DC Universe, the comics publisher’s new streaming service, currently has (almost) every movie and show that any DC fan could ask for. Between throwbacks like Super Friends and Max Fleischer’s Superman cartoon to newer entries like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Young Justice, the streaming service has a bit of everything. Here’s a list of the top six animated series currently streaming on DC Universe.
Batman: The Animated Series
Known as one of the greatest animated series of all time, Batman: The Animated Series follows Batman’s crime-fighting adventures in modern-day Gotham City. The series continues to be a favorite of both diehard Bat-fans and everyday DC enthusiasts. It has won four Emmys and is often seen as the pinnacle of DC entertainment. It introduced fan-favorite characters like Harley Quinn and kicked off the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), a continuity that spans eight TV series, five feature-length films, multiple web series, short films, and a bevy of comic series.
Not only did Batman: TAS mark the beginning of the DCAU, its dark, gritty atmosphere and exceptional storytelling also set the standard for future DC shows — a standard that DC’s newer content could learn from. The version streaming on DC Universe has been fully remastered in HD. So, if you missed the series’ original run or simply want to stroll down memory lane, now is the time to do so.
Sadly, only the first 85 episodes are available right now, but we’re sure to see the rest of them soon.
Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond, a spin-off of Batman: TAS set in the late 2030s, is almost as iconic in the DCAU as its predecessor. Another award winner, Batman Beyond has won four Daytime Emmys and two Annie Awards. The series also added much to Batman’s DCAU lore, despite running for only three seasons. It even spawned a spinoff series, The Zeta Project.
While Bruce Wayne is still a prominent figure in the show, high schooler Terry McGinnis has taken over the mantle of Batman. He faces futuristic threats and technological challenges Bruce never dreamed of facing. The show even introduces a future incarnation of the Justice League, which Terry ends up joining later.
All three seasons of Batman Beyond are currently streaming on DC Universe.
Justice League/Justice League Unlimited
The Justice League‘s debut brought with it the expansion of the DCAU. In the first story alone, seven heroes are brought together to form the Justice League after they realize none of them are capable of protecting the Earth on their own, and in the episodes that follow, many other DC characters are brought into the mix. The show itself didn’t receive any awards, but it was nominated for many and led to one of the greatest DCAU shows of all time: Justice League Unlimited (JLU)!
JLU, which features a host of characters, boasts a near-60-member Justice League roster. It’s not the last entry in the DCAU continuity-wise (Batman Beyond takes that spot). However, it is the last TV series made that takes place in it. The series lasted for three seasons (usually only recognized as two), but it still holds a very dear place in many fans’ hearts. The first two seasons see the team fight against a deep government conspiracy involving Project Cadmus, and the final season pits the League against the Legion of Doom, whose seek to destroy the world’s heroes once and for all.
Every fantastic episode of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited is available to watch on DC Universe.
Legion of Super-Heroes
Focusing on the super team from the future of the same name, Legion of Super-Heroes (LOSH) ran for two seasons and offered a newer, younger look at the heroes from the 31st century. Even though kids were the primary audience for the show, it has an appeal that older viewers will also enjoy.
The first season features Superman — before he was Superman. He joins the Legion and stays with them through the end of Season 1, but he makes notable appearances in Season 2 alongside his clone, Superman X. While Season 1 mainly focuses on establishing who the Legion is and what they do with single-episode stories, the plot really develops in the second season — thanks to an overarching plot focusing on Imperiex‘s goals to conquer the universe.
The best part of the show is its ability to showcase many different Legionnaires without overwhelming the audience. Sure, it doesn’t have every Legionnaire from LOSH history, but it does give us a decent number of them.
Both seasons are currently available on DC Universe.
Young Justice
Premiering in 2010, Young Justice remains one of the most popular DC shows from this decade. Though it was canceled after just two seasons, it quickly amassed a cult following comprised of both teens and young adults for taking a more mature approach to young heroes in the DC Universe.
Loosely based on the comic series of the same name, Young Justice focuses on the Team, a group of young superheroes who are trying to emerge from their mentors’ shadows. Over the course of two seasons, the Team uncovers an international villain conspiracy, all while growing closer to each other. Unfortunately, the second season ends on a huge cliffhanger — but soon that won’t be a problem for subscribers, as we’re finally getting a new season exclusively on DC Universe.
The first two seasons of Young Justice are available right now, and the third season will reportedly start airing next year, only on DC Universe.
