Cancel your parties and put on your PJs, because New Year’s Day is going to be a great day for streaming. Fans of The Dark Knight will be able to ring in the New Year with their favorite animatedBatmanfilms. In line with other recent animated DC additions like the animated seriesCreature Commandos,Maxis giving fans access to two classic Batman animated tales for the New Year, withBatman: Mask of The PhantasmandThe Killing Jokeall set to land on Max on June 03, 2025.
DC is on a roll with its animated projects, having recently announced the release date forthe upcoming animated Robin film titledDynamic Duo.Although the film surrounding two of Batman’s sidekicks isn’t slated to be released until 2028, Max is beefing up their animated Batman library in early preparation for the big release. WhileMask of the Phantasmis one of the most popular animated Batman films, or DC films for that matter,The Killing Jokesadly does not have the same place in Batman fans' hearts. Still, its arrival on Max is sure to have fans smiling.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasmis perhaps the most beloved Batman animated film, as it goes hand in hand with the most loved Batman series,Batman: The Animated Series.Many fans use their Letterboxd reviews of the film to gush over how much better the animated movie intended for children is than the live-action movies made for adults. “Warner Bros: Hey can you rush out a cheap cartoon Batman movie for kids? The filmmakers: Sure. Also we’re gonna make it a tragedy about two adults whose reactions to trauma cost them their happiness, and it’s going to have more elegant dialogue and character work and denser storytelling than any live-action Batman movie,” says userPatrick Williams. Fellow fanJames (Schaffrillas)adds, “Turns out the best Batman stories are the ones that actually deconstruct his philosophy and him as a character in general, who knew.”
‘Mask of the Phantasm’ Is Held Aloft as One of the Best Batman Movies…but the Same Can’t Be Said of ‘The Killing Joke’
Released back in 1993,Batman: Mask of the Phantasmfollows Kevin Conroy’s Dark Knight as he is pitted against a mysterious figure who is rubbing out Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals. The animted outing is still considered by many to bethe best Batman movie, even better than the likes ofThe Dark KnightandThe Batman.On the other hand, while its story might bean integral part of Batman history,The Killing Jokeis nowhere near fans' favorite.
Batman Brought Us One of the Darkest Christmas Movies of All Time
The 1992 sequel with the Penguin and the Caped Crusader sets its twisted and violent narrative against the backdrop of Christmas in Gotham City.
In Letterboxd reviews of the film, Batman fans often point to the hypocrisy of the story’s message about misogyny andviolence towards womenas a big downside of the film, but also mention the poor quality does not do the comic line justice. “I cannot emphasize how loud my bark of amazed laughter was when batman said, outraged, “no, he’s objectified you!” to batgirl as though he and THE ENTIRE MOVIE did not do EXACTLY THE SAME FUCKING THING like boys ……… you cannot just appropriate feminist terminology while simultaneously aggressively promoting the very reason it is necessary,” saysclownhead, adding, “though I guess it was truly incredible to appreciate that all the men involved in making this had only one (1) brain cell that they popped out and shared between them like dollar store Fates.”
Find out for yourself by watching both animated films on Max starting June 18, 2025.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
