DC: MOST REWATCHABLE MOVIES

DC Comics has an array of superheroes, many of which are fitting subjects for movies. Many DC movies have been released over the years, ranging from forgettable to absolute masterpieces, both part of the DCEU and separate universes. Heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have been frequent guests on big screens and in entertainment.

While the first-time viewing experience is often the strongest one, that doesn't mean that many of those movies are not enjoyable the second time around. In some cases, knowing the coming twists from the beginning can provide a fresh perspective, and in others, the movie overall is fun enough to make one want to re-experience it, even if it won't be as fresh.

Batman (1989)

See Why Michael Keaton Will Always Be The Batman

• Release date: June 23, 1989
• Director: Tim Burton
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 77%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84%

Batman (1989) is often hailed as the first Batman movie that became widely known, and it was a step up from many previous adaptations. While taking some creative liberties, such as the Joker killing Batman's parents, the movie stays faithful to the dark, gritty, yet somewhat psychedelic atmosphere of canon Gotham.

This movie is a good starting point for getting into the Batman mythos, as it does well to introduce the watcher and is standalone. Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson truly stand out as iconic depictions of Batman and the Joker, and Tim Burton's world is great to immerse into.

Man Of Steel

See The New Origin Of DC's First Hero

• Release date: June 14, 2013
• Director: Zack Snyder
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 56%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 75%

Man of Steel is the first movie to be released in the DCEU. It tells the story of Superman, the first and one of the most famous superheroes of DC Comics. It's a grittier and more realistic approach to Superman that focuses on origins, action, and Clark Kent's self-discovery of the world he comes from, and the dangers that their survivors possess.

Superman steps onto the path of becoming a hero and defending his new world against some Kryptonians who endanger it. It is a satisfying movie on the first run, and rewatching it while having more knowledge about the DCEU and the heroes with whom Superman will team up will put the beginning of his journey into greater context.

The Batman

Dive Into Gotham's Atmospheric Darkness

• Release date: March 4, 2022
• Director: Matt Reeves
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 85%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87%

One of the newer DC movies on the big screen, the most recent Batman movie starring Robert Pattinson, has left a strong impression on audiences. It is widely praised for its haunting atmosphere in a perfectly claustrophobic and hopeless Gotham and for providing an insight into a younger and less experienced Bruce, contrasting with many other depictions of the hero.

The film centers around a mystery, so upon rewatching, viewers will naturally gain a different perspective based on retained information. A rewatch is a great way to see the dreariness of this Gotham, as well as the triumphant turn from vengeance to hope from Batman's symbolic baptism of heroism.

Superman: Doomsday

Witness The Tragic Fall Of The Hero

• Release date: September 18, 2007
• Director: Bruce Timm, Lauren Montgomery, Brandon Vietti
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 57%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 57%

Superman: Doomsday is one of the earlier animated adaptations of the famous comic book storyline that details Superman’s death and resurrection. The movie focuses on the hero’s tragic demise at the hands of Doomsday in a plan orchestrated by Lex Luthor, exploring the suffering other characters endure in the wake of Superman's death.

The movie presents a number of twists and plot lines to invest in, as it eventually reveals Superman’s clone engineered by Lex Luthor who comes in contact with Lois and the other characters. The relationship between Lois and Superman is loving and tragic, and on a rewatch players can witness some thrilling action and classic DC animation.

Wonder Woman

See Gal Gadot As A Titular Amazon Battle Through Man's World

• Release date: June 2, 2017
• Director: Patty Jenkins
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83%

Wonder Woman is one of DC's most iconic heroes, and it was only a matter of time before she got her origin on the big screen. The island of Themyscira and its rejection of mankind is wonderful, but the tale is equally tragic when Diana must face the responsibility and burden of wanting to save mankind from its own vise of war.

Placing Wonder Woman into the conflict of World War 1 is an incredible concept that works beautifully here, and a rewatch is worth it for the growing relationship between Diana Prince and Steve Trevor alone. Seeing why Diana abandoned humanity all those years ago is one of tragedy and understanding.

The Dark Knight Rises

The Finale of Christian Bale's Batman Provides Immense Satisfaction

• Release date: June 20, 2012
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 87%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90%

The Dark Knight Rises is the climactic conclusion to the Nolan Trilogy of Batman movies. It deals with the dangerous terrorist, Bane, who seeks to overtake Gotham and finish what the League of Shadows once started. This pressures Bruce Wayne into once again becoming Batman after an 8-year absence, and a hatred for the consequences of that life.

A rewatch of the Nolan Trilogy isn't complete without its finale, and there are many memorable moments worth engaging upon a second, third, or even fourth viewing. The closing narrative threads and swell of emotion make this the pinnacle of Batman movies to look to.

Shazam!

A Fun Family Experience

• Release date: April 5, 2019
• Director: David F. Sandberg
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82%

Shazam is part of the DCEU and is among the more lighthearted of its movies. It tells the story of Billy Batson, a runaway orphan who struggles with fitting into any family due to his rebellious and independent nature. Eventually, he gains a superpower that allows him to transform into a powerful hero by saying, 'Shazam.'

The movie is exciting on the first watch, and its rewatchability value is enhanced by being centered around the found family, making this movie perfect for a family viewing. It's a fun movie with a lot of heart, and easily accessible for younger audiences and adults alike.

Watchmen

Re-Trace The Mystery Of An Exciting Thriller

• Release date: March 6, 2009
• Director: Zack Snyder
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 65%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 71%

Watchmen is far from a typical Superhero movie, as instead of an overall optimistic and idealistic outlook, it presents the viewers with a Dystopian world where the Cold War tensions have escalated significantly, and outlawed superhumans were a vital part of this new world. It's a gritty alternate-history take on the downfall of heroes and a hopeless world.

Like any thriller, Watchmen includes multiple plot twists that reveal the subtle realities of the protagonist's world, including those about Ozymandias's plans and motivations. Knowing those twists on a rewatch will make viewers see the characters in a completely new light and provide a unique experience.

The Dark Knight

The Ultimate Game Of Cat And Mouse

• Release date: July 18, 2008
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 94%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94%

The Dark Knight is one of the most renowned superhero movies, sometimes even cited as the best. The second part of Nolan's Batman trilogy deals with Batman fighting his most dangerous enemy yet, the Joker, and dealing with the pain and despair that living a double life brings him.

There is a lot to look forward to in this movie on a rewatch. Batman, Joker, and the police play multiple long-term games, which allow the viewers to see the signs beforehand. If they didn't know about Harvey Dent's eventual fate on the first watch, the rewatch would make his story resemble a Greek tragedy where everything leads to a single, hopeless outcome.

2024-09-18T10:36:35Z dg43tfdfdgfd