Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a dark, feature‑length animated thriller set in the world of Batman: The Animated Series. When a mysterious, hooded killer known as the Phantasm begins assassinating Gotham’s mob bosses, eyewitnesses claim Batman is the murderer. Hounded by the police and public outrage, Bruce Wayne must clear his name while tracking a lethal new vigilante whose methods are far deadlier than his own. The film weaves two parallel stories: a tense, noir detective mystery about the identity and motive of the Phantasm, and a tender, bittersweet romance from Bruce’s past when Andrea Beaumont—his long‑lost love—returns to Gotham. As Batman hunts the killer, the story digs into Bruce Wayne’s origins, the choices that formed him, and the cost of vengeance. The Joker also figures into the plot in an unexpected way, raising the stakes and complicating the search for the truth. Viewers can expect moody, stylized animation, brooding atmosphere, sharp action sequences, and mature emotional beats uncommon in many animated superhero films. The movie balances noir suspense, heartbreaking flashbacks, and explosive confrontations, delivering both a mystery and a character study of Batman’s inner life. Fans of crime dramas and character-driven superhero stories will find this a compelling, richly textured entry in the Batman mythos.

Actors: Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner

Directors: Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur

Runtime: 76 min

Genres: Action, Animation, Crime

65 /100 7.8 /10 7.2 /10