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9 Years Later, a Sci-Fi Icon’s Ahead-of-Its-Time Computer Thriller Is Rewriting History on Streaming

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No other show has captured the 1980s tech scene better than the 2014 AMC drama series Halt and Catch Fire. It remains the epitome of character-centric stories, set in a time when much of the technology we use today was in its infancy and cost many people a great deal to develop. Halt and Catch Fire was neither loud nor abrasive, yet it captures the tension of a monumental breakthrough with incredible precision. The show ended in 2017, but recent streaming data from FlixPatrol shows renewed interest in it.

Halt and Catch Fire is one of several AMC shows receiving fresh attention on Apple TV’s VOD service. The series is the third most popular show on the service in the US at the time of writing. Other AMC shows on the chart currently include Fear the Walking Dead and Into the Badlands. Halt and Catch Fire was created by Christopher Cantwell and Christopher C. Rogers and was anchored by strong performances from sci-fi icon Lee Pace, as well as Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, and Kelly Bishé.

With near-perfect critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, Halt and Catch Fire remains a masterpiece that stayed true to its identity to the very end. While reviewing the finale for Collider, Emma Fraser praised the show for remaining people-centric even as the tech leaned heavily toward commercialization. “Thankfully, Halt and Catch Fire evolved into something that went beyond a Mad Men retread, and became something that stood on its own, with this final season proving to be leaps and bounds from where it began. It is an achingly beautiful portrayal of four people striving to make something that matters, all the while screwing up relationships and finding a way back to each other. Rebooting, but not erasing, each season improved on the one that came before it,” she wrote in her review.

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What Is the Cast of ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ Up to Currently?

Being some of the most talented actors, the cast of Halt and Catch Fire has achieved significant success in the years following the show’s conclusion. Davis led the critically acclaimed HBO series Station Eleven and starred in the beloved holiday comedy Happiest Season. Pace stars in the Apple TV sci-fi epic Foundation, while Bishé has delivered memorable performances on shows like Super Pumped and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. McNairy has had a successful transition to films with movies like Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, A Complete Unknown, and Nightbitch. McNairy and Davis recently reunited for the horror film Speak No Evil.

Halt and Catch Fire is available to stream on AMC+ in the US or for purchase on Apple TV.


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Release Date

2014 – 2017-00-00

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AMC

Directors
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Juan José Campanella, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Karyn Kusama, Michael Morris, Phil Abraham, Kimberly Peirce, Larysa Kondracki, Terry McDonough, Meera Menon, Reed Morano, Tricia Brock, Andrew McCarthy, So Yong Kim, Craig Zisk, Jon Amiel, Johan Renck, Jake Paltrow, Ed Bianchi

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A Year Before ‘The Godfather,’ Robert Duvall Gave an Unforgettable Performance in George Lucas’ First Movie

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George Lucas Named This ‘Star Wars’ Character After His Son, But Based Him On An Oscar-Winning Actor

One of the most admirable qualities about the late, great Robert Duvall was that he was a true “actor’s actor” who would take parts that may have otherwise seemed undesirable. Although Duvall gave an amazing performance in To Kill A Mockingbird as his first screen role, it would be a decade until he received his major breakthrough and first Academy Award nomination for The Godfather. A year before he created an all-time great character in Tom Hagen, Duvall worked with Francis Ford Coppola’s best friend, George Lucas, on an experimental science fiction thriller based on a short film of the same name. Lucas had made a 15-minute student film called Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB when he was studying at the University of Southern California, and it was so popular that he and Coppola decided to expand it into a feature film for their burgeoning company, American Zoetrope.

Although Lucas would later revolutionize science fiction by creating the ultimate space opera with the Star Wars franchise, THX 1138 was a dark, cynical dystopian thriller that epitomized the paranoia of the 1970s about a totalitarian state. Set in a future in which sexual intercourse, emotion, and any forms of art have been outlawed, THX 1138 stars Duvall as the titular factory worker, who begins to dream of a future beyond the mundanity of the present after falling in love with the enigmatic woman LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie). Lucas has been occasionally criticized for his ability to write dialogue, but THX 1138 succeeded in painting a dismal portrayal of a terrifying alternate reality thanks to the brave, experimental performance by Duvall.

