How to watch

DC Animated Universe Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the DC Animated Universe shows and movies in order

Last updated: November 8 2026

Written by: ChronoBob

The DC Animated Universe connected Batman, Superman and the Justice League across fifteen years of classic cartoons. Here's how to watch the DCAU in order.

It started with Batman: The Animated Series, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski's moody masterpiece, and grew into a shared universe long before live-action studios caught on. Over the following years, Superman, Static, Batman Beyond and eventually the Justice League all joined the same continuity, along with several excellent animated films.

πŸ• Release Order

Release order is a great way to see how the universe gradually expanded.

  1. Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
  2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
  3. Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000)
  4. The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999)
  5. Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
  6. Batman Beyond (1999–2001)
  7. Static Shock (2000–2004)
  8. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
  9. Justice League (2001–2004)
  10. The Zeta Project (2001–2002)
  11. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
  12. Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006)

Because Batman Beyond is set decades in the future, the story order looks quite different from the broadcast schedule.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

Batman Beyond and its spin-off The Zeta Project take place around fifty years after the other shows, so they move to the end. Mystery of the Batwoman fits during The New Batman Adventures, and Static Shock runs alongside Justice League.

  1. Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
  2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
  3. Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000)
  4. The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999)
  5. Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
  6. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
  7. Static Shock (2000–2004)
  8. Justice League (2001–2004)
  9. Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006)
  10. Batman Beyond (1999–2001)
  11. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
  12. The Zeta Project (2001–2002)

Which Order Should You Choose?

We recommend the chronological order with one twist: watch Batman Beyond before the Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue," which serves as a finale for both shows. Release order also works well and preserves crossovers as they first aired. Either way, don't skip Mask of the Phantasm.

πŸ”— Related Guides

  • Batman Watch OrderGuide
  • Justice League Watch OrderGuide
  • Teen Titans Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!