How To Watch The DCAU In Chronological Order (2024)

The DC Animated Universe, or DCAU, is a 30-year-old animated television and movie franchise that helped introduce a whole generation to comic books and DC superheroes. Born from the wildly successful Batman movies, the DCAU has since branched out into eight television shows, six movies, four shorts, and several comic books.

Rather than including every piece of media, it's a lot easier to focus on the DCAU watch order of the TV episodes and movies, which sometimes means cutting into the middle of a show's season. Interestingly, many DCAU entries were treated more like serials, so some of these chronologies are up to the individual viewer.

Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on May 29, 2024: The DC Animated Universe is still influential, despite now being over 30 years old. Introducing a generation to definitive versions of Batman, Superman and other heroes, it's a nostalgic shared universe for countless viewers. It also featured numerous entries, making the DCAU watch order rather long. Thus, fans will want to know each and every entry of the DCAU timeline if they wish to relive all of their childhood.

"The Dark Knight's First Night" (2008)

2 minutes, Streaming on YouTube

In just under two minutes, this short film by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski laid the literal groundwork for Batman: The Animated Series as it served as the show's developmental pilot. The Dark Knight's First Night lets viewers witness Batman's first night of crime-fighting and is also the first project in the DCAU timeline.

Though the animation style is a little different, many elements from The Dark Knight's First Night later appeared in Batman: TAS's main intro. The short film isn't widely available on streaming platforms, but it should be a viewer's first in the DCAU watch order.

The Dark Knight's First Night

Not Rated

Superhero

Action

Batman while out on patrol, catches some crooks attempting to rob a jewelry store.

Release Date

1992-00-00

Director

eric radomski , Bruce Timm

Cast

eric radomski , Bruce Timm

Runtime

2 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Bruce Timm , eric radomski , Bob Kane

Batman: The Animated Series Part I (1992)

Episodes 1–31, Streaming on Max, Amazon Prime Video

Inspired by the Tim Burton Batman films, Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series was the foundation for the next few decades of DC’s animated universe and its shared continuity between television shows and movies. It's noted that episode 31, "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy," is the first episode in the series to show the Bat-Signal being used.

Beyond the then-recent movies, the first DCAU show also drew from the Max Fleischer Superman cartoon and classic movie series. Bat: TAS remains perhaps the most iconic Batman adaptation ever made, and legions of fans are still nostalgic for the series. It's still well-made and influential on the character, with many elements recognizable by those who've never seen anything in the DCAU timeline.

Batman: The Animated Series

TV-PG

Superhero

Action

Adventure

The Dark Knight battles crime in Gotham City with occasional help from Robin and Batgirl.

Release Date

September 5, 1992

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Loren Lester , Mark Hamill , Efrem Zimbalist Jr. , arleen sorkin

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

Number of Episodes

109

Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993)

78 minutes, Streaming on Max

The first film of the DCAU timeline, Mask of the Phantasm can arguably be watched before Batman: The Animated Series. The movie's romance and drama-filled noir scope happens to end with Batman answering the call of the Bat-Signal. Likewise, fans of the comic books consider it a much better version of elements seen in Batman: Year Two.

Therefore, many fans of the DCAU feel that it's only right to watch Mask of the Phantasm after the Bat-Signal makes its first appearance in Batman: TAS. At the same time, the movie's status as a prequel makes it viewable before the first show in the DCAU watch order.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

Batman is wrongly implicated in a series of murders of mob bosses actually committed by a new vigilante assassin.

Release Date

December 25, 1993

Director

Kevin Altieri , Frank Paur

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Dana Delany , Hart Bochner

Runtime

1 hour 16 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Alan Burnett , Paul Dini , Martin Pasko

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Family Entertainment

Batman: The Animated Series Part II (1992 - 1993)

Episodes 32 - 85, Streaming on Max, Amazon Prime Video

Following Mask of the Phantasm, which reveals who the Joker was before his transformation, is the next set of episodes for Batman: The Animated Series. Watching the rest of season one and then season two of Batman: TAS will give DCAU fans a loose but enjoyable timeline that dives deeper into the villains and allies in Batman's life. In fact, it was the first appearance of some villains outside the comics.

These episodes not only introduce Barbara Gordan as Batgirl but also provide the beginning of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy's beautiful friendship. Other elements appear in the series from this point on, namely the villainous Catwoman and other prominent characters. Thus, it's a must-watch in the DCAU watch order and what most fans think of when it comes to the shared animated universe.

Superman: The Animated Series Part I (1996 - 1998)

Episodes 1 - 41, Streaming on Max

The second animated series of the DCAU watch order, Superman: The Animated Series set out to bring a Superman that combined elements of the classic OG superhero and the more modern Man of Steel that had been in continuity for over a decade. This meant using elements of John Byrne's Man of Steel comic book reboot, just as the Ruby-Spears Superman cartoon had done just a few years earlier.