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Robert Duvall Humanized an Unusual Hero in ‘THX 1138′

THX 1138 envisioned a future in which all designs of society, both literal and figurative, were reduced to their most stark and primal. The future is all white, making it impossible for anyone unique to escape, and the technological advances have somehow made incredible leaps forward in science that feel dull and taxing. Duvall had the challenge of playing a character who has had no experience with culture because he hasn’t been exposed to anything other than the propaganda that has been fed to him by the government. It’s an incredibly physical performance that required Duvall to show only the most subtle of emotions, as the police state had enforced zero tolerance for anyone who acted out of line. However, portraying a character who hasn’t been encouraged to experience emotion is different than not having feelings altogether; after his romance with LUH leads him to dream about escaping from the urbanized community that he has spent his entire life in, THX unlocks something inside himself that he has been told to repress. It’s a classic hero’s journey arc that would reappear within the leads in all of Lucas’ films, including Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) in American Graffiti and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in Star Wars.

George Lucas Named This ‘Star Wars’ Character After His Son, But Based Him On An Oscar-Winning Actor


George Lucas Named This ‘Star Wars’ Character After His Son, but Based Him on This Oscar-Winning Actor

Dexter Jettster, meet Jett Lucas.

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Although THX 1138 was a low-budget film that found creative ways to build its universe, Duvall expanded his range as an actor. The romance he shares with LUH is surprisingly potent, as there’s a childlike sense of astonishment that both characters feel from being intimate with one another for the first time. However, Lucas was already proving himself as a great director of action, and Duvall made for a convincing presence during the film’s thrilling chase scenes, in which THX escapes from the police droids. Given that the effects were being developed on set, and could have very easily looked unconvincing, it was impressive that Duvall was able to sell the reality of Lucas’ vision.

‘THX 1138’ Was Ahead of Its Time

THX 1138 is a fascinating film to revisit because it exists as a showcase for two legendary artists who were coming into their own. Lucas would obviously grow more imaginative and ambitious with his subsequent work, but THX 1138 also showed that Duvall was willing to make bold acting choices that may have been divisive at the time; despite how underwhelming it was in its initial window of release, THX 1138 has evolved into a bona fide cult classic that is essential viewing for any serious science fiction buffs. Ironically, Duvall played a purposefully anonymous character who couldn’t have been portrayed by any other actor; THX 1138 was a look into the future that now functions as a time capsule for the New Hollywood era. It won’t be the first film mentioned when discussing the legacy of either Duvall or Lucas, but THX 1138 is a work of artistic genius that has stood the test of time.

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THX 1138 is available to rent or buy on VOD services.


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March 11, 1971

Runtime

86 Minutes

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Director

George Lucas

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Shia LaBeouf’s Estranged Wife ‘Concerned’ About The Actor After Arrest

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Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf during a Disneyland date in 2021

Mia Goth is reportedly “concerned” for her estranged husband, Shia LaBeouf, following his recent run-in with the law.

The “Transformers” actor was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a bar employee in New Orleans. He was released shortly after but hit the streets again, posing with his jail release paperwork in his mouth.

It comes amid reports that Shia LaBeouf uprooted his life from L.A. in hopes of a fresh start in New Orleans following a quiet split from Mia Goth.

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Mia Goth Is ‘Concerned’ For Shia LaBeouf

Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf during a Disneyland date in 2021
Snorlax / MEGA

Shia LaBeouf’s marriage to Mia Goth seemingly hit the rocks early last year, leading to the actor’s subsequent relocation from L.A. to New Orleans in search of a fresh start.

However, there appears to be no animosity between them as they continue to co-parent their daughter, Isabel.

Following LaBeouf’s recent trouble with the law, where he was arrested, sources close to the “MaXXXine” actress told TMZ that she remains deeply “concerned” for the father of her child, even though she has since gotten over him.

They seem to have maintained a cordial relationship amid their marriage problems, with sources noting that they sometimes talk when he wants to connect with their daughter.

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The estranged couple first got together in 2012 on the set of “Nymphomaniac: Vol. II,” after which they started dating on-and-off until they tied the knot in 2016. However, their marriage reportedly got strained in 2018, which led to a temporary split.

Goth and LaBeouf appeared to have reunited in 2020, after which they welcomed Isabel in 2022. They were last seen together when they stepped out for a walk in L.A. in January last year.

