Let’s be real: ranking Batman films is a lot like trying to pick a favorite pizza topping; there’s plenty of good stuff, a few questionable choices, and one or two that make you scratch your head. Still, decade after decade, Batman’s delivered star power, style, and stories ranging from campy fun to emotional depth. Here is a cheeky, definite ranking of the Caped Crusader’s big-screen adventures, starting from the bottom because suspense is half the thrill.
12. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Starting with the low point: Zack Snyder’s epic showdown feels more like a moody art project than a superhero story. Sure, that warehouse fight is exciting, but much of this movie trudges along in slow motion. If you’ve ever wanted to see what it’d look like for Batman and Superman to brood together, then this is your film.
11. Batman & Robin
Neon chaos, Bat-nipples, and groan-worthy ice puns, oh my. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze is cartoonishly over-the-top, Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy is fun but undercut, and Michael Gough’s Alfred is the only thing keeping it grounded. As nostalgia, it can be charming, but otherwise, it’s mostly a cautionary tale of excess.
10. The Dark Knight Rises
Nolan’s finale is grand but uneven. Tom Hardy’s Bane dominates, Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman adds flair, but it all goes out with a whimper, not a bang. The political undertones are heavy-handed, and while it’s still solid popcorn entertainment, it lacks the bite of The Dark Knight.
9. Batman Begins
The reboot that changed the game. Nolan’s grounded take on Bruce Wayne’s origin sets the tone for modern superhero films. Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow and Morgan Freeman’s Lucius Fox add depth, though some of the moments do feel a little too serious. Still, it is a very strong start to a new era for Batman.
8. Batman 1966 The Movie
Holy fun, Batman! Adam West’s campy take is pure entertainment-shark repellent, over-the-top villains, and a Batmobile for the ages. Not deep, but an absolute blast, especially with a crowd or for kids discovering Gotham for the first time.
7. Batman Forever
Neon sets, an over-the-top Jim Carrey as the Riddler, and Two-Face courtesy of Tommy Lee Jones overshadow Val Kilmer’s Batman, but the soundtrack? Legendary. Seal, U2, and Smashing Pumpkins make this a guilty pleasure: bright, flashy, never boring.
6. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Animated excellence. Terry McGinnis takes up the mantle, but the real star is the flashback revealing the Joker’s past. Dark, emotional, and ambitious, this proves that animation can deliver drama just as powerfully as live-action.
5. Batman (1989)
The gothic masterpiece from Tim Burton. Michael Keaton broods, Jack Nicholson’s Joker is deliciously anarchic, and Danny Elfman’s score sets the tone. The story has some shortcomings, but atmosphere, design, and the iconic Batmobile make this an instant classic.
4. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
The animated emotional knockout. Bruce Wayne’s first love, his decision to become Batman, and Shirley Walker’s haunting score elevate this story to cinematic heights. Every moment Bruce dons the cowl for the first time is electric.
3. The Batman (2022)
Matt Reeves brings a noir-tinged Gotham to life, as Robert Pattinson dons the cape with a brooding, rockstar-like Bruce Wayne. From Paul Dano’s terrifying Riddler to Zoë Kravitz’s sultry Selina Kyle, the art direction and Batmobile chase sequences make for a fresh, stylish entry. Gotham has never looked this real.
2. The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger’s Joker is the stuff of legend: chaotic, magnetic, and unforgettable. The truck chase, the “hit me” scene, and the hospital monologue are cinematic milestones. It’s a gripping crime epic, though Two-Face’s arc does feel slightly rushed. Still, this is Batman at his narrative peak.
1. Batman Returns
The zenith of superhero filmmaking. Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is fierce and fully realized, Danny DeVito’s Penguin is darkly comedic and tragic, while Christopher Walken’s Max Shreck is perfect villainy. Burton’s gothic vision shines in every frame, and the iconic soundtrack and set design elevate this beyond a Batman film to a true cinematic masterpiece.
From neon nightmares to gothic triumphs, Batman’s cinematic history has something for everyone. Whether you’re here for camp, crime, or pure noir, Gotham has left its mark on film history.