On September 5th 1992, Batman: The Animated Series made its television debut, introducing the world to a new take on the Caped Crusader via one of the best-loved TV shows of all-time. But it wasn’t just a new series that arrived that day, it was also the beginning of an animated universe – the DC Animated Universe.
From Batman: The Animated Series through various spinoff shows and movies, the DC Animated Universe rapidly expanded to become a sprawling universe filled with sensational stories and colourful characters. But how do you follow it? If you’re new to this corner of DC, what is the best order to watch the DC Animated Universe?
Here’s an easy to follow guide of what to watch and when to watch it. I have included all of the shows, shorts, webseries, and movies to provide an easy-to-follow run-through of the DCAU.
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The DC Animated Universe timeline order
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – Episode one: On Leather Wings to Episode 31: The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992 – 1993) Episode 32: Robin’s Reckoning: Part 1 to Episode 65: The Worry Men
- The Adventures of Batman & Robin (1994 – 1995) Episode 66: Sideshow to Episode 85: Batgirl Returns
- Batman Black and White motion comic short: Two of a Kind (2008)
- Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero (1998)
- Superman: The Animated Series (1996 – 1998) Episode one: The Last Son of Krypton Part 1 to Episode 41: Little Girl Lost Part 2
- The New Batman Adventures (1997) Episode two: Sins of the Father
- The New Batman Adventures (1997) Episode eight: Growing Pains
- The New Batman Adventures (1997) Episode one: Holiday Knights to Episode 24: Judgement Day
- Chase Me (2003) animated Catwoman short
- Gotham Girls Season One (2000) Episode one: The Vault to Episode ten: Lady-X
- Lobo web series (2000) Episode one: Lobo is a Four Letter Word to Episode 14: Repeating Offender
- Gotham Girls Season Two (2001) Episode one: Hold That Tiger to Episode ten: I’m Badgirl
- Gotham Girls Season Three (2002) Episode one: Ms.-ing in Action to Episode ten: Cold Hands, Cold Heart
- Superman: The Animated Series (1998) Episode 42: Where There’s Smoke to Episode 54: Legacy Part Two
- Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
- Static Shock Season One (2000 – 2001) Episode one: Shock to the System to Episode 13: Tantrum
- Justice League Season One (2001 – 2002) Episode one: Secret Origins Part One to Episode 26: The Savage Time Part Three
- Static Shock Season Two/Three (2002 – 2003) Episode 14: The Big Leagues to Episode 29: The Usual Suspect
- Justice League Season Two (2003 – 2004) Episode 27: Twilight Part One to Episode 49: Comfort and Joy
- Static Shock Season Three (2003) Episode 30: A League of Their Own – Part One to Episode 31: A League of Their Own – Part Two
- Justice League Season Two (2003 – 2004) Episode 50: Starcrossed – Part One to Episode 52: Starcrossed Part Three
- Static Shock Season Three/Four (2003 – 2004) Episode 32: Showtime to Episode 52: Power Outage
- Justice League Unlimited Season One/Two (2004 – 2005) Episode 1: Initiation to Episode 25: Divided We Fall (but not Episode 26: Epilogue)
- Justice League Unlimited Season Three (2005 – 2006) Episode 27: I Am Legion to Episode 39: Destroyer
- Batman Beyond Season One (1999) Episode one: Rebirth Part 1 to Part 13: Ascension
- Batman Beyond (2014) Batman 75th Anniversary short
- Batman Beyond Season Two (1999 – 2000) Episode 14: Splicers to Episode 39: Ace in the Hole
- The Zeta Project Season One/Two (2001 – 2002) Episode one: The Accomplice to Episode seven: Hicksburg
- Batman Beyond Season Three (2000 – 2001) Episode 41: Kings Ransom to Episode 52: Unmasked
- The Zeta Project Season One/Two (2001 – 2002) Episode eight: Shadows to Episode 26: The Hologram Man
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
- Justice League Unlimited Season Two (2005) Episode 26: Epilogue
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Not included in the DCAU timeline
If you’re familiar with the DCAU you might be wondering why a few movies are missing from the above timeline. The missing movies are as follows:
- Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)
- Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015)
- Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
- Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (2019)
So, why are these films missing from the DCAU timeline? Simple: They are not part of the timeline.