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Shia LaBeouf Moved To New Orleans To ‘Reset And Refocus’ After Split From Mia Goth

Shia Labeouf and Mia Goth enjoying the afternoon together
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Following their split, the 39-year-old actor bought a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath Uptown cottage that’s just about 20 minutes from the French Quarter for just over $1milliom.

He reportedly made the decision with family in mind, as he’s very close to his dad, Jeffrey, who lives in the area. LaBeouf has been living alone in the area and seems to be relishing his time in the Big Easy, telling people he came there to “reset and refocus.”

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Reports suggest he has been telling people he’s sober and plans to focus on keeping things straight.

Locals in the area also know him for his black and gray Ram truck, as he frequently cruises around town in the big automobile.

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The Actor Was Arrested Following A Brawl In New Orleans

News about his marriage troubles comes amid LaBeouf’s recent run-in with the law that saw him arrested and charged on two counts of simple battery and a misdemeanor.

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According to the New Orleans Police Department, LaBeouf was taken into custody around 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as officers were called to a business on Royal Street due to claims of “a simple battery where two victims (two adult males) reported being assaulted.”

“Investigators say a man identified as 39-year-old Shia LaBeouf was reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business,” the police report claimed.

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It continued, “A staff member attempted to eject Mr. LaBeouf from the establishment. Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf, who used his closed fists on the victim several times.”

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More About Shia LaBeouf’s Bar Brawl And Arrest Incident

Shia LaBeouf at 23rd Annual Hollywood Film Awards
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA

The police statement also noted that “the victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressively,” as several people attempted to pacify him.

Cops said, “Multiple people attempted to hold him down — he was eventually let up in hopes that he would leave — but he reportedly again struck the same victim with closed fists to the victim’s upper body. LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person, punching him in the nose.”

A viral video containing the altercation LaBeouf was involved in has since hit the internet, in which he can be seen getting beaten up by a man amid attempts to restrain him.

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Heath Ledger knocked out “A Knight's Tale ”director's tooth while fake jousting with a broom

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“After the movie came out, we were demonstrating how to joust to his agent,” director Brian Helgeland reveals for the film’s 25th anniversary.

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Marilyn Monroe’s Former Palm Springs Home Hits Market for $3.3M

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Marilyn Monroe
Former Palm Springs Home Lists For $3.3M!!!

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Amanda Seyfried didn't know she was an executive producer on “The Housemaid”: 'I didn't do s‑‑‑'

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The actress admitted to receiving a “vanity credit” and added, “I don’t want people to get it twisted.”

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Former Prince Andrew Arrested After Release of Epstein Files

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Former Prince Andrew
Arrested By British Police Amid Epstein Ties

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Sheriff Says DNA May Be Key To IDing Kidnapper

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Nancy Guthrie Kidnapper
You May Have Left Your DNA At The Crime Scene, Sheriff Says

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The 15 Best DC Comics Movies, Ranked According to Letterboxd

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Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach kneels in front of a grave on a rainy night in Watchmen.

The common consensus as of late is that DC Comics is on the up and up as of late, thanks to their recent success in theaters and currently on HBO Max, as well. The future is looking bright for the DC Universe, but it’s best not to forget that the brand has been in cinema for quite some time, on and off the theater screen, live-action and animated.

Before James Gunn truly delves into his DCU, it’s fun to look back on films of DC’s past and how people responded to them. There are the obvious ones, yes, but some silent hitters are part of DC’s highest-rated films, according to Letterboxd, a social media platform where people can review films and see how their friends are reviewing their own. Letterboxd is one of the best ways to analyze what fans and general audiences think in the modern day.

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15

‘Watchmen’ (2009)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.7/5.0

Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach kneels in front of a grave on a rainy night in Watchmen.
Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach kneels in front of a grave on a rainy night in Watchmen.
Image via Warner Bros.

While Zack Snyder‘s more recent time in the DC Comics universe is relatively controversial (thanks to the mixed reviews for most of his projects following Man of Steel), one of his biggest hits comes in the form of Watchmen in 2009. This gritty and very stylized DC movie is extremely memorable for a plethora of reasons, with Snyder’s directing prowess being one of the primary ones.

One Letterboxd user emphasizes this in their review: “while it’s still one of my favorites just for the sake of how great it looks.” The visuals of this movie are exceptional, and this trait would move forward to be a highlight of his later DC Comics movies, too. The plot and cast are great, but the visuals really drive this one home.

