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HAPPY BATMAN DAY!
Today is officially Batman Day, and to celebrate I’ve collected all of the live-action cinematic outings of the Caped Crusader, compiling them into a ranked list from worst to best.
Some things you should note before you begin!
- This list is obviously subjective, you might agree, and you might not. Let’s keep it civil if you disagree with anything.
- Each film listed contains a very brief synopsis and a reason why it has been placed in its respective position.
- Only theatrically released live-action Batman movies have been included in the list, so you won’t find any animated films or live-action serials.
- I have not included any cameo appearances made by Batman or Bruce Wayne, so Suicide Squad and Joker have not been included.
10th – Batman & Robin (1997)
This is why Superman works alone – Bruce Wayne/Batman
We begin with the highly quotable, Batman & Robin, the fourth and final entry into the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman series (1989-1997). George Clooney takes over the cape and cowl from Val Kilmer in a movie that is remembered not for its quality, but Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger)’s ice puns, Uma Thurman’s over-acting, and of course George Clooney’s infamous Bat nipples.
Batman, Robin (Chris O’Donnell), and their newest recruit, Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), must save Gotham from Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy (Thurman).
Batman & Robin was a family-friendly movie made to sell toys with toy companies even being involved in the pre-productions to make sure it was “toyetic“. The film was nominated for 11 Razzie Awards including Worst Picture, and if you watch it, you’ll be able to see why.
9th – Justice League (2017)
Superman was a beacon to the world. Why aren’t you? You’re an inspiration, Diana. You don’t just save people, You make them see their better selves. – Bruce Wayne/Batman
Plagued with multiple problems including the replacement of director Zach Snyder with Joss Whedon, studio interference to the point that Warner Bros allegedly ignored on-set bullying, and the much-revered removal of Henry Cavill’s Mission Impossible moustache. The long-awaited Justice League seemed doomed from the start, and unfortunately, the multiple troubles the film faced in production negatively impacted this ensemble film.
Joining forces to stop Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and the Parademons from hunting down Earth’s three Mother Boxes are Superman (Henry Cavill); Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot); Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and The Flash (Esra Miller) in their first-ever live-action, big-screen outing.
With a muddled screenplay, so-so-CGI, and obvious reshoots, Justice League is, unfortunately, a disappointing entry into the canon especially since it’s our first and so-far only live-action Justice League blockbuster. At least we have the Snyder Cut to look forward to.
8th – Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Twenty years in Gotham, Alfred, we’ve seen what promises are worth, how many good guys are left? – Bruce Wayne/Batman
The hype for Zach Snyder’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice was real! Opening around the same time as Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, superhero fans were truly blessed! Unfortunately, this movie is a total mixed bag. It’s not bad, but it’s not great; it’s just okay.
For the past few years, Superman (Henry Cavill) has been free to police the world with no consequence, but one man is set on ending what he sees as chaos – Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Affleck dons the Batman costume in Batman’s first appearance in the DC Extended Universe. While he does a decent job, he and Cavill’s Superman are upstaged by Gal Gadot’s glorified cameo as Wonder Woman.
The film split audiences right through the middle upon release, and the extended cut didn’t help matters anymore. But at least everyone can agree that Jesse Eisenberg’s version of Lex Luthor is laughable at best.
7th – Batman: The Movie (1966)
Hand me the shark-repellent Batspray! – Bruce Wayne/Batman
The campy sixties television show spawned one of the most memorable entries into the Batman franchise, one which many fondly remember despite its flaws. Batman: The Movie stars Adam West as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Burt Ward as Dick Grayson/Robin as they battle The Joker (Cesar Romero), Catwoman (Lee Meriwether), The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), and The Riddler (Frank Gorshin) who have created an ingenious invention which dehydrates people.
Batman: The Movie is funny, campy, outrageous, and a far-cry different than any other live-action Batman movie.
6th – Batman Forever
Some of you may question my placement of Batman Forever, the third installment in The Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman Series, especially above Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. While Batman Forever is cheesy and is of questionable quality, it remains a fun, and bombastic interpretation of the Batman canon with the familiar flair fans of the 60’s Batman series will love.