These episodes include a three-episode run that features Batman from Batman: The Animated Series and introduces Kara In-Ze, aka Supergirl, to the DCAU. This incarnation of Supergirl was mostly based on the classic Kara Zor-El version. Likewise, her costume was later used by a version of Supergirl in the comics.

Superman: The Animated Series

TV-PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

The last son of the planet Krypton protects his adoptive home of Earth as the greatest of the superheroes.

Release Date

September 6, 1996

Creator

Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel, Bob Kane

Cast

Tim Daly , Joseph Bologna , Dana Delany

Seasons

3

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics, Warner Bros. Television

Number of Episodes

54

Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)

70 minutes, Streaming on Max

One of the best contributions that Batman: The Animated Series made to not only the DCAU but also the DC Comics and DC Universe in general is the complete rewrite of Mr. Freeze's character and origins. In fact, his early appearances in the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths comics saw him referred to as Mr. Zero. No longer a one-dimensional goofball with a freeze gun, one of the most pivotal entries in the DCAU timeline gave him depth and character.

The stand-alone movie Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero continues the icy supervillain's tragic story as Freeze makes a home for himself in the Arctic. There, he lives with his two polar bears, an adopted son, and his frozen wife, Nora, whose condition worsens after a submarine accidentally damages the case that was keeping her alive. This makes the villainous Freeze even deadlier than ever as he tries to save her once and for all. The movie was one of the definitive moments in the DCAU timeline and for the character of Mr. Freeze.

Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero

Unrated

Superhero

Action

When Mr. Freeze, desperate to save his dying wife, kidnaps Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) as an involuntary organ donor, Batman and Robin must find her before the operation can begin.

Release Date

March 17, 1998

Director

Boyd Kirkland

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Michael Ansara , Loren Lester

Runtime

70 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Boyd Kirkland , Bob Kane , Randy Rogel

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation

Studio(s)

Warner Bros.

The New Batman Adventures (1997 - 1999)

24 episodes, Streaming on Max

Essentially a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, this series gave the characters a design revamp and introduced viewers to young teen Tim Drake. Likewise, Dick Grayson had gone off on his own as Nightwing, reflecting the developments of the comics. It did so by excising Dick's relationship to the Teen Titans, however, and the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon is not part of the DCAU timeline.

With only 24 episodes, The New Batman Adventures gave further insight into what happened to Freeze after SubZero. These episodes saw Batgirl teaming up with the courageous Robin and Batman, and included the iconic Harley Quinn-centric episode "Mad Love." The latter gave a greater glimpse at the relationship between Harley Quinn and The Joker, making it iconic in many ways.

The New Batman Adventures

TV-PG

The further and darker adventures of Batman with a new Robin, a closer association with Batgirl and the previous Robin now as Nightwing.

Release Date

September 13, 1997

Creator

Bob Kane and Alan Grant

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Tara Strong , Efrem Zimbalist Jr. , Loren Lester

Main Genre

Superhero

Streaming Service(s)

Max

Batman Short Film: "Chase Me" (2003)

6 minutes, YouTube

Released as a DVD bonus feature for Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, this silent short film features Batman and Catwoman from The New Batman Adventures, based on their character designs. A bored Bruce Wayne leaves a party to chase down Catwoman after he catches her stealing some jewels.

Chase Me is around 6 minutes long and filled with fantastic feats and angsty tension between the Bat and the Cat. Given that it features the art style of The New Batman Adventures, it's best to watch the short after that entry in the DCAU timeline. After all, it's a relatively short part of the DCAU watch order, and a fun one.

Chase Me

Not Rated

Superhero

Short

Action

While escaping a dull party, Bruce Wayne finds Catwoman robbing a vault and gives chase as Batman.

Release Date

October 21, 2003

Director

Curt Geda

Runtime

6 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Alan Burnett , Paul Dini , Bob Kane

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation

Studio(s)

Warner Bros.

Superman: The Animated Series Part II (1998 - 2000)

Episodes 42 - 54, Streaming on Max

The rest of the episodes of Superman: The Animated Series feature several team-ups with other DC heroes. These include Superman pretending to be Batman after the Dark Knight goes missing from Gotham, helping Kyle Rayner become the new Green Lantern, and needing help from Batman to take down Ra's al Ghul.

The series ends with Superman battling Darkseid on Apokolips, though with a darker Man of Steel's reputation somewhat tarnished due to mind control. This is the last appearance in the DCAU timeline of Superman and his related supporting cast until later entries in the shared universe. Movies such as Superman: Brainiac Attacks were not canon, despite the identical art style to shows in the DCAU timeline.

