Buzz
Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, a groundbreaking issue that has since become one of the most iconic and valuable comics ever published. Over the decades, the Dark Knight has taken center stage in countless TV shows, films—both live-action and animated—and a wide array of video games. While we hold Batman: The Animated Series in high regard and consider the Arkham games exceptional, today we aim to honor Batman by showcasing his most remarkable films, spanning both animated and live-action genres.
Marking the 30th anniversary of Tim Burton’s Batman, we’ve compiled a ranking of all 25 Batman movies (live-action and animated), from our least preferred to the absolute best. Dive in and enjoy!
25. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
Synopsis: With the Penguin already causing chaos, a new female vigilante emerges in Gotham City. Her aggressive methods raise alarms, prompting Batman to investigate her motives.
Cast: Featuring Kelly Ripa, Kimberly Brooks, Elisa Gabrielli, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin Michal Richardson, Robert Costanzo, Tim Dang, Bob Hastings, Eli Marienthal, Tara Strong, John Vernon, Efrem Zimbalist, Kevin Conroy, Kyra Sedgwick, and Héctor Elizondo.
Directed by: Curt Geda
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
24. Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
Synopsis: Batman and Nightwing team up with Harley Quinn to thwart a worldwide catastrophe orchestrated by Poison Ivy and the Plant Master.
Cast: Starring Kevin Conroy, Melissa Rauch, Loren Lester, Paget Brewster, John DiMaggio, Eric Bauza, Robin Atkins Downes, Trevor Devall, Rob Paulsen, Mindy Sterling, and Kevin Michael Richardson.
Directed by: Sam Liu
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
23. Batman Forever (1995)
Synopsis: Batman (Val Kilmer) confronts two formidable enemies: Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), a scarred and unstable former District Attorney, and the Riddler (Jim Carrey), a vengeful ex-Wayne Enterprises inventor who unleashes a mind-control device on Gotham City. While battling these villains, Batman grapples with haunting memories of his parents’ death and navigates a budding relationship with psychologist Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman).
Cast: Featuring Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Chris O’Donnell, Nicole Kidman, Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Gough, Drew Barrymore, Debi Mazar, and Pat Hingle.
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
22. Son of Batman (2014)
Synopsis: Batman discovers he has a son with Talia, daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, who is fierce and rebellious. To protect his newfound family, Batman must confront Deathstroke and the powerful League of Assassins.
Cast: Starring Stuart Allan, Jason O’Mara, Thomas Gibson, Morena Baccarin, Sean Maher, David McCallum, Giancarlo Esposito, Xander Berkeley, Diane Michelle, Fred Tatasciore, Bruce Thomas, Kari Wahlgren, Dee Bradley Baker, and Andrea Romano.
Directed by: Ethan Spaulding
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
21. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
Synopsis: Superman (Tim Daly) and Batman (Kevin Conroy) team up to rescue a Kryptonian newcomer from the clutches of the malevolent Darkseid (Andre Braugher).
Cast: Featuring Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Summer Glau, Andre Braugher, Susan Eisenberg, Julianna Grossman, Edward Asner, Rachel Quaintance, Salli Saffioti, Andrea Romano, Jim Ward, Dave B. Mitchell, Greg Alan Williams, John Cygan, April Winchell, and Tara Strong.
Directed by: Lauren Montgomery
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
20. Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)
Synopsis: Harvey Dent, the former District Attorney of Gotham City, now scarred by acid, embarks on a criminal rampage, making decisions based on the flip of a damaged two-headed coin.
Cast: Starring Adam West, Burt Ward, William Shatner, Julie Newman, Jim Ward, Thomas Lennon, Lynne Marie Stewart, Jeff Bergman, Wally Wingert, William Salyers, Sirena Irwin, and Lee Meriwether.
Directed by: Rick Morales
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
19. Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
Synopsis: Mr. Freeze abducts Barbara Gordon, intending to use her blood plasma to save his critically ill wife. Batman and Robin must act swiftly to rescue Barbara and thwart Freeze’s perilous plan.
Cast: Featuring Kevin Conroy, Michael Ansara, Loren Lester, Mary Kay Bergman, Rahi Azizi, Robert Costanzo, Mari Devon, George Dzundza, Bob Hastings, Marilu Henner, Dean Jones, Liane Schirmer, Frank Welker, and Efrem Zimbalist.
Directed by: Boyd Kirkland
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
18. Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne has vanished. Alfred steps in to cover for him while Nightwing and Robin take over Gotham City’s protection. Meanwhile, Batwoman, a new ally, delves into the mystery behind Batman’s sudden disappearance.
Cast: Starring Jason O’Mara, Yvonne Strahovski, Stuart Allan, Sean Maher, Gaius Charles, Morena Baccarin, Ernie Hudson, Steve Blum, John DiMaggio, Travis Willingham, Robin Atkin Downes, Vanessa Marshall, Richard McGonagle, Matthew Mercer, and Geoff Pierson.
