Ranking The Modern Animated Batman TV Shows

1. Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995) and The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999)

As if there could be anything else to top this list, Batman: The Animated Series started the modern era of animated Batman. And it’s widely regarded as one of the best animated series in television history. That’s not just the nostalgia talking. This series stands the test of time.

From its noir imagery to its cast of deeply complex characters, Batman: The Animated Series changed how mainstream viewers envisioned Batman. For reference, the last time an animated Batman was on television was in 1985 as part of the short-lived Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians—a continuation of the Hanna-Barbera Super Friends series.

Talking about a huge perception change, Batman: The Animated Series set the stage for the darker, more complex Batman we know and accept in mainstream media now. Yes, Frank Miller’s graphic novels and other comic stories had already portrayed a darker Dark Knight, but the popularity of comic books had been surpassed by television at that time, and it was even further ahead by the time Batman: The Animated Series came out.

Series creators Paul Dini, Eric Radomski, and Bruce Timm drew inspiration from Tim Burton’s Batman films and the Superman theatrical cartoons of the 1940s. However, Batman: The Animated Series was a thing of its own.

The show introduced Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker, and the two are now synonymous with those animated roles. Those two headlined what was an exceptional cast of voice talent throughout the series.

Batman: The Animated Series lasted from 1992–1995 and was continued as The New Batman Adventures from 1997–1999. The latter of the two focused more on Batman’s sidekicks, but the show wasn’t a spin-off or new creation. It was simply a continuation of the original series. Both won several Daytime Emmy Awards, and, for the first time, both brought Batman fame in the television arena.

Barring some unforeseen masterpiece in the future, Batman: The Animated Series will likely always take the top spot when it comes to animated Batman television shows.