DCAU WATCH ORDER: The Complete Guide

	A	B	D	E	F
1	DCAU WATCH ORDER - THE COMPLETE GUIDE -
2					- INTRO -
3					The DC Animated Universe (DCAU) is a franchise of animated series, movies, and comics featuring DC characters. While there are MANY animated DC projects out there, not all of them take place in the DCAU. The DCAU is one specific universe that began in 1992 with "Batman: The Animated Series". Created primarily by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, it is known for its consistently high quality storytelling, iconic voice acting, and ongoing plot threads that extend across multiple series. It was so popular that several newer, supplemental entries into the universe have been made in recent years. While any of the entries can be enjoyed on their own merits, the DCAU's interconnected nature means that it is much better enjoyed if consumed all together as intended. While it starts from rather humble beginnings, it grows into something truly special with time and rewards the viewer for their loyalty. As with any franchise, release order is generally preferred, but there are some exceptions here and there. Chronological order is NOT CORRECT and will result in a lesser experience. You don't need to worry about any of that though, just follow the guide! Guide written by Rize. Last Updated August 2023. If you see any mistakes, or have any suggestions for how I can improve this guide, feel free to email me at daxiafarren@gmail.com
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12	- THE DC ANIMATED UNIVERSE -
13		This guide will give you the correct season-by-season watch order for the DCAU. It's very straightforward, but take note of the "Optional Comics" tab. If you would like to include any of these optional comics in your viewing order, see that tab for details. If not, simply continue here
14		- P A R T i - C A P E D C R U S A D E R
15		YEAR	TITLE	TYPE	NOTES
16		1992	Batman: The Animated Series (Season 1)	TV Series	65 episodes. Where it all began!
17		1993	Batman: Mask of the Phantasm	Film	-
18		1994	Batman: The Animated Series (Season 2)	TV Series	20 episodes.
19		1994	The Adventures of Batman & Robin	Short	This is a bit of an oddity. There was a Sega CD game based on BTAS that features 16 minutes worth of new footage, created by the same cast and crew as the show. It's often referred to as the "lost episode". It's totally optional, but it's there if you want it. It ostensibly takes place sometime during BTAS season 2.
20		1998	Batman & Mister Freeze: Sub-Zero	Film	-
21		- P A R T I I - W O R L D ' S F I N E S T
22		1996	Superman: The Animated Series (Season 1)	TV Series	13 episodes.
23		1997	Superman: The Animated Series (Season 2)	TV Series	28 episodes.
24		1997	The New Batman Adventures	TV Series	24 episodes. Essentially BTAS season 3, but with the new art style from Superman TAS, as well as a slight timeskip. People often mistakenly watch this before or after Superman, but you must watch it here.
25		1998	Superman: The Animated Series (Season 3)	TV Series	13 episodes. Must be watched after TNBA. Sometimes the final three episodes of this season are considered "Season 4" for stupid reasons, don't worry about it.
26		2003	Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman	Film	-
27		2003	Chase Me	Short	This is a 6 minute short that was bundled with "Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman".
28		- P A R T I I I - T H E A D V E N T U R E S C O N T I N U E
29		2020	Batman: The Adventures Continue - Season I	Comic	This is one of the few comics I would consider required to include in your viewing order. Unlike the optional comics, it is not a companion to one of the shows, but rather an exploration of a time period that the shows do NOT cover. It takes place sometime after "The New Batman Adventures", but before "Justice League". Obviously you don't HAVE to read it. [Collects 8-issue miniseries]
30		2021	Batman: The Adventures Continue - Season II	Comic	[Collects 7-issue miniseries, plus the short story "Window Shoppping" from the "'Tis the Season to Be Freezin'" Christmas special]
31		2023	Batman: The Adventures Continue - Season III	Comic	[Collects 8-issue miniseries]
32		- P A R T I V - B E Y O N D
33		1999	Batman Beyond (Season 1)	TV Series	13 episodes. This series takes place 50 years in the future, and features an elderly Bruce Wayne mentoring a new Batman. Despite the time period, it is meant to be watched here. Later shows will reference it. Fantastic show.
34		1999	Batman Beyond (Season 2)	TV Series	26 episodes.
35		2001	The Zeta Project (Season 1)	TV Series	12 episodes. Spinoff of "Batman Beyond". Frankly, this is the black sheep of the DCAU and is not very connected to the rest of the universe. It's also noticeably cheaper. If you don't enjoy it, you can skip it without missing much. At least watch episode 8 though, which features Batman.
36		2000	Batman Beyond (Season 3)	TV Series	13 episodes.
37		2000	Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker	Film	This film essentially functions as a "finale" for Batman Beyond, as well as an epilogue for BTAS/TNBA.
38		2002	The Zeta Project (Season 2)	TV Series	14 episodes.
39		2014	Batman Beyond 75th Anniversart Short	Short	This is just a 1 minute short film celebrating the 75th anniversary of Batman broadly, and the history of Batman adaptations in particular.
40		NOTE ON TEEN TITANS:
41		The 2003 Teen Titans cartoon is an excellent show, but no, it is not meant to beDCAU canon. However, despite the different art style and tone, there are a few references between the two. In addition, nothing in the Teen Titans series contradicts DCAU canon whatsoever. So, if you would like to include it in your viewing, feel free to do so. It would take place sometime in the years between "Batman: The Animated Series" and "The New Batman Adventures", after Dick has split from Batman, but before he adopts the Nightwing persona. This explains his more angsty personality in TT, as he's in his angry rebellious phase. I won't list it in the order, because again, it was never meant to be DCAU canon, but if you want to include it, you should watch it sometime before "Static Shock".
