Parents' Guide to

Batman Beyond

By Deirdre Sheppard, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

There's a new Bat in town; violent, but stylish.

TV Boomerang, Discovery Family Channel Kids' Animation 1999
Batman Beyond Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 10 parent reviews

Yoavshitrit
Yoavshitrit Adult
May 2, 2020
age 10+

The best! But have a lot of violence

Well, this series came out 20 years ago but this have violence thate may scare little kids. Overall, this is the best series of batman!
1 person found this helpful.
B-127
B-127 Adult
August 17, 2019
age 15+

Occult, macabre, death-oriented storylines - not for children

This series is not appropriate for younger kids at all. I removed this show from my household permanently, after an episode early in Season 2 had a woman discover her father was still alive (or, alive after death), even though he had perished in a toxic accident deep in a cave some years ago. They showed a long, slow shot of his glowing green skeleton with tree roots growing out of it, but he was still alive, and was a supervillain - even though he was just a skeleton being kept alive by the toxins in the accident that killed him. The skeleton scene was occult, disgusting, obscene, and disturbing. I didn't watch Season 1 but should have, and I would've gotten rid of this garbage much sooner if I had. Here's a sample of villains from the episode list: a robot which bonds mentally to its controller (like in the Rated R, disturbing, Robocop 2); a villain whose essence is transferred into a "new body"; two drug addicts whose superpowers are based on using the drug; and an assassin. Season 2 starts with human-animal DNA combinations who decide they will rule over the "normals," and by episode 2's Radioactive Night of the Evil Dead episode, I had shut it off for good.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BATMAN BEYOND explores the escapades of a maturing Bruce Wayne (voiced by Kevin Conroy) and his young protégé Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle), setting its futuristic animated action in 21st-century Gotham City. After rescuing Terry from a pack of Jokerz, Bruce becomes weakened by a recurring heart condition, leaving Terry to bring him back safely to Wayne Manor. When Terry discovers the Bat Cave and borrows the Batsuit to retaliate against his father's murderer, Bruce decides to train the high school student to be his successor. As crime rises in Gotham, more often than not Terry wears the suit while Bruce gives the orders.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (22):

Parents beware: This series is chock full of ultimatums and bloodshed that's fairly graphic by cartoon standards. Battles are conducted with fists, cutthroat language, and revolutionary weapons -- death is a main ingredient in every episode. And Bruce Wayne often takes vengeance on his rivals as if he were a villain himself, a conflict that has always been part of Batman's dark, complicated personality.

When watching Batman Beyond, expect sinister storylines and hostile characters. Although the show's violence is glamorized, Terry shows utmost respect for his mentor, as well as other legendary heroes, such as Superman. It's stylishly and elegantly animated and has won lots of critical praise, but it's probably not the best fit for pre-tween viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to be a hero. Do you need to have super powers to be a hero? Batman doesn't have traditional super powers -- how does he qualify as a superhero? Are Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis good role models? What makes them heroes? Who are your heroes and why?

TV Details

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