Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

Ask anyone to name the best animated shows ever made and Batman: The Animated Series will be on every list. The Joker is one of animation's great characters. The Gotham as a noir city theme gives it lasting relevance.

I watched Batman: The Animated Series as a kid and rewatched it as an adult. It's even better the second time. Kevin Conroy as the definitive Batman is only apparent when you're older. The Joker remains one of the great animated characters.

You can watch Batman: The Animated Series for pure entertainment or for something more meaningful. Either way you win. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's ability to layer complexity into seemingly simple stories is remarkable. Kevin Conroy as the definitive Batman is evidence of a master.

What makes Batman: The Animated Series work is the characters. The Joker is one of the most fully realised animated personalities ever created. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini gave them enough depth that their choices always feel meaningful.

I grew up with Batman: The Animated Series and now I'm watching it with my own children. They love it as much as I did. Kevin Conroy as the definitive Batman is just as effective the twentieth time. True classics work across generations.