The above movies are inspired by the DCAU, going so far as to use the same animation style, but they are not part of the universe. The films contain various contradictory elements which stop them from being included in the DCAU.
Should you watch them anyway? It is entirely up to you – but if you do watch them, simply view them as existing in an alternate version of the DCAU.
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Thank you for dropping by I’ll Get Drive-Thru to read this post about the viewing order for the DCAU. Should you want further information about the Batman movie series, please take a look around this blog or check out one of the recommended reads below.
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61 Responses to What is the best order to watch the DC Animated Universe?
Batman and Harley Quinn and Justice League vs. The Fatal Five are ABSOLUTELY in the DCAU. You’re literally fucking lying. The first one is literally the two versions of those characters from BTAS.
Saying they’re not part of the timeline when they literally are is just dishonest. IT’S A FACT!
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Thanks for your comment. I respectfully disagree. I believe they utilise the same animation style and some of the voice acting talent, but are not part of the same series, in the same way that Superman: Brainiac Attacks is not part of the same continuity as Superman: The Animated Series.
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It doesn’t matter if you disagree. You’re wrong. It’s not a matter of opinion. Do you not understand what a fact is?
The people that made them have said they’re canon, and fans have done enough analysis to agree. You’re saying they’re not, based on absolutely nothing.
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Once again, I respectfully disagree. Using Justice League vs the Fatal Five as an example. The movie was originally conceived as a different project. The character designs were changed to look like the DCAU/Bruce Timm designs, in order to distance it from the New 52.
Some of these designs contradicted what had already been established in the DCAU – the look of Kilowog for example. This is because the project was not initially conceived as a continuation of Timm’s universe.
As for whether it is considered part of the same universe, Timm does think it is part of the universe, but, and I quote from an article by Comics Beat “As for whether or not this is actually in DCAU continuity, the filmmakers leave it up to the viewers to decide for themselves.”
Comics Beat interviewed producer and director, Sam Liu. So, as far as the director is concerned, it is up to the viewer to decide, and I don’t personally believe it is part of the DCAU.
As for your comments, “it’s not a matter of opinion”, well, actually it is. The director believes so. I do “understand what a fact is”, as I have just stated one, and your comment “you’re saying they’re not (part of the DCAU), based on absolutely nothing” is not true, when actually it’s based on the info I’ve stated above, plus my own belief as someone who has been interested in this universe since 1992.
I welcome all comments to this post and you are absolutely 100% free to voice your opinion. However, might I recommend that you engage in conversation with a slightly less hostile and aggressive stance.
Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
https://www.comicsbeat.com/and-the-adventure-continues-talking-with-the-cast-crew-of-justice-league-vs-the-fatal-five/
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Hi, this article came in the nick of time, as I am looking at watching all of the Batman series. Thank you very much! I do have one question, however. Why is the 2004 animated series The Batman not included? Also, is there a specific reason on why I should watch episode one of Batman: The Animated Series, then watch Mask of the Phantasm, then the rest of season one of Animated Series? Genuinely curious, and I’m intrigued. Thank you for your time and patience.
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Hi, thanks for stopping by. 🙂
With regards to the 2004 series, The Batman, this cartoon has nothing to do with the DC Animated Universe. The series was a brand new, unconnected cartoon that was released as a new take on the Dark Knight. The Batman is set during the early days of Batman’s career, features a different design, different voice actors, different takes on the characters etc. In short, it is not part of the DCAU and has nothing to do with Batman: The Animated Series.
As for why you should watch On Leather Wings first (aka the first ep of Batman: TAS) this is because this is generally considered the starting point for all of the DCAU. In this episode, Batman is seen as a vigilante, rather than the hero he will later become. The episode is a little darker than what follows, with Batman at odds with the police.
