HBO Max is the home to many exciting fantasy movies, but there is one DC film that fans of the genre might have a fun time getting to discover. Sure, superhero movies have been the talk of the town in Hollywood for the past decade, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe hitting its stride and the DCEU movie franchise (now rebooted as the DCU).
That has led to many growing tired of superhero content, which is why multiple films have faltered at the box office. However, I believe that superhero fatigue does not mean that every project from the genre is going to be a letdown. DC’s upcoming movies paint a bright future, and there have been a few exciting superhero films that have genre-hopped recently.
As a fan of fantasy movies and shows, I was excited to explore a growing franchise in a pocket of the DC universe. Not tied to any cinematic universes, this fantasy movie franchise feels unique not only in the vast sea of superhero offerings but also in terms of other fantasy projects. As such, I highly recommend it to fans of both genres alike.
Batman Ninja Is The Perfect Fantasy Movie With Superheroes
2018’s Batman Ninja movie, which holds an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score, reinvents DC’s most popular hero. After the Dark Knight, Batman villains, and fellow Bat-Family heroes are hit by Gorilla Grodd’s Quake engine, they are sent through time and space to feudal Japan. However, it is not what one would expect from the time period, with a fantasy makeover to feudal Japan, courtesy of the DC characters appearing.
The DC movie’s animation style is unique, mostly composed of stylized 3D that makes the film pop and adds to the fantastical nature of the adventure that unfolds. Additionally, having a DC film that taps into the anime isekai genre is quite interesting, as it allows fans to explore their favorite characters in a completely different context.
Batman is joined by a slew of DC characters, including Nightwing, Catwoman, the Joker, Harley Quinn, Red Hood, Red Robin, Damian Wayne, and many more. The mix between Batman’s mythos, feudal Japan, and robotic castles makes Batman Ninja one of DC’s most intriguing concepts for superhero fans and those simply looking for an immersive world to get lost in on HBO Max.
Batman Ninja Is The Start Of A Unique DC Fantasy Franchise
Another point in Batman Ninja‘s favor is that the movie is the start of a new DC franchise. Earlier this year, a sequel was released, titled Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. As the name suggests, the film establishes the franchise’s version of the Justice League, which comes from another universe and fights Batman and his allies.
Given the intricacies of this universe, I believe that the animated DC franchise is worth investing time in. Any fan looking for a fantasy movie on HBO Max is bound to have a good time with Batman and company interacting with elements from feudal Japan in Batman Ninja and its sequel. The action, animation, and stories in the franchise are among DC’s most unique.
