The DC Universe Animated Original Movies (DCUAOM; also known as DC Universe Original Movies or DC Universe Movies or DC Animated Movies) are a series of American direct-to-videosuperhero animated films based on DC Comics characters and stories. From 2007 to 2022, films were produced primarily by Warner Bros. Animation but subsequently fell under DC Studios. Many films are usually stand-alone projects that are either adaptations of popular works or original stories. From 2013 to 2024, the DC Animated Movie Universe was a subset of this series. The first story arc featured several films that took place in a shared universe, influenced predominantly by "The New 52". Following the first arc's conclusion with Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020), the "Tomorrowverse" series was launched beginning with Superman: Man of Tomorrow that same year and ended with a three-part trilogy, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths (2024).
As of 2023, the DCUAOM line released 51 movies that made a total of $253 million in sales in the United States and Canada, an average of $5.4 million per film.[1]
The films are generally released direct-to-video, but Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman and Harley Quinn, The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen were also given limited releases in theaters.[2]
Released films
Upcoming
Watchmen Chapter II
Warner Bros. announced an R-rated animated adaptation of the Watchmen graphic novel in April 2017.[9] The animated adaptation was confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 and is scheduled for release in 2024.[10][11] The film will be released in two parts in 2024 and 2025.[12]
Short films
DC Showcase
Other short films
Other projects
Unannounced and possible projects
Beyond the list of announced projects, creators involved in various levels at DC Comics have brought up names of possible future projects.
Timm has mentioned that another Batman Beyond film is a possibility,[37] and in August 2017, Tucker stated in his Twitter account that discussions about a possible Batman Beyond film occur several times at the studio,[38] while he also stated that a potential Static Shock film set in the DC Animated Universe is possible as the studio is always interested in Static.[39]
An animated film featuring characters from the Milestone Media imprint was announced at DC Fandome in October 2021. The film was set to be written by Brandon Thomas and will feature "more than one character" according to Milestone co-founder Denys Cowan. The announcement included promotional concept art of Static, Hardware, Icon, and Rocket.[43]
Cancelled projects
Plans for sequels to the 2009 films Wonder Woman and Green Lantern: First Flight were shelved, as well as a planned film based on the 2003 miniseries Batgirl: Year One. Slower sales of the Wonder Woman film were cited,[44][45] although sales figures indicate that it was at least the #8 best-selling of the 25 DC Universe films released as of August 2015[update] (4 of the films that ranked higher than it include Blu-ray sales which have not been released for Wonder Woman).
In 2010, Timm stated that the production team originally planned to make an Aquaman film,[46] but at the end, the executives of Warner Bros. cancelled the project because their expectations about marketing were very low.[47]
During an interview in October 2016, Jay Oliva revealed that he had an idea for a sequel to Batman: Assault on Arkham,[48] but following Oliva's departure from Warner Bros. Animation in 2017,[49] the project may have been pulled.
Sales figures below represent, when available, DVD and Blu-ray sales in the United States. Theatrical ticket, digital, and rental sales are not included.
Critical response
Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.
Continuities
Stand-alone films
The following films are stand-alone, and do not share continuities with each other or other films (note exceptions).
^"Box Office History for DC Animated Movie Universe Movies." The Numbers. Retrieved Sep 9, 2023.
^"'The Death of Superman' and 'Reign of the Supermen' Coming to Theaters". DC. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
^Jones, Seth (June 29, 2008). "WW Chicago: "Batman: Gotham Knight" World Premiere". CBR.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
^ a b"'Superman/Batman: Apocalypse' Review". screenrant.com. September 27, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
^ a b"NYCC 2013: "Justice League: War" Roundtable Interviews – Jay Oliva, James Tucker, & Andrea Romano – ToonZone News". toonzone.net. October 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017. [Justice League: War] is the first true "New 52" DCU that we've done. Flashpoint kind of was the old universe, and at the end we hinted at the New 52 universe. I'm hoping that somewhere down the line, we can do some other films that will hopefully connect the events from Flashpoint into Justice League: War and any other films we do in the New 52 universe, which would be kind of cool.
