5 Batman movies to watch while waiting for The Batman

1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Batman: The Animated Series is often praised as the most definitive version of The Dark Knight in any visual media (films included) and naturally, the strength of the series successfully transitioned into its standalone big screen spin-off, Mask of the Phantasm. 

Phantasm works as part origin story flashback, part mystery thriller as it focuses on both how Batman is trying to crack the identity of Gotham’s newest vigilante – The Phantasm – and how this new masked assailant figures into his past.

For all of the praise and attention that other Batman movies get, Mask of the Phantasm often gets the shaft as a film that is either overlooked or just unknown. It didn’t help that during its original release, animated films weren’t praised with as much revere as they are now globally, but with new eyes, it’s hard to deny Phantasm as anything less than a classic.

The film packs just as much of an emotional punch (if not a bigger one) as your favorite live-action Batman film with just as much action to boot.

Kevin Conroy delivers some of his best voice work in the booth as Batman and especially Bruce Wayne, while both Mark Hamill’s work as The Joker and Dana Delaney as Andrea Beaumont arguably steal the show. This is essential viewing for anyone who calls themselves a hardcore Bat fan.

Which of the Caped Crusader’s movies are you going to check out while you wait on The Batman? Are you excited for the film? Let us know in the comments below!