The Dark Knight fights to save Gotham city from its deadliest enemy.|Dec. 25, 1993|USA|76 Min.|PG
Genre: Action;Animation;Crime
Description: The 1993 animated superhero film *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* is directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, with a screenplay by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves. This movie is based on *Batman: The Animated Series* and marks the first original theatrical production by Warner Bros. Animation. It also stands as the inaugural film in the DC Animated Universe and the only one to have a theatrical release.
The story follows Batman as he confronts a mysterious vigilante, the Phantasm, who is targeting Gotham City’s crime bosses. Simultaneously, he reunites with his former lover, Andrea Beaumont. The plot draws inspiration from Mike W. Barr’s *Batman: Year Two* comic arc, though it introduces an original antagonist, the Phantasm, replacing the Reaper. It also incorporates elements from the *Batman: Year One* graphic novel.
Originally intended for a direct-to-video release, *Mask of the Phantasm* was hastily adapted for a theatrical debut, with production completed in just eight months. Despite positive reviews praising its animation, voice acting, story, and music, the film underperformed at the box office due to its rushed release. However, it gained financial success following its home media release and inspired two direct-to-video sequels: *Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero* (1998) and *Mystery of the Batwoman* (2003).
Until *Batman: The Killing Joke* in 2016 and *The Lego Batman Movie* in 2017, *Mask of the Phantasm* remained the only animated Batman film to receive a theatrical release.
Cast director: Bruce Timm
Cast actor: Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Abe Vigoda, Stacy Keach, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Robert Costanzo, Bob Hastings, Dick Miller
Original name: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm