List of films based on DC Comics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Below is a list of films based on DC Comics characters and properties including its various imprints.
It includes serials, live action and animated films, direct-to-video releases, television films, fan-made
films, and documentary films.

Contents

[hide]

 1Live-action films

o 1.1Serial films

o 1.2From DC imprints

o 1.3Television films

 1.3.1Episodes as films

 2Animated films

o 2.1Short films

 2.1.1Theatrical

 2.1.2Direct to video

o 2.2From DC imprints

o 2.3Television films

 2.3.1Episodes as films

o 2.4Lego versions

 3Reception

o 3.1Box office

o 3.2Critical and public reception

o 3.3From DC imprints

 4See also

 5References

 6External links

Live-action films[edit]
Year Title Production studio(s) Notes

Theatrically-released pilot for the

Superman and
1951 Lippert Pictures 1950s Adventures of
the Mole Men
Superman television series

18-minute short
Stamp Day for
1954 Government produced film Government produced. In
Superman
the public domain.

Related to the
1966 Batman 20th Century Fox
1960s Batman television series

Won 1 Special Oscar, nominated for 3

1978 Superman
Dovemead Film Export more
A.G./International Film Productions
1980 Superman II

1982 Swamp Thing Embassy Pictures

Cantharus Productions
1983 Superman III
N.V./Dovemead Films

Artistry Ltd/Cantharus
1984 Supergirl
Productions/Pueblo Film Group

Superman IV:
1987 The Quest for Golan-Globus/Cannon Films.
Peace

The Return of
Lightyear Entertainment
Swamp Thing
1989

Batman Won 1 Oscar

Batman
1992 Nominated for 2 Oscars
Returns
Warner Bros./PolyGram Filmed
Batman Entertainment
1995 Nominated for 3 Oscars
Forever

Batman &
1997
Robin
Year Title Production studio(s) Notes

Warner Bros./DC
Steel
Entertainment/QDe

Warner Bros./Village Roadshow

Not directly based on the character of
2004 Catwoman Pictures/Di Novi Pictures/Frantic
the same name
Films/Maple Shade Films

Warner Bros./Village Roadshow

Pictures/The Donners'
Constantine Loosely based on the Hellblazer comic
Company/Batfilm Productions/3
Arts Entertainment
2005
Warner Bros./DC
Batman Entertainment/Legendary
Reboot; nominated for an Oscar
Begins Pictures/Syncopy Inc./Patalex III
Productions

Warner Bros./Virtual Studios/Silver Based on the graphic novel by Alan

V for Vendetta
Pictures/Anarchos Productions Moore.

Alternate trilogy conclusion

Warner Bros./DC
Superman to Superman and Superman II, while
Entertainment/Legendary
2006 Returns ignoring the events of Superman
Pictures/Bad Hat Harry Productions
III and IV; nominated for an Oscar.

Superman II:
Re-edited director's cut film, direct-to-
The Richard Warner Bros.
video release
Donner Cut

Warner Bros./DC
The Dark
2008 Entertainment/Legendary Won 2 Oscars, nominated for 6 more
Knight
Pictures/Syncopy Inc.

Warner Bros./DC
Entertainment/Legendary
Based on the limited series by Alan
2009 Watchmen Pictures/Lawrence Gordon
Moore and Dave Gibbons
Productions/Cruel and Unusual
Films

Warner Bros./Dark Castle

2010 The Losers Based on the Vertigo title
Entertainment
Year Title Production studio(s) Notes

Warner Bros./DC
Loosely based on the character of the
Jonah Hex Entertainment/Legendary
same name
Pictures/Weed Road Pictures

Warner Bros./DC Entertainment/De

2011 Green Lantern
Line Pictures

Warner Bros./DC
The Dark
2012 Entertainment/Legendary
Knight Rises
Pictures/Syncopy Inc.

Warner Bros./DC
Entertainment/Legendary
2013 Man of Steel
Pictures/Cruel and Unusual
Films/Syncopy Inc.
Set in the DC Extended Universe
Batman v Warner Bros./DC
Superman: Entertainment/RatPac
Dawn of Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual
Justice Films/Atlas Entertainment
2016

Warner Bros./DC
Set in the DC Extended Universe. Won
Suicide Squad Entertainment/RatPac
an Oscar.
Entertainment/Atlas Entertainment

Warner Bros./DC Films/RatPac

Entertainment/Atlas
Wonder
Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual
Woman
Films/Tencent Pictures/Wanda
Media
2017 Set in the DC Extended Universe

Warner Bros./DC Films/RatPac

Entertainment/Atlas
Justice League
Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual
Films

Upcoming

Warner Bros./DC Films/RatPac

2018 Aquaman Post-production[1]
Entertainment/The Safran Company

2019 Shazam![2] Warner Bros./DC Films/RatPac Pre-production

Year Title Production studio(s) Notes

Entertainment/New Line Cinema

Wonder
Warner Bros./DC Films In development
Woman 2[3]

Serial films[edit]

Production
Year Title Notes Chapters
studio

Adventures of Captain
1941 12
Marvel Republic Published at that time by Fawcett
Pictures Comics
1942 Spy Smasher 12

1943 Batman 15

1946 Hop Harrigan 15

1947 The Vigilante 15

Superman 15
1948 Columbia
Congo Bill Pictures 15

1949 Batman and Robin 15

1950 Atom Man vs. Superman 15

Published at that time by Quality

1952 Blackhawk 15
Comics

From DC imprints[edit]

Year Title Production studio Notes

Paradox Press

Based on the series by Max

Road to
2002 DreamWorks/The Zanuck Company Allan Collins. Won 1 Oscar,
Perdition
nominated for 5 more.
 Based on the graphic
A History New Line Cinema/New Line
novel by John
2005 of Productions/BenderSpink/München &
Wagner and Vince Locke.
Violence Company
Nominated for 2 Oscars.

WildStorm

Summit Entertainment/DC
Entertainment/Homage Entertainment/Di
2010 RED
Bonaventura Pictures/Cheyenne Based on
Enterprises/DMG Entertainment the miniseries by Warren
Ellis and Cully Hamner.
Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films/DC
2013 RED 2
Entertainment/Di Bonaventura Pictures

Television films[edit]

Year Title Notes

1974 Wonder Woman Pilot episode for an unproduced TV series.

Pilot episode for 1970's Wonder

1975 The New Original Wonder Woman
Woman television series.

Pilot episode for an unproduced TV series; never

1997 Justice League of America
aired in the U.S.

Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures Comedy film based on the Batman television
2003
of Adam and Burt series.

Episodes as films[edit]

Year Title Notes

1990 The Flash

The Flash II: Revenge of the

Episodes of the 1990's The Flash television series released as
Trickster
direct to video films.
1991
The Flash III: Deadly
Nightshade

Animated films[edit]

All the feature films are produced by Warner Bros. Animation and are released direct-to-video,
except as indicated.
Year Title Notes

Batman: Mask of the

1993 Theatrical release. Related to Batman: The Animated Series.
Phantasm

Batman & Mr. Freeze:

1998 Related to Batman: The Animated Series.
SubZero

Batman Beyond: Return of

2000 Related to the Batman Beyond TV series.
the Joker

Batman: Mystery of the

2003 Related to The New Batman Adventures TV series.
Batwoman

2006 Superman: Brainiac Attacks Somewhat related to Superman: The Animated Series.

2007 Superman: Doomsday Loosely based on The Death of Superman storyline.

Justice League: The New

Based on DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke.
Frontier
2008
Collection of six shorts. Set between the events of Batman
Batman: Gotham Knight
Begins and The Dark Knight.

Loosely based on the Gods and Mortals storyline by George

Wonder Woman
Pérez.

2009 Green Lantern: First Flight Adaptation of the DC Comics Green Lantern mythology.

Superman/Batman: Public Based on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies storyline

Enemies by Jeph Loeb.

Adapted from an unused film plot meant to bridge Justice

Justice League: Crisis on
League and Justice League Unlimited. Loosely based on JLA:
Two Earths
Earth 2series by Grant Morrison.

2010 Batman: Under the Red Loosely based on the Batman: Under the Hood storyline
Hood by Judd Winick.

Superman/Batman: Based on Superman/Batman: The Supergirl from

Apocalypse Krypton storyline by Jeph Loeb.

2011 All-Star Superman Based on All-Star Superman series by Grant Morrison.

Year Title Notes

Green Lantern: Emerald Collection of six shorts. Coincided with the release of
Knights the Green Lantern film.

Based on the Batman: Year One storyline by Frank

Batman: Year One
Miller and David Mazzucchelli.

Loosely based on the JLA: Tower of Babel storyline by Mark

Justice League: Doom
Waid.

Based on the What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the

2012 Superman vs. The Elite
American Way? storyline by Joe Kelly.

The Dark Knight Returns –

Part 1
Based on The Dark Knight Returns series by Frank Miller.
The Dark Knight Returns –
Part 2

Based on the Superman: Brainiac storyline by Geoff

2013 Superman: Unbound
Johns and Gary Frank.

Justice League: The Based on the Flashpoint storyline by Geoff Johns and Andy
Flashpoint Paradox Kubert.

JLA Adventures: Trapped in

All ages un-advertised release.
Time

Based on The New 52's Justice League: Origin story by Geoff

Justice League: War
Johns and Jim Lee; Start of a DC Animated Shared Universe.
2014
Inspired by the Batman and Son storyline by Grant Morrison
Son of Batman
and Andy Kubert.

Based on the universe of the Batman: Arkham video game

Batman: Assault on Arkham
franchise.

Justice League: Throne of Based on The New 52's Aquaman crossover story, Throne of
Atlantis Atlantis, by Geoff Johns.
2015
Partially based on The New 52's Batman crossover
Batman vs. Robin
story, Court of Owls by Scott Snyder.
Year Title Notes

Batman Unlimited: Animal

Based on a toy line.
Instincts

Based on an original plot by Alan Burnett. Preceded by the

Justice League: Gods and
companion microseries of shorts Justice League: Gods and
Monsters
Monsters Chronicles.

