Eight best Batman movies for teenagers

Batman is an incredibly popular character, on screen in movies and television shows, as well as on the printed page. His stories have been told and retold countless times, yet each time there is always a new angle to explore.

As a Batman fan I often get asked to recommend ‘good’ Batman stories that are worth a read of a watch. I love offering up recommendations as it allows me to share my interests and hobbies with those who are keen to learn more about Batman; however, before I recommend anything I always ask “who am I recommending this for?”

I ask this question as I want to ensure I am offering suggestions that are suitable for each person. Batman and his associated characters have been adapted so many times, and in so many different ways, some stories are better suited to different age groups.

Today I am looking at Batman movies for teenagers. Below are recommendations for the eight best Batman movies for teens, along with a few additional suggestions should these prove popular.

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Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

First up is a Batman movie perfect for teenagers (as well as parents). Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker follows the story of an ageing Bruce Wayne and his young protégé, Terry McGinnis aka Batman.

The movie is a spin-off from the very popular ‘00s series, Batman Beyond, but works fine as a standalone film even if you have never viewed an episode of the show. All you need to know is that the Joker returns and it is up to Terry to stop him.

Secrets are uncovered and Batman’s past is exposed – in a very intriguing way.

The voice cast is superb, with an excellent turn from actor Mark Hamill as the Joker, making this movie a must-watch.

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Batman Begins (2005)

Onto live-action for this one – Batman Begins, the first Batman movie to feature Christian Bale as the Dark Knight. This film introduces the Caped Crusader, detailing his origin and first adventures in Gotham.

Batman Begins is a stunning movie filled with spectacular action scenes and a fast-paced story. Not only is it a great Batman film, it is also a great film in general.

And should Batman Begins prove to be a popular choice, then the movie’s follow-ups – The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – are highly recommended too.

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Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Back to animation and 2010’s Batman: Under the Red Hood which details the story of Jason Todd, the second Robin. The movie introduces the Red Hood, a mysterious vigilante who has appeared in Gotham and explores his connection to Todd, Batman and the past they once shared as crimefighters.

Batman: Under the Red Hood is an excellent Batman movie, which features Ras al Ghul, Black Mask and the Joker as the chief villains.

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Justice League: Doom (2012)

What would happen to the Justice League if all the villains joined forces and used the team’s greatest weaknesses against them? That’s the premise of Justice League: Doom, a fantastic super hero movie that is fast-paced and crammed with superb scenes.

Don’t be fooled by the title, although this is a Justice League movie, Batman plays a key role in the story, making it a great Batman movie which explores an interesting element of the character.

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Son of Batman (2014)

In this animated Batman movie, the focus is placed on Damien Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne. The movie looks at the relationship between father and son, and poses the question: What is the offspring of Batman truly like?

In the UK, Son of Batman is a certificate 15. I’m highlighting this because this is an animated movie which is more suitable for a mid-teen audience.

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Batman vs. Robin (2015)

Batman vs. Robin is an action-packed follow-up to Son of Batman (2014), which introduces the Court of Owls into Gotham. The Court of Owls is a secret society, who work within the shadows and do not play well with others.

In the UK, as with Son of Batman, Batman vs. Robin is a certificate 15. Once again, I am highlighting this as it is a film more suitable for mid-teens.

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Batman Ninja (2018)

One for the anime fans now – 2018’s Batman Ninja! This film whisks Batman and some of his Bat-family and Rogues’ Gallery off to Feudal Japan for a bonkers, yet fun adventure.

The animation is great and there is a good energy to this movie. It’s not your typical Batman film, but if you are looking for something completely different, this is certainly the one to watch.

Oh, and it is worth me pointing out that there are two versions of this movie: The original Japanese version and the American version. The reason for this is because the original Japanese version was rewritten for the Western market and as a result the movies differ considerably.

Which is better? It comes down to personal preference.

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Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

And finally, inspired by the best-selling Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, this movie was produced as a co-production between Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon to combine these two highly successful properties for film audiences. The result is a fun film which understands both universes very well and provides a great deal of action.

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is perfect for anyone who grew up on either Ninja Turtles or Batman, and offers a mix of fun and drama with colourful characters. Plus, who doesn’t want to see Batman square off against Shredder?!

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Batman is a compelling hero, with an interesting cast of characters that can really help fire up the imagination. I hope the movies featured in this post have been useful for you – all should be readily available on DVD/Blu-ray/digital.

Recap

The eight best Batman movies for teenagers:

• Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
• Batman Begins (2005)
• Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
• Justice League: Doom (2012)
• Son of Batman (2014)
• Batman vs. Robin (2015)
• Batman Ninja (2018)
• Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

And now for some additional recommendations. If you’re after further Batman movies that are suitable for teenagers, why not check out the following:

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
• Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
• Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)
• Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
• Justice League: War (2014)
• Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)

All of these additional titles are fine for teenagers to watch. Happy viewing!

And thank you for taking the time to read this post. Should you want further information about the Batman movies, be sure to check out one of the recommended pages below.

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