What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBatman and Harley Quinn
Sam Liu · Film · 2017
If you loved Batman and Harley Quinn, start with Batman (William Dozier, 1966) — a series from the same story. Below: 3 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Batman and Harley Quinn across media.
If you enjoyed the uneasy alliances and comedic chemistry in Batman and Harley Quinn, you will appreciate these character-driven dynamics.
Start with the source
The source
Batman
William Dozier · Series · 1966
Adaptation
Batman
Tim Burton · Film · 1989
Adaptation
Batman: The Animated Series
Bruce Timm · Series · 1992
Books on the same thread
Batman Arkham Asylum 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Grant Morrison · Book · 2014
Explores: Psychological Horror, Confronting Inner Demons, Madness.
Much like the reluctant team-ups found in Batman and Harley Quinn, this book forces Batman into a claustrophobic confrontation with the very villains he usually keeps at a distance.
Gotham by Gaslight
Brian Augustyn · Book · 2006
Explores: Jack the Ripper, Social Injustice, Dystopian Society.
This alternate history captures the same sense of a detective navigating chaotic, high-stakes threats that drove the plot of Batman and Harley Quinn into unexpected, dangerous territory.
Batman Noir: Gotham by Gaslight
Brian Augustyn · Book · 2019
Explores: Alternate History, Serial Killers, Social Injustice.
The tone mirrors the grit and investigative focus of Batman and Harley Quinn while exploring a Victorian setting that challenges the Caped Crusader against unique, external threats.
Series on the same thread
The New Batman Adventures
Series · 1997
Explores: Good vs Evil, Vigilantism, Justice.
Fans of the animated team-up dynamic in Batman and Harley Quinn will find this series a natural progression, focusing on the essential teamwork that defines the Gotham experience.
Batman: The Animated Series
Bruce Timm · Series · 1992
Explores: Vigilantism, Urban Decay, Moral Ambiguity.
The psychological depth and vigilantism established here provided the foundational character work that eventually allowed for the distinct, playful character pairings seen in Batman and Harley Quinn.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
James Tucker · Series · 2008
Explores: Teamwork, Justice, Good vs. Evil.
If you appreciated the focus on collaboration in Batman and Harley Quinn, this series delivers a consistent stream of team-ups that emphasize heroism through unconventional and diverse partnerships.
Batman: Caped Crusader
Bruce Timm · Series · 2024
Explores: Vigilante justice, Systemic corruption, Trauma.
This procedural approach to the Gotham landscape echoes the tension found in Batman and Harley Quinn, highlighting the struggle against corruption that keeps the city in constant danger.
Podcasts on the same thread
SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett · Podcast · 2026
Explores: camaraderie, spontaneity, shared life experiences.
The organic hilarity and spontaneous banter mirror the off-the-cuff chemistry between the leads in Batman and Harley Quinn, proving that great dynamics are built on genuine, lively conversation.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
Much like the personality-driven interactions in Batman and Harley Quinn, this podcast relies on the humor of professional intimacy to create engaging, memorable exchanges between its unique hosts.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Batman and Harley Quinn considered part of the Batman: The Animated Series continuity?
Batman and Harley Quinn is a 2017 standalone film directed by Sam Liu. While it features the iconic character designs and voice acting styles associated with Batman: The Animated Series from 1992, it is a separate production and not an official continuation of that television show.
What is the plot of Batman and Harley Quinn?
In Batman and Harley Quinn, Batman and Nightwing must reluctantly partner with Harley Quinn. The trio works together to track down Poison Ivy and the Floronic Man, Jason Woodrue, to prevent a global threat that these two villains have initiated.
Does Batman and Harley Quinn feature the same tone as the 1966 Batman television series?
Batman and Harley Quinn maintains its own distinct tone directed by Sam Liu, which differs from the campy style of the 1966 Batman television series. The 2017 film focuses on a specific team-up between Batman, Nightwing, and Harley Quinn to stop a crisis involving Poison Ivy.
Should I watch Batman: The Animated Series before Batman and Harley Quinn?
You do not need to watch Batman: The Animated Series to understand the story of Batman and Harley Quinn. The 2017 film provides a self-contained plot involving Batman, Nightwing, and Harley Quinn as they attempt to stop a global threat caused by Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue.