All 31 animated Batman movies ranked from worst to best

11. Batman: Year One

If you asked a comic book fan to name some of the Caped Crusader’s greatest adventures, there is a pretty high probability that Batman: Year One would be on the list. Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, the story showcases the Dark Knight’s first year as Gotham City’s protector, highlighting the impact he made on the criminal underworld and his eventual allies such as Jim Gordon.

An animated movie adaptation was inevitable at some point, so when it came along in 2011, it was an incredibly fulfilling experience for fans who longed to see their favorite story come to life. It was particularly fulfilling, in fact, because it was an excellent adaptation of the source material, relying on the aura of Batman himself and the reception to his arrival moreso than his actual escapades.

Yes, for those hoping to see a Batman-centric story, this one might not be your favorite, but it’s an incredible story of how the legend of the Dark Knight comes to be that pays homage to its source material and really conveys what a great, layered character Jim Gordon is. And speaking of Gordon, he’s voiced incredibly well by the legendary Bryan Cranston – an actor fans have longed to see play the character in live-action – while Gotham‘s Gordon, Ben McKenzie, does a great job portraying the younger, broodier Dark Knight.