On October 21, 2022, DC fans and gamers will once again be able to dive into the world of Batman with Gotham Knights. Rather than Batman alone, fans will be able to embody Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl and Robin: famous members of the Bat-Family.
Those who are excited about the release of Gotham Knights can hold back by watching various movies about the Bat-Family. While live-action films primarily focus on Batman, animated universes are where the rest of Batman’s allies tend to shine.
The Teen Titans Go! Versus. Teen Titans (2019)
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While not specifically the Bat-Family, Robin is the main character of the Teen Titans and it celebrates the many versions of the DC superhero team. See the more sitcom version of The Teen Titans Go! meet and confront the classic Teen Titans the animated series is a bit of a spectacle.
It’s a silly adventure that even pokes fun at the DC Animated Movie Universe’s version of the Teen Titans at one point. Fans of both shows are sure to rejoice at this crossover, and the kids are going to go wild for all the wacky shenanigans.
LEGO Batman: Family Matters (2019)
LEGO Batman: Family Matters is an ideal choice for fun with the whole family. It brings together Batman, Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing and Ace The Bat-Hound to battle the Red Hood to satisfy longtime fans who want to revisit the LEGO Bat-Family.
It may not be the dark and epic story that Under the red riding hood is, but it has enough for all demographics, including plenty of wacky kid-friendly humor. It also features Troy Baker as the voice of Batman, a character the actor has become famous for in movies and video games.
Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
With Batman gone, Batman: Bad Blood shows how the Bat-Family runs Gotham without him, similar to the concept of Gotham Knights. Dick Grayson becomes Batman and the DCAMU is introduced to Batwoman and Batwing in the same film; characters that many fans would like to see in DLC for Gotham Knights.
Although it gets a bit too complicated at times, especially with the main villain’s plot reveal, Batman: Bad Blood always delivers a Bat-Family story. It dives pretty well into Dick Grayson’s reservations about being a new Batman, showing that while he might be worthy of it, he doesn’t want it. Batwing steals the movie and the rest of the Bat-Family doesn’t shine as much.
Batman: Death in the Family (2020)
This animated movie may share the same name as a comic book about Jason Todd, the second Robin, but it’s far from a straight-up adaptation. Instead, it is an interactive movie that can allow the viewer to play different outcomes of Death in the family and the Under the red riding hood scenarios.
Although not as strong, Death in the family is the closest thing to a continuation of the Under the red riding hood film. The many ways Jason Todd’s story can be told is interesting, especially since the player can have him become both Red Robin and a new version of Hush.
Batman and Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero (1998)
The game Gotham Knights boasts a whole slate of villains, including Clayface, Harley Quinn, and the ever-tragic Mr. Freeze. Although the episode Heart of ice of Batman: The Animated Series is the best place to start, Batman and Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero is a good starting point for newcomers to the character.
It’s set in the same universe as the animated series and shows the lengths Freeze is willing to go to to save his wife, including capturing Barbara Gordon, which leads to him battling both Batman and Robin AKA Dick Grayson.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
To some extent, this straight-to-video film serves as a conclusion to Batman: The Animated Series and batman beyond, showing what happened to the Bat-Family. Unfortunately, it’s not a happy future for all of them, with Barbara Gordon now a cold and less optimistic police commissioner, Bruce Wayne a hermit, and Tim Drake now traumatized as a middle-aged man.
The Joker has left an impact on the Bat-Family, and his return to the DC Universe’s cyberpunk future is reopening old wounds. It makes for an incredibly dark but powerful animated movie that brings the DCAU Joker to a satisfying end and gives a more realistic depiction of life after vigilantism.
Batman: Under Red Riding Hood (2010)
Easily the most essential story for Jason Todd AKA The Red Hood, Batman: Under Red Riding Hood quickly became a fan favorite due to its dark and tragic story showing Batman discovering Red Hood’s identity. It’s easy to feel sad for Batman and the Red Hood in this story.
This film is good for those who want to know the dark history of Jason Todd, played by Jensen Ackles, before his status as an anti-hero in recent comics and as presented in Gotham Knights. However, Under the red riding hood also features one of Batman’s best voice-over performances thanks to Bruce Greenwood, and it features an exciting story with plenty of emotional moments that turn it into something different from a typical superhero story.
Son of Batman (2014)
It was the film that first adapted Damien Wayne to film, expanding the Bat-Family even further. His rude and obnoxious attitude is often the reason Damien is such a controversial member of the Bat-Family, but he’s significant because he’s the first Robin to be a biological son of Bruce Wayne.
This, combined with being raised by both Talia and Ra’s Al Ghul, causes Damien to be at odds with other members of the Bat-Family, including Alfred and Nightwing. son of batman shows the complicated side of being part of the Gotham Knights and establishes a story that would continue with Batman Vs. Robin.
Batman Vs. Robin (2015)
In fact, the title of Batman Vs. Robin is a lie since the two heroes engage in a real fight once in the entire film. The best title would be Batman: Court of Owls since it is a better description of this sequel to son of batman.
The Court Of Owls being the main threat of the Gotham Knights Game, Batman Vs. Robin is definitely the movie to watch as it showcases Gotham’s elite evil organization quite well. The fight between Bruce Wayne and his son is a bonus. It’s worth watching Batman Vs. Robin simply for when the Talons break into the Batcave and Batman pushes them away.