Directed by: Jay Olivia
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
17. Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Synopsis: This anthology highlights pivotal moments in Bruce Wayne’s transformation from a novice to the legendary Dark Knight.
Cast: Featuring Kevin Conroy, Jim Meskimen, Corey Burton, David McCallum, Jason Marsden, Rob Paulsen, Alanna Ubach, Gary Dourdan, Ana Ortiz, Kevin Michael Richardson, George Newbern, Scott Menville, Crystal Scales, and Frank Welker.
Directed by: Shoujirou Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki, Toshiyuki Kubooka, Andrea Romano, and Jong-Sik Nam
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
16. The Batman Superman Movie: World's Finest (1997)
Synopsis: Batman and Superman join forces to take on the Joker and Lex Luthor, while Bruce Wayne starts a romantic relationship with Lois Lane.
Cast: Starring Kevin Conroy, Clancy Brown, Tim Daly, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Joseph Bologna, Corey Burton, Bob Hastings, Lauren Tom, Lisa Edelstein, Robert Costanzo, and Brad Garrett.
Directed by: Toshihiko Masuda
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
15. Batman: The Movie (1966)
Synopsis: Holy blockbuster, Batman! This film brings the campy, tongue-in-cheek 1960s TV series to life. Watch Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) take on sharks, Catwoman, The Joker, and The Riddler in a high-stakes battle to save the world. With a wham! pow! and zip!, our dynamic duo might just come out on top.
Cast: Featuring Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier, Neil Hamilton, Madge Blake, and Stafford Repp.
Directed by: Leslie H. Martinson
Source: 20th Century Fox (Screenshot)
14. Batman vs. Robin (2015)
Synopsis: Damian Wayne struggles to adhere to his father’s no-killing policy and begins to believe his true path lies with a mysterious secret organization.
Cast: Starring Jason O’Mara, Kevin Conroy, Stuart Allan, Sean Maher, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, David McCallum, Jeremy Sisto, Grey DeLisle, Robin Atkin Downes, and Peter Onorati.
Directed by: Jay Oliva
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
13. Batman: Year One (2011)
Synopsis: This origin story follows a young Bruce Wayne and James Gordon as they arrive in Gotham City, confronting its rampant violence and corruption. Wayne embraces his destiny as Batman, launching his crusade against crime and injustice.
Cast: Featuring Ben McKenzie, Bryan Cranston, Eliza Dushku, Katee Sackhoff, Alex Rocco, Jon Polito, Grey DeLisle, Jeff Bennett, and Robin Atkin Downes.
Directed by: Sam Liu & Lauren Montgomery
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
12. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Synopsis: Gotham City faces a major upheaval, and Batman (Will Arnett) must reconsider his lone-wolf approach to stop the Joker’s (Zach Galifianakis) hostile takeover. With the help of his sidekick Robin (Michael Cera) and loyal butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes), Batman learns the value of teamwork and maybe even how to loosen up a bit.
Cast: Starring Will Arnett, Mariah Carey, Chris McKay, Conan O’Brien, Michael Cera, Channing Tatum, Ellie Kemper, Rosario Dawson, Jenny Slate, Zoë Kravitz, Ralph Fiennes, Adam DeVine, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Mantzoukas, Jonah Hill, Susan Bennett, Billy Dee Williams, Jemaine Clement, Eddie Izzard, Kate Micucci, Riki Lindhome, and Seth Green.
Directed by: Chris McKay
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
11. Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)
Synopsis: Batman (Kevin Conroy) races to stop the Joker (Troy Baker) from annihilating Gotham City, all while confronting a dangerous new group of adversaries known as the Suicide Squad.
Cast: Featuring Kevin Conroy, Troy Baker, Matthew Gray Gubler, Neal McDonough, Giancarlo Esposito, Hynden Walch, C. C. H. Pounder, John DiMaggio, Greg Ellis, Jennifer Hale, Nolan North, Martin Jarvis, and Eric Bauza.
Directed by: Jay Oliva & Ethan Spaulding
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
10. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Synopsis: In a futuristic Gotham City, an aging Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) mentors Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle) to take up the mantle of Batman. The Joker (Mark Hamill), presumed dead, resurfaces as the leader of the Jokerz gang. As Terry battles the Jokerz and uncovers the truth behind the Joker’s return, violent confrontations reveal shocking secrets about the Clown Prince of Crime’s past.
Cast: Starring Bruce Timm, Will Friedle, Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong, Henry Rollins, Angie Harmon, Lauren Tom, Melissa Joan Hart, Rachael Leigh Cook, Teri Garr, Michael Rosenbaum, Frank Welker, Dean Stockwell, Mathew Valencia, Arleen Sorkin, Don Harvey, and Vernee Watson-Johnson.