Batman: Mystery Of The Batwoman Movie (2003)

74 minutes, Not Available for Free Streaming

The fourth film in the DCAU watch order (though only third in the chronology), Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman has a new member of the "Bat family" show up. Nevertheless, her actions make Batman and Robin question whether this Caped Crusader is a friend or a foe.

Mystery of the Batwoman takes place after the events of The New Batman Adventures since Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon have ended their relationship (which had not been depicted yet in the chronology). This means fans need to go ahead and watch all of that series in order for the DCAU timeline to make the most sense.

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

PG

Superhero

Action

The Dark Knight must contend with a mysterious female vigilante who emulates him, but to a more ruthless degree.

Release Date

October 21, 2003

Director

Curt Geda , Jennifer Graves , Tim Maltby

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Kimberly Brooks , Kelly Ripa

Runtime

75 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Bob Kane , Alan Burnett , Michael Reaves

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation

Static Shock (2000 - 2004)

52 episodes, Streaming on Max

Following a young superhero with electromagnetic powers, the episodes of Static Shock take place around the same time as Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Justice League. Strangely enough, Static and his world theoretically aren't part of the DC Universe in the comics, as they're owned by Milestone Entertainment.

This is reflected in the "supplemental" nature of Static Shock in the DCAU timeline. The show's episodes can be watched concurrently with the aforementioned shows, though it may be more enjoyable to watch the series in one sitting, especially with so many episodes. Static does make a later appearance in the DCAU timeline through Justice League Unlimited, and in one episode, Static travels to the future and back.

Static Shock

TV-Y7

Animation

Action

Adventure

In the city of Dakota, a teenage boy with electricity based powers, with the help of his inventive friend, fights crime as a superhero.

Release Date

September 20, 2000

Creator

Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek Dingle

Cast

Phil LaMarr , Jason Marsden , Kevin Michael Richardson

Seasons

4

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation

Number of Episodes

52

Justice League (2001–2004)

52 episodes, Streaming on Max, Netflix

A groundbreaking animated television epic, Justice League converged the previous Batman and Superman series as beloved DC characters like Wonder Woman and The Flash were brought into the fray. The series incorporated elements from each of the heroes' backstories, which included time travel and a Thanagarian invasion.

Other heroes included Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl and the John Stewart Green Lantern, with the latter two receiving their biggest media pushes ever. It takes place firmly after both Superman: The Animated Series and the first two Batman cartoons and most of the continuity's movies, and thus should be watched afterward.

Justice League

TV-PG

Superhero

Action

Adventure

Seven of the most formidable heroes form arguably the most powerful team ever.

Release Date

November 17, 2001

Cast

Kevin Conroy , George Newbern , Phil LaMarr , Susan Eisenberg , Michael Rosenbaum , Carl Lumbly

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2

Number of Episodes

52

Justice League Unlimited Part I (2004–2006)

Episodes 1–25, Streaming on Max, Netflix

After a betrayal in the finale of Justice League causes the team to seemingly drift apart, Justice League Unlimited switched things up by introducing several new heroes and villains. Not only does the show feature Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Huntress, it also widens the world of the DCAU timeline.

Pivotal moments include the introduction of Green Arrow and Black Canary, with the former's presence being his biggest push outside the comics since an appearance in the Super Friends franchise. While the series can be watched after its predecessor, Episode 26, "Epilogue," should be skipped until the right time in the DCAU watch order.

Justice League Unlimited

TV-Y7-FV

Action

Adventure

A continuation of the Justice League animated series finds the original members of the team joined in their battle against crime and evil by dozens of other heroes from the DC comics universe.

Release Date

July 31, 2004

Creator

Jack Kirby

Cast

George Newbern , Kevin Conroy , Phil LaMarr

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3 Seasons

Production Company

DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation

Justice League Unlimited Part II (2004 - 2006)

Episodes 27 - 39, Streaming on Netflix, Max

The rest of Justice League Unlimited can be watched all the way through at this point in the DCAU watch order. It features many superheroes and supervillains finding their place within the League, like Hawkgirl after her relationship with Green Lantern has ended. Likewise, other heroes struggle to find their place with humanity, as Martian Manhunter leaves the League to immerse himself with the general public.

Many of the show's most notable heroes are introduced or expanded upon in these episodes. There's also an incredibly epic battle between Superman and Darkseid, with the Man of Steel finally cutting loose against the lord of Apokolips. It's pivotal not to watch the entirety of the show's remaining episodes, however, since some projects take place beforehand in the DCAU timeline.

