The 8 best DC movies and shows on HBO Max - Android

We take a look at the best DC movies and shows now on HBO Max, including both classic and recent releases.

The new HBO Max streaming service is promoting itself, in part, by claiming it has a large number of DC Comics movies and shows available to binge-watch. While that’s certainly true, it’s currently leaving out a number of major DC movies and shows. HBO Max plans to add these films and TV series to its library over the next year. 

Read: Best movies on HBO Max

In the meantime, let’s look at the best DC movies and shows that are currently available on the service. You can sign up for HBO Max at the link below, with a seven-day free trial, or you might be able to get the service for free.

Best DC movies on HBO Max

Editor’s note: We will update this list of the best DC Comics movies on HBO Max regularly as new ones are released on the streaming service.

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Wonder Woman

Before this 2017 DC Comics movie was released, many fans wondered if a female-led superhero movie would work. In the end, they didn’t need to worry. Director Patty Jenkins made us love this Amazon warrior by making her something of a fish out of water. After her home island of Themyscira gets briefly invaded by Germans during WWI, Diana, played perfectly by Gal Gadot, thinks she is the only one that can stop this world war. She’s strong, idealistic, and powerful in this movie as she makes her way into the real world. She also discovers that her mission is a bit more complicated than she thought. This is definitely one of the best DC Comics movies on HBO Max.

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Aquaman

Aquaman never really got the respect he deserved for a long time, even among many DC Comics fans. That all changed when Jason Momoa was cast as the water-breathing human and heir to the throne of Atlantis. He’s a powerful figure who looks like he would be at home riding a Harley as much as he would be riding a shark. Aquaman needs to become the hero he needs to be. Ocean Master, played by Patrick Wilson, wants to not only lead Atlantis but invade the surface world as well. This 2018 movie also gets some help via some great visual effects depicting the undersea kingdom.

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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Parts 1 and 2

In 1986, Frank Miller wrote and drew the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns mini-series for DC Comics. It was a huge hit, and its portrayal of a darker and more serious Batman has been a heavy influence on both the comics and the many Batman movies ever since. In 2012, we finally got a faithful animated adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns.

Broken up in two parts, the animated movie shows a much older Bruce Wayne who has been retired from his Batman persona for many years. However, Gotham City’s crime is still getting worse, so Bruce puts on the cape and cowl once again. The animation is solid, and there are great voice performances from Peter Weller as Batman, and especially Michael Emerson as the Joker. It makes this two-part film one of the best DC animated movies. It’s also one of the best DC Comics HBO Max properties you can stream.

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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Yes, this is a controversial choice for our Best DC Comics movie list on HBO Max. We are not huge fans of Jesse Eisenberg’s version of Lex Luthor. However, this 2016 movie directed by Zack Snyder still has a lot to like about it. It has some great performances by Ben Affleck as Batman and Jeremy Irons as Alfred. It also has some impressive action sequences, and it’s the debut of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

This movie will get you ready for the “Snyder Cut” of Justice League, coming exclusively to HBO Max in 2021. (Yes, the theatrical version of Justice League is also one of the DC Comics HBO Max properties you can stream, but we would not recommend that to anyone).

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Joker

There’s something about Batman’s greatest enemy that brings out the best in the actors that portray the Clown Prince of Crime. In the case of this 2019 movie, it brought out the best in Joaquin Phoenix in this origin story for the character. His performance as the mentally ill Arthur Fleck gives the audience an understanding of why this sad person would turn into a murderous criminal. There’s no Batman in this movie, but Joker still has something to say about how we treat people with mental health issues. It’s definitely one of the best DC movies on HBO Max.

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Shazam!