Is there any comic book character more beloved than Batman? Well, unless you’re going to suggest Spider-Man or Superman, I’d say that you’re reaching. That’s because Batman is so versatile as a character, and no wonder! He’s been around for over 80 years! In that time, we’ve seen several incarnations, many in print, many animated, but also quite a few in live-action. Prior to the most recent movie, everybody had their favorite version of the live-action Batman actors, but Robert Pattinson adds such a rich, new layer to the character, that some might even consider Robert Pattinson’s Batman as one of the top tier versions of the character. 

But, this article isn’t about who the best Batman is. It’s about the best Batman movie, and at the time of this writing, there are now 11 different live-action films in the Batman saga, bringing about the need for a guide of the Batman movies in order just to keep everything straight. Each version of the caped crusader is unique in its own special way, and each movie has its pluses and minuses. To be fair, there’s never been a perfect Batman movie in the sense that it has truly captured the essence of the comic book character, but some of them have come extremely close. So, what is the best Batman movie of them all? Well, you’re about to find out.  

11. Batman & Robin (1997)

I’m going to be honest with you. I like Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin a lot more than most of the Batman movies on this list. But it’s not because it’s good. No. Batman & Robin is a total turkey! George Clooney plays a silly Batman—with a Bat credit card—and Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone as Robin and Batgirl, respectively, are equally silly. It’s not necessarily their fault, though! The script is laughably bad, and I’d put it up there with movies like Troll 2 and Sssssss. You know, movies so bad, they’re good!

I’m well aware that most people don’t like this film. They don’t like Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze trying to put Gotham on ice and dropping puns every second, and they don’t like Uma Thurman vamping it up as Poison Ivy or the hulking, grunting Bane. And, quite frankly, I feel bad for those people. Trust me, I get it, the movie sucks. But, still. Batman & Robin is awesome in its crappiness. Embrace the cheese!

10. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Oh, brother. Remember how I said that I liked Batman & Robin a lot more than other movies on this list? Well, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is definitely one of them. It’s not even Batman’s fault! Played expertly by Ben Affleck, I actually think that he’s the best part about this Zack Snyder movie, which pits Superman against Batman… and Lex Luthor… and Doomsday. In fact, I think that Affleck is really great as Batman since he exhibits both unbridled rage and pathos.

That said, I just can’t stand Superman in this movie, and unfortunately, he makes up half of the film. I don’t really think that this is Henry Cavill’s fault, either. It’s just that I find the Superman in the Snyderverse to be too broody. Add in the whole “Save Martha” nonsense, and you have a Batman movie that isn’t so bad it’s good. It’s just bad. And that’s not good.

9. Batman Forever (1995)

My good friend, John, who worked on the artwork for my book, told me that I need to re-watch Batman Forever. Not for the story or acting, mind you, but for the visual style. And, he’s right! The cinematography, done by Stephen Goldblatt, is exceptional.

The only problem? The rest of the movie sucks. Okay, maybe “sucks” isn’t the right word, as it certainly has its fans. But Joel Schumacher’s first attempt at Batman wasn’t nearly as fun as his second attempt with Batman & Robin. If anything, it feels like a half step. In his first and only appearance, Val Kilmer is not a terrible Batman. It’s just that Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face are insufferable. Especially Carrey, who is far too cartoony for the role. I love the actor, but his version of The Riddler is a lot more Frank Gorshin than Paul Dano, which I guess is okay. It’s just not for me.

8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

I think there’s a lot to like about Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. Tom Hardy’s Bane is mostly compelling, and Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman is good... in theory. The rest of the movie around them, though, which features Batman coming out of retirement to fight Bane, doesn’t do them any favors. For the end of a trilogy, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Let me explain. I really like acts one and two of this movie, but that third act is a real stinker. We get a late surprise enemy out of Marion Cotillard’s Talia al Ghul which takes away from Bane’s character. Then, we get a corny fake-out death, as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character cheekily being “Robin.” In the end, it’s just all ugh. That’s the best word I have for it. Ugh.

7. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

I actually think Batfleck is much more interesting in Batman v. Superman, but again, this article isn’t about the best Batman. It’s about the best Batman movies, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League is definitely a better movie than Batman v. Superman. I can actually tolerate this one.

Batman is a changed man following the events of BvS, and he takes on the role as the leader against a villain named Steppenwolf, which is interesting, since he’s the only one who doesn’t have any powers (besides being rich). Ezra Miller still annoys me as The Flash, but the rest of the film around him is good, and Batman plays a pivotal role. It works.

6. Batman: The Movie (1966)

If you asked me who my favorite Batman was, I’d say Adam West, because I love camp. Thankfully, this movie, which also stars Burt Ward, Burgess Meredith, Cesar Romero, Frank Gorshin, and Lee Meriwether as Robin, The Penguin, The Joker, The Riddler, and Catwoman, respectively, is as campy as can be. I hope you brought your shark repellent!

The movie feels like multiple episodes of the ‘60s show patched together, and that’s a good thing. The villains want to take over the world, and Batman and Robin are going to stop them. Simple plot and simple fun. Some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb!

5. Batman Returns (1992)

Best Christmas movie ever? Tim Burton’s Batman Returns is not as good as the first movie, but it takes a lot of risks, surprisingly making it one of the darker Batman films. The plot follows The Penguin, played by Danny DeVito, and a businessman, played by Christopher Walken, who team up to take down the Batman. Michelle Pfeiffer accidentally gets involved and becomes Catwoman. So, yeah, standard superhero stuff.

However, it’s the dark mood that really shines. The Penguin is both monstrous and yet sympathetic, and he makes a good counterpoint to Michael Keaton’s Batman. DeVito’s Penguin seems to be over the top, but there’s a subtlety to the role that is surprisingly deep. An overall great film with excellent atmosphere.

4. Batman Begins (2005)

Christopher Nolan ushered in a very different Batman than any we had seen before on the big screen. Instead of the comic-booky approaches that Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher took, Christopher Nolan settled for a more realistic approach. Batman Begins sees Bruce Wayne training in Asia under ninjas and then he becomes one himself. Christian Bale growls his way through every Batman scene, creating a new version of the character.

You know, the only thing really holding this movie back is the villain. Don’t get me wrong. Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow is fantastic. But his arc could have been better, and having Liam Neeson’s Ra’s al Ghul be the real villain felt like a cop out. It’s a great movie, but it definitely feels like a starting point.

3. The Batman (2022) 

One thing I’ve kind of always disliked about the various Batman movies is that none of them really tackled the detective side of the character. Sure, we’ve gotten the bruiser version in Ben Affleck, the perfect Bruce Wayne in Michael Keaton, and the calculated Batman in Christian Bale, but it wasn’t until Matt Reeve’s The Batman, that we actually got the detective version of the character with Robert Pattinson, and it was wonderful.

Set in Batman’s second year as a crime fighter, The Batman introduces us to brand new interpretations of The Riddler (A super creepy version performed by Paul Dano), The Penguin, and Catwoman. But, we also get new interpretations of Alfred and the Batmobile as well. All together it creates a Batman that feels familiar, but also dramatically different in all the best ways. 