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14

‘Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker’ (2000)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5.0

Joker holding up a joker playing card in a dark room in Batman Beyond Return of the Joker.
Joker holding up a joker playing card in a dark room in Batman Beyond Return of the Joker.
Image via Warner Bros. Animation

Batman has gotten pretty lucky when it comes to animated projects, specifically in the television space. One of the most popular of them all is none other than Batman Beyond. Understandably, the popularity spawned a film for the franchise, coming to audiences in 2000, titled, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

“The flashback scene is up there with some of the best Batman stories ever told, and it’s only 10 minutes long,” is what one review says, and it’s a prime example of the love and care put into Batman: Beyond: Return of the Joker. The story has such a profound heart and soul within it, and moments like the flashback scene prove that the team behind this project really cared.

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13

‘Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1’ (2012)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5.0

Batman standing bloodied and ready to fight in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
Batman standing bloodied and ready to fight in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
Image via DC Entertainment

The Dark Knight Returns (1986) is one of the most popular and well-beloved DC comic books of all time. So, it only makes sense when, in 2012, audiences were finally treated to an animated film adapting it. However, it wasn’t all covered in one movie. To ensure the story was adapted correctly, director Jay Olivia split the movie into two. The first part of the project, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, set the standard that the second would have to compete against, and is a great example of how to adapt a comic book accurately.

Bringing an older, elderly Bruce Wayne (Peter Weller) back to the Batman fold, this movie features a protagonist unlike any other Batman movie’s own. He’s changed a lot since he was last the Caped Crusader, and one user jokes about it, putting it very well, in their review: “old man wants entirety of Gotham off his lawn.” While funny, it’s also showcasing that age definitely has changed Batman and made him more gritty and cynical.

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12

‘Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox’ (2013)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5.0

Justin Chambers as The Flash, Kevin McKidd as Batman, Thomas Wayne, Justice League The Flashpoint Paradox
Justin Chambers as The Flash, Kevin McKidd as Batman, Thomas Wayne, Justice League The Flashpoint Paradox
Image via Warner Home Video

If DC Comics has anything, it’s an amazing animated landscape in both the film and television departments, and a strong argument for this is 2013’s Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. Adapting one of the coolest DC Comics crossover events of all time, director Jay Olivia delivers a super emotional Flash movie.

That’s right, despite it having “Justice League” in the title, this film is a Flash story through and through. Surrounding the repercussions of the Scarlet Speedster saving his mother from dying — shifting the timeline completely — Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is a story that covers grief and loss, which makes it emotionally compelling beyond most other DC animated flicks. One fan states it best in their review: “Visually incredible, classic butterfly effect story, and phenomenal voice acting.”

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11

‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5.0

Christian Bale as Batman surrounded by bats in Batman Begins.
Christian Bale as Batman surrounded by bats in Batman Begins.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

With Batman being DC Comics’ most popular character, it should come as no surprise that most of the highest-rated films for the company on Letterboxd are Batman movies. It should also come as no surprise that the Christopher Nolan trilogy surrounding the superhero has most of its films in the top ten. Among the three movies, the first one, Batman Begins, stands out as the one that is closest to the comic book source material.

Despite being part of the same trilogy, the tone here is very different from the two movies that will come after. It includes the fan favorite Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) as one of the main antagonists, was the first live-action Batman film in quite some time, and introduced the ever-beloved Christian Bale as the iconic Caped Crusader. “In terms of origin stories, this is A-Tier,” is a great depiction of people’s thoughts on the movie, stated by a fan in their review on Letterboxd.

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10

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5.0

Batman (Christian Bale) and Bane (Tom Hardy) fighting each other in 'The Dark Knight Rises'.
Batman (Christian Bale) and Bane (Tom Hardy) fighting each other in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.
Image via Warner Bros.

With how abundantly popular Christopher Nolan’s trilogy is, it makes total sense why all three are found in the top 15 DC movies on Letterboxd. After such a successful second movie (more on that later), the pressure was on for The Dark Knight Rises to land the plane and solidify the trilogy as one of the best in superhero cinema. One user states a similar claim in their review: “3rd best out of one of the greatest trilogies of all time, is still pretty great!”