Mask of the Phantasm is also set when Batman is considered to be a vigilante, and once again sees him at odds with the authorities, so it makes sense to watch it near the start of the journey. When you watch the two you will see what I mean.
You could watch Mask of the Phantasm a little later if you wish (after all, it wasn’t released until a year after the series aired), but thematically it makes more sense to watch this shortly after the first episode.
🙂
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Okay thank you!
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Shouldn’t Mask of the Phantasm take place at least after The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy? If I remember correctly the batsignal debuts in that episode and is already established by MOTP.
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Yep, you are correct. 🙂
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Hi! I love this list, I’m 100% using it. I read your reply on the comment saying that Justice League vs. The Fatal Five and Batman and Harley Quinn are part of this universe and I know that you think it’s not in the universe, but if you could place them, where would it be?
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Hi, that’s a great question. If I were to include these movies, then I would probably place Justice League vs. The Fatal Five after the Justice League Unlimited episode, ‘Destroyer’, then I would place Batman and Harley Quinn after Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (i.e. before the events of Batman Beyond).
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Thank you! 🙂
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I saw that in the comments you suggested where two of the Movies go if they were to be considered canon, so what about Superman: Braniac Attacks and Justice League: Gods and Monsters?
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These two are a little more problematic, as they just don’t fit. However, if you really wanted to shoe-horn them in the timeline, then Brainiac Attacks would need to go somewhere within Superman: TAS (but before the season finale).
Justice League: Gods & Monsters could be anywhere within Justice League Unlimited.
I’d say Brainiac Attacks is the most problematic of the two, as it’s tonally different from the Superman series (and it’s largely rubbish).
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Hey it’s me again, lol. Episode 24 of The New Batman Adventures is the one called Mad Love, not Judgment Day which is the episode 22. Do you mean we should watch all of The New Batman Adventures and then the Chase Me short?
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Hey, yes, just watch all of The New Batman Adventures. Wikipedia lists Mad Love as the final episode of that series, but both the Batman: The Animated Series Blu-ray boxset and the 1998 Batman Animated book list Judgement Day as the final episode of the series (i.e. ep 24).
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Oh okay. Thanks!
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the batman beyond short for the 75th aniversary is the one directed by darwyn cooke?
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Yes, that’s the one. 🙂
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Needed this! Thanks for putting together this list.
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No problem 🙂
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I’m confused so is the “Harly Quinn and Batman” movie and “Justice League vs The Fatal Five” are they canon or not?
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In my personal opinion, no they are not. They are movies which take the designs/style of the DCAU and some of the voice actors, but are not strictly part of this continuity (similar to Superman: Brainiac Attacks, which is also not part of the DCAU).
The reason I believe this is because there are a couple of things in each movie which cause slight contradictions. Also, some of the creative people involved with these movies have said they are fairly ambiguous films.
If you wish to include them as part of the DCAU then you are entirely free to do so.
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Hey man, thanks for the guide! It will be useful when I rewatch these series. Quick question, in Static Shock there´s an episode in which Virgil goes to the future and meets with Terry and older Bruce from Batman Beyond. Should I watch Batman Beyond first or watch this episode (and the rest of Static Shock) before moving on to Batman Beyond? Have a nice one.
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That’s a good question. Static Shock takes place during the same time period as Justice League, but there is a jump to the future for a crossover with Batman Beyond. It’s difficult to balance all of the shows without watching some content slightly out of sync, simply because of the order it was produced in, but I would suggest watching the Static episode prior to Batman Beyond and just thinking of it as a preview of the future to come.
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This list is very useful, Thank you!
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Thanks for this! This list is very useful. I also agree with your comments on what is and what isnt in the timeline – not sure why Nick is soo upset, but thanks for this.
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Not a problem – and thanks for the support. 🙂
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I’m probably very late but, are some of those skippable ? On other lists I found on the internet, I don’t remember seeing anything about Gotham Girls or Lobo.
Anyway, great list !