Plus, this is the most “Batman” Batman movie ever, since Robert Pattinson is in costume for almost the entire movie. If I have only one complaint, it’s that the movie could have been a bit shorter (Matt Reeves’ Batman epic has a runtime of two hours and 55 minutes), but otherwise, it’s one of the most unique and exciting movies featuring the character. Fans will be loving this movie for years to come. 

2. Batman (1989)

Tim Burton knocked it out the park on his very first try with a superhero movie in 1989’s Batman. Michael Keaton is a lot of people’s favorite live-action version of the character, and there’s a good reason why. He plays both a convincing Bruce Wayne, as well as a convincing Batman.

Then, you have Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Nicholson’s transformation from Jack Napier to the Joker is one for the ages. He taunts Batman and looks like he’s having a great time doing it. The Joker has obviously had a lot of different interpretations over the years (including Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar-winning performance), but Jack Nicholson’s is the closest live-action one to the comics that I can think of (other than Cesar Romero), and probably the most enjoyable. But, it isn’t the best…

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

There are those who believe that the only reason we now have 10, rather than five, possible Best Picture nominees is because The Dark Knight was snubbed for the 2009 Oscars, and I 100% buy that. The Dark Knight is one of those rare comic book movies that transcends the genre and is just a great movie overall, “comic book movie” be damned. Christopher Nolan’s crime epic features a horrifying Joker, played by Heath Ledger. His character makes Christian Bale’s Batman all the more compelling, as there is this great back and forth of ideals between them, making the conflict feel almost tangible. The Two-Face stuff could have been a bit better (or left out entirely), but you can’t always get what you want.

That said, The Dark Knight is not only the greatest Batman movie of all time, but many would say, the greatest “comic book movie” of all time, too, and it’s mostly because it takes itself seriously and it actually works. Think about this. The first Iron Man also came out in 2008. While that was definitely an enjoyable film, most would argue that none of the movies in the MCU have ever measured up to The Dark Knight. That’s how groundbreaking this film was, and still is, actually.

And that's the list. The legacy of Batman (and ultimately The Joker, since the two characters are basically the yin and yang of each other) will undoubtedly persist for years and years to come. But, what's your favorite Batman movie? For more news on the Caped Crusader, make sure to swing by here often. 

I remember seeing a lot of comments - from reviews by professional critics and fans on social media - that criticized The Batman for being humorless, which I immediately balked at. Matt Reeves’ reimagining of the DC Comics superhero may be, like the title character, extremely dark and brooding, but there are a few good jokes in there if you look hard enough. In fact, I was able to compile funny scenes from every one of the theatrically released live-action Batman movies so far, starting with one that actually had a lot of good examples to choose from. 

“Some Days You Just Can’t Get Rid Of A Bomb” - Batman: The Movie (1966)

When choosing what scene to showcase from Batman: The Movie - as much a gloriously zany parody of comic books from the era as the TV show it is spun-off from - I considered the part when the Caped Crusader (the late Adam West) uses shark repellent to fend off one gnawing on his leg as he dangles from the Bat-Copter.

However, I could not help but go with an even nuttier and highly quotable moment, when he frantically tries to find a safe place to stow a comically large bomb at a crowded boat dock. With obstacles like a pair of nuns, a marching band, or a family of ducks at every turn, a frustrated Batman earnestly huffs, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb,” before finding a solution in the nick of time.

Joker Shoots Bob - Batman (1989)

Jack Nicholson might be the best of the Joker actors at achieving a truly funny balance of the villain’s lighter and darker sides, and this moment from Tim Burton’s Batman is peak proof. After Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight interrupts the Clown Prince of Crime’s Gotham parade by stealing balloons filled with Smylex gas, the frustrated Joker asks Bob (Tracey Walter) to hand him his pistol, which he then uses to shoot the goon and tells the others, “Going to need a minute or two alone, boys.” Whether his request for solitude was out of loss for his “Number One guy” or for the balloons, the deadpan delivery of that last line cements this as a brilliant example of dark comedy.

Catwoman Tricks Batman During Rooftop Duel - Batman Returns (1992)

Despite all of Michael Keaton’s best moments in the cape and cowl, he has made a few mistakes in his day, such as in Batman Returns. After knocking down Michelle Pfeiffer’s dangerous Catwoman, who then scolds him for hitting a woman, he stops to apologize before she leaps back up without missing a beat, nearly sends him falling off the side of the building if not for her whip to hang on to, and then tells him that, as a woman, she cannot be taken for granted. 

Between the mere idea of Batman letting his guard down so quickly against a foe of any gender to Catwoman’s iconic line, “Life’s a bitch and now so am I,” I think both tie for the sequel’s most hilarious moment.

“Holy Rusted Metal, Batman!” - Batman Forever (1995)

Choosing the funniest scene from Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever seems like a no-brainer with Jim Carrey in the cast, but his Riddler does not actually appear in the moment that makes me laugh the hardest. That would be when Chris O’Donnell’s Robin pays tribute to his ’60s-era predecessor, Burt Ward, by exclaiming “Holy Rusted Metal, Batman!” - which turns out to be an observation that the ground surrounding Riddler and Two-Face’s island hideout is made of rusted metal and is “full of holes.” 

However, I also have to give an honorable mention to one man’s overly enthusiastic reaction to Val Kilmer’s epic, ceiling-shattering entrance at Edward Nygma’s gala.

All Of Mr. Freeze’s Ice Puns - Batman & Robin (1997)

As for Joel Schumacher’s second crack at a DC movie, it is impossible for me to pick just one funny moment. Each and every one of the increasingly ridiculous puns spouted by Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin - from “What killed the dinosaurs? The Ice Age!” to “Let’s kick some ice!” - is pure comedy gold. In fact, I think if there is any reason to watch the otherwise critically reviled temporary franchise killer, this is it.

“Nice Coat” - Batman Begins (2005)

The movie that revived the franchise was, of course, Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, which opted to go in the complete opposite direction of it predecessor by incorporating little to no humor at all. 

Yet, there is one endearing moment of levity when Christian Bale’s vigilante introduces himself to Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson) before knocking him out, then spots a homeless bystander (Rade Serbedzija) and compliments his coat. The reason behind Batman’s admiration of this stranger’s coat is that it once belonged to him before a younger Bruce Wayne traded him for his jacket after being thrown out of Falcone’s restaurant.

Reese Tries To Blackmail Bruce Wayne - The Dark Knight (2008)

Ironically, the one installment of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy that features The Joker is the one that is least commended for its humorous moments, especially with an Oscar-winning performance by Heath Ledger that is far more frightening than funny. 

Though, I do remember hearing big laughs from the crowd when Wayne Enterprises employee Coleman Reese (Joshua Harto) reveals to Lucius Fox (Morgan Fox) that he figured out Bruce Wayne is Batman when he found blueprints for the Tumbler, and wants an annual $10 million hush payment. Of course, his plan is foiled when Fox helps him realize that blackmailing an individual of such immense wealth, power, and hand-to-hand combat skills might not be in his best interest.

