When most people argue about the best Batman film, the same names come up like clockwork: Michael Keaton’s brooding turn opposite Jack Nicholson’s manic Joker in Batman (1989); Christian Bale’s growling Dark Knight taking on Heath Ledger’s legendary villain in The Dark Knight (2008). But there’s one Batman film that quietly holds a perfect score – 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – and it doesn’t star either of these heavyweights.
That film is Batman: Under the Red Hood.
Released straight to video in 2010, Under the Red Hood doesn’t have the big Hollywood sheen of Nolan’s trilogy or Tim Burton’s gothic spectacle. What it does have is a story that cuts deeper than most live-action blockbusters ever dare.
At its heart, Under the Red Hood tackles one of the darkest chapters in Batman lore: the death – and resurrection – of Jason Todd, the second Robin. It’s a story that comic fans know well, but the film brings it to brutal, brilliant life with an emotional punch that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Bruce Greenwood voices Batman with a weary gravitas, while Jensen Ackles gives Jason Todd a raw edge as the vengeful Red Hood.
John DiMaggio’s Joker is different too – less polished chaos, more unsettling brute – and some fans argue it’s one of the most underrated takes on the Clown Prince of Crime.
What makes Under the Red Hood stand out isn’t flashy gadgets or exploding cityscapes, but a question that nags at Batman’s core: how far is too far when fighting evil?
Jason’s return forces Bruce Wayne to face the one line he swore he’d never cross – and whether that vow has cost more than it’s saved.
Critics and fans agree: Under the Red Hood doesn’t waste a second of its 75-minute runtime. It’s tight, stylish, and surprisingly mature for an animated superhero film.
The dialogue crackles, the action is crisp, and the emotional stakes feel real.
Yet despite the perfect score, this gem remains under the radar for many casual fans. Maybe it’s because it’s animated, or because it skipped cinemas altogether.
But for Batman purists and newcomers alike, it’s arguably the purest distillation of what makes Gotham’s vigilante so compelling: the tragedy, the moral grey zones, and the villains that are never just bad for the sake of it.
So next time you’re ready to rewatch The Dark Knight for the hundredth time, maybe give Batman: Under the Red Hood a shot instead. It might just change your idea of what the “best” Batman film really is.