In Batman Forever, we see Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne/Batman, replacing Michael Keaton, as he battles Harvey Dent/Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and The Riddler (Jim Carrey), who are building a machine that will suck the brains out of the citizens of Gotham (do you see why I compared it to the 60’s series now?). The film also introduces Chris O’Donnell as Dick Grayson/Robin to the series and O’Donnell’s performance is… fine.
5th – The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy’s shoulder to let him know that the world hadn’t ended. – Bruce Wayne/Batman
The Dark Knight Rises brings the world of chaos and mayhem back to Gotham as a new terrorist threat by the name of Bane (Tom Hardy) takes over the city after eliminating those in control, also starring the mischievously enchanting Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) and the always great Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.
The final entry into Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy brings the action, the drama, and finality, deserving of a superhero trilogy. It’s so-far the only Batman series to have a conclusive ending, unlike Batman & Robin, which was left open for future movies that were quickly cancelled after the film was released.
4th – Batman (1989)
Tim Burton brings his dark and twisted flair to the first live-action outing of Batman since 1966’s Batman: The Movie. Michael Keaton plays our brooding hero and Jack Nicholson, in what might be his most outrageous role ever, plays The Joker.
The first installment in what would become the Tim Burton & Joel Schumacher Batman Series sees The Joker take over Gotham’s criminal underworld causing city-wide chaos that only the caped crusader can end.
At thirty-one-years-old, Batman has stood the test of time, not only as one of the best Batman films but one of the best superhero adaptations ever.
3rd – Batman Returns (1991)
The first sequel to Batman sees Michael Keaton take his final turn (until 2022’s The Flash movie, that is) as Batman in a twisted tale featuring an excellent Danny DeVito as the Penguin, who desperately wants to be accepted into the world. Meanwhile, a mysterious burglar called Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) has been creeping about in the shadows.
Batman Returns may be dark, but it manages to be a fun and faithful adaptation of the Batman comics and my personal favourite of the Tim Burton & Joel Schumacher’s Batman series.
2nd – Batman Begins (2005)
The reboot that kickstarted the recognisable edgy-superhero style that DC movies are now famous for, Batman Begins gives us a real-world perspective of how Bruce Wayne harnessed his fears and became Batman.
Starring Christian Bale as the titular hero, Michael Caine as Alfred, and Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow, Batman Begins is an excellent entry into the franchise as well as a more than worthy kickstart to a new trilogy.
Honourable Mention: The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
What am I gonna do? Get a bunch of criminals together to fight the criminals? That’s a stupid idea. – Bruce Wayne/Batman
I have cheated a tiny bit by giving an honourable mention to the animated The LEGO Batman Movie, but I had to because out of all the Batman movies, this one is by far my favourite!
While I am a sucker for the LEGO movies, The LEGO Batman Movie is a fun, exciting, and hilarious adventure featuring a vast cast of Batman heroes such as Batgirl, Robin, Superman, and the Green Lantern, and villains such as The Joker, Mr Freeze, Catwoman, and the Condiment King(?). It also has the distinction of featuring a rogue’s gallery from outside the DC Multiverse with Harry Potter’s Lord Voldemort, Middle Earth’s Sauron, and Doctor Who’s Daleks, to name a few.
1st – The Dark Knight (2008)
Because sometimes the truth isn’t good enough. Sometimes, people deserve more. Sometimes, people deserve to have their faith rewarded.
We’ve reached the pinnacle of cinematic Batman movies. You’ll find it hard to find someone who doesn’t love The Dark Knight, the second film in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy.
This film sees Batman try to rein in the chaos caused by a new madman on the scene who only goes by the name of the Joker.
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Gary Oldman reprise their roles as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, and Commissioner James Gordon from Batman Begins. They are joined by star-studded newcomers Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, the late, great Heath Ledger as the Joker, Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. The Dark Knight is the most thrilling and intense Batman movie ever made, and it is in part thanks to Ledger’s Academy Award-winning performance as the Joker.
And that’s my ranking of the live-action Batman films! For more, be sure to follow us on Twitter @TheCinemaSpot and Instagram @thecinemaspot_.
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