“So, That’s What That Feels Like” - The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The recurring gag that fans of the Dark Knight Trilogy can’t get enough of is Batman’s disappearing act, which is why it was such a pleasant surprise to the see tables turned on him - not to mention, outsmarted by Catwoman in a movie again - in The Dark Knight Rises. Mid-conversation with Anne Hathaway’s cat-like Selina Kyle, Christian Bale’s Caped Crusader turns to find her gone without a trace and cannot help but express his bewilderment over now having something like this in common with Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman).

“I’m A Friend Of Your Son” - Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

The defining characteristic of Ben Affleck’s Batman - that, some might say, even puts him above Christian Bale - is his relentlessly brutal fighting style that he gloriously puts on display in order to rescue Clark Kent’s mother, Martha Kent (Diane Lane), in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. 

He introduces himself to her as her son’s friend, which she claims she was able to guess by the fact that, like Superman (Henry Cavill) he also wears a cape. Yet, what I find especially funny about the scene is how Batman referred to himself as her son’s friend just an hour or so after he tried to kill him.

Bruce Tells Barry His Superpower - Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

I remember Batman v Superman being another flick that took some heat for being too serious and I wouldn’t be surprised if that had something to with why Zack Snyder and co. would lighten up Ben Affleck’s iteration a bit later on. A key example from both 2017’s theatrical version of Justice League and the Snyder Cut is when Barry “The Flash” Allen (Ezra Miller) asks Bruce Wayne what makes him a superhero, to which he replies, “I’m rich.” Despite the many other aspects to Batman’s heroism and skill, Batfans are usually inclined to respond the same way when asked that question.

Batman Finds Riddler’s “Thumb Drive” - The Batman (2022)

Speaking of movies criticized for being too serious, with all due respect, I believe those who found nothing humorous about The Batman have nothing to blame but their own lack of appreciation for dark comedy. Then again, the sight of a thumb drive that is attached to the deceased Gotham City mayor’s actual missing thumb - which Paul Dano’s extremely troubled Riddler leaves for Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight and Lt. Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) to find - is pretty gruesome no matter how clever the joke may be.

So, contrary to popular belief, if you are in the mood to see a Batman who can make you crack a smile or one to have a good laugh with, there are more places to look than, say, The LEGO Batman Movie.

Are the live-action Batman movies the greatest superhero movies of all time? Well, it depends on whom you ask and, specifically, which of the best live-action Batman movies you are referring to.

Of course, to form your own opinion, I recommend watching all of the live-action Batman movies in order, including some of the more underrated Batman movies (most of which are usually available with a Max subscription, making it one of the best streaming services to subscribe to today). We shall start with the “Bright Knight’s” big screen moment.

The Adam West Era

Batman: The Movie (1966)

Director: Leslie H. Martinson

Starring: Adam West, Burt Ward

What it's about: Millionaire Bruce Wayne and his young ward, Dick "Robin" Grayson, take on four fearsome members of their rogues gallery.

More about the Batman movie: Released months after its TV series predecessor premiered, Batman: The Movie may be a far cry from the character’s definitively darker iterations but Adam West’s legendary performance and its laugh-out-loud moments make it hard not to get wrapped up in this fun, campy classic.

How to watch Batman: The Movie

• Rent or buy Batman: The Movie on Amazon
• Buy Batman: The Movie on Blu-ray on Walmart.com

The Tim Burton Era

Batman (1989)

Director: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger

What it's about: Millionaire Bruce Wayne takes on a manic, disfigured gangster.

More about the Batman movie: One of the best Michael Keaton movies, Batman (also one of the best '80s movies) brought the Dark Knight's definitive, brooding form back to the mainstream with Keaton’s grounded portrayal, Jack Nicholson’s timelessly manic take on the Joker, and Danny Elfman's seminal score.

How to watch Batman

• Stream Batman on Max
• Rent or buy Batman on Amazon
• Buy Batman on Blu-ray on Amazon

Batman Returns (1992)

Director: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer

What it's about: Bruce Wayne puts on the cape and cowl again to face The Penguin, Catwoman, and a corrupt industrialist during one volatile holiday season.

More about the Batman movie: The more definitive Tim Burton movie in the franchise (and a great Christmas superhero movie) is Batman Returns, which, despite some controversial backlash over its macabre style, is a thoroughly entertaining interpretation of Gotham City lore and boasts one of the best Catwoman performances ever.

How to watch Batman Returns

• Rent or buy Batman Returns on Amazon
• Buy Batman Returns on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Joel Schumacher Era

Batman Forever (1995)

Director: Joel Schumacher

Starring: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Chris O’Donnell, Nicole Kidman

What it's about: Bruce Wayne struggles with his own identity while Two-Face and The Riddler attempt to discover Batman's true identity.

More about the Batman movie: Batman Forever is still dark on the inside but brighter on the outside (making Gotham look like Vegas with miniatures and digital effects), and also features one of the most iconic Riddler depictions.

How to watch Batman Forever

• Stream Batman Forever on Max
• Rent or buy Batman Forever on Amazon
• Buy Batman Forever on Blu-ray on Amazon

Batman & Robin (1997)

Director: Joel Schumacher

Starring: George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone

What it's about: The Caped Crusaders try to protect Gotham from Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy, with unexpected help from Batgirl.

More about the Batman movie: Despite an initially cold reception from most, Batman & Robin still does work for some people for the scenery-chewing Arnold Schwarzenegger and its much brighter tone and visual style.

How to watch Batman & Robin

• Stream Batman & Robin on Max
• Rent or buy Batman & Robin on Amazon
• Buy Batman & Robin on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Dark Knight Trilogy

Batman Begins (2005)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Michale Caine, Gary Oldman

What it's about: Bruce Wayne takes on the visage of his own greatest fear to wage a war against crime in his home city.

More about the Batman movie: Christian Bale secures himself as one of the best cinematic Batman actors in the acclaimed superhero origin story, Batman Begins, which also features one of the coolest Batmobile designs and beautifully bridges the gap between comic book fantasy and grounded, action-packed thrills.

How to watch Batman Begins

• Stream Batman Begins on Max
• Rent or buy Batman Begins on Amazon
• Buy Batman Begins on Blu-ray Amazon

The Dark Knight (2008)

Director: Christoper Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger

What it's about: Bruce Wayne works with the GCPD and D.A. Harvey Dent to catch an elusive, dangerous criminal known as The Joker.

More about the Batman movie: Christopher Nolan’s second DC movie, The Dark Knight, sparked a revolution in comic book cinema, with much credit to the late Heath Ledger Oscar-winning performance as the Joker.

How to watch The Dark Knight

• Stream The Dark Knight on Max
• Rent or buy The Dark Knight on Amazon
• Buy The Dark Knight on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Director: Christoper Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy

What it's about: Batman is pushed to his farthest limits by a physically and mentally intimidating terrorist named Bane, who turns Gotham City into an anarchic “No Man’s Land."

More about the Batman movie: Once again the villains steal the spotlight in Christopher Nolan's trilogy ender, The Dark Knight Rises, with Anne Hathaway's Catwoman, who joins forces with Batman against Tom Hardy's Bane in one of the coolest rival team-ups in recent memory.

