The best Batman movie is on HBO Max and you didn’t see it

When we talk about Batman films, the big Hollywood blockbusters come to mind – from Tim Burton to Christopher Nolan, including Zack Snyder and Matt Reeves. But surprisingly, the title of best Dark Knight film doesn’t belong to any of these live-action versions. He is in an animation released in 2010, considered to this day the most perfect adaptation of the hero.

We’re talking about Batman Against the Red Hood, which achieved a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes among critics and an impressive 92% approval rating from the public. In other words, this is not an isolated opinion: unanimous among experts and fans places the animation as the definitive production of Bruce Wayne.

The 1h15 feature film adapts the famous comic book of the same name, written by Judd Winick, and delves into one of the hero’s darkest stories. Batman faces a new vigilante in Gotham, the mysterious Red Hood, who adopts violent methods to fight crime. The big revelation behind the character’s identity makes the plot even more impactful and emotional for those who follow the hero’s universe.

Another point that makes the animation special is the way it does not underestimate the viewer. The tone is adult, full of moral dilemmas, violent deaths and deep reflections on the fine line between justice and revenge. No wonder, Against the Red Hood is constantly highlighted as the production that best captured the essence of Batman from the comics.

Batman deserves more attention on HBO

Despite all this recognition, the film never had the same prominence as the cinema versions. Hidden in the HBO Max catalog, it ends up going unnoticed by many subscribers, who perhaps don’t imagine that it is Batman’s best-rated work.

For those who have seen all the live-action versions and are looking for something truly definitive, Batman Against the Red Hood is a must-see. A modern classic, unfairly forgotten, but which proves that the most faithful and powerful version of the hero can be outside the Hollywood spotlight.

If you’re a fan of the Dark Knight, don’t waste time: the best Batman in history is waiting for you on HBO Max.