For this ranking of every Batman film, we’re considering all Batman movies to get a theatrical release. We’re including team-up films like Justice League and Batman v. Superman, but not spinoffs sans Batman like Joker (or the mere cameo in Suicide Squad). In ranking the movies worst to best, we’re taking into account each film’s overall quality, how well they’ve aged, replay value—and how well they capture the iconic hero. The best of Batman transcends the superhero genre (The Dark Knight is widely considered one of this century’s best films), and the worst Batman movies are truly bat-a-strophic (Batman & Robin is the one with the Bat-credit-card). Here are all Batman movies ranked worst to best.
Batman movies ranked
15. Justice League (2017)
The infamous mega-budgeted disaster is about as bad as bad gets. After Zack Snyder exited Justice League following a family tragedy, he was replaced with Joss Whedon. Arguably an apt move at least on paper, as Whedon had delivered The Avengers to box-office domination. But the dissimilar ideas of two filmmakers—and even more lamentably, the studio’s lack of clear direction for the brand, led to a Franken-movie that probably shouldn’t be called a movie. That implies some level of cohesiveness; there’s none here. Like Rise of Skywalker two years later, the original cut of Justice League is a cynical hatchet job that feels made by committee. The only light and levity comes from Gal Gadot, always splendid as Diana Prince. She radiates a heroism this miserable mess otherwise lacks.
14. Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
Alan Moore’s esteemed graphic novel is haphazardly adapted in an animated film that saw a limited theatrical release. A tacked-on, atrocious prologue feels more like Sex & the City than anything in And Just Like That. A head-scratching Gotham-set rom-com abruptly gives way to Moore’s disturbing, violent, hard R-rated material. It’s as jarring as if Dorothy went from Kansas to Oz, the prison. The animation lacks the shadow play that made The Animated Series so remarkable. The only bright spot here is characteristically impressive voice work from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.
13. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Martha! Some degree of box-office success was inevitable for the first big-screen pairing of DC’s biggest heroes. Batman v. Superman had a huge opening weekend before plummeting under negative fan and critical reception. Dawn of Justice compares favorably to Justice League because it is the work of one filmmaker, not a patchwork. It’s consistently operatic—and also thoroughly self-serious, slipshod in its storytelling, even unintentionally funny. Flawed, wounded, well-meaning Batman is a timeless, captivating hero in the right hands. But there’s little in this dour film that doesn’t boil down to mere ego.
12. Batman & Robin (1997)
It’s not news to report Batman & Robin is a terrible movie: still, there’s something kind of quaint and sweet about it if compared to the cynicism, even hatefulness, of Justice League and Batman v. Superman. Suddenly bat nipples seem harmless. Uma Thurman emerges entirely unscathed. She knows what movie she’s in, and goes for it, as high-camp bad babe Poison Ivy. Batman & Robin is a so-bad-it’s-good touchstone, with significant replay value for fans of such things.
11. Batman (1966)
Released at the height of O.G. “Batmania,” Leslie H. Martinson’s comic caper Batman came out a few years after Dr. No, and the splashy influence of the super-spy craze is embedded here alongside the “Biff! Bam! Pow!” Starring Adam West and Burt Ward, Batman is a well-made movie and admirably uncynical film—but, like the live-action series, it’s thoroughly tongue-in-cheek and campy. It’s lightyears removed from Nolan grit—or even the Burton films for that matter. How much you enjoy this relic depends on how much you’re in on the joke.
10. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
Will Arnett’s inspired Batman was a highlight of critically acclaimed The LEGO Movie; his Bruce Wayne is a strangely lovable narcissist whose second-biggest secret is how much he loves romantic comedies. The LEGO Batman movie sets up a great character, and shows a surprisingly deft understanding of his symbiotic connection to Joker (Zach Galifianakis) —but it all wears thin after 104 minutes. Undeniably dazzling animation can’t fully make up for a second half that loses steam—running out of ideas, or at least really good ones. In The LEGO Movie, myriad visual gags were in sync with story. More is thrown at us here, and the effect isn’t as exhilarating.
9. Batman Forever (1995)
Before excessive silver bat-nipples and other bloat took this franchise into the sewer (and off theater screens for nearly a decade), Joel Schumacher‘s original bat-vision was flashy, schlocky disposable fun. This version of Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) is regrettably more cartoony than the take of the terrific Batman animated show that was nearing the end of its run at the time. Jim Carrey as Riddler is great, campy on a grand scale. Don’t think about it too hard, but Batman Forever is a slickly produced, flashy two-hour diversion.
8. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
To be very clear: this isn’t to be mistaken with 2017’s theatrical Franken-movie Justice League, an infamous case of too many cooks that frankly amounted to one of the worst blockbusters of all time. After years of fan campaigning and rumor, Warner Bros. released director Zack Snyder‘s scrapped vision to HBO Max and limited theaters. It was a pandemic-era sensation. The title Zack Snyder’s Justice League represents truth in advertising; gone are the quips about brunch, back is the religious symbolism and stentorian, bravura presentation. Frankly, it’s refreshing. The movie feels more confident, unapologetic even. With a four-hours-plus runtime it plays like a miniseries. It’s mostly a triumph.
7. Batman (1989)
Lavish, cerebral—also creepy and morbid in a way few blockbusters aspire to be, Burton’s original is a watershed moment for superhero cinema. Top-billed Jack Nicholson‘s Joker (he was always the studio’s top pick for the part) is iconic—and thanks to a back-end deal. it’s estimated the actor received between a $50 and $90 million payday. Batman won one Oscar, for its German Expressionism-inspired vision of Gotham. Like its immediate successor, style trumps substance here—but damned if the style isn’t something to behold.
6. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Christopher Nolan‘s third and final Caped Crusader mega-blockbuster has some plot holes you could drive a Tumbler through, frustrating audio mixing, an overstuffed plot, and it simply doesn’t reach the soaring heights of its immediate predecessors. That said, it’s the most wildly entertaining of the series: stunning IMAX action scenes and death-defying stunt work make nearly three hours fly by. Nary a dull moment. Ever-chameleonic Tom Hardy is a magnificently imposing Bane, though his speech-distorting mask is a little annoying, or at least unnecessarily distracting. Anne Hathawayall but steals the show (and what a show) with a freshly slinky, unpredictable take on Catwoman.
5. Batman Returns (1992)
A vivid and wondrous marvel of production design and world-building. Tim Burton and his technical team took everything that made 1989’s Batman stand out to the next level, and this is the most ravishing, distinct vision of Gotham City ever. Batman Returns was a box-office disappointment following its predecessor’s astronomical haul, and much of this certainly has to do with the movie being marketed at families and very young children, including a now-notorious McDonald’s Happy Meal toy tie-in that sparked outrage. Don’t show Batman Returns to small children. Its graphic violence and relentless dark tone are enough to alarm most grown-ups. Michelle Pfeiffer‘s captivating Catwoman, Danny DeVito‘s pitiful and grotesque Penguin, and Michael Keaton‘s masterfully manic-depressive take on Bruce Wayne are all top-notch.
4. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Stronger in character-building and even mood than any of the live-action Batman films of the ’80s and ’90s, this shadowy neo-noir sees The Animated Series‘ Bruce Wayne investigate a sinister imitator… and fall in love. The art deco visuals are intoxicating, and the intimate, streamlined story explores Waynes inner bubble and trust issues as well as any of these movies. There’s heartbreak and conflict here instead of costumes and set pieces—and of course, there’s a case to be made for Mark Hamill being the all-time best Joker. Aside from some highly positive reviews, Mask of the Phantasm went relatively unnoticed in 1993, thanks mostly to a rushed theatrical window. It’s been reassessed for decades on home media as an essential cut.
3. Batman Begins (2005)
Taking the outlandishness down considerably following the circus of Batman & Robin in favor of a streamlined story and action with weight, Nolan’s crime thriller/superhero hybrid inspired legions of gritty franchise reboots. Some worked (like Casino Royale), others did not (remember Robin Hood from 2010?). The third act of Batman Begins is the weakest spot; it feels like the umpteenth superhero movie where a villain poisons a water supply, bat business as usual. That doesn’t do much to undermine the whole visionary enterprise, though.
2. The Batman (2022)
After years of positive and negative hype, postponements and rumors, is The Batman actually good? Yes, it’s pretty great, actually. A sprawling three hours that feels its length but is never less than fully absorbing, this is intoxicating neon-splashed neo-noir that thrills in unexpected, patient ways. It might have all come off as too emo were it not for the radiant ensemble cast’s uniform commitment and a masterful command of tone. The Batman is more Blade Runner than Batman Begins, but this is damn good, consistently surprising filmmaking, and it all works. This is a movie of startling excellence across the board, but the single most striking element is Michael Giacchino’s thunderous, chameleonic and jazzy score. It’s arguably a new career high for the Oscar-winning Up composer.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
Best known for a towering Heath Ledger performance that gave the movie an air of myth months before it was released, Nolan’s aggressive expansion of the Batman saga was one of the most thrilling crime sagas since Heat, critically revered as it became the fourth film to gross $1 billion worldwide, forever altering the way audiences and movie studios would look at the superhero film. The Dark Knight‘s head-scratching exclusion from the Best Picture race was a key factor in a major rule changeup the following year. It’s perfectly possible this is the most influential movie of the century so far. Next, check out the 100 best movies of all time, ranked.
