024)

There were many standout side characters to come out of Harley Quinn’s titular animated romp, but none captured our hearts or made us laugh up a storm quite like Kite Man. So, for him to get his own show was a huge win in our books. Doesn’t hurt that the humour hits just as hard. Instead of being left as a comedic footnote after his engagement with Poison Ivy went south, the fearless former D-List villain rises from the ashes…and opens up a bar. One that’s frequented by DC’s heaviest hitters. Alongside a newfound relationship with Golden Glider, this spin-off flawlessly leaps between blood-soaked gags and tender romance. Our boy is finally winning at life, and we are here for it!

#5: “Young Justice Outsiders & Phantoms” (2019-22)

Okay, we might be slightly cheating here – but can you really blame us? Young Justice exploded onto the scene with two incredible seasons that brought maturity and depth to the lesser-known heroes and villains of the DC Universe. The stories were sprawling, the action was epic…and then it got cancelled. That is until it was brought back from the grave six years later, giving us two additional seasons, and to no one’s surprise, they knocked it out of the park. Heroes were driven to their darkest depths, issues such as mental health were tackled with poignancy, all the while it maintained that same level of excitement we had come to expect. We can only hope season five is around the corner…

#4: “Batman: Caped Crusader” (2024)

While it’s not a sequel to the much beloved Batman: The Animated Series, Caped Crusader very much inherits its spirit. Taking place in a reimagined Gotham, the series plays out like a period-piece, police procedural featuring the Dark Knight. The alternative takes on the likes of classic villains, the focus on Batman’s skills as a detective as he rooted out corruption, all of it was a breath of fresh air. Whether it can eventually rise up to match its legendary predecessors remains to be seen, but so far, this noir has knocked it out of the park

#3: “My Adventures with Superman” (2023-)

The Man of Steel has had numerous animated incarnations over the years, so to say this one might just be one of the best is high praise indeed. Taking inspiration from anime with its aesthetics and interpretation, watching a young Clark Kent come into his own as the world's greatest hero while taking on everything from aliens to robots is pure delight. But let’s be honest, we all know the real hook here is Lois and Clark’s relationship. Their chemistry is so off the charts it's astounding - equal parts wholesome and spicy. The big blue boy scout is getting a lot of love these days, and we’re thrilled to see such a different yet deserving take on his legacy continue to shine.

#2: “Harley Quinn” (2019-)

If you had told us back in the day that an animated black comedy series focused on the highs and lows of Harleen Quinzel was one of the best DC shows ever made, we would have laughed in your face. But as we all know now, it’s Harley world, and she’s laughing all the way to the bank. Dumping the Joker for a solo gig, Harley’s shift from wannabe villain to a somewhat redeemed anti-heroine never fails to land with its gags, made all the stronger by a terrific supporting cast, one of modern animation’s best romances, and some truly gripping writing unafraid to explore the dark nuances of Harley’s character.

#1: “Creature Commandos” (2024)

Kicking off the DCU in a big, brilliant and bloody way, Creature Commandos presented us with a question that we didn’t know we needed – what happens when you put together a bunch of monsters, make them a mercenary team, and send them off to save the world? A hell of a good time and a colossal body pile, that’s what. Replacing the Suicide Squad as Amanda Waller’s hit team of choice, getting to see the Bride of Frankenstein, GI Robot and the rest fight their way through one perilous mission after the next is an absolute hoot. And in typical James Gunn fashion, the ensemble are as broken as they are compelling. Still can’t believe this show made us care for the Weasel of all people!

Which of these DC shows is at the top of your list? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe for new WatchMojo videos every day.