How to watch The Dark Knight Rises

• Stream The Dark Knight Rises on Max
• Rent or buy The Dark Knight Rises on Amazon
• Buy The Dark Knight Rises on Blu-ray on Amazon

The DC Extended Universe

Director Zack Snyder’s Superman movie reboot, Man of Steel, was the first installment of a shared universe that came to be known as the DC Extended Universe. Of course, such a franchise would not be complete without Batman — as played by Academy Award winner and former Marvel movie actor (from 2003’s Daredevil) Ben Affleck... but he would not be the only one.

Before we get into where you can relive Batman's appearances in the DCEU, let's take a quick look at every film in this now-defunct shared universe by order of release date:

• Man of Steel (2013)
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
• Suicide Squad (2016)
• Wonder Woman (2017)
• Justice League (2017)
• Aquaman (2018)
• Shazam! (2019)
• Birds Of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
• Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
• Black Adam (2022)
• Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
• The Flash (2023)
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

Director: Zack Snyder

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot

What it's about: The Dark Knight is sent down a path toward vengeful conflict with the Man of Steel as the godly Kryptonian's own heroism is also put under intense scrutiny.

More about the Batman movie: In 2013, Ben Affleck was announced as Bale's successor for a gruffer, older, beefier, and arguably better take on Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which is also available as a three-hour "ultimate" cut on Max.

How to watch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

• Stream Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition on Max
• Stream Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition on Amazon Prime
• Buy Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition on Blu-ray on Amazon

Suicide Squad (2016)

Director: David Ayer

Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto

What it's about: A group of Gotham City's most dangerous criminals are offered shorter jail sentences in exchange for doing Amanda Waller's dirty work on Task Force X.

More about the Batman movie: Ben Affleck made a brief, but memorable, appearance in Suicide Squad, just a few months after Batman v Superman, In two of the best sequences (in addition to a mid-credits cameo) from DC's supervillain crossover flick.

How to watch Suicide Squad

• Stream Suicide Squad on Max
• Rent or buy Suicide Squad on Amazon
• Buy Suicide Squad on Blu-ray on Amazon

Justice League (2017)

Director: Zack Snyder, Joss Whedon

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller

What it's about: Seeking redemption for the mistake that led to Clark Kent’s demise, Bruce Wayne seeks out a crew of powerful people to help him defend Earth from an impending, otherworldly threat.

More about the Batman movie: While some may assume Superman is the de facto leader of the Justice League, it is this more hopeful Batman calling the shots in the first cinematic interpretation of DC's most powerful heroes uniting.

How to watch Justice League

• Stream Justice League on Max
• Stream Justice League on Tubi
• Rent or buy Justice League on Amazon
• Buy Justice League on Blu-ray on Amazon

Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Director: Zack Snyder

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller

What it's about: A disparate group of powerful people are brought together to take on an unearthly enemy.

More about the Batman movie: Seeking redemption for the mistakes that led to Justice League's disappointing critical and commercial reception, Warner Bros. decided to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut as a four-hour Max exclusive that boasts some of Batfleck’s most badass moments.

How to watch Zack Snyder's Justice League

• Stream Zack Snyder’s Justice League on Max
• Stream Zack Snyder’s Justice League: Justice is Gray on Max
• Buy Zack Snyder's Justice League on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Flash (2023)

Director: Andy Muschietti

Starring: Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle

What it's about: After discovering he can use his lightning-fast speed to alter the past, Barry Allen finds himself trapped in a doomed alternate reality, leading him to ask for some help.

More about the Batman movie: The DC Multiverse-spanning adventure, The Flash (currently one of the DC movies on Netflix), features not only Ben Affleck's Batman but also Michael Keaton in an awesome return to the role and one other surprise cameo at the end that we will let you find out on your own.

How to watch The Flash

• Stream The Flash on Max
• Rent or buy The Flash on Amazon
• Buy The Flash on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Batman Epic Crime Saga

The Batman (2022)

Director: Matt Reeves

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis

What it's about: Bruce Wayne investigates a sadistic killer who likes to leave riddles at the scene of the crime.

More about the Batman movie: Reeves reinterprets the Dark Knight as the hard-boiled detective fans had been dying to see on the big screen in The Batman, which reimagines Gotham City as a grimy cesspool of corruption, boasts one of the best Batman movie chase scenes, and inspired the acclaimed new DC TV show, The Penguin.

How to watch The Batman

• Stream The Batman on Max
• Rent or buy The Batman on Amazon
• Buy The Batman on Blu-ray on Amazon

There are so many different versions of Batman for any fan to enjoy, with some even preferring the DCAU's version of Batman, voiced by the late Kevin Conroy. It looks like a sequel to The Batman is in the works, and yet another big-screen interpretation of the Dark Knight — who, sort of, made his debut on Creature Commandos — is about to become a part of James Gunn and Peter Safran's upcoming DC movies. Enjoy this binge of all the live-action Batman movies so far — which is subject to change with all the upcoming Batman movies on the horizon — at any Bat-time, any Bat-place, and (sometimes) on various Bat-channels.

Jeffrey Wright made history as soon as he joined The Batman cast as James “Jim” Gordon, becoming the first Black actor to ever play the trusted Gotham City cop (most commonly referred to in comics and DC movies as the city’s Police Commissioner). Of course, each of the previous portrayals of this unmasked ally of the Dark Knight from various comic book adaptations are special and important in their owns ways, but only a chosen few have stood out to true Batfans. 

As a Batfan myself, I thought I would share my picks for the all-time best James Gordon depictions in Batman movies and TV shows we have seen so far. So, let’s flip on the Batsignal and start things off with a portrayal that surely no list of this kind would be complete without.

Neil Hamilton (Batman, Batman: The Movie)

I will admit, I would call Neil Hamilton’s overly cheery, occasionally fourth wall-breaking performance as Commissioner Gordon in the 1960s Batman TV series and theatrical spin-off one of the cheesiest and least badass depictions of the character to ever grace the screen. However, not only does the portrayal perfectly match the fun, campy tone of the series, it also shows a winningly authentic reflection of the mutual trust and admiration between Jim and the Caped Crusader (Adam West), which is key to their dynamic.

Bob Hastings (Batman: The Animated Series)

One show that captures the relationship between Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne’s alter ego perfectly is Batman: The Animated Series, in which Bob Hastings and Kevin Conroy voiced the respective roles, in addition to doing so in a few feature-length spin-offs. Amid the Emmy-winning cartoon’s earnest storylines, Hastings - who previously voiced Superboy in some 1960s animated DC TV shows - brought a certain optimistic charm to the character that remains refreshingly unique in any medium.

Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

As far as I am concerned, no live-action Batman movies so far have ever nailed the Jim Gordon/Batman dynamic nearly as well as the Dark Knight Trilogy, which traces the incorruptible cop’s rise from Gotham City police detective to Commissioner as Bruce Wayne begins his own war on crime. The chemistry between future Academy Award winners Gary Oldman (as Gordon) and Christian Bale (as Batman) as they discreetly join forces amid criticisms of the vigilante's methods is key to the lasting impact of director Christopher Nolan’s grounded take on the comic.

