The Dark Knight on Screen: Ranking All 10 Batman Movies
Batman, one of the oldest and most iconic superheroes, first graced the pages of Detective Comics in 1939. Alongside Superman and Wonder Woman, he’s considered one of DC Comics’ original trinity of heroes. Over the decades, the Caped Crusader has made numerous leaps from the comic book panels to live-action cinema. Here’s a ranking of all 10 Batman movies released to date. Which one tops your list as the ultimate Batman film?
The Bottom of the Bat-Barrel
10. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Zack Snyder’s ambitions for the Justice League were grand, and at times, entertaining. However, his inaugural DCEU film left many viewers disappointed. The awkwardly titled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice isn’t just a contender for the worst Batman movie; it’s often cited as one of the weakest Superman films, DC movies, and comic book adaptations in general.
The core issue lies in its mishandling of the DCEU’s launch. While technically a sequel to 2013’s Man of Steel, Batman v Superman served as the true kickoff for DC’s shared universe, clumsily introducing a weary, grizzled Batman (Ben Affleck) alongside Superman and a first glimpse of Wonder Woman. Both heroes deserved standalone films before being pitted against each other, as there simply wasn’t enough time to develop their characters adequately before the central conflict ignited.
Despite some intriguing ideas, the central rift between Batman and Superman felt manufactured, making it difficult to believe that the heroes would act as rashly as they did. Add to that some underwhelming CGI, and the result is an aesthetically displeasing misfire.
9. Batman & Robin (1997)
If Batman Forever marked the first step toward a more campy Batman, Batman & Robin was a full-blown sprint in that direction. George Clooney took over the role of Bruce Wayne, with Chris O’Donnell returning as Robin. The film also featured a rogue’s gallery of villains, including Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy, and a bargain-bin version of Bane. Alicia Silverstone appeared as Batgirl, marking the character’s only live-action cinematic appearance to date.
Batman & Robin cranked up the “silliness” to eleven, with new suits featuring prominent nipples, dialogue that induced unintentional laughter, and female characters relegated to little more than posing seductively. It’s a truly bizarre entry in the superhero genre. Often cited as the worst Batman film, it also remains the lowest-grossing.
8. Batman Forever (1995)
As a film where the supporting cast outshines the lead, Batman Forever earns its place near the bottom of this list. Val Kilmer donned the cowl as Bruce Wayne in what was the first installment to embrace a lighter tone, thanks to director Joel Schumacher and his penchant for the outlandish.
While commercially successful, Batman Forever received mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike. Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, as villains the Riddler and Two-Face respectively, garnered the most praise. However, Kilmer’s lackluster performance and the jarring tonal shift from the previous two films left many fans wanting. The zero chemistry between Kilmer and Nicole Kidman, who played Bruce Wayne’s love interest, didn’t help matters.
The film wasn’t entirely without merit. It did, at least, introduce Chris O’Donnell as Robin, with a backstory lifted straight from the comics. O’Donnell would be the only actor from this film to return to the Batman franchise, reprising his role in 1997’s Batman & Robin. Still, there’s not much to recommend here.
The Middle Ground
7. Batman (1966)
Fans of the classic Batman television series will undoubtedly find enjoyment in this feature-length adaptation, which includes most of the show’s main cast. In their first big-screen adventure, Batman and Robin team up to take down Gotham’s most formidable foes, including the Joker, the Penguin, and Catwoman. Released after the show’s first season, the film served as a fun extension of the series and satisfied fans’ craving for more.
While undeniably entertaining and filled with campy moments, including the infamous shark attack on Batman, the film is largely a rehash of what we’d already seen on TV. There’s no real plot progression, and the villains face no real consequences, as they continue to appear in the show’s second and third seasons unaffected by their actions in the movie. Moreover, Lee Meriwether’s underwhelming portrayal of Catwoman doesn’t do the film any favors.
The film performed moderately well at the box office but gained more recognition and a larger fanbase in subsequent years thanks to VHS rentals and occasional ABC reruns. Despite its lack of continuity, the cast reunited in 2013 as part of a new comic book series based on the TV show.
6. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
All good things must come to an end. The Dark Knight Rises brought Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy to a satisfying conclusion, wrapping up existing storylines while leaving some characters’ fates open to interpretation. The film draws inspiration from several comic book storylines, most notably 1993’s Knightfall, 1986’s The Dark Knight Returns, and 1999’s No Man’s Land.
