While the most recent iteration of a cinematic universe for DC Comics, the DC Extended Universe, wasn’t much of a hit, DC Comics still had a lot going for them on the film side of things in the era of the 2010s. In fact, some of DC‘s best movies were released during said decade. They put out both animated and live-action bangers from 2010 to 2019.
Whether it be the first giant hit for a DC Comics villain solo movie or one of the best Batman films ever made, DC has a lot of movies to be proud of in the 2010s that are most certainly worth watching before fans venture into a new universe in the DCU with James Gunn‘s Superman. But what are the best of the best from DC’s 2010s? It’s hard to rank things like animation and live-action against each other, but certain movies really stand out among the rest.
10
‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight trilogy is revered as one of the best comic book movie trilogies of all time. While the trilogy capper, The Dark Knight Rises, wasn’t the best in said trilogy, it still finds itself to be a pretty good film. People often criticize Tom Hardy‘s portrayal of Bane and the somewhat cluttered story, but at the end of the day, this is a very enjoyable film.
So, no, this isn’t a perfect movie, especially not in comparison with the two films prior, but The Dark Knight Rises is still one of the best DC movies from the 2010s. Christian Bale still brings the power as Batman and the rest of the returning cast are just as good here as they were in previous entries. Regardless of the reputation it may have to some, this movie is awesome as ever.
9
‘Justice League: Doom’ (2012)
Directed by Lauren Montgomery
If anything is true about DC that was incredibly prevalent in the 2010s, it’s that some of DC’s best came in the form of its animated films. Some of their highest-reviewed movies of all time are animated and for very good reason. Flicks like Justice League: Doom are the proof in the pudding.
Justice League: Doom asks the question of what would happen if Batman’s (Kevin Conroy) “Babel Protocol”—an array of plans describing how to take out each member of the Justice League should they go rogue—were put in the hands of a supervillain.
8
‘Man of Steel’ (2013)
Directed by Zack Snyder
While Zack Snyder‘s DC Extended Universe may not have been the biggest hit among DC’s large catalog of movies, the debut of the cinematic universe, Man of Steel, is a really dang good movie. Not only did it bring the incredible casting of Henry Cavill to screen as Superman, it defined the unique style of the Snyderverse movies.
The action is spectacular, Cavill’s performance is captivating, and the score by the one and only Hans Zimmer is one of the best superhero movie scores of all time. It’s really hard to dog on Man of Steel, despite being part of the DCEU, because it truly is just an excellent movie. It’s not many’s ideal version of Superman, but it had so many people super excited about what was to come.
7
‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)
Directed by Patty Jenkins
As much as it shouldn’t have been the case (because Marvel Studios should have been on top of it far before, due to being around longer), DC and Warner Brothers beat their competitor to the punch when it came to bringing one of the first massive female-led superhero movies to theaters. This made it a pretty important superhero movie. After debuting to a lot of love in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) quickly got her own film soon after.
Wonder Woman hit screens in 2017 to pretty positive reviews. It wasn’t just a massive moment for female cinema and superhero cinema as a whole, it was a genuinely great film. Wonder Woman was a period piece that found itself more relatable to the modern day than its prior film, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The message was great, and the filmmaking was very well done.
6
‘Joker’ (2019)
Directed by Todd Phillips
Solo films for famous franchise villains like Venom and Cruella have never done well both in quality and box office (for the most part), so when DC revealed that they were crafting Joker, people didn’t know how to feel. There really hadn’t been a good “villain film” yet for any major studio. However, upon release in 2019, Joker totally changed that.
Todd Phillips managed to direct a phenomenal movie. Joker really wasn’t much of a “superhero film”, as much of a thriller/drama with simply a supervillain as the lead role. Joker told an emotionally compelling story that was an excellent commentary on society and had (and still has) some of the best filmmaking prowess in the superhero cinema space.
Joker
- Release Date
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October 2, 2019
- Runtime
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122 minutes
5
‘Shazam!’ (2019)
Directed by David F. Sandberg
Being most well-known for horror flicks like Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, David F. Sandberg continued Sam Raimi‘s legacy of proving that horror directors can be incredible choices for a superhero movie. Stepping into the DC universe for the likes of Shazam!, Sandberg delivered what is easily one of the most fun and heartwarming DCEU movies.
The story of Billy Batson (Asher Angel) trying to find his biological family, only to find a true one in his new foster home, is filled with so much heart and soul, especially compared to the rest of the DCEU. Shazam! is a lovable coming-of-age movie that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone.
Shazam!
- Release Date
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April 5, 2019
- Runtime
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132 minutes
4
‘Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox’ (2013)
Directed by Jay Olivia
When people think of great DC animated movies, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox typically comes to mind. Adapting one of DC Comics’ biggest crossover event stories, the movie focuses on The Flash (Justin Chambers) as he enters a world unlike his own after saving his mother from her murder in the past.
Barry soon learns that saving his mom brought the world into chaos. Superman (Sam Daly) is a skinny man locked up, Thomas Wayne (Kevin McKidd) has become Batman, and even Aquaman (Cary Elwes) and Wonder Woman (Vanessa Marshall) are at war with each other. It’s a lesson in learning to move on from grief, and it makes for a wonderful movie.
3
‘Batman: The Dark Knight Returns’ (2012)
Directed by Jay Olivia
The Dark Knight Returns comic book series is often hailed as one of the best there is. Written by Frank Miller, this short comic run found itself extremely popular with comic fans of all kinds. So, of course, it made total sense that, in an era filled with DC animated projects, Warner Bros. Animation was going to hop on an adaptation of a story like The Dark Knight Returns.
Being released in two parts, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (as one whole—two parts put together) is one of the longest DC animated movies and this works very well in its favor. It allowed director Jay Oliva to really focus on what made the original book so good and make sure those things were adapted well.
2
‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (2017)
Directed by Chris McKay
Who would believe that an animated, borderline parody film would end up being not only one of DC’s best 2010-era movies, but one of their best movies in general? The Lego Batman Movie is a great example of how a movie doesn’t need to be dark, gritty, or serious to be a phenomenal watch.
The Lego Batman Movie doesn’t prioritize those things at all. In fact, it laughs in the face of them and goes full goofball with how it executes pretty much everything in the movie. Because grittiness, seriousness, and darkness aren’t what make a Batman movie good—not what makes a superhero movie good—but having a heart and soul that keeps people compelled does.
1
‘Batman: Under the Red Hood’ (2010)
Directed by Brandon Vietti
DC kicked off the 2010s with a Batman film that adapted one of the most iconic and influential Batman stories of all time. Batman: Under the Red Hood checks all the boxes of what makes a great DC movie and depicts exactly why Batman is as important of a character as he is.
Bringing Batman’s (Bruce Greenwood) greatest failure back to life in the form of the Red Hood (Jensen Ackles), Batman: Under the Red Hood questions not just his “no kill” rule, but is a dissection of the character as a whole. Featuring a phenomenal voice cast, great animation, and a story that is captivating and thrilling the entire way through, this film is an easy 10/10.