Batman Unlimited: Monster

Based on a toy line.
Mayhem

Loosely based on the storylines Battle for the Cowl by Tony

Batman: Bad Blood
Daniel and Grant Morrison's Batman Incorporated.

Justice League vs. Teen

Titans

Based on the one-shot graphic novel of the same name,

Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. Limited theatrical release
in some countries.
2016

DC Super Hero Girls: Hero

Part of DC Super Hero Girls animated shorts universe.
of the Year

Batman Unlimited: Mechs

Based on a toy line.
vs. Mutants

Batman: Return of the Based on the 1960s Batman TV series. Received limited
Caped Crusaders theatrical release.

Justice League Dark

Teen Titans: The Judas Based on the story arc The Judas Contract by Marv
Contract Wolfman and George Pérez.

2017 DC Super Hero Girls:

Part of DC Super Hero Girls animated shorts universe.
Intergalactic Games

Batman and Harley Quinn Theatrical exhibition one night in the US.

Batman vs. Two-Face Based on the 1960s Batman TV series.

Upcoming
Year Title Notes

Scooby-Doo! & Batman: Crossover with Scooby-Doo. Related to Batman: The Brave
The Brave and the Bold and the Bold TV series.

Batman: Gotham by Based on the one-shot history by Brian Augustyn and Mike
Gaslight Mignola.

Batman Ninja Anime.

2018

Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay

Teen Titans Go! to the

Theatrical release.
Movies[4]

Death of Superman
Based on The Death of Superman storyline.
2019 Reign of the Supermen

Short films[edit]

Theatrical[edit]

Production
Year Title Collection Notes
studio

Superman (a.k.a. The Mad Nominated for 1

Scientist) Oscar.[5] In public domain.
1941

The Mechanical Monsters

Billion Dollar Limited

The Arctic Giant

Fleischer
Superman
The Bulleteers Studios
In public domain.
1942 The Magnetic Telescope

Electric Earthquake

Volcano

Terror on the Midway

 Japoteurs

Showdown

Eleventh Hour

Destruction, Inc.
Famous
Studios
The Mummy Strikes

Jungle Drums
1943
The Underground World

Secret Agent

Direct to video[edit]

Production
Year Title Collection Notes
studio

Warner Bros. Silent film; part of the DC

2003 Chase Me None
Animation animated universe.

Have I Got a Story for

Studio 4°C
You

Production
Crossfire
I.G
Batman:
2008 Field Test Bee Train Gotham
Knight
In Darkness Dwells Madhouse

Working Through Pain Studio 4°C

Deadshot Madhouse

Tales of the Black Included in the Watchmen home

2009
Freighter video release
Warner Bros.
None
Animation A one-off special short, produced
[6]
2010 Joker's Playhouse as part of Fisher-Price's
Imaginext product line
 Included in Justice League: Crisis
The Spectre
on Two Earths

Included in Batman: Under the

Jonah Hex
Red Hood

DC Showcase Included in Superman/Batman:

Green Arrow
Apocalypse

Superman/Shazam!: The Original of DC Showcase Shorts

Return of Black Adam Collection

2011 Catwoman Included in Batman: Year One

Included in Justice League:

Nightwing and Robin None
Throne of Atlantis
2015
Cool Town
John Con Noir Constantine Part of series' promotion
Claymation

From DC imprints[edit]

Year Title Production studio Notes

WildStorm

Buena Vista Pictures/WildStorm Animated film; never released in the

2000 Gen¹³
Productions/Aegis Entertainment United States and no longer owns rights.

Television films[edit]

All movies later released on home video format.

Year Title Production studio Notes

2005 The Batman vs. Dracula Related to The Batman TV series.

Teen Titans: Trouble in

2006 Warner Bros. Related to Teen Titans TV series.
Tokyo
Animation

DC Super Hero Girls: Super Part of DC Super Hero Girls animated

2016
Hero High shorts universe.

Episodes as films[edit]

Television series episodes released as direct to video films.

Year Title Notes

Superman: The Last Son of

1996
Krypton
Each one, compilation of three episodes originally aired during
first and second season of Superman: The Animated Series.
The Batman Superman
1997
Movie: World's Finest

Batman Beyond: The

1999 Compilation of the first two episodes of Batman Beyond.
Movie

Justice League: Secret

2001
Origins
Each one, compilation of three episodes of the Justice League.

2004 Justice League: Starcrossed

Lego versions[edit]

All films direct to video, except as indicated.

Production
Year Title Notes
studio

Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Based on video game Lego

2013 TT Animation
Heroes Unite Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.

2014 Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered Television movie

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice

League vs. Bizarro League
2015
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice
Warner Bros.
League: Attack of the Legion of Doom
Animation

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice

League: Cosmic Clash[7]
2016
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice
League: Gotham City Breakout

Theatrical release; Spin-off

The Lego Batman Movie Animal Logic
of The Lego Movie.
2017

Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain Warner Bros.

Animation