Ben McKenzie (Gotham)

A flashback in 2005’s Batman Begins reveals how Jim Gordon came to know young Bruce Wayne years before unwittingly forming an alliance with his alter ego, which is also, essentially, the basis of Fox’s hit prequel series. Former The O.C. star Ben McKenzie does an excellent job leading the Gotham cast as a younger Gordon hoping to make a difference in the titular, crime-ridden metropolis after joining the police force around the same time as Thomas and Martha Wayne’s untimely murder.

Bryan Cranston (Batman: Year One)

Ben McKenzie is actually one of the few Jim Gordon actors who have also had the honor of playing another Gotham city character: Batman, whom he voiced in 2011’s brilliant animated DC movie, Batman: Year One - based on Frank Miller’s 1986 reinterpretation of the Dark Knight’s origin. However, the true star of this gritty noir is Emmy winner Bryan Cranston, who voices a version of Gordon that is traditionally good-natured and courageous, but willing to bend the rules to show his new, crooked GCPD colleagues that he is not one to be messed with.

Ray Wise (Batman: The Killing Joke)

Batman: Year One is also keen to show that Jim Gordon is still prone to vulnerability, but he has rarely been so vulnerable as in Alan Moore’s groundbreaking one-shot Batman: The Killing Joke. In 2016’s animated adaptation, Twin Peaks cast member Ray Wise voices the Commissioner, whom Joker (Mark Hamill) nearly drives to his breaking point with a torturous psychological experiment that involves shooting and paralyzing his daughter, Barbara (Tara Strong). Luckily, he is, at least, still strong enough by the end to urge Batman (Kevin Conroy) to defeat the Clown Prince of Crime “by the book.”

Christopher Meloni (Harley Quinn)

Very little about Christopher Meloni’s performance as Jim Gordon on HBO Max’s animated Harley Quinn series is “by the book,” but it is certainly a welcome and irresistibly hilarious departure at that. This commissioner is far past his breaking point and resorts to using the Batsignal just to vent his marital woes to Batman (Diedrich Bader), who must be the one to reiterate the importance of the rules to his ally this time around. In any other instance, I’d be offended by the idea of a Gordon who has grown numb to Gotham’s endless crimewave, but it is handled with such clever wit and empathy that I have nothing but praise for it.

J.K. Simmons (Zack Snyder’s Justice League)

Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons has the honor of starring in both Marvel movies (as a pitch-perfect J. Jonah Jameson) and (technically two) DC movies as Jim Gordon, who really does seem like old friends with Ben Affleck’s Batman in the sole scene they share. For a while, fans assumed that his appearance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (the preferred version) would be the last we saw of him as the commissioner, until the exciting announcement that he will reprise the role in the upcoming Batgirl movie for HBO Max.

I would like to also give an honorable mention to Pat Hingle for his solid performance in Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies as the version of Jim Gordon that I, and surely many others, first became associated with growing up. Yet, in retrospect, the character is not painted in the most flattering or accurate light in those films, which also portray him and Michael Keaton’s Batman as no more than workplace acquaintances, which is why I chose to leave him off this list. Of course, at the end of the day, each and every iteration of Gotham’s commissioner is still worth honoring as one of the many stages in his enduring legacy.

To me, the most essential and defining element of the all best Batman villains is a seemingly non-threatening exterior which hides their sinister, unpredictable true nature. One character who reflects this concept better that much of Gotham City’s most wanted is Oswald Cobblepot - better known to DC readers as The Penguin.

Originally created by Batman co-creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the typically gentlemanly, but still quite eccentric, criminal mastermind will soon appear in Matt Reeves’ The Batman as played by Colin Farrell, who will also reprise the role in his own HBO Max exclusive spin-off. From the brief glimpses we have seen of the new Penguin, I am sure that the portrayal will follow the unspoken tradition that each iteration featured in Batman movies and TV shows is dramatically different from the last in some special way. To better explain what I mean, the following are some of the villain’s most notably unique portrayals over the years, starting with his screen debut.

Burgess Meredith (Batman, Batman: The Movie)

The first actor to ever play the Penguin in a DC Comics adaptation was Emmy-winner and two-time Oscar-nominee Burgess Meredith on the 1960’s Batman TV series and its feature-length, theatrically release spin-off. Also known from the Rocky movies and some of the best Twilight Zone episodes, the actor’s appropriately scene-chewing portrayal had a more profound effect on the character’s subsequent legacy than anyone would have anticipated.

His general appearance (top hat, monocle, beak-like nose, etc.) and mannerisms were ripped right from the comic books, but one signature characteristic that Meredith himself brought to the role was Penguin’s “quack.” He revealed in a 2007 interview with William V. Madison, the villain’s now iconic staple was actually a way to hide his frequent coughing as a result of the character’s smoking habit.

Danny DeVito (Batman Returns)

One of the most memorable characteristics of Danny DeVito’s Oswald Cobbleport in Batman Returns was also of the actor’s invention. It was the Emmy-winning future It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star’s idea to frequently cough up black saliva, as if the character design was not grotesque enough.

It is not really a hot take to say that the Penguin to Michael Keaton’s Batman in Tim Burton’s 1992 sequel is the scariest version of the character we have seen yet, and a key factor to the bizarre film’s infamous legacy (apparently McDonald’s, which had a tie-in Happy Meal deal with the movie, was not fond of the black saliva). However, if you ask me, this bleak and off-putting depiction is peak Penguin, and DeVito’s bold performance is one to aspire to. It appears that some of his successors agreed.

Paul Williams (Batman: The Animated Series)

A clear example of just how influential Danny Devito’s Penguin turned out to be is the character’s design on Batman: The Animated Series, which was created in response to the success of Tim Burton’s live-action Batman movies, initially. Despite the lack of sickly pale skin and black oral discharge, his globe-like stature and flippers for hands are a perfect match for what we see in Batman Returns.

Providing the voice of the Penguin on the Emmy-winning series, opposite Kevin Conroy as the Dark Knight, is renowned musician Paul Williams, who is also known for writing the Oscar-winning song “Evergreen” from 1976’s A Star is Born, and collaborating with now defunct electropop duo Daft Punk on their Grammy-winning 2013 album, Random Access Memories. The voice he chooses is more uniquely reserved and, frankly, human than what we tend to associate with the character, but effectively accentuates his more sophisticated approach to crime.

Tom Kenny (The Batman) 

The voice is actually the biggest difference between Paul Williams’ Penguin and Tom Kenny’s Penguin, whose rough, nasally tone calls to mind The Ice King from Adventure Time (another classic role from the SpongeBob Squarepants star). Otherwise, the character design of the villain on the animated series The Batman, which premiered a year before Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, bears a pretty close resemblance to what we see on BTAS, excluding his pointier teeth.

Kenny’s impressive tenure as Oswald Cobblepot did not stop there, however, as he would reprise the role in a few video games, various LEGO DC movies, the English-language dub of Batman Ninja, and Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to name a few. The only disappointment I have over that epic 2019 crossover movie is that we never see the unusually spry Penguin transformed into an actual penguin by the mutagen that turns Arkham into a literal zoo.