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Gotham Girls and Lobo were webseries, so they are lesser known cartoons and have been seen by a much smaller audience than shows such as Batman: The Animated Series etc. In answer to your question, yes – you can skip Gotham Girls and Lobo.
The core shows are Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, as well as the corresponding movies. 🙂
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Hi there,
I’ve been working my way through this list for the past year or so and think I have found a small correction to make. Justice League S2E1&2 (“Twilight”) should fall before Static Shock S3E6&7 (“A League of Their Own 1&2”). The Twilight episodes deal with the League fighting and destroying Brainiac and the Static Shock episodes involve the last remains of Brainiac taking over the Watchtower while Static and Gear are onboard.
Thanks for all your hard work putting this together!
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Thanks for that. I’ve made the slight adjustment.
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Hey man.
Thanks for this list, it’s hugely helpful, One question though:
Why is Justice league Crisis on Two Earths not considered part of the DCAU?
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Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths was originally conceived as a movie to tie in with the DCAU, but the project was shelved. When the script was later dusted off, it was reworked to become an entry in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies collection instead. As part of this reworking, it was given a new voice cast, new animation/character designs etc. So it really has nothing to do with the DCAU, even though that’s what it was initially going to be a part of.
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Got it. Thanks man.
I do kinda feel like Justice League Doom was it’s sequel and that they then rebooted this continuity with Flashpoint. Would you agree?
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Yeah, Doom felt very much as if it could have belonged to the DCAU (in a different life). A great movie it is too!
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Hello again,
Still working through the list and found that episode S1:E08 (“Shadows”) of “The Zeta Project” should fall after S3:E13 (“Countdown”) of “Batman Beyond” since it is the first time Zeta returns to Gotham after his debut in S2:E20 (“Zeta”) of “Batman Beyond.”
Now I wonder if the appearances of Steven Mandragora in both The Zeta Project and Batman Beyond have any effect on the watch order…
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Glad to know you’re still going! 🙂 I’ve adjusted accordingly.
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Hi Alex. I haven’t watched the series since I was a youngster and can’t wait for the nostalgia trip! You seem very knowledgeable about a lot of the smaller details and I was wondering if you would consider commenting your list of the order of episodes in BTAS. Thank you and hope you doing well!
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Hi, thanks for the kinds words. What do you mean exactly when you say ‘commenting your list’? 🙂
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I meant share the order of episodes you recommend someone watch Batman TAS
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Oh, you mean just the viewing order of BTAS and non of the other DCAU shows? If that’s the case, then I’d suggest just ignoring everything on the list bar BTAS and just watch those eps as stated. 🙂
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I’ve finally finished watching the entire DCAU. What a journey!
At the time that I started watching, Mask of the Phantasm wasn’t available on my streaming platforms, so I skipped it. As I got to the end of the list I decided to finish Batman Beyond and watch Mask of the Phantasm before moving on to Joker Returns and JLU: Epilogue. It was great to revisit the very beginning of the DCAU just before finishing it, almost like a flashback. I loved seeing moments of Epilogue reference characters and events from Mask of the Phantasm.
I would highly recommend this as an alternative approach to viewing the DCAU if you don’t want to strictly adhere to the timeline.
Thanks again, Alex, for putting together this list. It was a truly enjoyable experience.
Now I wonder what other continuities are out there…
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Great to know you watched it all! 🙂
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Hi. Thank you for this. Question
The cape and cowl conspiracy is ep 25 not 31. And robins reckoning isn’t ep 32. It’s ep 51 (on hbo platform). Also Ep 66 is house garden with sideshow being ep 67 or ep 2 of season 2. Return of Batgirl is also ep 79 (or ep13 s2) and the lion and the unicorn is ep 85 (or ep20 s2)
Is there a reason hbo shows the eps different? Or why the order is different? Does it make a difference. I’m curious to know. Hoping you can help me figure it out 🙂 thank you again
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Hi Rick, the order I am referring to is based on how the eps are numbered according to the Blu-ray boxset, rather than on HBO. For example, The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy on the Blu-Ray release is episode 31 etc.
