These 8 Shows Desperately Wanted To Be the Next 'Batman: The Animated Series'

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Batman fighting the Joker in Batman the Animated Series.

Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.

One of the greatest animated shows of all time is Batman: The Animated Series, known for its psychological focus and insight into the villains. Many other superhero shows or cartoons have come out since, but none have matched the quality of BTAS. However, some cartoons went a step further, trying to be the next Batman: The Animated Series.

This list ranks the animated shows that tried to be the next Batman: The Animated Series, based on how closely they replicated it. From factors such as competing with BTAS for quality, popularity, dark aesthetic, complex villains, cinematic score, large stakes, story similarities, and general connections, these shows tried and failed to replicate BTAS' success, not to say they aren't good series.

1 'X-Men: The Animated Series' (1992–1997)

Fans can expect a lot of superhero cartoons on this list, and one of the most famous is X-Men: The Animated Series. While fans can experience the continuation of the series in X-Men '97, nothing beats the original, which followed the titular hero group and members such as Wolverine (Cal Dodd), Cyclops (Norm Spencer), Rogue (Lenore Zann), Charles Xavier (Cedric Smith), and Jubilee (Alyson Court) as they battle villains, including Magneto (David Hemblen).

X-Men: The Animated Series is last on this list for many reasons, including its leaning toward pop art rather than the noir aesthetic seen in Batman: The Animated Series, and its ensemble cast rather than a lone protagonist. Still, the similarities include its psychological, sophisticated plot that explores social themes such as prejudice and loss. X-Men: The Animated Series, more than anything, tried to replicate BTAS' success and popularity by adapting its own beloved characters, and it is arguably the most significant success on this list, and one of the best superhero animated series.

2 'Cybersix' (1999)

Cybersix looks over her shoulder against a dark sky in Cybersix.

A lot of the cartoons on this list are well-known and somewhat popular. However, one of the lesser-known series on this list is Cybersix, a classic 1990s animated show whose popularity has faded. The protagonist is an android who cross-dresses as a man to hide her identity. While she is a teacher during the day, she takes to the city at night to fight against her evil creator and all of their minions.

Cybersix is arguably the closest to Batman: The Animated Series in terms of aesthetic, matching its dark deco vibe. BTAS revolutionized the animation scene by drawing on black paper, really nailing that aesthetic, and Cybersix follows suit, creating a shadowy, bleak, and melancholic tone. Cybersix felt a bit darker, more adult-oriented, and avant-garde, but that originality sets it apart further, making it a unique international series that more fans should check out.

3 'Batman: Caped Crusader' (2024–)

Batman: The Animated Series isn’t the only Batman cartoon, and while a lot tried to replicate it, none succeeded. The most recent iteration of the character comes from Batman: Caped Crusader, which delves back into the original vibes of the character. Batman, voiced by Hamish Linklater, tries to handle the crime in Gotham City. While the GCPD tries to help, he causes unforeseen complications, stirring the pot with some of the most dangerous criminals, such as Penguin (Minnie Driver), Two-Face (Diedrich Bader), Clayface (Dan Donohue), and Onomatopoeia (Reid Scott).

Batman: Caped Crusader is a spiritual successor to Batman: The Animated Series, even having the same creative minds. Stripping away modern gadgets, this series feels like the classic comics again, showcasing its 1940s detective noir roots. The creators could stretch their creative wings with the mature rating, but it still features the psychological intensity and atmospheric tone. Batman: Caped Crusader might not be as critically acclaimed, but it is still an excellent Batman cartoon.

4 'Spawn: The Animated Series' (1997–1999)

Spawn stands in a city at night with a large moon behind in the Spawn animated series.

One of the most unique superheroes is Spawn; fans aren't sure whether he is Marvel, DC, or neither, but either way, he is a fantastic character who got his own animated series. Spawn: The Animated Series, also known as Todd McFarlane's Spawn, is set during a battle between heaven and hell, and the titular hero uses his dark powers to fight against the forces of evil.

Batman: The Animated Series is a cartoon for kids, but it was mature enough for adults to enjoy as well. Spawn: The Animated Series, on the other hand, went full-on adult animation, using what was popular with BTAS, and making it even darker. It is also a dark cartoon set in an urban environment, where a tragic hero fights a seemingly hopeless battle. It may not have reached the same heights, but Spawn is an underrated watch.

5 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' (2003–2009)

The turtles hold weapons with Splinter in the center in the 2003 animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The 1980s and 1990s were an excellent time for cartoons, and one of the greatest franchises of those decades was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, the 2000s revived the series with another animated series, following the four brothers and their master on plenty of adventures. Together, they wage a war on crime, battling foes such as the Foot Clan, cyborgs, and low-life crooks.

After decades of campy, toy-focused shows and tone, the 2003 reboot was a deliberate pivot to a grittier tone that matched the original comic. After the success of Batman: The Animated Series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles felt it was right to faithfully adapt the darker side of the franchise as well. Darker color palettes, nighttime rooftop battles, and a series tone, this show felt like BTAS with a TMNT twist. Despite overt similarities, this cartoon stands on its own as an excellent series in the franchise.

6 'Superman: The Animated Series' (1996–2000)

After the success of Batman: The Animated Series, DC kept the ball rolling, creating the DCAU. The next show in this universe was Superman: The Animated Series, which naturally followed the next-most-popular DC hero. Superman (Tim Daly) tries to hide his identity while saving Metropolis from countless threats, such as Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown), Darkseid (Michael Ironside), and Brainiac (Corey Burton).

Superman: The Animated Series is arguably the show that tried most to be the next Batman: The Animated Series. The tone, story, themes, and overall premise are different since it follows Superman, but it tries to replicate its success. One element it shares in common is the 1930s Art Deco architecture and futuristic technology. The villain-of-the-week format returns, and while it doesn’t delve into the same level of complexity, Superman: The Animated Series is a timeless cartoon that is one of DC's best TV shows.

7 'Batman Beyond' (1999–2001)

This list features a couple of Batman cartoons, but the only other series in the DCAU is Batman Beyond, which reimagined the character as a teenager in the future. When thugs kill his father, Terry (Will Friedle) discovers the truth about Batman, who became a myth after decades of absence. Terry now dons the cape and cowl, fighting against the new threats of Gotham, who are much more advanced than they used to be, but some things never change.

Batman Beyond dared to do something new with the character, and while it wasn’t everyone's cup of tea, it became a legendary cartoon that many fans still love. The vibe and psychological focus aren't there, but it invents a new aesthetic that is cyberpunk and distinct. The villains remain complex and relate to the themes, strengthening the core of the story. It may be a new mask, but Batman Beyond feels a lot like Batman: The Animated Series while also doing something fresh.

8 'Gargoyles' (1994–1997)

'Gargoyles' characters Goliath and Elisa standing together, voiced by Keith David and Salli Richardson respectively.

Most of the shows on this list are superhero-focused, but sometimes the most similar series take on a completely different genre, as was the case with Gargoyles. Stone by day, warriors by night, the Gargoyles were betrayed by the humans, now frozen in stone for thousands of years. However, after the curse is broken, Gargoyles roam the night again, protecting the city as it sleeps.

Gargoyles was Disney's response to Batman: The Animated Series, matching its Gothic architecture and dark plot aimed towards a younger audience while still being mature. It changed the perception of what a Disney cartoon could be, showcasing a darker series with brooding, misunderstood characters. Gargoyles is an underrated classic that tried to be Batman: The Animated Series, and while it failed, it is still a magnificent show.