Robin Lord Taylor (Gotham)

The amazing way that Fox’s Batman prequel series paid tribute to Batman Returns had barely anything to do with its general portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot. It instead came in the form of casting Paul Reubens as the criminal’s estranged father, whom the Pee-wee Herman actor also played in the 1992 film.

Outside of his bird-like waddle (the result of leg injury), appearance of the monocle (eventually), and vehement distaste for his nickname, Gotham cast member Robin Lord Taylor’s Penguin is a pretty vast departure from previous iterations - particularly in his lanky physique, anxious demeanor, and unrequited romantic affection for Cory Michael Smith’s Edward Nygma (a.k.a. The Riddler). Comic book purists would normally take issue with such creative liberties, but Taylor’s brilliant devotion to the role makes it easy to accept.

Nolan North (Batman: Assault On Arkham)

The 2014 animated feature, Batman: Assault on Arkham (a Suicide Squad movie disguised as a Batman movie) indulges in more references to Danny DeVito for its Penguin, who has the same grayish complexion, insatiable appetite for raw fish, and ratty fur coat. However, for whatever reason, this Oswald Cobblepot is apparently from (or at least has spent a good portion of his life in) London, as evident by his thick cockney accent.

He is played this time by accomplished voice actor Nolan North - who is from Connecticut, if you were wondering - who has also voiced the villain in each installment of the Batman: Arkham video games series. To be clear, I am not against this unusual change to the Penguin’s dialect and, quite frankly, I am actually surprised no one else had tried it before, because if any member of Batman’s rogues gallery would make the most sense as a Brit, it is the one with a monacle.

On the other side of that coin, Wayne Knight (Newman from Seinfeld) also does a version of Penguin with a Brooklyn accent and a Jewish nephew on HBO Max’s animated Harley Quinn series, and DC Super Hero Girls de-ages him to a teenage con artist with a slightly similar dialect voiced by Alexander Polinsky. Each of these are equally fun, warmly welcome iterations of the character. The villain has become a surprisingly versatile member of Batman’s rogue’s gallery, as long as his core characteristics as a calculative, bird-like cretin are still in place.

I have a good feeling that The Batman is about to show us a version of the Dark Knight unlike any interpretation that we have seen on the big screen before. That being said, I am sure that director Matt Reeves’ upcoming DC movie (due for a March 2022 release) will also feature fascinating twists on various other characters known to Gotham City, especially The Riddler.

The comic book villain, whose quite fitting real name is Edward Nygma, has enjoyed toying with the Caped Crusader ever since he was first dreamed up by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang in 1948. The puzzling foe has also inspired various interpretations in Batman movies and TV shows, each one more distinct than the last. Before Academy Award nominee Paul Dano’s new take makes his grand debut, let’s take a look at some of the funniest and most frightening onscreen versions of The Riddler so far.

Frank Gorshin (Batman, Batman: The Movie)

The first actor to ever portray The Riddler in a comic book adaptation (live-action or animated) was Frank Gorshin on the Adam West-led 1960s Batman TV show and its feature-length spin-off, which was released in theaters in 1966. The comedian would actually earn an Emmy nomination for his lively and (at times) wonderfully manic performance in the green suit, which would undeniably set an iron-clad precedent for the character that every actor to succeed him would strive to live up to.

Jim Carrey (Batman Forever)

One of the most essential examples of looking to Frank Gorshin for inspiration is Jim Carrey in Batman Forever. Joel Schumacher assumed directorial duties and Val Kilmer assumed the cowl for this film in which a Bruce Wayne-obsessed Edward Nygma teams up with Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) to drain Gotham City citizens' brains with his powerful invention. This goofy sequel has evolved into a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I can honestly say I derive pleasure from watching the Ace Ventura actor chew the scenery in a relentlessly maddening performance that make the film worth revisiting alone.

John Glover (Batman: The Animated Series)

Despite being a cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series is considered less cartoonish than the 1990s live action Batman movies and, fittingly, featured a more reserved and darker version of The Riddler. John Glover (also known for DC adaptations Batman & Robin, Smallville, Shazam!, and Lucifer) invokes a uniquely sinister playfulness when voicing Edward Nygma - a puzzle designer seeking revenge on his former employer in his first appearance on the Emmy-winning series. 

Glover made a strong enough impression on fans to celebrate news that he and Batman voice actor, Kevin Conroy, will both reprise their roles for an upcoming audio drama that serves as a sequel to BTAS.  

Robert Englund (The Batman) 

The underrated, mid-to-late-2000s animated series, The Batman, has a much darker version of The Riddler, with the mere fact that he is voiced by iconic horror movie actor Robert Englund contributing much to that distinction. 

This Edward Nygma (who almost resembles Marilyn Manson in full makeup) is, once again, out to get back at a man who ruined his career, and does so by filling his home with deadly traps. Imagine if the A Nightmare on Elm Street cast member played Jigsaw instead of Freddy Krueger, and then faced off against Batman. That describes this Riddler in a nutshell.

Matthew Gray Gubler (Batman: Assault On Arkham)

Imagine if Criminal Minds cast member Matthew Gray Gubler’s Dr. Spencer Reid had instead become a criminal himself, and that describes this Riddler perfectly for you. He is just about the funniest and most unusually likable character in the 2014 animated movie, Batman: Assault on Arkham, which is really more about the Suicide Squad than it is about Kevin Conroy’s Dark Knight. 

However, the featured Task Force X members have no trouble voicing their personal dislike of the quippy and conceited villain, even after he promises he can help diffuse the bombs Amanda Waller (CCH Pounder) placed in their heads.

Cory Michael Smith (Gotham)

Watching characters slowly fulfill their destinies as Batman villains made Gotham a fun watch for fans, and Riddler’s evolution on the series was certainly no exception. 

Played by Gotham cast member Cory Michael Smith, Edward Nygma’s origin is a fascinating one - having initially worked as a brilliant (but widely disliked) forensic scientist for the GCPD until unforeseen circumstances caused his murderous split personality to emerge and, eventually, take full control. It’s a character arc that more accurately resembles Two-Face, but is still a welcome reinterpretation for the drama that unfolds.

Dave Franco (Young Justice)

Speaking of welcome reinterpretations, Young Justice is an earnest take on the Teen Titans comics that most fans agree is one of the strongest DC TV shows ever conceived. The secret is how the animated series borrows classic hero and villain characteristics, but adds new features that lend brilliantly to the plot, and its Riddler is certainly no exception. 

Voiced by Dave Franco, this Edward Nygma still loves to tease adversaries with clever wordplay, but mostly to make his bombastic acts of terrorism more fun for himself, making this take a bold balancing act between comedy and tragedy.

Jim Rash (Harley Quinn)

Now, if it is comedy that you really want from your Riddler, I highly recommend Harley Quinn on HBO Max, starring Kaley Cuoco as the Clown Princess of Crime. The fact that the hit animated series’ representation of Edward Nygma looks so much like the actor who plays him - Academy Award winner and former Community cast member Jim Rash - is already enough to earn a laugh. However, if you keep watching, I promise it only gets funnier from there when he becomes one of main antagonists of Season 2.

