When “The Batman” dropped back in 2022, I was pleasantly surprised. It was dark, stylish, and everything you’d want in a fresh take on Gotham’s protector. Robert Pattinson proved he has the chops to handle the pressure of playing one of the most famous superheroes of all time, bringing a brooding intensity that made the film feel like a detective noir wrapped in a blockbuster. But “The Batman” is just the continuation of Warner Bros. (and now Max) long history with the DC universe of superheroes, from the entire Justice League saga to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy to animated classics. If you’re looking for the best streamer to binge the biggest DC superhero movies, it’s definitely Max.

Everything you need to know about the best streamer DC Universe superhero movies

What Superman movies can you watch on Max?

Before Christopher Reeve put on the cape, superhero movies weren’t really a thing. Then came “Superman”, and everything changed. Directed by Richard Donner, this 1978 classic turned the Man of Steel into a full-blown cinematic icon, with Reeve bringing the perfect mix of charm and heroism. It was such a hit that it spawned three sequels: “Superman II” (widely considered one of the best superhero sequels ever), “Superman III” (which went a little too heavy on comedy), and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (which, let’s be honest, wasn’t the best send-off).

But even with their ups and downs, these films set the foundation for every Superman movie that followed. You can stream them all right now on Max, or check out the full guide to the original Superman films here.

Then, after nearly two decades without a Superman movie, Bryan Singer brought the Man of Steel back to the big screen with “Superman Returns.” Meant as a direct sequel to the Christopher Reeve films, this one saw Brandon Routh step into the cape, channeling Reeve’s classic charm while giving Superman a more modern edge. The story picks up after Superman has been gone for five years, only to return and find that the world - especially Lois Lane - has moved on. Meanwhile, Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor is back with another world-ending scheme, because, of course, he is. The movie had sky-high expectations, and while it didn’t quite spark a new era of Superman films, it’s still a visually stunning, nostalgia-fueled ride that’s worth checking out.

Finally, Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” was a total reset for Superman, ditching the classic, hopeful vibe of the Reeve era for something darker, more intense, and packed with city-flattening action. Henry Cavill stepped in as a brooding, conflicted Superman, trying to find his place in a world that fears him. The movie gave us a fresh look at Krypton, an all-out brawl with General Zod, and some of the most jaw-dropping superhero action sequences ever put on screen.

But Snyder didn’t stop there—he doubled down with ”Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” where Cavill’s Superman faced off against Ben Affleck’s battle-hardened, paranoid Batman. It was the first time these two icons shared the big screen, and while the movie had its share of controversy (Martha, anyone?), it set the stage for the entire DC Extended Universe. Love them or hate them, these films redefined Superman for a new generation.

What Batman movies can you watch on Max?

The short answer is plenty of great ones. Working backward, there’s Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” which took the Caped Crusader back to his detective roots, and it absolutely delivered. Dark, moody, and dripping with atmosphere, this version of Gotham feels straight out of a noir thriller, with Robert Pattinson playing a younger, more unhinged Bruce Wayne still figuring out what it means to be Batman. Paul Dano’s Riddler brings a terrifying, Zodiac Killer-style menace, and the entire film is packed with gorgeous cinematography, great action, and a killer Batmobile chase that’ll make your speakers shake.

But the story isn’t over — ”The Batman Part II” is on the way in 2027, and while details are still under wraps, expect Reeves to go even deeper into this gritty, grounded version of Gotham.

Before the reboot, it was Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy that didn’t just redefine Batman—it changed superhero movies forever. It all started with “Batman Begins,” a grounded, character-driven origin story that turned Bruce Wayne’s transformation into the Dark Knight into something raw and real.

Then came “The Dark Knight,” a crime thriller disguised as a superhero movie, with Heath Ledger delivering an all-time great performance as the Joker. And finally, “The Dark Knight Rises” wrapped things up with an epic send-off, pitting Batman against Bane in a high-stakes battle for Gotham’s soul. These movies still hold up, and if you somehow haven’t seen them yet, now’s your chance to stream one of the greatest trilogies of all time.

Finally, there’s the original Batman movies, a wild ride through Gotham that gave us everything from gothic noir to neon-soaked chaos. It all starts with Tim Burton’s ”Batman,” where Michael Keaton’s brooding Bruce Wayne faces off against Jack Nicholson’s iconic, over-the-top Joker. Burton doubles down on the dark fairy tale vibes with “Batman Returns,” throwing in Michelle Pfeiffer’s unforgettable Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s grotesque Penguin. Then came the shift – “Batman Forever” goes full blockbuster, swapping Keaton for Val Kilmer and bringing in Jim Carrey’s scene-stealing Riddler.

And finally, there’s ”Batman & Robin,” the infamous, over-the-top spectacle with George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pun-heavy Mr. Freeze, and enough camp to last a lifetime. Love them or laugh at them, these movies helped define Batman on the big screen.

What other DC Universe superhero movies can you stream on Max?

Joining Batman and Superman on Max is the third member of the DC’s Trinity, Wonder Woman. When “Wonder Woman” hit theaters, it wasn’t just another superhero movie - it was a moment. Gal Gadot stepped into the role and absolutely owned it, bringing power, heart, and just the right amount of charm to Diana Prince’s origin story. The World War I setting, the iconic No Man’s Land sequence, and Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor all made this one an instant classic. Then came “Wonder Woman 1984,” which leaned into bright ‘80s nostalgia, with Diana facing off against Kristen Wiig’s Cheetah and Pedro Pascal’s wish-granting Max Lord. It might not have hit as hard as the first, but it’s still a fun ride with plenty of heart.

Then there’s the Justice League. The road to 2017’s “Justice League” was anything but smooth, and the two versions of the film prove just how different a superhero team-up can be. The 2017 theatrical cut was a mix of Zack Snyder’s original vision and Joss Whedon’s last-minute rewrites, resulting in a lighter, quippier take that left a lot of fans wanting more. Then came “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” a four-hour epic that restored Snyder’s darker, more mythic version of the story, complete with expanded character arcs, a terrifying Darkseid reveal, and way more slow-motion.

Of course, it all started with “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” the movie that set the stage for DC’s biggest heroes to collide before teaming up. Whether you love Snyder’s bold, operatic take on the DC universe or just want to compare both versions, you can stream them all now on Max.

Moving away from DC’s big three, there are plenty of other superheroes to check out. “The Flash” finally gave Barry Allen his own movie, playing with time travel, alternate realities, and some major cameos. Then there’s “Aquaman” and ”Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” where Jason Momoa turns the often-mocked underwater hero into a full-blown action star. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, “Shazam!” and its sequel ”Shazam! Fury of the Gods” mix superhero action with goofy, big-kid energy.

On the flip side, “Black Adam” was DC’s attempt at an antihero epic, with The Rock playing a god-like warrior who doesn’t do second chances. And if you want to see DC’s biggest misfire? There’s always “Green Lantern,” the movie that made Ryan Reynolds switch sides to Marvel. Whether you’re looking for epic battles, comedy, or just a bit of chaos, Max has plenty of DC heroes to dive into.