Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest on the streaming services. Note that streaming availability can change with little to no notice.
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What Is It?
Batman: The Animated Series arrived on television in 1992 and presented a very different version of the character than the earlier animated versions on television as well as the camp-classic 1966 TV series. The show proved quite popular and continued through the ’90s with new episodes while also spinning off Batman: Beyond, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and more to create what became known as the DC Animated Universe (DCAU).
Why Watch It?
Batman: The Animated Series debuted in 1992 and kicked off a new era in animation for the DC comic book characters. While Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and more had previously appeared in shows like Super Friends, those were geared to a younger audience and have not stood the test of time as well. When Batman: The Animated Series arrived in 1992 on Saturday mornings, it took the lead from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film and delivered a darker take on the Caped Crusader. Developed by Bruce Timm, the show was still suitable for Saturday morning viewing, but it had much less of a kid-friendly approach and appealed to older viewers as well. Across its eighty-five episode run, the show delivered an updated take on the Batman mythos and is currently considered one of the greatest animated series of all time. It continued with new episodes in 1997’s The New Batman Adventures, and that was followed by Batman Beyond, also from Bruce Timm, in which a new hero takes up the cape and cowl in a futuristic setting. That show was also well-received and is considered a notable Batman television entry. Also part of the same continuity was Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, all three of which Timm was involved with as well. These made up what came to be known as the DCAU, and arguably they did a better job with the DC superheroes than the recent DCEU movies. And personally, I enjoyed the animated shows better than The CW’s Arrow-verse entries (though those do have their merit).
Where Is It Streaming?
All of the DCAU shows are currently available for streaming on HBO Max. That is the streaming offshoot of HBO that offers much of the premium cable channel’s same catalog on demand and also has additional originals and acquisitions available in its lineup. Many of the animated, direct-to-video DC movies are also available like Batman: The Killing Joke, Justice League Dark, and The Death of Superman, though not all of those are connected to the DCAU. 1993’s Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is tied to the same continuity, and that one is available on HBO Max. If you already have a subscription to HBO, then you should have access to HBO Max as well. If not, you can sign up for at little as $10.99 per month, and you may want to do that soon if you are interested, because there is no telling how the potential Paramount buyout could impact the pricing.
DCAU Shows Available to Stream on HBO Max:
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Superman: The Animated Series (1996)
The New Batman Adventures (1997)
Batman Beyond (1999)
Justice League (2001)
Justice League Unlimited (2004)
Keep up with the status of all the current sci fi and fantasy shows as well as news and updates on new and upcoming shows at CancelledSciFi.com.
Cancellation Watch: Status updates and breaking news on renewals and cancellations
Sci Fi TV Highlights: Listings for the upcoming week along with the latest sci fi TV news and trailers.
Sci Fi TV Production Report: News on which sci fi TV shows are moving into production.
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