Batman & Harley Quinn (2017)

74 minutes, Not Streaming Anywhere

A newer addition to the DCAU watch order, this 2017 animated movie has Harley Quinn, Batman, and Nightwing come together. Harley has been attempting to live a low-profile life after leaving prison, no longer a sidekick/girlfriend to The Joker, and now she's caught up in a new situation.

While not an obvious DCAU timeline entry, the movie's writer Bruce Timm considers it a part of the continuity. It notably has an art style similar to the classic shows, and it doesn't contradict the DC Animated Universe's events. Thus, it should be watched at this point to keep things in chronological order for the DCAU timeline.

Batman & Harley Quinn

PG-13

Superhero

Action

Batman and Nightwing are forced to team with the Joker's sometimes-girlfriend Harley Quinn to stop a global threat brought about by Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue, the Floronic Man.

Release Date

August 15, 2017

Director

Sam Liu

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Melissa Rauch , Paget Brewster

Runtime

74 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Bruce Timm , James Krieg , Bob Kane

Studio(s)

DC Entertainment , Warner Bros.

Justice League Vs The Fatal Five (2019)

77 minutes, Not Streaming Anywhere

Similar to Batman and Harley Quinn, this more recent animated movie isn't an obvious addition to the DCAU timeline. Many of the other DC movies from this time were part of what's known as the "DC Animated Movie Universe" that have their own continuity. Instead, it's a late addition to the DCAU watch order.

In this film, superheroes from the 31st-century return to the past and team up with fan-favorite heroes. This allowed heroes not seen in Justice League Unlimited to make their DCAU debut. These included the likes of the Jessica Cruz Green Lantern, who was still a recent character from the comics.

Justice League vs The Fatal Five

PG-13

Superhero

Action

The Justice League battles the Fatal Five, (Tharok, Emerald Empress, Validus, Mano and the Persuader). Based on the characters created by Jim Shooter.

Release Date

March 30, 2019

Director

Sam Liu

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Elyes Gabel , Diane Guerrero

Runtime

77 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Eric Carrasco , James Krieg , Alan Burnett

Production Company

Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment

Batman Beyond Part I (1999 - 2001)

Episodes 1-33, Streaming on Max

Bold and ambitious, Batman Beyond took the DCAU timeline and fastforwarded to the future. With Bruce Wayne now an much older man, Gotham City finds a new Batman through the young Terry McGinnis. A dark cyberpunk series, it's a more than worthy addition to the DCAU watch order, with Terry becoming a fan-favorite.

Terry discovers Batman's identity in the year 2039 and, after the murder of his father, steals Bruce Wayne's new high-tech Batsuit to seek his revenge. Terry becomes Batman and the first two seasons show his journey as the new Dark Knight. Batman Beyond has become a fan-favorite, with many fans wanting a live-action movie adaptation.

Batman Beyond

TV-Y7

Action

Superhero

Adventure

Fuelled by remorse and vengeance, a high schooler named Terry McGinnis revives the role of Batman. Under supervision of an elderly Bruce Wayne, he fights crime in a harsh, futuristic Gotham.

Release Date

January 10, 1999

Cast

Kevin Conroy , Will Friedle , Cree Summer , Stockard Channing , Lauren Tom , Frank Welker

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

Franchise

Batman

The Zeta Project (2001)

26 episodes, Not Streaming Anywhere

A spin-off show from Batman Beyond, The Zeta Project is based on a former assassin android who appeared in that show's 33rd episode. Zeta was an android who had gone rogue and gained a conscience, leading into the spin-off show that had the android team up with an orphaned teenage girl named Ro.

The show was canceled after 2 seasons, but Terry was able to make a cameo before then. Sadly, it's one of the more forgotten parts in the DCAU timeline, making it easy to overlook and forget to watch. Still, fans should give the underrated show a look, if only to complete the DCAU watch order.

The Zeta Project

TV-Y7

Superhero

Action

A robot rebels against its creators, refusing to kill, and goes on the run.

Release Date

January 27, 2001

Creator

Bob Goodman

Cast

Diedrich Bader , Kurtwood Smith , Julie Nathanson

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2

Production Company

DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation

Number of Episodes

26

Batman Beyond Part II (1999–2001)

Episodes 34-52, Streaming on Max

When Terry isn't making cameos in Static Shock or The Zeta Project, he is busy dealing with the criminal organization KOBRA or the dreaded legacy of Ra's al Ghul. The rest of the episodes of Batman Beyond feature him joining the Justice League and rescuing his kidnapped mother.

Batman Beyond never had a proper finale, but it was finally worked into the DCAU timeline in Justice League Unlimited and the next DCAU movie. These projects solidified just how vital Batman Beyond was to the rest of the DCAU timeline and its watch order.