Christian Bale made his final appearance as Batman, joined by Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Tom Hardy as Bane, and Marion Cotillard as Talia al Ghul. The Dark Knight Rises was widely praised for its script, action sequences, emotional depth, and various performances, including Hathaway’s portrayal of the anti-heroic Catwoman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a GCPD officer who could potentially be Bruce Wayne’s successor.
Notably, The Dark Knight Rises is one of the few films in the series to receive multiple awards, including accolades for cinematography and acting. The film earned the prestigious AFI Movie of the Year award in 2012, Cotillard’s performance was recognized at the Hollywood Film Awards, and Hathaway’s performance earned her Saturn and Teen Choice Awards.
5. The Batman (2022)
Originally conceived as a Ben Affleck-helmed project with him writing, directing, and starring as Batman, The Batman took on a different form when Matt Reeves joined the project. This iteration sees a younger Batman grappling with a city rife with corruption and villainy. Things escalate when a deranged serial killer decides to make Bruce his latest target. Reeves and his team create a David Fincher-esque atmosphere through stylish, rain-soaked cinematography and a moody pace, with some particularly memorable shots of the Batmobile.
Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman hasn’t been to everyone’s taste, particularly the blurred lines between his Batman and Bruce personas. Reeves surrounds himself with talent, reuniting with composer Michael Giacchino for another thrilling score. Like Batman Begins, The Batman feels like a film setting the stage for something larger, leaving us eager to see what comes next.
The Top Tier of Gotham’s Guardians
4. Batman Returns (1992)
Following the massive box office success of 1989’s Batman, Warner Bros. quickly greenlit a sequel. Titled Batman Returns, the film succeeded on many different levels. One of the most layered entries on this list, Batman Returns revolves around themes of family, identity, hope, and revenge. Michael Keaton and Tim Burton returned as the titular hero and director, respectively, with Catwoman and the Penguin joining the fray.
Batman Returns immerses viewers in a festive Gotham City. Every scene, from the Batcave to lavish holiday parties, is opulent. The performances are equally strong, with Pfeiffer’s Catwoman standing out as a career-defining role. The chemistry between Keaton and Pfeiffer is electric, making audiences root for the couple and making their eventual fate all the more tragic.
3. Batman Begins (2005)
Eight years after the critical and commercial failure of Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. resurrected the Batman film franchise with the help of then-indie director Christopher Nolan. The film returned to the darker tone of the Keaton films, with a greater emphasis on realism.
The film was a critical and commercial success, with many fans happy to see the series return to a darker tone after the previous two installments. The “back-to-basics” approach, emphasizing traditional stunt choreography and miniature effects over CGI, worked wonders. Bale’s performance, the film’s emotional weight, action sequences, and score also received high praise.
Christian Bale became the longest-running actor to play Batman, donning the cowl in three consecutive solo films known as the Dark Knight trilogy. He is widely regarded as the second-best Batman in the series, behind only Michael Keaton.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
The success of Batman Begins breathed new life into the Batman film franchise, and Christopher Nolan took things a step further with the film’s sequel. The Dark Knight recreated one of the greatest rivalries in superhero comics history, pitting Christian Bale’s Batman against Heath Ledger’s Joker. Maggie Gyllenhaal took over the role of Rachel Dawes, while Aaron Eckhart portrayed Harvey Dent, who transforms into the villain Two-Face.
There isn’t a weak link in this film. The cast is top-notch, and the pacing is tight, making The Dark Knight the most thrilling entry on this list. Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker was a defining moment in the young actor’s career, who tragically passed away eight months before the film’s release. His work earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film is one of the highest-grossing films of all time and was the highest-grossing film of 2008.
1. Batman (1989)
1989’s Batman revolutionized superhero cinema, starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, who was previously known as a comedic actor. The film felt like a scene lifted straight from the comic books when introducing Gotham City and its colorful cast of characters. Of course, the real highlight was Jack Nicholson as the Joker.
With a budget of $35 million, Batman grossed over $400 million, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film at the time of its release. The film received multiple award nominations and inspired the equally successful Batman: The Animated Series, ultimately paving the way for the DC Animated Universe.
Keaton and Nicholson stole the show, each embodying their respective hero and villain roles as if they were born to play them. Keaton’s Dark Knight was brooding and heroic, while Nicholson’s Joker was chilling and formidable. The supporting cast also shined, Batman set the bar for modern marketing in Hollywood and established superhero films as the go-to for blockbuster spectacle, an influence that can still be felt on screen today.