I also got quite a few laughs out of John Leguizamo’s vocal performance as The Riddler on the dramatic podcast Batman: The Audio Adventures, which is also exclusive to HBO Max subscribers. However, laughter is not what I am expecting from Paul Dano’s performance in The Batman. Honestly, as long as he invokes the same calculative, self-righteous traits the character is known for, I could not be more excited for it.

Every superhero has their weakness, like Superman with Kryptonite and Wonder Woman with gunfire and melee weapons, for instance. As a human being, Batman can be slowed down by plenty of things, but his skills as a strategist and indomitable typically keep him defiant in these situations. However, the one thing – or, person, I should say – who rarely fails to weaken his knees is one of Gotham’s greatest criminals, Catwoman.

The popularity of Selina Kyle’s thieving alter ego – who is more of an anti-hero than a straight-up villain and has been known to team up with her batty on-and-off beau – has transcended DC Comics, thanks to iconic interpretations in various animated or live-action Batman movies and TV shows. Let’s explore some past portrayals that most fans would consider purrr-fect. 

Zoë Kravitz As Catwoman In The Batman

How fitting that my personal choice for the best live-action Batman movie so far also features my favorite interpretation of Catwoman yet. Now, you could accuse me of recency bias, but you cannot deny that Zoë Kravitz gives a breathtaking performance as Selina Kyle – her second time playing the role, actually, after voicing her in The LEGO Batman Movie – that is key to why Matt Reeves’ The Batman is observed as a classic detective fiction throwback. Her interaction with Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight is a perfect reflection of the film noir femme fatale persona that inspired the character in the first place.

Elizabeth Gillies As Catwoman In Catwoman: Hunted

When Selina Kyle got her own DC animated movie in 2022, they cast an actor who really had a great handle on how to voice the character in the form of Elizabeth Gillies. Taking inspiration from Michelle Pfeiffer (whom we will get to soon), the star of CW’s Dynasty absolutely nails the burglar's alluring qualities in Catwoman: Hunted – a funny, action-packed thriller that sees her teaming up with Batwoman (Stephanie Beatriz) after an attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her at odds with a powerful crime cartel.

Sanaa Lathan As Catwoman On Harley Quinn

Now, if we really want to talk about funny portrayals of Catwoman, there are few greater examples than on the hit, Max exclusive series, Harley Quinn, which is also home to many other great, comically inspired depictions of classic DC characters. However, I believe Sanaa Lathan’s portrayal is something really special, reinventing Selina Kyle as a fully self-serving woman who actually gets a little fed up with all the attention she gets from Diedrich Bader’s Bruce Wayne. It is a clever and hilarious reinvention of their relationship on par with Batman and Joker in The LEGO Batman Movie.

Naya Rivera As Catwoman In Batman: The Long Halloween

That being said, I am still a sucker for the Bat and the Cat’s moments of solidarity, such as when they team up to investigate an ongoing case of serial killings in 2021’s Batman: The Long Halloween. However, the two-part, animated adaptation of Jeph Loeb’s acclaimed series does shed light on Bruce Wayne (Jensen Ackles) and Selina Kyle’s (Naya Rivera) romantic troubles, for which the former Glee cast member also brings an enriching sense of authenticity and gravitas. As one of Rivera’s final performances before her untimely death, it succeeds as an all-time great moment for Catwoman in my book.

Julie Newmar As Catwoman On Batman 

Catwoman made her live-action debut on Season 1 of the 1960s Batman TV show with Julie Newmar in the role. The star of stage and screen was noted for her keen sense of humor, which made her a perfect fit for the series’ signature campy tone. While she would later reprise Selina Kyle in two DC animated movies (Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders in 2016 and 2017’s Batman vs. Two-Face), she is not the only actor to steal the heart of Adam West’s Bruce Wayne.

Lee Meriwether As Catwoman In Batman: The Movie

With Newmar unable to appear in 1966’s Batman: The Movie – which contains many of the funniest Batman movie moments – Lee Meriwether joined the cast to assist The Joker (Cesar Romero), The Riddler (Frank Gorshin), and The Penguin (Burgess Meredith) in a sinister world domination plot. However, the Emmy nominee and former Miss America is not just playing Catwoman, because Selina Kyle disguises herself as the Russian Miss Kitka to lure Bruce Wayne into a horrible trap. Regardless, Meriwether’s devilishly funny and tastefully seductive performance makes for a memorable big screen debut of the character.

Eartha Kitt As Catwoman On Batman 

Meriwether would also appear on the Batman TV series, but in an entirely different role, because Catwoman had once again been recast by Season 2. Emmy nominee and recording artist Eartha Kitt (whom younger audiences might recognize as Madame Zeroni in Holes or as the voice of Yzma in The Emperor’s New Groove) would make history as the first Black actress to play the supervillain in 1967. Her performance is just as historical, nailing the character’s most essential traits with a scenery-chewing glow.

Michelle Pfeiffer As Catwoman In Batman Returns

Even though Batman Returns goes hog wild with its interpretation of Selina Kyle by making her a murdered secretary magically resurrected by cats turned into an agent of chaos, many fans still call Michelle Pfeiffer their favorite Catwoman to this day, and it is easy to see why. For one, among the strongest elements of Tim Burton’s otherwise controversial 1992 sequel is its refreshing examination of Selina’s relationship with Bruce Wayne, especially in one of Michael Keaton’s best moments in the role when the turbulent pair show up maskless to a costume party, reflecting how the masks they usually wear best represent their true selves. Plus, the line “I am Catwoman, hear me roar” saw the beginning of a wave of feminism in new superhero movies.

Adrienne Barbeau as Catwoman on Batman: The Animated Series

The success of the Tim Burton movies (1989’s Batman, particularly) led to the creation of Batman: The Animated Series, which boasts the quintessential version of the Dark Knight (voiced by the late Kevin Conroy) in many fans’ eyes. I would say that the Emmy-winning cartoon’s iteration of Catwoman (voiced by Scream Queen Adrienne Barbeau) is the first to really get the character right in all facets, from her stunning thievery (aided by one intelligent feline) to her romantic connection with Bruce Wayne. The relationship feels even more authentic and naturally well developed overtime than even Keaton and Pfeiffer’s pairing, if you ask me.

Eliza Dushku As Catwoman In Batman: Year One

Selina Kyle (voiced by Eliza Dushku) and Bruce Wayne (voiced by future Gotham cast member Ben McKenzie) only share one direct interaction in 2011’s Batman: Year One that is very fervent and shows neither of them in costume. However, this animated favorite – based on Frank Miller’s acclaimed reimagining of Batman’s origin – has one of the most grounded and grittiest takes on Catwoman we have seen yet, portraying her as a sex worker from the seedier areas of Gotham City who turns to crime to help make ends meet. 

