WatchMojo

Login Now!

OR   Sign in with Google   Sign in with Facebook
advertisememt

Top 10 Animated Superman Movies

Top 10 Animated Superman Movies
VOICE OVER: Rudolph Strong WRITTEN BY: Saim Cheeda
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a list! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at the best animated man of steel films. Watch out as we're going, up, up and away into spoiler territory. Our countdown includes “Superman vs. The Elite”, “Superman: Red Son”, “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” and more!

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the best animated man of steel films. We’re excluding live-action and focusing on movies where Superman’s name is in the title. Watch out as we’re going, up, up and away into spoiler territory. Which Superman movie do you think does the Man of Steel justice? Let us know in the comments.

#10: “Superman: The Last Son of Krypton” (1996)


The three-part premiere of DCAU’s “Superman: The Animated Series” also serves as an origin movie. Here, we watch decades go by. We see the sad destruction of Krypton, the joyous childhood days of Clark Kent, and his triumphant turn as the Man of Steel. “The Last Son of Krypton” sets the protagonist up for his role as Earth’s protector. It also brings viewers up to speed on his greatest foes: Lex Luthor and Brainiac. It goes for a hopeful tone to inspire younger viewers that pairs well with Clark’s determination to take on the mantle of Superman. The downside is that the heavy elements of his backstory are dialed back. But the movie still does hype fans up for Superman’s many adventures in the DCAU.

#9: “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” (2009)

Electing a supervillain as president is a recipe for disaster. This team-up film shows us why when Lex Luthor becomes the commander in chief. Once in office, the villain uses his power to frame Superman for a crime he didn’t commit. Now Public Enemy No. 1, the Man of Steel has to fight off Luthor’s cronies and the heroes working for him. With Batman as Superman’s only trusted ally, the two team up to clear their names and expose Luthor’s villainy. “Public Enemies” keeps the tension tight from start to finish. It’s also full of great fight scenes between heroes and villains alike. While Batman shares top billing, the movie highlights how Superman sticks to his core values even when the world’s against him.

#8: “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” (2010)


The follow-up to “Public Enemies” goes for a more ambitious tale by putting the heroes in the center of an interstellar adventure. After Supergirl arrives on earth, Superman watches as everyone from the Amazonians to Darkseid’s forces try to utilize his cousin’s powers. The film is a great watch for hardcore fans that want to see classic locations like Themyscira and Apokolips. Additionally, the dynamic between the Man of Steel and Supergirl is really rich. Superman shows a mature side of himself while trying to keep his cousin safe. The mistakes he makes along the way show how human he can be. While the story focuses heavily on Supergirl, fans get to see plenty of action from Batman, Wonder Woman, and of course, Superman himself.

#7: “Reign Of The Supermen” (2019)

Ironically, the blue boy scout is absent for most of this movie. The film instead centers on four powerful beings who try to take the Kryptonian’s place after he is presumed dead. Since each one has a different approach to heroism, the film wonderfully unpacks what it means to be Superman. It also highlights criminally underrated characters like Steel and The Eradicator. And when Kal-El steps back into the spotlight, his return feels absolutely glorious. “Reign Of The Supermen” keeps us fully entertained with big clashes and a plot with surprising twists and turns. It’s a film that certainly showcases why the world needs the original Superman.

#6: “Superman: Red Son” (2020)


In this Elseworlds story, Kal-El's rocket lands in the Soviet Union around the time of WWII. With a drastically different upbringing, the Soviet Superman’s aggressive morality scares other world leaders. The U.S. in particular relies on Lex Luthor’s brains to defy this brutal man of steel. “Superman: Red Son” also puts different and intriguing spins on established characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern. But the inventive reimagining of the Man of Steel steals the show. Rather than solely depicting Superman as evil, “Red Son” gives us a complex superpowered being who simply embraced the values he was raised with. As the movie progresses, he constantly questions who he is and who he should ultimately be in this new world.

#5: “All-Star Superman” (2011)


The primary theme of Superman’s stories is to carry hope for a better future. But what if there’s no future for the Man of Steel? “All-Star Superman” finds the hero in his last days after overexposure to the sun. Instead of looking for ways to survive, the protagonist decides to spend his time appreciating the ones he loves. There’s also the usual conflict with Lex Luthor for him to contend with – but the film leaves room for even this villain to get a chance at redemption. It’s a heartfelt story that gives fans time to say goodbye to this version of the character. Superman eases everyone around him as he approaches his impending demise.

#4: “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” (2020)


The first entry in the “Tomorrowverse” has another origin story for the Last Son of Krypton. An unlikely combination of villains and allies set up this adventure. Fan favorites like Lobo, J’onn J’onzz, and Parasite stand out as fun new additions. Since he’s fresh into his superhero days, there are quite a few surprises in store for the inexperienced Superman. This gives the character a true sense of vulnerability that isn’t seen too often in his stories. The relatively low-key nature of the film is a nice change of pace from other man of steel tales. With action, humor, and good voice acting, there’s a bit of everything for fans to enjoy.

#3: “The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest” (1997)


This three-parter from “Superman: The Animated Series” was released on home media as the DCAU’s first crossover film. At the time, watching Batman and Superman together was mind blowing for viewers. And honestly, the feeling still holds up. It’s hard to go wrong with a Batman/Superman team-up where they face off against Lex Luthor, Harley Quinn and the Joker. The clashing styles and belief systems on both the good and evil sides make for intriguing and layered scenes. Despite the differences between heroes, "World's Finest” shows why Batman and Superman are a winning combo. Their rivalry ultimately brings the best out of each other. It also serves as a springboard for their eventual bromance in the DCAU’s “Justice League” series.

#2: “Superman vs. The Elite” (2012)


This entry exemplifies how Superman can be the stuff of nightmares. The conflict begins when a group known as The Elite starts doing the Man of Steel’s job for him. However, this isn’t just about a matter of who the best heroes are. The two sides engage in a compelling moral debate about the merits between lethal and non-lethal force. Eventually, The Elite seem to encourage Superman to embrace bloody vigilante justice. Nowadays, the notion of dark or evil Superman seems to be quite commonplace. But back when it was a little less common, “Elite” gave us an excellent and complex peek at how he could fall from grace. Suffice it to say, we’re glad Superman stays on the right side of the law.

#1: “The Death of Superman” (2018)


“The Death of Superman” is one of the most popular stories featuring the titular protagonist. However, the movie doesn’t just coast on the title’s premise. This animated adaptation dives further into Superman’s struggle to balance his life as a hero with his Clark Kent persona. Even though he has a godlike battle with the villainous Doomsday, his humanity matters most. Speaking of, the fight sequences complement both characters with breathtaking views of their incredible powers. But “Death of Superman’s” emotional beats hit even harder than any of Doomsday’s punches. With themes of love and sacrifice blended with pulsating action, this movie sets a gold standard for how a “Superman” story should play out on screen.

Comments
advertisememt