Bringing the one and only Bane (Tom Hardy) — one of the most famous Batman comic book villains — into the fold, Nolan did a lot of work in bringing Bruce Wayne the greatest physical threat he’s ever faced. While the plot isn’t as strong as the first two, the spectacle is huge, Bruce’s character arc is compelling, and it brings everything full circle in a satisfying manner.

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9

‘Joker’ (2019)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5.0

Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, wears full clown make-up in an elevator in 2019's 'Joker'.
Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, wears full clown make-up in an elevator in 2019’s Joker.
Image via Warner Bros.

Of course, the most popular DC hero has one of the most popular DC villains—one of the most popular villains of all time, really—so it felt inevitable that the one and only Clown Prince of Crime get a movie of his very own. Despite being a DC Comics film, some people don’t even consider Joker a “superhero” movie, because of how extremely different it is and less action-oriented it finds itself. Joker finds itself providing more drama, crime, and psychological thriller elements, giving commentary on modern society and how it treats the mentally ill.

While it initially was met with a lot of positive reception, it didn’t take long for cinephiles to quickly smack the film for trying to be deeper than it really was. Nothing could beat Joaquin Phoenix’s absurdly good performance, though. Whether one agrees with the negative conceptions of the film, some reviews on Letterboxd show that the positives usually outweigh the negatives, with one saying: “The film pushes its characters’ emotions and narrative tension to an astonishing frenzy, reaching an almost absurd extreme. The male lead’s performance undoubtedly becomes the film’s greatest flourish.”

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8

‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5.0

V standing with his head titled in V for Vendetta.
V standing with his head titled in V for Vendetta.
Image via Warner Bros.

Many people may actually not know that V for Vendetta is a DC Comics property, and therefore, a DC Comics film. Many consider V for Vendetta a cult classic, and for very good reason. The thriller film finds itself becoming more and more beloved as time goes on, as it continues to be incredibly relevant to today’s society. Quite a few reviews on Letterboxd point this out, with one simply stating: “Anarchy has never looked so well-spoken.”

V for Vendetta is all about defying oppression and what freedom means in the modern day. It also begs the question of whether change can be accomplished without some sort of anarchy. It being relevant isn’t just what makes it good, though; it’s also a simply well-made movie. The directorial choices of James McTeigue allow this project to achieve a tone that fits its plot perfectly and enhances its messaging to a whole new level.

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7

‘Batman: Under the Red Hood’ (2010)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5.0

Red Hood holding one of his many gadgets in the animated movie Batman: Under the Red Hood.
Red Hood holding one of his many gadgets in the animated movie Batman: Under the Red Hood.
Image via Warner Bros. Animation

Despite not being theatrically released or seen by much of the “general audience,” Batman movies don’t get a lot better than Batman: Under the Red Hood. If someone is having an argument regarding whether Batman should break his no-kill rule, Batman: Under the Red Hood is the perfect film to show them. At the end of the day, this animated flick almost perfectly adapts one of the best comic book stories surrounding the Caped Crusader.

Taking what is commonly known as the hero’s “greatest failure,” Batman: Under the Red Hood challenges the iconic DC hero in ways no other movie does. One fan on Letterboxd agrees based on their review: “The perfect balance between nail-biting action sequences and exploring the depths of Batman’s character complexity.”

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6

‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (2017)

Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5.0

Batman swings on a rope holding Robin, who looks scared in The Lego Batman Movie.
Batman swings on a rope holding Robin, who looks scared in The Lego Batman Movie.
Image via Warner Bros.

If you asked someone a few decades ago that one of the best Batman movies (and DC Comics projects in general) would end up being an animated film set in the Lego universe, no one would have believed it. Well, it’s impossible not to believe it now, as The Lego Batman Movie is one of the most adored Batman films of all time.

Despite being more of a satire, it perfectly captures the true heart and soul of the Batman character. “Amazing love letter to everything Batman, no less!” is what one fan said in their Letterboxd review, and that’s truly a great way to put it. The Lego Batman Movie genuinely understands what makes the character so human and relatable for many, regardless of his dark past and personality.

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Simone Biles crashes interview with Olympics favorite Ilia Malinin to console him after shocking skating loss

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The 21-year-old was the overwhelming favorite for the gold going into the Milan Cortina Games, but ended up placing 8th after a devastating free skate.

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Ray J applied 'fake blood' to his eyes and heart monitor before alarming live show, photographer alleges

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The R&B singer previously claimed that he has less than a year to live.

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