Merry Little Batman
Merry Little Batman is a holiday-themed animated film that takes the Batman mythos and filters it through a lighter, more whimsical lens. The story follows young Damian Wayne, left home alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, who ends up donning a makeshift Batsuit to protect Gotham from a rogue’s gallery of villains plotting to ruin the holiday. It’s essentially Home Alone meets Batman, with a family-friendly tone and a deliberately exaggerated art style that sets it apart from more serious animated entries.
There’s a certain charm in seeing Damian portrayed as more playful and wide-eyed than his usual brooding, and the movie embraces a cartoony energy that makes it accessible to kids while still throwing in nods for long-time fans. The festive setting works surprisingly well, giving Gotham a new personality, even if it does make the stakes feel less serious. That said, the film isn’t particularly memorable outside its gimmick. The animation style may be divisive, the humour sometimes falls flat, and compared to stronger Batman animated projects, it doesn’t hold up as a must-watch. Still, as a quirky Christmas diversion, it succeeds in offering something unique and lighthearted in a franchise usually drenched in darkness.
It’s not a top-tier Batman film, but for those looking for something seasonal and different, Merry Little Batman is a pleasant enough watch that leans into the goofy side of the character’s legacy without taking itself too seriously.