Every R-Rated DC Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

3. Justice League Dark

Watchmen Killing Joke
Warner Bros.

Justice League Dark is a film that managed to kill two birds with one stone by simultaneously being both the best R-rated film to prominently feature Batman and the best film period to feature John Constantine.

On that note, this film is exactly what you'd expect from a Batman/Constantine team-up. The impudent smart mouthing is off the charts, the imagery on display is dark and creative, and the combination of gadgets and magic is a very interesting dynamic indeed.

That's not to say that what makes this film great starts and ends with Bruce and John, mind you. Zatanna both gets to have fun and show off the true extent of her power by the time the film is through, Deadman is absolutely hilarious throughout, and the emotional punch related to the story of Etrigan/Jason Blood works very well.

The film's biggest shortcoming is that it noticeably underutilized Swamp Thing and it would have been a lot of fun had the writers decided to flesh out his relationship with Constantine.

That aside, however, Justice League Dark is still an exceptional DC animated feature that isn't afraid to use its rating go to some exceptionally grim places (most notably in its relentless opening sequence), manages to get a solid laugh now and again to break the tension of it all, makes great use of its main characters, and tells a solid story that feels right at home in its universe.

Between all of that, Justice League Dark is a prime example of the animated DC features showing the live-action films how it's done. Speaking of which...

Contributor
Contributor

A film-loving wrestling fan from west Texas who will live and die by the statement that Return of the Jedi is the best Star Wars movie and unironically cherishes the brief moment and time when Deuce & Domino were WWE Tag Team Champions. Hates honey, but loves honey mustard.