The numbering differs a little between different platforms, and I would expect that HBO Max is using the original airdate order, rather than the chronological order.
Over here in the U.K. (and I believe in the US), the first ep of Batman to air in 1992 was The Cat and the Claw Part 1, but this is not the first ep of the show. The first ep is On Leather Wings, it just didn’t make it to air first.
Due to the nature of the storytelling in Batman: The Animated Series, for the most part it doesn’t make much of a difference what order you watch the early eps in. So if they are a little different here and there it shouldn’t cause any major issues.
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Thank you Alex! The first Ep on the HBO platform is leather wings lol. But like you said, it shouldn’t matter. I’m still going to follow your guideline as much as I can (prob won’t be able to see zeta project as It’s not on hbo) either ways thank you!
Btw I love UK. I’ve been to hackney and Peckham in London ❤️
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Great to hear of your love for the U.K! Yeah, stick to the guide where you can and don’t worry too much if you deviate here or there – it really won’t cause you any major headaches.
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Hi again. 2 questions for you.
1. What time or year do you think Batman animated series and the new Batman adventure takes place in?
2. What did you think of mask of the phantom film?
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Hi,
1. I believe the show takes place all year round. Both B:TAS and the New Batman Adventures have Xmas eps, so this suggests everything else takes place in between.
2. I think Mask of the Phantasm is brilliant – I have a lot of love for the movie. I grew up watching B:TAS as it aired, so getting a movie that slotted into the show was simply fantastic. And to have a movie like that, which didn’t treat its audience as juvenile, was just perfect. 🙂
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Thank you for your comment. Agreed great film. 🙂 but what I meant is what decade. Sometimes I feel like it’s year/settings is in the 40’s/50’s based off the way they dress, etc. but then the technology used indicates it has to be past those decades. I’m sure there’s no right or wrong answer but was always curious to know and now that I know you’re a big Batman fan, I was curious to know your thoughts 🙂
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Ah, I see! Well I believe it’s supposed to be exactly how you described it. It takes a ‘40s/‘50s aesthetic and injects modern tech into this space.
The show & Mask of the Phantasm were inspired by the first Tim Burton movie, as well as the Fleischer Superman cartoons of the ‘40s, which had a similar aesthetic.
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What do you make of peachchaos’ recommended order of watching?
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Personally don’t agree with it. On Leather Wings should always come first, as a.) it was intended to be the first ep, and b.) it depicts a version of Batman who doesn’t quite sit right with the law. The ep feels very much the starting point of the season, so not sure why anyone would suggest it comes much later. As for the rest, the order ive suggested is the one I feel is best. 🙂
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Thanks for that. And for the B&W, only Two of a Kind should be watched and the rest skipped?
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While many of the B&W episodes are good, only Two of a Kind is designed to be part of the Animated Universe. 🙂
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Understanding I’m a little late to the party, would it be detrimental if I just watched the series all the way through instead of jumping around episode to episode? Thinking about watching batman: the animated series, then superman: the animated series, then justice league, then justice league unlimited, then batman beyond, then I’ll finish it up with the final episode of justice league unlimited. Is there anything too important I would miss by just doing that?
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While the order set out in this post is a chronology, to place all the episodes in a timeline order, it doesn’t have to be adhered to. Those of us who grew up on these shows watched them in the order they aired in and it never did us any harm. If you simply want to watch the shows one by one, it won’t ruin anything.
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Thanks for this list, very useful! I’ve been watching through and I don’t think the Static Shock / Justice League episodes quite line up. You have Justice League “Starcrossed”, in which Hawkgirl leaves and the Watchtower crashes, immediately followed by Static Shock “A League of their Own”, which features both Hawkgirl and the Watchtower.
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I have a question: I am trying to watch the prequel to the Justice league animated. Which shows are the bare minimum needed to watch? Is it only Batman and Superman animated?
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Hi Kyle, yes, just Batman and Superman prior to Justice League.
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