10 Pre-DCEU DC Movies You Should Check After ‘Superman’

Before the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) began with Man of Steel in 2013, Warner Bros. had been bringing DC Comics characters to the big screen for decades. These earlier films exist as standalone stories or within their own separate continuities. They offer a diverse range of tones and styles, from the campy fun of the 1960s to the darker, more serious takes of the 2000s. For those who enjoyed the classic heroism of the 1978 Superman, exploring these older movies can be a rewarding experience.

This collection of films showcases the different ways filmmakers have interpreted iconic heroes and villains outside of a shared cinematic universe. You’ll find a variety of genres, including gothic action, sci-fi, and character-driven drama. Watching these pre-DCEU movies provides a fascinating look at the history of comic book adaptations and how they have evolved over time, each leaving its own unique mark on the legacy of DC characters in cinema.

Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s Batman introduced a darker version of the Caped Crusader to audiences. The film is set in a gothic and crime-ridden Gotham City, where Bruce Wayne, played by Michael Keaton, has been operating as the mysterious Batman for some time. His main adversary is the Joker, a role made famous by Jack Nicholson, who becomes a murderous and chaotic figure after a chemical accident. The movie explores Batman’s origins through flashbacks to his parents’ murder.

The film was a massive commercial success and had a significant cultural impact. Its dark tone and serious approach to the character were a departure from the campy 1960s TV series. It won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction, praised for its unique visual style that brought Gotham City to life. The success of Batman helped to pave the way for a new era of superhero films.

Batman Returns (1992)

Three years after the original, Tim Burton and Michael Keaton returned for Batman Returns. This sequel introduces two new iconic villains to Gotham City: the Penguin, a deformed outcast played by Danny DeVito, and Catwoman, a secretary-turned-vigilante portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. Batman must contend with this new duo as they form an unlikely and dangerous alliance.

Batman Returns is even darker and more stylized than its predecessor. The film delves into the psychological aspects of its characters, exploring their feelings of being outsiders. While its darker themes were a point of discussion upon release, the film was praised for its visual design and the memorable performances of its cast, particularly Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman, which remains highly regarded.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Originally planned as a direct-to-video release, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was given a theatrical run due to its high quality. The animated film is based on Batman: The Animated Series and is considered by many to be one of the best Batman stories on screen. The plot follows Batman as he is wrongly accused of a series of murders of Gotham’s crime bosses, which are actually being committed by a mysterious new vigilante known as the Phantasm.

The story also features a deep look into Bruce Wayne’s past, exploring a lost love from before he became the Dark Knight. This creates a powerful emotional core for the film, as Batman is forced to confront his past while also dealing with the return of his nemesis, the Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill. Despite not performing well at the box office, the film received critical acclaim for its mature storytelling and animation.

Batman Forever (1995)

After Tim Burton’s departure, Joel Schumacher took over as director, bringing a more colorful and vibrant style to the franchise. Val Kilmer steps into the role of Batman, who faces two new threats: the hyperactive Riddler, played by Jim Carrey, and the vengeful Two-Face, portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones. Batman also takes on a new partner in Dick Grayson, a young circus acrobat who becomes Robin, played by Chris O’Donnell.

Batman Forever was a box office success, and its lighter tone was a deliberate change from the darkness of Batman Returns. The film has a more flamboyant and comic-book-like aesthetic, which was a hit with audiences at the time. It also produced a successful soundtrack, featuring hit songs from artists like Seal and U2.

Constantine (2005)

Based on the Hellblazer comic book, Constantine stars Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a cynical demonologist and exorcist. Constantine has the ability to see the half-angels and half-demons that walk the Earth. He is tasked with helping a police detective, played by Rachel Weisz, investigate the mysterious death of her twin sister, a case that leads them into a world of demons and angels.

The film is a supernatural thriller that combines elements of horror and film noir. While it made some changes from the source material, including its setting and the main character’s appearance, the movie was noted for its striking visuals and interesting take on the supernatural. It has since gained a cult following for its unique style and Reeves’s performance.

Batman Begins (2005)

Director Christopher Nolan rebooted the Batman franchise with a more realistic and grounded approach in Batman Begins. The film explores the origins of Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale, from his childhood fear of bats and the murder of his parents to his journey across the world to train with the mysterious League of Shadows. He eventually returns to Gotham to fight crime as Batman.

Batman Begins was praised for its dark tone, strong narrative, and focus on character development. It introduces Scarecrow, a villain who uses fear as a weapon, and delves into the practicalities of how Bruce Wayne created his Batman persona. The film’s success was instrumental in revitalizing the character and setting the stage for its highly acclaimed sequel, The Dark Knight.

Superman Returns (2006)

Superman Returns serves as a spiritual sequel and homage to the Christopher Reeve Superman films. Directed by Bryan Singer, the movie sees Superman, now played by Brandon Routh, returning to Earth after a five-year absence. He finds that the world has learned to live without him, and Lois Lane now has a family. Meanwhile, his old enemy Lex Luthor, played by Kevin Spacey, is out of prison and has a new plan for world domination.

The film was praised for its visual style and for capturing the spirit of the original movies. Routh’s performance was seen as a fitting tribute to Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of the hero. The movie explores themes of identity and belonging as Superman tries to find his place in a world that has seemingly moved on without him.

The Dark Knight (2008)

The second installment in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, The Dark Knight is widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero films ever made. Batman continues his fight against crime with the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent. However, their efforts are challenged by the arrival of the Joker, a chaotic and nihilistic criminal mastermind portrayed by Heath Ledger in an Academy Award-winning performance.

The Dark Knight was a critical and commercial powerhouse, praised for its complex story, dark themes, and Ledger’s unforgettable performance. The film explores the moral complexities of Batman’s vigilantism and the nature of chaos and order. Its impact was significant, raising the bar for what comic book movies could achieve in terms of storytelling and thematic depth.

Watchmen (2009)

Directed by Zack Snyder, Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The story is set in an alternate 1985 where a group of retired superheroes investigates the murder of one of their own. As they uncover a conspiracy, they are forced to confront their own complex pasts and the moral ambiguities of their actions in a world on the brink of nuclear war.

The film is known for its distinctive visual style and its commitment to the dark, mature themes of the source material. It deconstructs the traditional superhero archetype, presenting its characters as flawed and psychologically complex individuals. Watchmen remains a notable entry in the genre for its ambition and its serious treatment of complex subject matter.

Green Lantern (2011)

Green Lantern tells the story of Hal Jordan, a reckless test pilot played by Ryan Reynolds, who is chosen by an alien ring to become a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force. He is trained by veteran members of the Corps and must learn to master his new powers to confront a powerful enemy called Parallax, which threatens to destroy the universe.

The movie is a space-faring adventure with a heavy focus on visual effects to create the various alien worlds and imaginative constructs of the Green Lanterns. While it was not a critical or commercial success at the time of its release, it represents one of the attempts to expand the DC cinematic world beyond Batman and Superman before the official launch of the DCEU.