Anne Hathaway As Catwoman In The Dark Knight Rises

Of course, it is tough to deny how grounded and gritty Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway’s take on Selina Kyle in the final chapter of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy turned out to be. To be frank, I actually believe her consistently earnest and faithful approach to playing Catwoman as a conniving, ruthless femme fatale who finds she has a soft spot for Christian Bale’s Batman is one of the few reasons why 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises is worth revisiting. If there was ever a chance of her returning the role – which Hathaway said she would be game for – I would be game to see it.

Camren Bicondova As Selina Kyle On Gotham

There are plenty of reasons why fans love to revisit Gotham – the Batman prequel series that aired on Fox for five seasons – and its own take on Catwoman is certainly one of them. This version of Selina Kyle (played by Camren Bicondova before Lili Simmonds takes over in the series finale) is a teenage orphan who befriends a young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) and becomes his ally in the early days of his crusade against crime… when she is not dabbling in crime herself.

You may have taken notice of the fact that Halle Berry’s Razzie-winning performance in 2004’s Catwoman as Patience Phillips (not Selina Kyle) is nowhere to be seen on the list above. It was actually not until recently that I learned some audiences might take offense to her exclusion, as they find the portrayal to be exceptional and even important to the character’s legacy. Well, I am happy that they feel that way, but, personally, I am thankful for how dramatically different and more accurate to the source material the other Catwomen we have listed above proved to be.

When you think of the most iconic vehicles in pop culture history, I bet the one you have dreamed about getting behind the wheel of most often is the Batmobile. The finest ride in Gotham has seen quite a transformative evolution on film, from the 1940s theatrical serials to Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

The question is, among its cinematic designs, which Batmobile is best? As a lifelong Batfan with a few opinions on the matter, I have accepted the challenge of taking a deeper look under the hood of all the Batmobile designs from every live-action Batman movie so far and ranking them in ascending order to determine which one rules the road. Buckle up.  

8. Batman (1943)

This Batmobile might not even be worth counting and for a couple of reasons. For one, the 1943 Batman serials starring Lewis Wilson as the Caped Crusader have been long forgotten by most and rarely referenced in comparison to more modern cinematic entries. 

A possible key reason for the old short films’ obscurity (outside of being overt anti-Japanese propaganda) is the simple fact that this “Batmobile” is nothing more than a 1939 Cadillac Series 61 convertible without even a Bat symbol merely glued to the front grill. At least it was black, which counts for something.

7. Batman & Robin (1997)

Usually toy companies will try to recreate the appearance of a vehicle designed for a movie into a smaller model. However, it almost seems like that process was done in reverse with this flashy (literally, the motor is a big, spinning light at the front) art installation on wheels that was just one of many ridiculously cartoonish vehicles that made the infamous Batman & Robin one long toy commercial. 

I will give points for its sleek, somewhat traditional body design and getting rid of a certain feature from the Batmobile in Joel Schumacher’s previous Batman movie that I will get to soon. I take away just as many points, though, for making this vehicle a one-seater with an unsealable open top that makes George Clooney’s Batman susceptible to gunfire, a crushed head if it flips over, or bugs in his teeth. If you want to make the Batmobile the ultimate toy, at least make it a real car first.

6. Batman Forever (1995)

I have always believed that any Batmobile should, in some capacity, look “batty” (and, yes I do have my arguments in favor of the Tumbler and Robert Pattinson’s muscle car). That being said, I do feel that some designs have taken the “batty” part a little too far, in favor of throwing practicality out the window – such as with Val Kilmer’s ride in Joel Schumacher’s first DC movie, Batman Forever. 

The bright, blue light emitting from the translucent ribbing pattern of the body and wheels would be repeated (with red added, too) in Batman & Robin, but at least that Batmobile got rid of the comically large and unnecessary third wing sticking out from the center rear, which would not come in handy under low overpasses. This is yet another Batmobile that suffers from putting style over substance and a misunderstanding of its purpose for crime fighting and transportation, not winning prizes at the local car show.

5. Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

I may have said earlier that a Batmobile can be too “batty,” but I still firmly believe that element is of some importance, symbolically at least. Yet, for some reason, Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne chose to ignore any resemblance to the nocturnal creature of his alter ego’s namesake when designing (or even buying for all we know) his vehicle that was first introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. 

This is essentially the Blade Runner universe’s idea of a military grade combat vehicle which, despite its impressive built-in arsenal, has nothing memorable to offer in comparison to previous Batmobiles. Even when Frank Miller’s Batman drove a tank in The Dark Knight Returns, he had the thought to give it ears.

4. The Batman (2022)

I remember, when the Batmobile from The Batman was first revealed by Matt Reeves on Twitter, some said it looked like a suped-up hot rod more fitting for Dominic Toretto or Max Rocktansky than the Caped Crusader. However, I really admire its more realistic, homemade approach that veers away from the tank design for the first time in a while.

Plus, if you look close enough, that badass rocket blaster even has some “battiness” to it. Thankfully, any haters were immediately silenced by the epic car chase between Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight and Colin Farrell’s Penguin that immediately proves what a mean, crime-fighting machine this new take on the vehicle is.

3. Batman: The Movie (1966)

However, even a battle-ready muscle car like we see in The Batman just barely holds a candle to the very first, true live-action Batmobile, in my opinion. After first appearing in the hit TV series starring Adam West as the Caped Crusader and Burt Ward as his young ward, Robin, this instantly recognizable pop culture landmark made its cinematic debut in 1966’s Batman: The Movie.

Modeled after a 1955 Lincoln Futura, the jet black paint job with red trim, sleek “wing-like” body, and the mandatory rocket blaster in the back makes it a real thing of beauty. Hell, I even dig the Jetsons-style dome windows, even if they should be closed. This is what I was talking about when I said your ideal toy car should look like a car first.

2. Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008)

Now, I am aware that I have been slightly critical of less-than-batty, military-grade vehicles passing off as Batmobiles in this list. I also know that there are a few Batfans who do not favor the less-than batty, military-grade vehicle that Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) buys from Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins for that reason. 

However, in 2005, the Tumbler was an exciting moment in Batmobile history for being more unique and suited for mobile crime fighting than anything we had seen before with reinforced armor, the ability to jump bridges, and an amazing built-in arsenal. Also, anyone who doubts the Tumbler’s battiness should take a better look at the wings in the back and how closely the body design resembles a bat’s face.

1. Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992)

Based on the criteria I have presented for what a Batmobile must possess, there is only one that meets every detail. I also think most BatFans would agree that, when it comes to all the live-action Batman actors so far, Michael Keaton got the ultimate ride.

It has “battness” with its unmistakable wings emitting from the rear, it has a sleek body with built-in, voice-activated shields, the turbine engine in the front is intimidating, and the combination of clear practicality and breathtaking artistry is refreshing. I cannot think of another Batmobile in history that can hold a candle to the one in Tim Burton’s films, with the ‘90s animated series’ vehicle coming closest.

Who knows what this list could look like when other upcoming Batman movies come out? Maybe Robert Pattinson’s Batmobile will get a new redesign for Matt Reeves’ next installment that will take it straight to top. However, in the end – like the Dark Knight himself – there is not one definitive version of the Batmobile and whichever one should be deemed best is in the eye of the beholder.