^ a b"Get a Sneak Peek at Batman: Assault on Arkham in a New Featurette - ComingSoon.net". comingsoon.net. May 7, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
^ a bLiu, Sam [@_samliu_] (February 6, 2019). "@Adbrican Both? It is a Bruce story in inception and done with his deigns so, as he puts it, It's all head canon. The internet can discuss and make its own conclusions" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Twitter.
^ a bDar, Taimur (April 9, 2019). "And the Adventure Continues—Talking with the Cast & Crew of JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE FATAL FIVE". Comics Beat. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
^Gerding, Stephen (April 13, 2017). "Watchmen Is Getting an R-Rated Animated Adaptation". CBR.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
^Alexa, Laurén (July 31, 2023). "DC Announces New 'Justice League,' 'Watchmen' Animated Films". Animation World Network. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
^Flook, Ray (June 1, 2024). "Watchmen Animated Adaptation 2 Chapters, Arriving in August: Listing". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
^Cripe, Michael (June 13, 2024). "We Just Got a Surprise First Look at the Upcoming Watchmen Animated Films". IGN. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
^Harvey, James (July 9, 2010). "Complete Cast And Crew, Features Details For "Batman: Under The Red Hood"". worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
^Younis, Steve (June 25, 2010). ""Superman/Batman: Apocalypse" DVD Artwork". supermanhomepage.com. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
^"Neal McDonough: Green Arrow". comicscontinuum.com. June 8, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
^Harvey, James (September 24, 2010). "Main Cast, Crew Details For "DC Showcase: Green Arrow" Animated Short". worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
^Collura, Scott (July 25, 2010). "SDCC 10: DC Shorts Showcase". IGN. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
^Harvey, James (October 29, 2010). "Main Cast, Crew Details For "Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam"". worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
^Houston, Kimberly (February 20, 2011). "Bruce Timm Confirms Catwoman Short with BATMAN: YEAR ONE Film; Hears Positive Buzz About GREEN LANTERN". The Daily Blam!. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
^ a b c d"DC Showcase Animated Shorts to Highlight Sgt Rock, Adam Strange & More". CBR. May 7, 2019.
^"Green Lantern: Beware My Power: Producer Butch Lukic Talks Adam Strange, Hawkgirl, & Intergalactic War: Exclusive Interview – the Illuminerdi". July 31, 2022.
^"The World's Finest – "DC Showcase: Batman – Death In The Family" Coming Oct. 13, 2020 To Blu-Ray, Digital". July 30, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
^Milligan, Mercedes (January 29, 2021). "WB Slates Four 'DC Showcase' Animated Shorts for 2021–22". Animation Magazine. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
^"Justice Society: World War II Release Date Revealed". Movies. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
^Adams, Jeremy [@spacekicker] (August 22, 2022). "@WszystkoP Oh my friend… I can answer that. https://t.co/ChO0JYI1KN" (Tweet). Retrieved December 2, 2022 – via Twitter.
^"WB Slates Four 'DC Showcase' Animated Shorts for 2021–22". January 29, 2021.
^Kim, Matt (October 16, 2021). "DC Announces Four New Animated Films at DC FanDome 2021". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^Constantine: The House of Mystery Exclusive Trailer – IGN Fan Fest 2022. IGN Movie Trailers. February 19, 2022. Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via YouTube.
^"The World's Finest – Justice League: Throne of Atlantis". worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
^"Producer BRUCE TIMM Talks JL: CRISIS, BATMAN, & Green Arrow?". Newsarama.com. February 22, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
^"Newsarama.com: WWLA '08: DC Comics' DC Nation Panel". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
^"NYCC2009: "Wonder Woman" Roundtable Interview with Producer Bruce Timm – ToonZone News". toonzone.net. March 3, 2009. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
^Chatwood, Adam (May 2013). "Could Warner Bros. Turn Unproduced Screenplays into DC Animated Films? Geoff Johns Says it's a Possibility". Collider.com. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
^Liu, Ed (October 21, 2013). "NYCC 2013: "Justice League: War" Roundtable Interviews – Jay Oliva, James Tucker, & Andrea Romano". Toonzone.net. Retrieved August 12, 2014.[permanent dead link]
^"Batman Comics That Should Be Animated Movies – ScreenRant". screenrant.com. November 12, 2015.
