Catwoman is not merely a comic book hero—she’s an out-and-out cultural icon. Since clawing her way onto the scene in 1940, Selina Kyle has prowled across TV screens and cinematic screens as a thief, an antihero, a love interest, and a multifaceted symbol of feminine power. Her legend changes with each new generation, but she’s always a presence to be encountered.
From seductive purring in campy originals to owning gritty contemporary reboots, here are the 10 most iconic acts of Catwoman—listed in reverse, naturally. Because if one thing is true, it’s that Catwoman enjoys doing things her way.
10. Julie Newmar – Batman TV Series (1966–67)
Julie Newmar was the initial actress to wear the Catwoman costume on screen, and she performed it with unforgettable élan. Her take was sultry, saucy, and utterly unapologetic—setting the gold standard for live-action Catwomen to follow. Newmar even had a hand in designing the iconic look, choosing to wear the belt around her hips to give her greater mobility. “The costume allowed me to express the story with my body,” she once described. Her legacy? Timeless—and literally in the Smithsonian.
9. Lee Meriwether – Batman: The Movie (1966)
When the campy ’60s show made it to the big screen, Catwoman was played by Lee Meriwether, who brought a mischievous and mysterious performance. Her take was more disguise and a prankster image—particularly when posing as the mysterious “Miss Kitka” to tempt Bruce Wayne. “I was the luckiest Catwoman,” she said, relishing the chance to work with icons such as Cesar Romero and Burgess Meredith. She wore the catsuit once, but her legacy is still there.
8. Eartha Kitt – Batman TV Series (1967–68)
Eartha Kitt became television history when she replaced the role of Catwoman in the last season of the show, making her the first African American actress to play her. Her gravelly voice, smoky growl, and tough stage presence breathed a new life into the character. “It was one of the most wonderful bones ever thrown to me,” Kitt remarked of the part. Elegant, bold, and unapologetically powerful, she redefined the character—and paved the way for more diverse casting in superhero media.
7. Michelle Pfeiffer – Batman Returns (1992)
To a generation of fans, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. Her evolution from shy secretary to leather-wrapped agent of anarchy was charged. Tim Burton’s gothic sensibility enabled Pfeiffer to find the pain, strength, and volatility in the character. She whipped and stunted, and became the famous bird-in-the-mouth sensation for one iconic scene. Pfeiffer didn’t merely play Catwoman—she inhabited her, crafting a performance that feels definitive to this day.
6. Halle Berry – Catwoman (2004)
Halle Berry’s Catwoman—actually a new character called Patience Phillips—was a daring departure from the Selina Kyle we’d grown up with. Critics thrashed the film when it was released, but years later, it’s developed a cult following for its hyper-style and campy drama. Berry laughed at it all along, even showing up for her Razzie Award acceptance to present her Oscar in person. You don’t win a Razzie without a lot of help,” she joked. For better or worse, her Catwoman made a mark that won’t be easily forgotten.
5. Anne Hathaway – The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman was intelligent, sassy, and realistic. In Christopher Nolan’s dark Batman world, Selina Kyle was an adept thief attempting to strike a balance between self-protection and a sense of morality. Hathaway worked on martial arts and molded her performance with classic Hollywood glamour in mind. “It’s Catwoman,” Nolan explained to her during their initial meeting. And she did—providing a chill, calculated take that existed in a film full of hot-headed intensity.
4. Camren Bicondova & Lili Simmons – Gotham (2014–2019)
In Gotham, viewers got to see Catwoman’s origin play out in detail. Camren Bicondova portrayed a teenage Selina Kyle with street smarts, grit, and a lot of emotional complexity. Over five seasons, she grew into the character in a way no other actress had. For the finale, Lili Simmons stepped in as the adult Selina, with Bicondova’s blessing. “Amazing, a privilege, and thankful”—that’s Bicondova’s summary of the experience. Together, they presented us with a new, in-depth interpretation of the character’s development.
3. Zoë Kravitz – The Batman (2022)
Zoë Kravitz added a hip, modern sheen to the character in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Her Selina was sneaky, street-smart, and ethically complex—mouthing around loss, identity, and justice. She worked hard and emulated the physicality of big cats, committing to the part. Kravitz also deliberately played her iteration as bisexual, adding to the character’s depth. “She’s just learning to discover who she is,” Kravitz explained. It’s a turn that had fans anticipating what’s next.
2. The Bigger Picture: Catwoman’s Cultural Impact
Catwoman’s impact extends far beyond the actresses who’ve suited up in ears and claws. She has become an icon of female strength, autonomy, and complex identity. Her transformation from cartoon bad girl to morally ambiguous antihero illustrates changing sensibilities regarding women in popular culture. The casting of Black women such as Eartha Kitt, Halle Berry, and Zoë Kravitz has generated necessary debates surrounding diversity, representation, and what genuinely represents a legacy character. To most fans, particularly women of color, Catwoman is strength, defiance, and the ability to create your narrative.
1. The Nine Lives of a Legend
Each Catwoman uniquely interprets the character: Newmar’s flirtatious charm, Pfeiffer’s unbalanced beauty, Hathaway’s calculating poise, Kravitz’s emotional intensity. She’s adapted to the times, but remained an enigma. Catwoman is still one of the most complicated, intriguing characters in superhero mythology. And with every new iteration, she demonstrates that this feline femme fatale has lives left to live—and tales yet to be told.
Catwoman is no sidekick or foil—she’s the beat of her tale. Whether she’s cracking a whip, pilfering hearts, or toeing the line between good and evil, she has people clamoring for more. Nine lives? She’s only just begun.