Need more superheroes in your life? Marathon these DC movies tonight

For all of you superhero fans, 2020 was a year of famine. No new action-packed films, no new incredible animated series or movies, and no hilarious panels where the stars roast each other into oblivion. 

This has been especially hard for DC fans. Things were already looking rough for the DCEU before COVID-19, but there’s at least a glimmer of hope due to the release of the Snyder Cut of Justice League as well as the announcements of Suicide Squad dropping this summer and the newest Batman scheduled to take the screen next March. Of course, these releases seem so far away, so that is little consolation for fans. 

Luckily, we flew through the internet to find the must-watch DC movies that’ll help give you the fix of action you need. 

Grab your trident and let’s speed through this list of DC movies you can marathon right now. 

Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)

Most people think of the Dark Knight of Gotham when they think of superheroes. His brooding, intelligence, and fun gadgets make him one of the most iconic heroes ever to grace the silver screen. 

However, one of his most successful outings in the minds of fans was the animated film Batman: The Killing Joke. Based on the comic of the same name, it details the most epic battle between Batman and his longtime nemesis, the Crown Prince of Crime himself, The Joker. The two clash over Joker’s newfound scheme to drive Commissioner Gordan insane, with many of Batman’s allies, including Barbara Gordan – aka Batgirl – getting caught in the crossfire. 

The movie is incredibly animated, giving you chills throughout as The Joker’s plan unfolds. It tells a gripping story that many Batman fans have been talking about ever since its release and is a fantastically dark introduction to Batman for the uninitiated. It is currently available on Netflix, so add it to your queue if you’re looking for a superhero film with dark twists & turns. 

Shazam! (2019)

Not a fan of dark & brooding avengers of justice? No worries! This next film might be more your speed. 

Shazam! was a recent addition to the DCEU (and considered by many to be one of the better ones). The classic origin of Billy Batson being gifted supernatural abilities by the wizard Shazam to defend against a rising evil is not only action packed, but is fun for the whole family. 

The movie is filled with great humor and heart, partly due to the easy-to-follow story and partly because of Asher Angel and Zachary Levi’s incredible performances as the main character (yes, you read that right; watch the movie, it’ll make sense). The film is currently available on Amazon Prime and YouTube, so give it a watch and you’ll be laughing faster than you can yell “Shazam!” 

Watchmen (2009) 

One reason some people state they aren’t fans of the superhero genre is often because it lacks realism. The stacks seem too overblown, the characters can sometimes be a bit over the top, etc. 

 It seems as if comic writers Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and Len Wein heard these reasons, because they came back with the Watchmen comics, which Zack Snyder carried to the big screen. It tells the story of retired superheroes who, after one of their own is murdered, must uncover the truth which leads into a winding web of deception. 

The movie is an incredibly realistic take on what would happen if superheroes were a part of everyday life. While that idea seems like a common one now thanks to shows like The Boys, Moore’s take is equally bloody but the characters are not as deplorable (at least some of them). 

The film asks a lot of questions about society, morality and our idea of heroes, making it a film that can really stand the test of time. It’s currently on HBO Max – as is the follow-up TV series of the same name – so give it a watch if you want a film with both big explosions and big questions. 

Superman Returns (2006) 

The Blue Boy Scout has had a rough time. Most people these days don’t really care about a hero like him, all squeaky clean with godlike powers and little consequence for his actions. That no longer seems real to us. However, this film did dare to look a little deeper at the shockwaves Superman leaves behind, especially when he decides to go exploring the cosmos. 

The film takes place after the classic Reeves films, specifically after the events of Superman II. Clark Kent returns to Earth expecting things to remain the same, and in some ways, he’s right as Lex is still trying to take over the world, but in others, his absence was felt as Lois is set to be married to a new man, Richard White, and even had a son. 

While the execution of the film left something to be desired, it did bring up some interesting ideas about Superman, namely that his actions should have consequences that not even his powers can fix. 

The film captured the humanity of Superman as well as the nostalgia of the Reeves movies, partly due to Brandon Routh’s performance as the main character. The film is currently on Amazon Prime & HBO Max, so if you need a nostalgia fix, this is the film for you. 

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Have any other high flying DC movies to recommend? Drop them below in the comments so we can get watching faster than a speeding bullet!