^Glennon, Christopher (August 12, 2016). "SDCC 2016: "Batman: The Killing Joke" Interviews – Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong, Ray Wise, Brian Azzarello, Sam Liu, and Bruce Timm".
^"'Green Lantern' And 'Wonder Woman' Animated Sequels Aren't Happening, Says Bruce Timm". mtv.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
^Tucker, James (August 21, 2017). "Batman Beyond comes up occasionally in discussions. Super Max, no".
^Tucker, James (August 30, 2017). "There has always been interest in Static but it's not something I'm working on. I don't know the answer to the 2nd ? It'll be told n time".
^DeMatteis, J.M. [@JMDeMatteis] (September 19, 2017). "@An_EqualSociety Actually, I'd like to adapt my Batman story "Going Sane." I think it'd make a great movie" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Twitter.
^DeMatteis, J.M. [@JMDeMatteis] (September 20, 2017). "@An_EqualSociety A story NOT written by me? New Gods!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Twitter.
^"KEVIN SMITH PITCHED & WROTE PLASTIC MAN ANIMATED MOVIE". April 30, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
^Aquilina, Tyler (October 16, 2021). "DC developing Milestone animated movie based on classic Black superhero comics characters". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^Marnell, Blair (April 27, 2010). "Green Lantern And Wonder Woman Animated Sequels Aren't Happening, Says Bruce Timm". mtv.com. MTV. Archived from the original on April 29, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
^"Come Think With Us – Think Mcfly Think – Exclusive Interview With Bruce Timm". Thinkmcflythink.squarespace.com. April 25, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
^Marnell, Blair (April 27, 2010). "'Green Lantern' And 'Wonder Woman' Animated Sequels Aren't Happening, Says Bruce Timm". mtv.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
^"Come Think With Us – Think Mcfly Think – Exclusive Interview With Bruce Timm". squarespace.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
^Liu, Ed (October 17, 2016). "NYCC 2016: The "Justice League Dark" Roundtables: Jason O'Mara, James Tucker, Jay Oliva, Phil Bourassa, and Matt Ryan".
^Oliva, Jay [@jayoliva1] (August 29, 2017). "@An_EqualSociety @ADG800 @justiceleagueuk @justiceleaguewb @WonderWomanFilm Hi Joaquin! I have no idea. My last DC Animated film was JL Dark. I'm no longer at WB. I'm sure they will at some point" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Twitter.
^"SDCC 2023: Justice League Warworld Creative Team On Reinventing Iconic Characters & Getting R-Rated". ScreenRant. July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
^"Superman - Doomsday". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League - The New Frontier". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Gotham Knight". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Wonder Woman 2009". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Green Lantern: First Flight". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman/Batman: Public Enemies". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Under the Red Hood". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman/Batman: Apocalypse". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"All Star Superman". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Green Lantern: Emerald Knights". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Year One". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: Doom". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman vs The Elite". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman: Unbound". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: War". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Son of Batman". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Assault on Arkham". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: Throne of Atlantis". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman vs. Robin". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: Gods and Monsters". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman Bad: Blood (2016)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League vs Teen Titans (2016)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League: Dark (2017) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman and Harley Quinn (2017) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Gotham By Gaslight (2018) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Death of Superman, The (2018) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Reign of the Supermen (2019) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Hush (2019)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman: Red Son (2020)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"DC Extended Universe Franchise Box Office History (Video)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Justice Society: World War II (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: The Long Halloween Part One (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Batman: The Long Halloween Part Two (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Injustice (2021)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
^"Catwoman: Hunted (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
^"DC Showcase: Constantine – The House Of Mystery (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
^"Green Lantern: Beware My Power (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
^"Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved June 18, 2024.