Directed by: Curt Geda
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
9. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Synopsis: Set in the 1940s, this animated film follows Batman (Kevin Conroy) as he confronts a mysterious vigilante eliminating Gotham City’s most notorious criminals, with many suspecting Batman himself. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne plans to marry Andrea Beaumont (Dana Delany), who helps him heal from his parents’ tragic murder, potentially signaling the end of his crime-fighting career.
Cast: Featuring Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Stacy Keach, Hart Bochner, Abe Vigoda, Dick Miller, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., John P. Ryan, Bob Hastings, and Robert Costanzo.
Directed by: Bruce Timm & Eric Radomski
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
8. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013)
Synopsis: Batman, alongside his new ally Robin, confronts the Joker’s latest scheme while Superman’s actions bring a worldwide crisis to Gotham City.
Cast: Starring Peter Weller, Ariel Winter, Michael Emerson, David Selby, Bruce Timm, Michael McKean, Mark Valley, Conan O’Brien, Maria Canals-Barrera, Paget Brewster, Grey DeLisle, Dee Bradley Baker, Robin Atkin Downes, Carlos Alazraqui, Gary Anthony Williams, and Yuri Lowenthal.
Directed by: Jay Oliva
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
7. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Synopsis: Batman confronts a vigilante determined to rid Gotham City of crime but who operates outside his ethical boundaries.
Cast: Featuring Bruce Timm, Jensen Ackles, Bruce Greenwood, Neil Patrick Harris, John DiMaggio, Jason Isaacs, Wade Williams, Vincent Martella, Andrea Romano, Jim Piddock, Gary Cole, Carlos Alazraqui, and Alexander Martella.
Directed by: Brandon Vietti
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
6. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
Synopsis: Batman emerges from retirement, aided by a teenage ally, and confronts the Joker and Two-Face. The story escalates into a deadly showdown with Superman.
Cast: Starring Peter Weller, Ariel Winter, Michael Emerson, David Selby, Bruce Timm, Michael McKean, Grey DeLisle, Dee Bradley Baker, Carlos Alazraqui, Gary Anthony Williams, and Yuri Lowenthal.
Directed by: Jay Oliva
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
5. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Synopsis: Eight years after Batman (Christian Bale) and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) disappeared, taking the blame for Harvey Dent’s death to protect Gotham, a new threat emerges. A skilled cat burglar (Anne Hathaway) and the ruthless terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy) draw Batman out of retirement, plunging him into a perilous battle he might not survive.
Cast: Featuring Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Juno Temple, Matthew Modine, Nestor Carbonell, Joey King, Josh Pence, Ben Mendelsohn, and Burn Gorman.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
4. Batman Returns (1992)
Synopsis: The Penguin (Danny DeVito), a grotesque figure dwelling in Gotham’s sewers, allies with the sinister businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) to overthrow Batman (Michael Keaton). When Shreck’s meek assistant, Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), discovers their plot and survives an attempt on her life, she transforms into the alluring Catwoman. Teaming up with the Penguin and Shreck, she aims to destroy Batman, but an unexpected connection forms when she encounters the Dark Knight.
Cast: Starring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Michael Gough, Christopher Walken, Pat Hingle, Cristi Conaway, Michael Murphy, and Paul Reubens.
Directed by: Tim Burton
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
3. Batman Begins (2005)
Synopsis: Young Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) journeys to the Far East, training in martial arts under Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the enigmatic League of Shadows. When Ducard unveils the League’s true goal—the annihilation of Gotham City—Wayne returns home, determined to save the city without resorting to killing. With the support of his loyal butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and tech genius Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Batman emerges.
Cast: Featuring Christian Bale, Cillian Murphy, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Mark Boone Junior, Linus Roache, Tim Booth, and Jack Gleeson.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
2. Batman (1989)
Synopsis: After witnessing his parents’ tragic murder as a child, billionaire Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) becomes Batman, a masked vigilante who terrifies Gotham City’s criminals. When the deranged Joker (Jack Nicholson) takes over the city’s underworld, Batman must confront his most dangerous foe while safeguarding his secret identity and his relationship with journalist Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger).
Cast: Starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, Billy Dee Williams, Pat Hingle, Jack Palance, Robert Wuhl, and Jerry Hall.
Directed by: Tim Burton
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
Synopsis: Batman (Christian Bale), alongside Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), has maintained order in Gotham City. However, chaos erupts when the Joker (Heath Ledger), a ruthless criminal, emerges, forcing Batman to navigate the thin line between heroism and vigilantism.
Cast: Featuring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Cillian Murphy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Nestor Carbonell, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Jai White, David Dastmalchian, and Ng Chin Han.
Source: Warner Bros. (Screenshot)
