Netflix is about to become the go-to place for multiple animated DC shows

In a certainly surprising series of events, it turns out that HBO isn’t going to be the only place that you can catch a number of beloved DC properties – with a number of classic animated shows from the comic book franchise making their way to Netflix in May. 

Granted, these series likely have little to no bearing on the DCU as envisioned by James Gunn and Warner Bros, but nonetheless – you won’t need to fork out for HBO Max if you’re after a hit of animated DC nostalgia by way of Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and The Batman (again – not the Matt Reeves live-action movie). The former two shows arrive on May 8, while the latter will land on May 22. That’s not to say HBO Max will no longer be offering these animated classics – as far as we’re aware, the three shows will be available across both streaming platforms. 

Justice League (not to be confused with Zack Snyder’s live-action film) served as a follow-up team up series to some of DC’s O.G. animated shows such as the timeless Batman: The Animated Series, doing the Avengers thing way before Marvel pulled off the same feat in live-action. Justice League was then followed up with and rebranded as Justice League: Unlimited. The Batman, meanwhile, exists as a separate entity to the previous shows.

While this is undoubtedly a win for DC fans with a Netflix subscription, we’d be seriously surprised if upcoming animated projects that will exist within James Gunn’s DCU will end up on the streaming services. For instance, Creature Commandos (which will serve as the first official entry in the “Gods and Monsters” arc) isn’t likely to venture off HBO Max any time soon after it arrives.

For the time being, the next big thing on the horizon for DC is of course The Flash, which arrives in theaters on June 16, 2023.