42		- P A R T V - S T A T I C
43		2000	Static Shock (Season 1)	TV Series	13 episodes. Slightly lower budget animation, but still a fun show. This series ran concurrently with Justice League, but it is much better to watch it first. There is a small amount of crossover with JL, but just consider it a preview of things to come.
44		2002	Static Shock (Season 2)	TV Series	11 episodes.
45		2003	Static Shock (Season 3)	TV Series	13 episodes. This was actually meant to be the final season originally, and it definitely feels like a good conclusion. However...
46		2004	Static Shock (Season 4)	TV Series	15 episodes. Sadly this extra season is not quite as good as the others. However, it still has some great individual episodes.
47		- P A R T V I - J U S T I C E
48		2001	Justice League (Season 1)	TV Series	26 episodes. The beginning of the end! This is an amazing series, so savor it! It should be noted that this series aired concurrently with Static Shock, but it's a much smoother experience to watch it afterward.
49		2003	Justice League (Season 2)	TV Series	26 episodes.
50		2004	Justice League Unlimited (Season 1)	TV Series	13 episodes. At this point, the JL expands substantially and the show takes on a more epic feel.
51		2005	Justice League Unlimited (Season 2)	TV Series	13 episodes.
52		2005	Justice League Unlimited (Season 3)	TV Series	13 episodes. Plotlines from every DCAU show culminate here. This is the big finale you've been building to, and it's a wild ride. THE END! ...or is it?
53		- P A R T V I I - L E G A C Y
54		2014	Batman: Strange Days	Short	This 75th anniversary short is probably not canon to the DCAU proper. Rather, it's a fun reimagining of DCAU Batman in the 1930's, styled after Batman's original 1939 appearance in the comics. You can imagine it as being Batman's early career.
55		2017	Batman & Harley Quinn	Film	This odd film features more adult content, a comedic tone, and an inexplicable change in voice actor and characterization for Harley Quinn. It probably takes place sometime between TNBA and Justice League, but it doesn't really matter since it's very standalone.
56		2022	Justice League Infinity	Comic	This is one of the few comics I would consider required to include in your viewing order. Unlike the optional comics, it is not a companion to one of the shows, but rather an exploration of a time period that the shows do NOT cover. It takes place sometime after "Justice League", but before "Justice League vs. the Fatal Five". [Collects 7-issue miniseries]
57		2019	Justice League vs. the Fatal Five	Film	Takes place several years after "Justice League Unlimited".
58		- P A R T V I I I - T R U E E N D I N G
59		NOTE: The following section is about a series of comics from 2011-2014 that gave the entire DCAU a final epilogue. Unlike the optional comics, it is not a companion to one of the shows, but rather an exploration of a time period that the shows do NOT cover. They take place after "Batman Beyond", showing what happened to all the characters of that future, as well as tying up some loose plot threads left over from the other shows. This includes Batman of course, but also for the first time puts a real spotlight on the Justice League Beyond and Superman Beyond. It even fills in some gaps regarding what happened in the years between "Justice League Unlimited" and "Batman Beyond". Most importantly, it builds up a huge storyline that culminates in a new grand finale for the DCAU as a whole.
60		2011	Batman Beyond: Industrial Revolution	Comic	[Collects 8-issue miniseries]
61		2012	Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns	Comic	[Collects "Batman Beyond (2012)" chapters 1-18]
62		2013	Batman Beyond: Batgirl Beyond	Comic	[Collects "Batman Beyond" #19-29] This volume also includes the unrelated issues #1-2 of Batman Beyond (1999), skip them. See "Optional Comics" tab for details on those.
63		2011	Superman Beyond: Man of Tomorrow	Comic	[Collects "Superman/Batman Annual 4", "Superman Beyond #0", and "Superman Beyond" #1-10]
64		2012	Justice League Beyond: Konstriction	Comic	[Collects "Justice League Beyond" #1-16]
65		2013	Justice League Beyond: In Gods We Trust	Comic	[Collects "Justice League Beyond" #17-25 and "Superman Beyond" #11-20 ]
66		2013	Batman Beyond 2.0: Rewired	Comic	[Collects "Batman Beyond 2.0" #1-16]
67		2013	Justice League Beyond 2.0: Power Struggle	Comic	[Collects "Justice League Beyond 2.0" #1-16]
68		2014	Batman Beyond 2.0: Justice Lords Beyond	Comic	This is the big crossover between the two series, and the grand finale to the DCAU as a whole! [Collects "Batman Beyond 2.0" #17-24, and "Justice League Beyond 2.0" #17-24]
69		2014	Batman Beyond 2.0: Mark of the Phantasm	Comic	An epilogue to the epilogue. [Collects "Batman Beyond 2.0" #25-40]
70
71
72	- E X T R A - G O D S & M O N S T E R S
73		NOTE: Gods & Monsters is a unique project made by the same creative staff, and in the same art style as the DCAU, but it does NOT take place in the DCAU. Rather, it is a darker reimagining of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. I'm listing it here because even though it is not DCAU, it is related, and fans of one will almost certainly be fans of the other.
74		YEAR	TITLE	TYPE	NOTES
75		2015	Justice League: Gods & Monsters (comic)	Comic	A small collection of prequel comics set in this universe that tells the origins of the three main characters.
76		2015	Justice League: Gods & Monsters Chronicles	Shorts	3 animated shorts that preceded the main film.
77		2015	Justice League: Gods & Monsters	Film	The main course.
78
79		CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER GUIDES! Movies, Comics, Games, and more!